Times Honors Top Prep Coach, Back, Lineman of Year

Serra High fullback Dennis Gerard, Carson linebacker Nkosi Littleton and Serra Coach Leo Hand were the South Bay award winners at The Times’ All-Star football brunch Sunday at the Anaheim Hilton.

Gerard, who led the South Bay in rushing and touchdowns, was named Back of the Year; Littleton, Carson’s leading tackler, was chosen Lineman of the Year, and Hand, who coached Serra to the CIF Southern Section Division VII title in his first year at the school, was selected Coach of the Year.

The three were honored along with the rest of the 23-player South Bay All-Star Team. Twelve teams representing different Times circulation areas were honored at the brunch.

The Glenn Davis Award, given annually to Southern California’s best prep player, was awarded posthumously to Dorsey wide receiver Kevin Copeland, who died from heart failure Oct. 6 during a game against San Pedro.

Gerard, also named Camino Real League Back of the Year, led the area with 1,920 yards and 28 touchdowns in 275 carries. A tough, compact running back, the 5-foot-8, 190-pound Gerard saved his best performance for his final high school game, rushing for 239 yards and two TDs in Serra’s 34-31 victory over Lompoc in the Division VII championship game.

Littleton, a 6-2, 220-pound senior, helped Carson (10-2) reach the L.A. City Section 4-A final for the ninth consecutive season with his aggressive defensive play. He made the transition to linebacker after earning All-City honors last season as a lineman, and he responded by leading the Colts with 145 tackles. He finished with 229 career tackles, third-highest mark in school history.

Hand, who previously coached successful programs at St. Anthony in Long Beach and Servite in Anaheim, enjoyed an impressive debut at Serra. He guided the Cavaliers to their fourth straight Camino Real League title, the school’s first Southern Section title and a 14-0 record. Serra outscored opponents by an average score of 35-8.