Defense Posturing Takes Hold : Football: Graduation strips league of some of its most impressive firepower of a year ago.

Many of the Channel League’s fleet tailbacks and bruising fullbacks have graduated, and league coaches are on the defensive this fall.

A talented group of runners provided weekly offensive showdowns last season, including a 107-point barrage involving Santa Barbara and Oxnard highs. But now coaches are expecting the league to return to its form of 1987, when strong defenses dominated.

“It’s going to be the one of the biggest years for defenses,” said Buena Coach Rick Scott, whose team had the league’s second-best defense last season.

“But maybe we will all be better defensive teams because all those running backs have graduated,” he added, laughing.

The corps that caused most of the trouble last year included Ventura’s Danny Taylor (1,554 yards), Oxnard’s Bryant Taylor (1,436), Dos Pueblos’ Marcus Preciado (1,100), Oxnard’s Johnel Turner (748), Buena’s Tony Williams (725), and Rio Mesa’s Scott O’Neill (700).

“There were some exceptional offensive players last season,” Dos Pueblos Coach Jeff Hesselmeyer said.

Said Rio Mesa Coach John Reardon: “Last year, everybody had a running back. This year it’s questionable whether the skill players are there.”

Reardon and league coaches are quick to credit running backs Mike Castelo of San Marcos and Kenyon Lewis of Oxnard, and receivers Simon Banks of Santa Barbara and Jamie Liddel of Rio Mesa. But all are even quicker to point out that there are not as many quality players as there were in 1989.

“I think the league will be epitomized by physical defenses and fairly conservative offenses, like 1987,” Hueneme Coach George Machado said. “Heck, if you put us all in a room and asked us to scribble offensive plays on the blackboard, we’d all be asleep in five minutes.”

Castelo, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior, likely will provide plenty of excitement. He rushed for 1,700 yards and scored 22 touchdowns behind a small San Marcos line last year. Also, San Marcos quarterback David Lopez, a second-team all-league pick a year ago, is considered the league’s best.

Lewis, a 6-2, 190-pound tailback who was mentioned in Super Prep magazine as a player to watch, will have plenty of opportunity to showcase his talents. “Our offense will be pitch-it-to-Lewis,” Oxnard Coach Jack Davis said.

Banks, a 5-10, 170-pound senior, might be the league’s finest offensive talent. Banks caught 41 passes for 991 yards last year and Super Prep considers him the seventh-best prospect in the Far West.

Many of the league’s finest players are linemen and defenders.

Among the skilled linemen are Ventura seniors Samsun Okinaga (6-0, 220) and Brandon Evans (6-5, 255), part of the largest offensive line in Ventura history. Okinaga was a second-team, all-league player last season and is one reason the Cougars are expected to contend with two-time champion Santa Barbara for the title.

Santa Barbara is led by Banks, tackle Dan Molina (6-4, 280), and tight end Derek Elbert (6-6, 220).

Defensively, the talent is just as strong with Rio Mesa linebacker Sam Garcia (6-1, 225), Dos Pueblos safety Cy Brunner (5-8, 160) and San Marcos lineman Erubey Nava (5-9, 200).

Last year’s top two teams--Santa Barbara and Buena--also had the league’s top two defenses.

“This year the best defensive teams will be up there at the top,” Machado said. “I think you can probably expect a lot of 14-13 games and some decided on last-second field goals.”

CHANNEL LEAGUE

FINAL 1989 STANDINGS PROJECTED FINISH Santa Barbara 11-1-1, 7-0 Santa Barbara Buena 6-5, 5-2 San Marcos San Marcos 6-6, 5-2 Ventura Oxnard 7-3, 4-3 Buena Ventura 5-4-1, 3-4 Rio Mesa Dos Pueblos 5-5, 2-5 Oxnard Rio Mesa 4-6, 2-5 Dos Pueblos Hueneme 0-10, 0-7 Hueneme

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Player School Pos. Ht Wt Class Simon Banks Santa Barbara WR 5-10 170 Sr. Cy Brunner Dos Pueblos DB 5-8 160 Sr. Mike Castelo San Marcos RB 5-10 175 Sr. Brandon Evans Ventura OL 6-5 255 Sr. Sam Garcia Rio Mesa LB 6-1 225 Sr. Kenyon Lewis Oxnard RB 6-2 190 Sr. Jamie Liddel Rio Mesa WR 5-7 150 Sr. David Lopez San Marcos QB 6-0 170 Sr. Samsun Okinaga Ventura OL 6-0 220 Sr. Dan Molina Santa Barbara OL 6-4 280 Sr. Erubey Nava San Marcos DL 5-9 200 Sr.