Riverside Dominates Mission Conference Picks

Three players from Orange County were named most valuable players, but Riverside College dominated the rest of the Mission Conference Central Division football honors, which were voted on by conference coaches Tuesday.

Running backs Estrus Crayton of Rancho Santiago and Daryl McChristian of Riverside were voted the most valuable offensive players. Linebackers Fred Soares of Rancho Santiago and Mahe Liavaa of Fullerton were the most valuable defensive players.

Riverside, the division champion, placed seven on the first-team offense and four on the first-team defense. Riverside’s Barry Meier was voted coach of the year.

The coaches’ first team:

OFFENSE

QB: Scott Wood, Rancho Santiago; Randy Payne, Riverside. RB: Jeff Andrews, Fullerton; John Burns, Saddleback; Estrus Crayton, Rancho Santiago; Daryl McChristian, Riverside. WR: Cameron Lymon, Riverside; Paul Peters, Rancho Santiago; Mike Thomas, Fullerton. OL: Jason Downs, Riverside; Matt Nicolo, Fullerton; Mike Edge, Riverside; Mark Fely, Orange Coast; Mike Jepsen, Golden West; Vince Rollins, Riverside. TE: Rob Coons, Fullerton; Joe Dantuono, Riverside; Shane Talbert, Orange Coast. K: Eric Lange, Fullerton. P: Kevin Leon, Fullerton.

DEFENSE

DL: Eric Alexander, Riverside; David Spoolstra, Rancho Santiago; Tyrone Youngblood, Orange Coast; Derrick Watkins, Golden West. LB: Fred Soares, Rancho Santiago; Kevin Ashworth, Golden West; Chris Drossos, Saddleback; Mike Harrington, Riverside; James Ramsey, Rancho Santiago; Mahe Liavaa, Fullerton. DB: Orlando Robbins, Fullerton; Robby Smith, Saddleback; Tony Gonzalez, Rancho Santiago; Fred Easter, Riverside; John Ramirez, Riverside. KR: Paul Peters, Rancho Santiago.