Familiarity Breeds Competition in Metro

For a league accustomed to annual changes, the most notable in the Metro Conference in 1990 is that there are hardly any.

Unlike years past, no new members joined this year and none departed. After numerous jumps and splits in the 1980s, the eight-team Metro remains intact and retains its 3-A designation. And all eight head coaches return for the first time since 1984, averaging 5 1/2 years experience at their present schools.

“I’d say everything is pretty much status quo,” Mar Vista Coach Sam Coe said.

“I don’t think there are many changes at all,” Castle Park Coach Jorge Mancillas said. “I have a lot of respect for all the coaches around the league, and we’re all pretty close. I don’t think in the whole county, there are as many high schools in such in such a small geographical area.”

The continuity factor can be both a blessing and a drawback. After all, familiarity with an opponent’s offenses, defenses and tendencies goes both ways.

“You sort of get a feel for them after awhile,” Bonita Vista Coach Jim Wilson said. “It helps some. You pretty much know what to expect. But it doesn’t cut down those 10-hour Saturdays any.”

Although the coaches are unanimous in predicting the league will have more parity in 1990, the favorites appear to be the same as last year.

Chula Vista, Southwest and Sweetwater finished 1-2-3 in 1989, and few would be surprised if they end up that way again. In an informal poll of Metro coaches, they were the only three to receive first place votes.

“The road to the Metro crown goes through Chula Vista,” Sweetwater Coach Andy Sanchez said.

Chula Vista went undefeated in league play for the second consecutive year, and the Spartans could make it three in a row.

Fullback Steve Gomez, tailback Neviette Richardson, receiver Brandon Gregg and tight end/linebacker Donnie Edwards--all seniors--lead the way at the skill positions. On the line, senior Daniel Alonzo (5-feet-9, 265 pounds) and Bakersfield junior transfer Andy Duran (6-3, 245) will try to make up for the loss of All-League lineman Louie Zumstein, who is now at San Diego State.

Senior quarterback Alan Delos Reyes tries to maintain the standards set by Derek Chapman, who was the top passer in the league in 1989, throwing for 157 yards per game and 15 touchdowns.

The Spartans spread the wealth on offense last year, running and passing with equal effectiveness. But this year, they figure to be more of a running team until Delos Reyes gets experience.

“Where Steve Gomez goes, we’ll go. That’s going to be our offensive motto,” Chula Vista Coach George Ohnesorgen said.

Actually, Ohnesorgen feels defense will have to carry the team, at least in the early going.

Chula Vista, ranked No. 2 by The Times at the end of the regular season, was fourth in the county in offense (30.7 points per game) and ninth in defense (9.5 points allowed per game) in 1989.

Southwest was seventh in the county in defense (9.3 points allowed per game) and was the only team to blemish Chula Vista’s regular-season record with a 17-17 tie.

Senior defensive end Mike Johnson, a Times’ All-County selection, was the Metro defensive player of the year, but he is one of only seven letterman returning.

Among the others are senior quarterback Andy Quinn, senior fullback Junior Ochoa, junior tailback Riley Washington, one of the county’s best sprinters, and senior lineman Ed Karakey (6-0, 270).

Sweetwater, the only year-round school in the county, appears to be on the upswing after missing the playoffs in 1988 for the first time since 1980.

Since the Red Devils have been in school since July 23--making two-a-day practices nearly impossible--they were allowed to begin practicing a week early.

David Gregorio is a three-year starter at quarterback. The Branch brothers--Willie (running back) and Danny (cornerback) should again be impact players, as should sophomore fullback Ty Lepule and senior offensive Sefa Aina, another three-year starter.

The ace up Coach Andy Sanchez’s sleeve could be the re-acquisation of assistant coaches Eddie Minshow (defensive coordinator) and Coco Jarin (defensive backs). Both were instrumental in helping Sweetwater win back-to-back 3-A titles in 1983 and 1984.

METRO LEAGUE

Defending champion: Chula Vista (10-1-1 in 1989, 6-0-1 in league). Who should win: Chula Vista.

Who could win: Sweetwater (5-6, 5-2), Southwest (7-4-1, 5-1-1).

Who should look toward 1991: Bonita Vista (5-5-1, 4-3), Castle Park (4-6, 1-6), Hilltop (3-7, 3-4), Montgomery (3-7, 2-5), Mar Vista (3-7, 1-6).

The Game: Chula Vista vs. Sweetwater, Nov. 9. The final regular season game, and the longest continuous rivalry in the county, should determine the champion.

Impact players: Steve Gomez, Chula Vista, senior fullback, 5-11, 210; a bruising, straight-ahead runner. Mike Johnson, Southwest, senior defensive end, 5-11, 210; the defensive player of the year in 1989. Willie Branch, Sweetwater, senior running back, 5-8, 170; tremendous speed and quickness. Jorge Munoz, Hilltop, junior quarterback, 5-11, 165; 10th in county in passing with 1,552 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1989. Jorge Munoz Sr., formerly an assistant at Grossmont, is Hilltop’s new offensive coordinator.

New faces: Damian Holmes, Castle Park, senior tailback, 5-5, 165; started as a sophomore, but was ineligible last year. Andy Duran, Chula Vista, offensive tackle, 6-3, 245; played tight end and fullback last year in Bakersfield. Mel Antunez, Mar Vista, junior quarterback, 6-1, 205; threw for over 200 yards per game on junior varsity.

Last word: Sweetwater, the only year-round school in the county, has 12 players ineligible for at least the first three weeks of the season. League play begins the fourth week. One of those ineligible, junior kicker Javier Garcia, was a Times All-County selection last year.