When It Comes to Valley Prep Football, Muir Is Merrier

In recent seasons, there has been little movement at the top of the high school football ranks in the San Gabriel Valley.

In the last two seasons, perennial powers Bishop Amat High and Muir were rated the best teams in preseason polls. The same schools are favored again.

The only difference is that, unlike the past two seasons, Muir appears to be leading the pack.

The two teams might be able to settle the issue of who is the area’s top team when they meet in a nonleague game Sept. 28 at La Canada High. For the moment, the Mustangs, who tied Santa Barbara for the CIF Southern Section Division II title last season, are favored over the Lancers.

The tradition-rich Mustangs were one of only two valley schools to win Southern Section titles last season. The other was Glendora, which tied Ramona for the Division IV championship.

After Muir and Bishop Amat, Damien of La Verne could be the next-best area team. Other teams that should rank among the Valley’s best include Nogales, Los Altos, Claremont, Wilson, Temple City, Glendora and Covina.

Here is a look at the top 10 teams:

1--Muir (Pacific League; Division II)--The Mustangs were supposed to have one of their most talented teams ever last season, and the end result was a share of the Division II championship.

But as successful as last season’s 11-1-2 squad was, Coach John Tyree insists that this team could be even better.

“We’re much more disciplined and we have a better grasp of what we’re doing,” the second-year coach said. “We’ve got some problems, but there’s a lot more purpose and unity than last year.”

They might even have more talent than last year. Tyree said he expects at least seven players to receive major-college scholarships. “We know we have a good football team,” he said. “We just don’t know how good.”

The most heavily recruited player of the group could be defensive back Reggie Reser, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Muir’s defense will also include linemen Fred Sayegh (6-foot-2, 263 pounds) and Hank Curtis (6-1, 251), linebackers Sedrick Thomas (6-1, 215) and Jelani Pulliam (6-2, 210), and fleet-footed defensive backs Demetrice Martin, Hasan McCullough and Thad Culpepper.

The Mustangs also have plenty of talent on offense, where either Martin or Thomas--both run the 40 in 4.5 seconds--will start at quarterback. Muir will also count on Shelton Malone (6-3, 210) at tight end, Curtis and Sayegh on the line, and Reser at running back.

2--Bishop Amat (Angelus; Division I)--Unlike recent teams at Bishop Amat, there are no marquee names playing for the Lancers this year.

Among the graduates from last year’s team that went 8-3 were tight end Jason Green, who is a freshman at UCLA, and wide receiver Jeremy Smith, a freshman at UC Berkeley.

With 15 underclassmen expected to start, this will be one of the youngest teams ever at Bishop Amat. Despite the inexperience, Coach Mark Paredes has a good feeling about the squad.

“It’s a funny thing, because on paper this team couldn’t stand up to any of the past Bishop Amat teams,” Paredes said. “But I just have a feeling that this team has the heart and desire to have a real good season.”

With Smith and Green gone, the offense might not have as much big-play potential as usual. But the Lancers have two outstanding players returning in quarterback Zack Zertuche and fullback Jason Patterson (6-0, 215).

Zertuche passed for 1,675 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. Two other key offensive players are tackle John Ludwiczak (6-3, 230) and tight end Ealar Gallagher.

The strength of the team might be the defense. Headliners include linebackers Miregi Huma, Peter Gomez, Scott Fields and Patterson--the only senior in the group. “I think our linebacker corps is as good as you get,” Paredes said. “A lot of pressure will be placed on them.”

Several other starters on defense will be tackle Nick Hanamaikai (6-0, 220) and defensive backs Jason Hernandez and Mike Velasco.

3--Damien (Baseline; Division IV)--With 15 starters and 57 lettermen returning from a 7-5 squad that reached the Division IV quarterfinals, the Spartans have the look of a powerhouse.

But Coach Dick Larson is not about to be presumptuous about his team’s chances.

“You can’t have a papier-mache team,” Larson said. “We think we have some good (players) here and we’re going to do quite well. But there are still some things we have to work on.”

Larson shouldn’t have to worry about is his defense, which has nine starters returning. Topping the list is All-Southern Section nose guard Mike Balian (6-4, 250), one of the valley’s top linemen.

The defense also returns Larry Oliver (6-2, 225) at tackle and twin brother Kurt (6-1, 220), at linebacker, and lineman Mark Freis, linebackers Steve Esquibel and Ian Moreno, and defensive backs Roman DeLeon, Angelo Antonelli, Nate Hernandez and Brian Roche.

There are a few more positions to fill on offense, but the core is solid with the return of massive tackles Dan Holland (6-5, 250) and Cliff Sennett (6-8, 260), center John Lewis (6-2, 215), wide receiver Jamie Gutierrez, tight end Basil Acree, and running backs Travis Castaldi and Jody Napuunoa. Gutierrez caught 27 passes for 401 yards and Acree 17 for 221 yards last season.

About the only question is who will play quarterback. Competing for the starting spot are seniors Tom Keller and Frank Czizinik and junior Matt Bechtel.

4--Nogales (Sierra; Division IV)--As debuts go, Brian Beveridge’s first year as coach of the Nobles couldn’t have been more impressive.

After winning a playoff game for the first time in school history, Nogales advanced to the semifinals before losing to Glendora to finish 7-5-1.

Considering that they return 10 starters, mostly in the skill positions, there is cause for high expectations this season.

“We’re much farther ahead than we were last year,” Beveridge said. “We’ve had a more complete spring (practice) and a more complete summer. I just feel much better about things this year.”

The Nobles could have one of the most explosive offenses in the valley with the return of highly regarded running back Tyrone Edwards, a senior who rushed for 1,100 yards last season, and running back Lawrence Lanham, a junior who rushed for more than 1,400 yards on the junior varsity team last season.

“We have two good running backs but we have to find people to block for them,” Beveridge said.

The line will be anchored by guard Todd Wild (5-9, 180), a three-year starter. Two other key offensive performers are wide receiver Fred Thompson and quarterback Fred Holquin.

Nogales is more experienced on defense, particularly at linebacker with the return of Louis Cuevas, Marcos Alatorre and Dalyn Utley. Other starters include linemen Tony Verran and Joel Delgado and Edwards in the secondary.

5--Los Altos (Sierra; Division IV)--When it comes to producing a winning program, there is no team in the valley that can match the success of the Conquerors since the early 1970s.

The Conquerors have reached the playoffs 18 consecutive seasons--the longest streak of any school in the Southern Section. Los Altos was 9-3 last season and advanced to the Division IV quarterfinals.

The streak does not figure to end this season, although it could be put to a test. With only three starters and six lettermen returning, Los Altos will have its most inexperienced team in recent years.

Fortunately, one of the players returning is senior quarterback Mike Allen (6-4, 210). As a starter the last two seasons, Allen has completed 226 of 413 passes--a completion rate of 55.6%--for 2,822 yards and 29 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions. More important, with Allen in the lineup, Los Altos is 22-4.

Longtime Coach Dwayne DeSpain, who is closing in on the 200-win plateau with 196-64-7 record in 23 seasons, likes what what he has seen. “We don’t have anyone that jumps out at you except Mike,” he said. “But they’re hard workers and they’re not afraid of anything.”

Besides Allen, the offense has several players with experience, including tackles Joon Shin (5-9, 215) and Joe Brown (6-3, 210), wide receiver Ryan Lauper, tight end Ben Hernandez, and running back Brian Martinez. The defense will be led by lineman Steve Merchant and a strong secondary that includes Jason Barron, Adan Salcedo and John Yeu.

6--Claremont (Baseline; Division IV)--Last season started out with great promise but ended in disappointment for the Wolfpack.

They opened the season with six consecutive victories, then lost their last four to miss the playoffs for only the second time in the 11 seasons in which Bob Baiz has been coach.

But with 12 starters returning, Claremont figures to have a happier ending this time.

“We’re in better shape than we were last year . . . a lot better shape,” Baiz said. “We’re a lot more experienced and we’re looking for improvement.”

Claremont is particularly strong on offense, where most of its top skill players and linemen return. Leading the way are quarterback Adam Metwalli (6-1, 200), running back Ryan Williams (6-1, 195), and wide receivers Ryan Wall, Brandy Braxton and Bill Battin.

“It’s the best group of receivers we’ve ever had,” Baiz said. “We may have had better receivers before, but never as many.”

The Wolfpack also has considerable experience on the offensive line with the return of tackle Brian Jones (6-0, 215), center Bill Lerette (6-0, 205), and guards Chad Ventriglia (6-3, 240) and Paul Holstrom (6-1, 225).

There is less experience on defense, but Claremont should have an outstanding secondary that includes Wall, Darren Miller and Nick Baiz--the coach’s youngest son. The defense will also include linemen Mark Brandel and Brandon Griffin and linebacker Mike Moraga.

7--Wilson (Sierra; Division IV)--Judging strictly by numbers, the odds would appear to be against the Wildcats repeating as champions of the rugged Sierra League.

After all, the Wildcats return only six lettermen from last season’s team that finished 10-2 and reached the division quarterfinals. But after watching his team practice during the summer, Coach David Merrill is optimistic.

“If you looked at what we had coming back, it looked dismal,” he said. “But our kids have worked very hard all summer because they knew the challenge that was waiting for them.”

One of Merrill’s most difficult tasks was to find a quarterback to replace his son, Ryan, who starred for the team last season. He might have solved that dilemma when his nephew, senior Tommy Merrill, transferred to Wilson from Northern California.

Merrill, who will also play safety, has an outstanding target in flanker Chris Hansen and an offensive line that returns tackle Ed Quesada (6-3, 250), center Steve Chiasson (6-4, 240), and guards Jesus Lara (5-11, 225) and Ryan Sokoda (6-0, 190).

Chiasson, regarded as a major-college prospect, also anchors the defensive line at tackle. Among other two-way players for the Wildcats are Lara and Sokoda at linebacker and Hansen at safety.

8--Temple City (Rio Hondo; Division VII)--Here’s a quick trivia quiz: Name the only 11-man football program in the valley to reach the division semifinals in each of the last two seasons.

The answer, of course, is Temple City. The Rams have gone 19-6-1 the last two years, including 9-4 in 1989, and Coach Jim Walker thinks they have an even better squad this season.

“This is the best team I’ve ever coached,” Walker said. “It has the best potential. If we measure up to that potential, we can be a pretty good football team.”

The strength of the Rams could be their offense, which will feature senior quarterback Terry Fesler. As a junior, Fesler passed for 1,650 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Fesler will also have two capable passing targets in wide receiver Chris Gonzalez and tight end Sean Dublin (6-2, 235) and a reliable ball-carrier in fullback Brian Sulpizio (6-0, 205).

The Temple City defense should also be strong as usual. The unit is paced by All-Division VII defensive end Matt Gilmour, a 6-5 and 220-pound senior who is regarded as one of the top college prospects in the state.

The defense also returns defensive end Greg Tandolini and all-league selections Bill Woodard and Joe Stampfel in the secondary. Two top newcomers are linemen Robert Buccola (6-3, 200) and Rocky Foltz (6-2, 195).

9--Glendora (Baseline; Division IV)--It was a dream season for the Tartans in 1989, when they were 12-1-1 and shared their first football championship with a 28-28 tie with Ramona in the Division IV final.

It was a feat that Coach Dean Karnoski realizes will be difficult to duplicate this season. So he merely wants this season’s squad to stand on its own accomplishments.

“One of the things we try to emphasize is that each team is its own team and each team is a separate entity,” Karnoski said. “This team is an entirely different group, and they can be as strong as they want to be.”

Well, not entirely different. The Tartans do have nine starters returning, which should help Glendora remain among the best teams in the valley.

Leading the way is All-Southern Section running back Bill Zernickow, who was the second-leading rusher in the valley last season with 1,761 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 169 yards. Add fullback Bobby Baeza and wingback Jesse Fernandez, and Glendora has the potential of another solid rushing attack.

The Tartans will also have one of their biggest offensive lines ever headed by juniors Kirk Bowman (6-4, 225) and Don Lydell (6-1, 265). The quarterback will be either senior Craig Palmer or junior Tracy Thompson.

Glendora also expects to have one of its most talented defensive backfields ever, including all-league selection Tim Flynn and Josh Romero at safety and Scott Jacobsen and Fernandez at cornerback.

10--Covina (Valle Vista; Division IV)--In his first season as coach of the Colts, Dick Sheehan will have the unenviable challenge of trying to live up to what the team accomplished last season.

Covina won its first Valle Vista League title and first league title of any kind since 1953. It also went 9-1 in the regular season before losing in the first round of the Division IV playoffs.

Sheehan, an assistant at Charter Oak last year, is hoping that the success will carry over to this season.

“It’s a very positive group of kids here,” he said. “It’s been a good group to work with. I think winning last year was a big help because winning breeds winning.”

Many of the top players from last season have graduated, but there are a few holdovers remaining who should help keep the Colts successful. Covina will build its offense around junior quarterback Brian Kearns, who was an all-league selection at wide receiver, and junior fullback Marcus Aldridge, a top middle linebacker as a sophomore.

The offense will also feature junior tackle Keith Pollock (6-2, 205), another all-league selection last season, lineman Brian Linden (6-2, 220), running back Eddie Howard and tight end Mike Mulree.

The Colts should be sparked on defense by linebackers Craig Pound, Mark Maybury and Mulree. Two other starters returning are defensive backs Tim O’Leary and John Suh.

Others teams to watch:

Arroyo (Mission Valley; Division V)--Since the mid-1980s, Arroyo has had a firm grip on first place in the Mission Valley League.

The Knights have won five of six league titles, including last season when they went 8-2 before losing in first round of the Division V playoffs to eventual champion Corona.

Arroyo is considered the team to beat for the league title again, although the position might be a little more tenuous this time.

“This is probably the most inexperienced team I’ve had in a few years,” Coach Don MacKinnon said. “Two-thirds of our roster has never played a down of varsity football.”

Fortunately for MacKinnon, Arroyo does return 10 starters from its league championship squad. Early in the season, the Knights will probably rely on their defense, which includes all-league selections Chris Jacobson (6-4, 220) at tackle and linebackers Keith MacLellan, Dominic Martinez and Danny Romero.

Arroyo’s quarterback in its veer offense will be either Hines or MacLellan, whose brother, Darren, was a standout a running back at the school the last three seasons. Romero and Hoyt will see considerable playing time at running back. Jacobsen, Martinez and tackle Phillip Cruz (5-11, 230) will anchor the line.

Baldwin Park (Sierra; Division IV)--Baldwin Park has established a winning tradition with its wide-open passing attack.

But with a new quarterback and an inexperienced corps of receivers, Coach Tony Zane said the Braves might emphasize the run more than usual.

“We may have to play a little more grind-it-out football than we’re used to,” he said. “We’ll still throw (a lot) but probably not as much as we usually do.”

The Braves, who were 6-3-1 last season, also have their biggest offensive line in recent years, which should make running the football easier. The line will include all-league tackle Peter Medrano (6-3, 245) and David Valentine (6-4, 265), a transfer from Azusa High.

“We will be a very big team,” Zane said. “We’re probably bigger than we’ve been the in the last 15 years.”

Not that the pass will cease to be a weapon for the Braves. Baldwin Park has a highly regarded junior quarterback, junior varsity standout Mark Ruiz, and a steady receiver, all-league selection Petey Limon.

The bulk of the rushing chores will fall on fullback Jay Sims and tailback Chad Simko. The defense is headed by all-league nose guard Fernando Arredondo and tackles Tony Duran (6-2, 250) and Valentine.

Bassett (Montview; Division VI)--After the graduation of All-Southern Section running back Marshawn Thompson and linebacker Richard Parham, two of the top players in the school’s history, some observers are anticipating a decline in success for the Olympians this season.

That is evident in the preseason CIF Southern Section rankings, where Bassett is nowhere to be found. Only Coach Mark Pettengill thinks people might be underestimating his program.

With a surplus of talented players from the freshman team that won back-to-back league titles and an excellent group of returning interior linemen, Pettengill thinks this squad could be better last season’s 7-5 team that reached the Division V quarterfinals.

“We think it could be our best team ever,” he said. “We’re excited about it. People still don’t look our way when it comes to the CIF rankings, so we still have a lot to prove but we think we can prove it.”

Bassett’s run-oriented offense is led by junior quarterback Tony Garcia, sophomore tailback Greg Moore and senior fullback Dwayne Gillison. The line includes center Simon Martinez (6-1, 255), guard Gus Gutierrez (5-8, 225), and tackles Guy Muniz (6-1, 240) and Bernie Ray (6-1, 230).

On defense, the Olympians will rely on linebackers Michael Parham, Ed Trejo and Abel Gutierrez, and linemen Sean Gonzalez (5-11, 200) and Benny Ramos (5-10, 200). Parhman, a junior, is Richard’s younger brother.

Pasadena (Pacific; Division II)--With only one starter returning at the start of last season, Coach Gary Griffiths was bracing for the worst. The results from a 2-7-1 season were predictable.

But with more experience returning this season, Pasadena has cause for optimism.

“I think we have 15 to 20 kids now who have quite a lot of experience,” Griffiths said. “It’s a major difference when you have kids who have experience.”

Topping the list is senior fullback Jhayson Hall (6-1, 230), who was the team’s offensive leader with 934 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 123 carries. “He’s probably as good of a running back as there is around,” Griffiths said.

Pasadena’s option offense will also feature returning halfback Mario Gulley. Kris Kohler is expected to be the quarterback. The offense includes tackles Garo Dourenian (5-10, 240) and Seth Braithwaite (6-3, 250) and wide receiver Kevin South.

The Bulldog defense includes linebackers Curtis Banks and Thad Johnson, defensive end Tyrone Robinson, and LaRon Bond and South in the secondary.

Rosemead (Mission Valley; Division V)--Under Coach Jim Hall, the Panthers have been a regular participant in the Southern Section playoffs.

They finished 6-5 and reached the Southern Section playoffs last season. Hall said this might be his most talented squad.

“We’re real experienced in the skill positions,” he said. “We’re probably better off in the skill positions than we’ve been in the last 10 years.”

Rosemead should have one of the most potent passing attacks in the valley with senior receivers Chang Weisberg and Jesus Huerta. Weisberg was one of the leading receivers in the Southern Section with 80 catches for 811 yards, and Huerta was an all-league receiver as a sophomore before playing quarterback last season.

The Panthers also have an all-league tight end in Clint Kerr (6-2, 220) and junior quarterback Matt Koffler. The presence of returning running backs John Vigil and Pat AhHing (6-3, 255) will also help to balance the offensive attack.

The line includes center Ray Hernandez (5-11, 175) and guard Dante Gallindo (6-1, 195). Rosemead will count on several two-way players on defense, including Hernandez and AhHing on the line, Kerr and Weisberg at linebacker, and Huerta at cornerback.

Rowland (Sierra; Division IV)--The Raiders went away from their typical grind-it-out rushing attack and the results were disappointing. They finished 3-7.

So Coach Harry Robinson said his team is going back to basics this year, and the early prognosis for Rowland appears favorable.

“We feel good about it,” Robinson said. “We’re probably a little more optimistic than we’ve been in recent years.”

More important, the Raiders appear to have the running backs and linemen to do the job. Big, swift running backs David Ferguson and Damon Washington return.

Rowland also has ample size on the line. Tackle Ronald Green (6-4, 275), a junior transfer from Locke High, guard Kwon Park (6-0, 205), and returning tight ends Casey Shaw and Ted Schell return.

The Raiders expect to be led on defense by a talented secondary that includes cornerbacks Frankie Rodriguez, who intercepted seven passes, and Jason Torres. Other defensive standouts include linebackers Clint Brunyer and Shaw and lineman Kurt Compton.

San Marino (Rio Hondo; Division VII)--Coach Bill Maloney said this will not be the deepest or most-experienced team the Titans have ever fielded.

However, the results might be the same--a challenger for the league title.

“We think we’re going to be pretty good,” he said. “How good depends on if we get the right people in the right spots. But I think we have the people.”

The Titans, who were 8-3 and reached the Division VII quarterfinals, have 10 starters returning. Leading the offense will be tailback Alfonso Montoya, a senior who rushed for 679 yards and six touchdowns.

San Marino’s offense will also include quarterback Eric Walcha, tackle Greg Ames (6-4, 235), tight end Craig Chamberlain, and wide receivers Jeff LeSage and D. R. Moreland.

With more inexperience on offense, Maloney said the team will count on its defense. The leaders are tackles Nate Olsen and Mark Detar, both 6-3 and 225, linebackers Chamberlain and Shannon Ching, and secondary standouts Montoya and LeSage. Olsen’s father, Merlin, is an NFL Hall of Fame lineman who starred for the Rams.