The Carson Show: Team of ‘80s Marches into ‘90s : High schools: Colts will try to send retiring Coach Gene Vollnogle out with another L.A. City Section championship.

Several factors indicate that Carson High, the South Bay’s winningest football team in the 1980s with a 105-15 record, will kick off the ‘90s with another successful season. Among them:

* The Motivational Factor. Gene Vollnogle, 59, winningest coach (298-75-1) in state history, plans to retire after this, his 38th season. Several players have said their goal is to send Vollnogle out with an unprecedented 10th L.A. City Section title.

* The Even-Year Factor. The Colts, who have appeared in the past nine City 4-A title games, have won championships in every even year since 1982.

* The Quarterback Factor. The transfer of John Walsh from West Torrance has strengthened what had been one of the team’s most inexperienced positions.

Add to that 11 returning starters, including three All-City players on defense, and it’s little wonder why Vollnogle has high hopes for his final team, which is ranked No. 1 in The Times’ South Bay preseason poll.

Nationally, the Colts are ranked No. 21 by USA Today.

“I’m very pleased with everything so far,” Vollnogle said. “Our strength is experience. We have a lot of starters returning, and there are quite a few seniors backing them up.”

Then there is the carefree personality of the team, which Vollnogle likes.

“It’s a more relaxed team,” he said. “They laugh and joke and make fun of each other, yet they get serious, too.”

Vollnogle, however, hopes nobody takes his approaching retirement too seriously. He says he won’t use it as a motivational tool, although several players have brought it to his attention.

“Those kinds of things have never worked for me,” he said. “I’m not going to push (the retirement issue). If we play the best we can possibly play, I’ll be happy and everything will work out fine.”

A rundown of the top 10 teams in the South Bay follows. Last year’s record is listed in parentheses:

1. Carson (11-2)--Many believe Walsh is the perfect quarterback for the Colts’ double-wing, short-passing offense. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior passed for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns last year to help West capture the Ocean League title.

“He’s really advancing quickly,” Vollnogle said of the touted transfer. “The kids have accepted him, and I think he’s accepted them.”

A fleet-footed group of receivers is headed by Latario Rachal (15 catches for 333 yards last year) and Fred Sims, who has the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.42 seconds) of any football player in Carson history, according to Vollnogle.

Also contributing to the pass-catching duties will be wingbacks Abdul Muhammad, who has 4.5 speed, and Theron Hill, last season’s Pacific League sophomore of the year. Returning fullback Jimmy Lincoln is the other back.

The backs will operate behind an experienced line that returns three starters--tackle Ma’o Niko (6-3, 235) and guards Robert Sale (6-1, 230) and Kazar Ackerman (6-1, 225). Gary Lauti (6-3, 220), a starting linebacker last year, will play the other tackle spot.

The Colts have a wealth of talent and experience on defense. Five starters are back, headed by All-City defensive ends Marcus Long (6-3, 230) and Bob Tuitau (6-1, 230). The Colts’ other All-City player, cornerback Clayvand Thomas, is recovering from a broken kneecap suffered in a car accident last spring and probably will not begin playing until October, Vollnogle said. Versatile Tarriel Hopper (6-3, 220) will play strong safety, punt and back up Walsh at quarterback.

Carson opens the season Sept. 14 at Long Beach Veterans Stadium against Bishop Amat, which has dealt the Colts two of their three losses in the last two years. After that, a challenging Pacific League season awaits. Carson’s main competition figures to come from defending City 4-A Division champion Dorsey and archrival Banning.

2. Hawthorne (9-2)--Coach Goy Casillas has a good feeling about this team. It’s close to the same way he felt about the 1985 Cougars, who were 11-1-1.

“I was pretty confident in the ’85 football season; I thought we had a real good squad,” said Casillas, who was defensive coordinator that year. “This squad has that type of potential.”

Size, speed, experience. Hawthorne seemingly has it all.

Fourteen starters and a whopping 40 lettermen return from last season’s team that tied Palos Verdes for the Bay League title. Add to that a talented group of juniors who have never lost a game (21-0) on the underclass levels, and it’s easy to see why the Cougars are rated No. 1 in the CIF Division III preseason rankings.

“They’re the team to beat,” said a rival coach. “They always are.”

Quarterback Jamil Williams wasn’t much of a passing threat last year (400 yards), but he has improved dramatically, Casillas said. “He’s throwing the ball with authority and running the team with confidence,” he said.

Joining Williams in the backfield are all-league fullback Armando Fernandez (6-0, 210) and tailback Morrell (Bookie) Ollis, a junior who led the freshmen and sophomore teams to back-to-back unbeaten seasons. An experienced line is anchored by All-South Bay tackle Jared Tuione (6-5, 260) and returning guards David Chapman (6-4, 245) and Joel Nieves (6-0, 230). Promising junior Jesse Herrera (6-6, 250) will play the other tackle spot.

Wide receivers Tarrik Brock, Jermaine Jones and Steve Dawkins all have good speed and should help the Cougars improve their passing attack.

Casillas is still looking for a replacement for standout inside linebacker Sione Mahe, who graduated, but the rest of the defense looks solid. Nine starters return, headed by cornerbacks Turron Watkins (all-league in ‘89) and Brian Mathenge, all-league tackle David Tuvai (6-3, 225) and outside linebacker Dana Goodnight (6-0, 185), who missed eight games last season with an illness.

Casillas said last year’s team overachieved because of hard work. For this team to live up to its potential, he said, it will have to work just as hard.

Early tests include non-league games with perennial Southern Section powers Antelope Valley, Santa Ana, Eisenhower and Long Beach Poly.

3. Serra (14-0)--Second-year Coach Leo Hand knows that winning a second consecutive CIF Division VII title won’t be easy. But he also knows it isn’t out of the question.

Although Serra lost several key players to graduation--including fullback Dennis Gerard, the 1989 Times’ South Bay back of the year--Hand says the Cavaliers have improved in several areas.

“With this being our second year in the system, we’re more experienced than we were at this time last year,” he said. “Our line is much further ahead, and the defense is much more sophisticated.”

Ten starters, five each on offense and defense, are back from last year. The biggest losses were at the skill positions.

Three-fourths of Serra’s talented full-house backfield graduated, but the fastest player returns. Halfback Jerald Henry--who has run 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to Hand--rushed for 890 yards and 11 touchdowns last season on his way to All-Camino Real League honors.

“We’ll depend on Jerald, but we try not to give defenses the opportunity to zero in on one person,” Hand said.

Joining Henry in the backfield are quarterback Alex Marcelin (6-3, 200), who spelled starter Fred Safford in passing situations last season; halfback Tim Trahan, a converted wide receiver, and fullback Corey Jones (6-0, 205). The offensive line returns three starters--sought-after tackle Brian Malcolm (6-3, 270), all-league guard Corey Long (5-11, 215) and center David Simmons (6-3, 220).

The defense was the unsung hero of Serra’s championship team, limiting opponents to less than 140 yards a game. Hand expects it to be a strength again. Up front, the Cavaliers are solid with returning tackles Jones and Donald Hurston (6-1, 250) and speedy end Rodney Lands (6-4, 240), who is attracting the attention of colleges. Other standouts include Marcelin at outside linebacker and cornerbacks Henry (eight interceptions in ‘89) and Jermaine Ferguson.

Serra’s most glaring weakness is a lack of depth. The Cavaliers have a roster of 27 players, so injuries could prove disastrous.

4. Banning (6-4-1)-- What happened? The question was asked frequently last season, as Banning went from the state’s No. 2-ranked team to last place in the Pacific League. After posting an 0-3 league record, the Pilots dropped a special tie-breaker to Crenshaw that prevented them from playing in the City playoffs for the first time since 1974.

Joe Dominguez, beginning his third year as coach, says Banning is primed for a comeback.

“The players seem to have the will to work hard and erase what happened last year,” he said. “It’s a closer team with a better work ethic.”

Quarterback Anthony Nicholson, a transfer from Centennial, is the leading candidate to replace departed three-year starter John Ma’ae. A strong runner, Nicholson could be the player Banning needs to ignite its veer-option attack.

Other factors indicating the Pilots will have an improved running game in 1990 are returning tailback Travis Davis, who was hampered by an ankle injury last year; and three seasoned blockers--tackles Eric Battle (6-3, 260) and Art Donnell (6-4, 260) and tight end Lino Quintana (6-2, 220).

Three of four starters return on the defensive line. The leader is tackle Jason Lloyd (6-0, 225), who bench presses a team-high 385 pounds. Also back are tackle Nuno Galvez (5-11, 215) and end Damon White (6-0, 225). Cornerback Sefton Paige is the leader of the secondary.

The Pilots open the season with a pair of challenging games against Long Beach Poly and Muir of Pasadena.

5. Palos Verdes (9-2)--”On paper,” says Coach Bill Judy, “this team is stronger than last year’s.” That assessment should make opponents sit up and take notice, considering the Sea Kings tied Hawthorne for the Bay League title last season.

Obviously, expectations are high on the west side of the peninsula.

Palos Verdes returns only six starters and lost big-play quarterback Blake Anderson (now at Colorado), but there are enough quality players returning to make the Sea Kings the coaches’ choice for the Ocean League title.

Tim King (6-0, 190), an all-league linebacker in ‘89, moves to quarterback after serving as Anderson’s backup. Judy says King runs the veer capably and will surprise people with his passing. Returning running backs George Felactu (5-8, 215) and Bill Smiley figure to have their numbers called frequently.

Up front, the Sea Kings boast a solid unit featuring tackle Andrew Miller (6-5, 215), guard Brandon Himelwright (6-3, 225) and center Kevin Rounsavelle (6-2, 215). All-South Bay tight end David Bohner (6-5, 230) and wideout John Miller, another returning starter, are the top receivers.

Himelwright, the team’s strongest player, and Bohner anchor the defense at their inside linebacker positions. Other prominent players include ends Andrew Miller and Felactu and cornerback John Miller. The biggest concern on defense is at tackle, where the Sea Kings are breaking in two untested players.

If the Sea Kings can avoid major injuries and learn to live without the game-breaking abilities of Anderson, it could result in their fifth league title since 1984.

6. Leuzinger (8-3-1)--How quickly things can change.

Two years ago, the Olympians fielded their largest preseason squad ever--83 players. As of last week, the 1990 roster was holding steady at 42, the lowest turnout in Steve Carnes’ seven years as coach.

“It’s definitely what I would call a rebuilding year,” he said. “We’re down in numbers.”

What Leuzinger lacks in quantity, though, it makes up in quality at several positions.

Fullback-linebacker Manny Gonzalez (6-0, 215), beginning his third year as a varsity starter after earning All-South Bay honors last season, teams with returning tailback Marvin Johnson (6-0, 215) to form one of the area’s best running-back tandems. Johnson missed most of last season with a knee injury and was suspended from school last spring for disciplinary reasons.

“If he can stay healthy, we expect a big year out of him,” Carnes said of Johnson. “He’s bigger and faster than last season. Hopefully, he’ll carry the offensive load for us.”

Guard Mike Donnelly (6-1, 215) is the only returner on the offensive line, but the unit has good size. The least experienced positions are quarterback, where junior Gary Mumin takes over, and wide receiver.

Defensively, Leuzinger should be solid, Carnes said. Five starters return, headed by the aggressive Gonzalez at inside linebacker and outside linebacker Ismael Felicie (6-4, 200). Ends Charlie Gonzalez, Manny’s brother, and Ernesto Mijares also return, along with Donnelly at tackle. Johnson, whose main duties are on offense, will help out at outside linebacker and safety.

Faced with a lack of depth, Carnes is concerned about injuries, which took a heavy toll on the Olympians last season.

“If we get a lot of injuries again, we’ll be history,” he said.

Leuzinger plays a demanding non-league schedule that includes games with two-time defending CIF Division II champion Paramount and Canyon of Canyon Country, ranked ninth in Division I, before embarking on another competitive Bay League campaign.

7. West Torrance (10-2)--Is there life after John Walsh? You bet there is, says Co-Coach Mark Knox.

“We’ll be fine,” he said, confidently.

The Warriors’ outlook is considerably brighter than it was in June, when Walsh, their All-Ocean League quarterback, announced he was transferring to Carson for his senior year.

A summer with junior Steve Sarkisian playing quarterback has helped ease any initial doubts of the West coaches.

“He’s a very good student of the game,” Knox said of Sarkisian, who led the sophomore team to an 8-1 record last season. “You only have to tell him things once.”

Although lacking in experience, Sarkisian is considered an adequate passer and a superior runner to Walsh. And he’ll have plenty of help.

Knox and coaching partner John Black consider this the most physical team they have had in seven years at West. A big reason is the addition of senior Josh Gormley (6-5, 260), a transfer from Red Bluff High in Northern California. He arrived at West last winter and quickly grabbed headlines by capturing the state heavyweight wrestling title.

“He is going to be outstanding,” Knox said of Gormley, who will play offensive tackle and inside linebacker. “I think he can play major college (football) at tackle.”

The team’s other physical players include tackle Scott Werner (6-2, 270), fullback-linebacker Alex Schultz (6-2, 215), all-league tight end-linebacker David Snakenborg (6-2, 200), nose guard Jake Nilges (5-10, 180) and offensive guard David Kim (5-11, 180). All were starters on last season’s Ocean League championship team.

West’s big-play threats are wide receiver-strong safety Ryan Berry, the fastest player on the team, and tailback Roberto Bustamante, who is healthy again after suffering a knee injury last spring. Another weapon is all-league kicker Tom Dallen, who had seven field goals last season.

The Warriors are the coaches’ pick to capture the Pioneer League title.

8. Morningside (4-7)--The Monarchs rebounded from a disastrous start last year, winning their last four league games to make the playoffs, where they gave eventual champion Serra a battle in an 18-0 first-round loss.

Morningside didn’t let up in the summer, taking the L.A. Games title, and Coach Ron Tatum hopes the success continues this season.

The Monarchs have eight starters back, led by tailback-linebacker Danny Katoa (6-0, 200), a four-year varsity starter who is one of the area’s two returning All-CIF selections. (Rolling Hills’ Robert Coulter is the other).

Katoa’s supporting cast on offense is headed by quarterback John Cotton, a part-time starter in 1989; wide receiver Arthur Washington IV, MVP of the L.A. Games, and center Miguel Serrano (6-0, 245).

Katoa, the latest in a long line of outstanding Morningside linebackers, one that includes assistant coach Rowland Tatum (Ohio State), is a dominant force on defense. Others who figure prominently are junior tackle Pauliasi Taulava (6-8, 240), the area’s tallest player; all-league free safety Kenny Birdine, and sophomore cornerback Stais Boseman.

If the Monarchs can avoid another slow start, they have a good chance of contending for the title in the competitive Ocean League.

9. Bishop Montgomery (3-7)--The last time the Knights competed in a league other than the rugged Angelus League was 1983, when they won the Camino Real League title and were runners-up for a CIF title.

Coach Steve Carroll isn’t predicting a similar season now that the Knights have moved to the Mission League, but he is optimistic.

“As the program becomes more competitive, the kids have a better chance to succeed,” he said. “The move will do us a lot of good.”

Carroll also is encouraged by the return of 14 varsity starters and several players from last year’s 9-1 sophomore team.

The backfield of quarterback John Zimmerman, fullback Marvin Negrete and tailback Ray Willis returns intact. Negrete rushed for 609 yards and earned all-league honors last year. The left-handed Zimmerman (6-3, 190) is one of the most improved players on the team, Carroll said.

“I think he’s going to turn a few heads before the season is over,” he said.

The top receivers are junior wideout Anthony Milanes, a starter last year until an ankle injury sidelined him midway through the season, and all-league tight end Mike Hall (6-3, 225). The offensive line features guard Rayne Mayo (6-2, 225) and center Mike Mallett (5-10, 215), both starters last year, and huge junior tackles Brian Alexander (6-4, 275) and Matt Zovich (6-4, 255).

Hall, the Knights’ leading tackler last season, anchors the defense. Other returners include end Ralph Zuanich (6-1, 195), tackle Josh Butterfield (6-0, 235) and cornerback Charlie Lane.

Bishop Montgomery will know where it stands right away. The Knights open the season with road games against Leuzinger, which shut them out last year, 27-0, and Los Altos, ranked third in the CIF Division IV poll.

10. Rolling Hills (6-3-1)--All-CIF halfback Robert Coulter, the area’s leading regular-season rusher last year with 1,545 yards and 15 touchdowns, will be asked to shoulder a great deal of the offensive load.

Coach Gary Kimbrell only hopes it isn’t too much.

“It wouldn’t be very smart if we didn’t plan on getting Coulter the ball a lot,” he said. “But we have some other good backs. We don’t want to have the kind of offense where we wait for one guy to make the big play.”

Others who figure to contribute include quarterback Bill DeMucci, who started the first four games of 1989 before being injured; fullback Israel Rosado and split end Ron Misetich. The line returns center Ryan Buxton (6-1, 205), tackle Dan Choi (5-9, 190) and Matt Kuptz (6-0, 180), who is being moved from guard to tight end.

An inexperienced defense is Kimbrell’s biggest concern. Only Buxton, an outside linebacker, and Choi, who plays nose guard, are returning starters.

But Kimbrell usually gets his teams to play sound defense. And with a breakaway threat like Coulter, Rolling Hills figures to make a run at the Ocean League title.

Best of the rest:

Torrance (4-6) was the area’s hard-luck team last season, losing five games by six points or less. If the Tartars learn to win the close ones, they should contend for the Pioneer League title. Coach Rich Busia, in his eighth season at Torrance, lists an experienced line and balanced defense as strengths. Key returners include all-league linemen Wade Owens (6-4, 250) and Dave Haemker (6-2, 200), running back Carlos Hilliard (725 yards rushing in ‘89) and free safety Antone Williamson, another all-leaguer.

Second-year Coach Mike Marinkovich rates Mary Star (7-4) the favorite for the Santa Fe League title. His hopes are boosted by the return of the team’s top two rushers from last season--fullback Matt Redlew and tailback Vince Orlando. Redlew also plays free safety and ranked third in the South Bay with seven interceptions last year. Tackle Brian Bologna (6-4, 220), a two-time all-league selection, heads six returning starters on defense.

Mira Costa (6-5) returns its backfield intact, but second-year Coach Larry Petrill faces the task of developing a new offensive line after the graduation of all five starters. All-league fullback Simi Fonoa (6-1, 210) will provide a force, as will tight end Scott Letourneau (6-4, 220), the Mustangs’ leading receiver last season. The defense returns seven starters, headed by Fonoa at linebacker and Ryan Stonebraker (6-3, 240), a two-way lineman.

North Torrance (2-8) starts fresh after a disappointing effort last year. Joe Austin, formerly the coach at South Torrance for 17 years, takes over a Saxon team that returns 10 starters and 16 lettermen. Key personnel include quarterback Brian Jurado, a third-year starter who led the area with 1,943 yards passing in 1989; speedy receiver Matt Aleman, and running backs Dale Imahori and Jose Gomez.

Defending Southern League champion San Pedro (5-6) will center its offense on returning running backs Mario Chavez and Melvin Taylor, who combined for 1,001 yards in 1989. Free safety Herb Whitaker, an All-City candidate, anchors the defense.

Moving to the competitive Camino Real League won’t be easy for Miraleste (5-4), but it might not be the end of the world, either. The Marauders have several key players returning and an enthusiastic new coach in Tony Bantula. The running game, in particular, appears in good shape. Juniors Danny Sarner and Danny Crofton return after combining for more than 1,500 yards last year. They will operate behind a big line featuring guards Dan Ronnholm (6-5, 270) and Matt Milodinovich (6-3, 240) and tackle Brett Ostergard (6-3, 235).

Look for Chadwick (5-4) to put the ball in the air frequently this season. The Dolphins, ranked 10th in the Southern Section Eight-Man Division, return All-Prep League quarterback Todd Seneker (1,200 yards passing in ‘89) and his top receiver, all-leaguer Mark Bailey (35 catches for 325 yards). Also back is tight end Mac McKinnie (6-4, 190). Unfortunately for Chadwick, it must compete in the same league with top-ranked Rio Hondo Prep, which returns every starter from last year’s 10-1 club.