THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTIONS : SAN FERNANDO VALLEY LEAGUE

Bell-Jeff

COACH: Doug Woodlief, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 2-7-1; 4th in league, 1-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Woodlief hopes the Guards have what they lacked the past two seasons: a defense. In 1989, Bell-Jeff surrendered an average of 339.9 yards a game, ranking 50th among 51 Valley teams. Joe Pieprzyca, Tony Pawluc, Alfred Silva, Mike Dunn and Chris Lee will divide time at cornerback. Junior Bobby Machuca (5-foot-10, 155 pounds), the No. 2 quarterback behind Pawluc (5-11, 155), will be a free safety, with Chris Santa Cruz and junior Nestor Villanea (5-9, 155) sharing responsibilities at strong safety. Silva (5-6, 150), who also will play tailback, and fullback-tailback Greg Cervantes (5-10, 185) are expected to be the mainstays of the ground attack. All-league guard Tony Cesta (5-10, 215) returns as the team’s top lineman. OUTLOOK: Bell-Jeff has no dominating musclemen. Most players range from 150 to 180 pounds, which means they might be bounced around by opposing defenses. The smallness of the offensive line portends difficulty for quarterbacks needing time to throw and running backs seeking daylight.

Harvard

COACH: Gary Thran, 18th season

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 3rd in league, 2-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Saracens struggled most of last season despite making the playoffs. If skill-position players pan out as Thran expects, Harvard could make a dramatic recovery. Junior quarterback Greg Peters (6-0, 160) has been promoted from the junior varsity and, Thran says, “could be the best quarterback we’ve had around here in the last four or five years.” Senior Kent Dahn (5-9, 150) and junior Jeremiah Aguolu (5-9, 155), who each rushed for more than 400 yards last season, might split time in the backfield. Receiver Iheani Uwaezouke, whom Thran says is a bona fide NCAA Division I prospect, attended UCLA Coach Terry Donahue’s summer football camp and “raised a lot of eyebrows there,” according to Thran. The Saracens’ biggest player is 220-pound center Ruebin Ahn, the only returning lineman. A defensive backfield that includes Dahn, Bell, and Robert Pearlstein might be the most talented Thran has coached.

OUTLOOK: Harvard isn’t huge but has speed. Uwaezouke, who will play several positions, should be able to showcase his talents, especially if Thran implements an option offense. “I’m going to bring some of those plays out of the archives,” Thran vowed.

St. Francis

COACH: Bill Garrison, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 1-9; 5th in Del Rey League, 0-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: It would be difficult not to see John Willis on the field. At 6-2, 210, he is one of the biggest quarterbacks in the area. “If he wasn’t our quarterback, he’d be our offensive tackle,” Garrison said. The Golden Knights’ weakness lies in the inexperience of the backfield. Running back Doug Fremdling (5-8, 175) saw limited action last year behind Pete Morales and Kevin Hurley, both of whom have graduated. Garrison has yet to decide on a full-time fullback, a position for which he has four capable players, including Larry Duenas (6-0, 200), a returning senior at that position. With only Shawn Haney returning at wide receiver, James Yun, Patrick Escamilla and Brew McGoldrick are the leading candidates to be his counterpart. Vince D’Orazi (6-4, 270) starts at offensive tackle and Marty Konrad (6-3, 215) doubles at tight end and outside linebacker. Although end Ernie Hull (6-3, 210) is the only returning defensive lineman, Garrison said that the defense will be the team’s backbone. Junior Garett Mauro (6-0, 210) is assured a berth at tackle and Paul Moran and Jose Rodriguez are top line prospects. Favio Soto (5-11, 175) and junior Chris Hemela (6-0, 210) are the inside linebackers. Yum and Escamilla are at cornerback and free safety, respectively.

OUTLOOK: Inexperience at the skill positions--especially running back--will work against the Golden Knights, but a worthy defense could help stymie opposing offenses. “I think our defensive front will be strong and our secondary returns two starters, which will be good for us,” Garrison said.

St. Genevieve

COACH: Mark Lovett, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 2-7; 5th in league, 0-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The addition of a skilled quarterback could provide the edge the Valiants (3-15, winless in league games the past two seasons) have been looking for. Joe Gonzales (5-11, 180) is back after missing the 1989 season because of a hip injury he sustained while playing on the junior varsity two years ago. Lovett said Gonzales completed 70% of his passes in summer passing leagues and has been working on his technique since December. “The reason our percentage was so high is because we don’t throw deep,” Lovett said. The addition of senior wide receiver Mike Robinson (6-2, 170, 4.5-second 40 yards), a junior transfer from Crespi, also could help the passing game, as could Jesse DeLao (5-10, 160), a speedy guard from the basketball team. Carry Iaccino (5-10, 160) adds depth from his flanker position and Tom Nickels (6-2, 185) is the top tight end. The offensive line of Roy Navarjo (center), Noel Villenuave and Jon Hoffman (guards) and Dan Remillard and Alfredo Flores (tackles) also doubles as the defensive line. Average height and weight are 6-1 and 212.

OUTLOOK: Lovett’s biggest problem last year was keeping his players healthy for league play, and he hopes they don’t need much doctoring this season. Consecutive losses to St. Anthony and Montclair Prep left most St. Genevieve starters “beat up and knocked around,” Lovett said, forcing him to fill the voids with two-way players. “If we lose one or two of our linemen, we would be in trouble,” Lovett said.