SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PREVIEW : Fontana Starts the Way It Finished, on Top

It was a moment of truth for Fontana High’s football team. It was the fourth quarter of its Southern Section Division I semifinal game last December against Huntington Beach Edison and the Steelers trailed, 35-28.

After crushing 12 opponents, outscoring them by more than 400 points, Fontana found itself struggling to stay alive in the playoffs. Winning a second title in three years seemed far away.

But the Steelers rallied to win, 48-35, and defeated San Bernardino San Gorgonio, 35-7, in the championship game the next week.

This season, Fontana will again open as the section’s top-rated team, and with his entire offensive line returning, Coach Dick Bruich has reason to believe the Steelers could be even better.

No team has won consecutive Southern Section major division titles since Anaheim Servite in 1982-83, but Fontana, which also won the title in 1987 and was a runner-up in ‘84, might have the team to accomplish the feat. A look at the Times’ preseason top 15 Southern Section football teams:

1. FONTANA

Division I

Last season: 14-0

The Steelers return 10 starters from last season’s Citrus Belt League championship team, including linemen Robert Loya and Clay Hattabaugh. Loya, 6-4 and 270 pounds, is considered one of the top linemen in the nation and Hattabaugh, 6-5 and 262, is also a heavily recruited prospect. Running behind the Steelers’ experienced line will be Don Small and Hollerith Jones. Mark Bennett is a solid returning starter at tight end.

Bruich, in his 14th year at Fontana with a career coaching record of 127-31-1, will again have a stingy defense to count on with four returning starters, including linebacker Bryan Sylvester, an all-Division I selection last year, and lineman Jeff Karp, who excelled in the playoffs a year ago. Against seven Citrus Belt League opponents last year, the Steelers allowed a combined 28 points.

2. CANYON COUNTRY CANYON

Division I

Last season: 8-4-1

With the Golden League moved up from Division II, it is fitting that Canyon Country , which has a 39-1 all-time league record and has reached the playoff semifinals or final seven consecutive seasons, has one of its best teams. Last Thursday, the Cowboys opened the season by defeating Honolulu St. Louis, 40-0, to end the Crusaders’ 55-game winning streak.

Coach Harry Welch, who has a 90-17-1 record, returns eight starters on defense. It is headed by senior linebacker Scott Blade, a starter since his sophomore year, lineman Brad Weaver and defensive back Mark Santos. On offense, the Cowboys will rely on the running talents of David McDivitt, who rushed for 198 yards and scored twice against St. Louis.

3. LA PUENTE BISHOP AMAT

Division I

Last season: 7-4

Coach Mark Paredes may not agree with the Lancers’ early season rankings, but after the coaches in the powerful Angelus League named them the team to beat, it is hard for Bishop Amat to go unnoticed. With six starters returning, including all-league quarterback Zack Zertuche and running back Jason Patterson, the Lancers hope to have a better showing in the playoffs than last year, when they lost in the first round to Rialto Eisenhower.

Zertuche passed for more than 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but he had Jeremy Smith, now at California, and Jason Green, now at UCLA, on the receiving end. Look for junior Scott Fields to become one of top offensive threats.

4. EL TORO

Division II

Last season: 12-2

With the South Coast League moving up from Division III, El Toro Coach Bob Johnson will get a chance to showcase his second son, Rob Johnson, at quarterback. Johnson is the brother of former UCLA quarterback Bret and was an all-Southern Section performer last season at wide receiver. He will move back to his original position of quarterback and will be looked upon to carry a young offense, which returns two starters.

It is on defense, with linemen Jeremy Hogue and Matt Krajec, linebacker Brian Haas and defensive back Danny Maetues, where the Chargers have experience.

5. PASADENA MUIR

Division II

Last season: 11-1-2

Coach John Tyree directed Muir to a co-championship last season in his first year, playing Santa Barbara to a 7-7 tie. This year, the Mustangs, who finished second to Arcadia in the Pacific League last season, are expected to be even better with the return of eight starters--four of them all-league selections.

Muir’s secondary may be the best in the Southern Section, with Reggie Reser and Demetrice Martin leading the way. The Mustangs probably have the toughest nonconference schedule, playing Palmdale, Fontana, Bishop Amat, Anaheim Servite and City power Banning.

6. REDLANDS

Division I

Last season: 9-3

Expectations are high for Redlands and tailback Marcus Rogers, an all Division I defensive back last season. First-year Coach Dave Perkins, who led Corona to the Division V title last year, will have seven returning starters, including quarterback Julian Burrola and fullback Mike Dragna. Playing in the Citrus Belt League with Fontana does not give the Terriers an easy path to the playoffs, but their nonconference schedule is not that difficult.

7. HUNTINGTON BEACH EDISON

Division I

Last season: 10-3

Coach Dave White, who has a 29-16 record in his five seasons, returns six starters and 20 lettermen from a year ago. Last season, Edison won the Sunset League and came within minutes of upsetting Fontana on the road in the playoff semifinals.

This season, the Chargers will not have the one-two offensive punch in quarterback Donnie Smith and running back Shane Sherman. However, they do have all-league wide receiver Mike Cunningham on offense and safety Mike Hawks and end Chip Anderson on defense.

8. LOS ANGELES LOYOLA

Division I

Last Season: 10-2

Loyola no longer will have the defunct Del Rey League to beat up on, but the Cubs are talented enough to hold their own in the Angelus League. Coach Steve Grady will have Corby Smith, son of USC Coach Larry Smith, at quarterback and Alex Yeboah handling most of the rushing chores, with David Susank leading the line.

9. HAWTHORNE

Division III

Last season: 9-2

With 14 starters and 44 lettermen returning, Hawthorne, which drops from Division II in the Bay League, is the team to beat in Division III. Coach Goy Casillas has one of the fastest teams in the Southern Section, with trackman Erik Allen leading the way.

10. LONG BEACH POLY

Division I

Last season: 9-2

Poly is seeking its 11th consecutive Moore League title and first trip to a major division championship game since 1984. The Jackrabbits were upset by San Gorgonio in the second round of the playoffs last season after an impressive regular season. Co-Coaches Jerry Jaso and Michael Whiting will count on two-way starters Richard Washington, Chris Love and Ed Hopkins.

11. LOMPOC

Division VII

Last season: 13-1

The Braves will depend on all-Southern Section running back Napolean Kaufman to lead them back to the Division VII championship game, after losing to Gardena Serra in the final last season. Kaufman, who accounted for 2,954 all-purpose yards and 39 touchdowns last season, led the Braves into the title game a year ago and then won State track titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the spring. Coach Dick Barrett returns 11 starters from last year’s Northern League champions, including linebacker Jason Grossini and defensive lineman Moose Mau.

12. PARAMOUNT

Division II

Last season: 13-1

Coach Ken Sutch, seeking his third consecutive divisional title, will not have Jack Manu, the two-time divisional player of the year, at quarterback. However, he will have Leon Neal, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards last season, at running back. The Pirates have eight returning starters, including defensive back DeMondre White and running back Rolando Avila.

13. CAPISTRANO VALLEY

Division II

Last season: 12-1

Passing is the key at Capistrano Valley, led by quarterback Tony Soliday and receiver Dave Polti. The Cougars reached the semifinals last year, losing in overtime to Paramount. With 11 starters back, including defensive backs Jeremy Brion and Bernie Chapman, Capistrano Valley has a chance to repeat as South Coast champion.

14. QUARTZ HILL

Division I

Last season: 6-5

Like rival Canyon Country, Quartz Hill is making the move up to Division I, with loads of talent. Coach John Albee returns 15 starters, headed by running back/linebacker Selves Smith, an all-league selection last season. Running back David Nelson and defensive tackle Ralph Gutierrez also will provide leadership for the Rebels.

15. WESTLAKE

Division II

Last season: 5-6-1

Behind the play of quarterback Todd Preston, who was fourth in passing last season in the Southern Section, Westlake will be battling for the Marmonte League title. Coach Jim Benkert watched Preston pass for 2,015 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and is expecting more from him this season.