SOUTHERN SECTION SOCCER PREVIEW : Hampton Boosts Teammates : Soccer: All-American midfielder has brought the abilities of Simi Valley players to another level.

After Craig Hampton was selected to the 1989 All-American soccer team earlier this month, some of his Simi Valley High teammates were awed by the senior midfielder’s presence.

But now the Pioneers have not only accepted Hampton’s recognition by the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America but some of his skills have begun to rub off on his teammates.

“Some kids, when playing with a national-level player on their team, don’t really shy away from him, they’re a little intimidated,” Simi Valley Coach Andy Silva said. “That intimidation carries right onto the field. We had a couple of players like that . . . it’s sort of fading away now.”

Silva stressed that playing alongside Hampton has helped his teammates hone their own techniques.

“Of (Hampton’s) play and ability, it has brought the other kids’ ability up to play top-level soccer,” he said.

Top-level soccer has been a trademark of Simi Valley teams.

The Pioneers have won seven Marmonte League championships this decade, including two three-year reigns from 1980-82 and 1984-86. They finished second in the Southern Section 4-A Division in 1986.

This year, Simi Valley is ranked second behind defending 4-A champion Palos Verdes; Marmonte teams Royal and Newbury Park are ranked seventh and ninth.

“I think we have a good chance of going a long way in the 4-A,” the 11th-year coach said, “but I don’t want to count my chickens before they’re hatched.”

Eight players return for Simi Valley--including seven starters--from last year’s team that advanced to the 4-A quarterfinals before losing to Hawthorne, 2-0.

Hampton, senior midfielder Andre Markarian and junior striker Brian Weaver lead a potent Pioneer offense.

In its first eight matches, Simi Valley is averaging 3.75 goals.

Weaver has been equally effective at goal-scoring as well as feeding assists. Senior forward Kenny Greninger also is a frequent contributor.

Simi Valley recorded five consecutive shutouts to start the season as goalkeepers Angelo Maccano and Mike Jones, a sophomore, shared time.

Defenders Sean Kieldrup and Marc Cargnel head the Valley area’s stingiest defense, which did not allow a goal in the Pioneers’ first six games.

Other teams to watch:

Channel Islands--After a season in which the Raiders won only three matches, first-year Coach Al Tarazon has the Raiders playing well.

Channel Islands is off to a 6-1-1 record and senior goalkeeper Rosario Pina has posted four shutouts.

Sophomore Oscar Gutierrez and freshman Francisco Leon provide punch at forward for the a team dominated by underclassmen, and senior Victor Martinez and junior Jose Sarabia, both halfbacks, add depth.

Senior twins Gabriel and German Prieto and juniors Lupe Moreno and Francisco Robles are key defenders.

Royal--After winning the 4-A title in the 1987-88 season and missing the playoffs the following year, the Highlanders again are on the upswing, starting the season 6-0-1.

Senior striker Matt Brinkman, a dangerous offensive player, scored a hat trick Thursday in a 3-2 win over Santa Paula.

Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Hambly is the cornerstone of Royal’s defense along with Michael Hansen and Daniel Anderson

Marco Todesco is a quarterback-type player, setting up offensive plays from his midfielder position along with midfielder Kai Schraml.

St. Francis--First-year Coach Glen Appels inherited the defending Del Rey League titlist that went 16-1-1 last year and reached the semifinals of the 3-A playoffs before falling to eventual champion Mission Viejo.

Nine players return, most of whom saw limited action.

Senior David Beall scored six goals in this season’s first five games from his midfielder position, and senior midfielder Erik Franken provides depth.

Appels said that the Golden Knights’ strength lies in their defense, for which he has two solid performers in defender Matthew Hydar and midfielder Mike Rendon, both seniors.

Burroughs--Although they had a less-than-stellar season in 1989, Mike Kodama’s Indians have 11 players back. The addition of two forwards and a sweeper from last year’s 16-1-2 junior varsity should spark Burroughs in the nine-team Foothill League.

Burroughs compiled a 7-9-4 record and finished fifth in league play at 4-6-4. But with veteran players the Indians, behind their third-year coach, are already pushing good teams. They were edged recently by defending 1-A champion La Canada, 3-2, in a nonleague game.

All-league defender Carlos Roque, a junior, is in the backfield along with sophomore sweeper Ian Goyanes, up from the junior varsity.

Seniors Sean O’Connor and Jeff Gierok, both third-year players, will lead the Indians’ offense from their midfielder and forward positions. Senior forwards Octavio Alejandres and Jason Pitkin will provide additional support.

L. A. Baptist--Eleven players return for the Knights--including eight starters--from the team that lost in the quarterfinals of the 1989 Small Schools Division playoffs to eventual champion Morro Bay.

Senior midfielder Ron Simpson, an All-Southern Section selection, scored 16 goals and had 14 assists in leading L. A. Baptist to a 17-6-1 record.