THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTIONS : FREEDOM LEAGUE

Camp Kilpatrick

COACH: Sean Porter, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 8-1; Freelance team at 8-man level

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Fielding a team at Camp Kilpatrick, an L. A. County youth correctional facility for boys aged 12 to 18, is not particularly easy. First of all, the team plays no home games. Secondly, there are no returning players. “Shoot, we’ve never had a returning player,” said Porter, a parole officer. The Mustangs may start over each season, but they have been successful at the eight-man level. Expected to start at running back are Bobby Wilson (5-7, 175) and Junior Palaita (5-7, 180). Frank Reynaga (5-6, 150) and Tryvon Cockrell (5-8, 135) will start at receiver. Sophomores Mario Castillo (5-6, 150) and Rafael Sarabia (5-8, 150) are battling it out at quarterback. Ross Maseuli (6-0, 230), who also will start at linebacker or on the defensive line, is the team’s best offensive lineman. Michael Black (5-9, 165) and Maurice McGee (5-9, 150) start in the secondary. Michael Pena (5-7, 170) starts at linebacker in the Mustangs’ 5-2 defense.

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs are only 30 strong, and Porter estimated that half of his team is composed of 15-years-olds with experience that is “minimal, at best.” Camp Kilpatrick, in its third year of football and first at the 11-man level, will soon know where it stands. Of its first four opponents, three are ranked in the Southern Section Division IX or X preseason top 10.