Manning, Wilson Are Players of Year

Record-setting defensive back Tim Manning of Trabuco Hills High School was named Orange County’s back of the year and Oscar Wilson of Santa Ana was selected lineman of the year on Sunday at the 30th Times’ awards brunch at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers.

Manning intercepted 24 passes in three seasons, setting a county career record, and led Trabuco Hills to the Division VIII championship this year by passing for 17 touchdowns.

Manning started as a defensive back, wide receiver and quarterback during his standout career. He also was a starting guard on the school’s basketball team that advanced to the state Division III championship game last March.

Wilson is the only player in 30 years to earn first-team honors for three consecutive seasons. He also became the only player selected as the lineman of the year for two years in a row.

Coach of the year honors went to Orange’s first-year walk-on coach, Tom Meiss. Meiss led Orange to the Division VIII championship game, marking the first time the school had advanced to a football title game in 60 years.

Orange had struggled to a 2-8 record in 1988, but Meiss led the Panthers to a 10-3-1 record despite teaching at Santa Ana High.

The Times honored 276 players from Southern California. Dennis Green, Stanford football coach, was the guest speaker.