THE TIMES HIGH SCHOOL TOP 10 : Most of These Coaches Have Been Here Before

Experience seems to be the outstanding factor in The Times’ first high school football top 10 of the 1990s. With one exception, top to bottom, these teams are loaded with it.

We’re not talking players. Can you really consider a 17-year-old fullback a veteran?

No, coaching experience seems to be the difference. Right down the list, and through to the few teams capable of breaking in, are men who have been running football teams for a while. The exception is Doug Kamon, in his first year as a head coach at Mt. Carmel.

Point Loma’s Bennie Edens, entering his 36th year, leads the group. Morse’s John Shacklett (20th) is next, followed by Helix’s Jim Arnaiz (18th), Mira Mesa’s Brad Griffith (14th), Rancho Buena Vista’s Craig Bell (12th, including eight years at San Dieguito) and Ramona’s Mel Galli (12th, including nine years at Carlsbad).

Of the other teams with top 10 potential, El Camino’s Herb Meyer is in his 32nd year and is the winningest coach in section history with 219 victories, Lincoln’s Vic Player is in his 14th season, Vista’s Dick Haines in his 21st.

Nos. 1 and 2, Rancho Buena Vista and Morse--the 3-A champion and runner-up in 1989--play Friday at Morse at 7:30 p.m.

1: RANCHO BUENA VISTA

1989 Record: 11-3

League: Palomar

Coach: Craig Bell

As if RBV didn’t have enough success running the ball en route to the 2-A championship in 1988 and the 3-A title in 1989, they now have sophomore Edric Hall in a backfield that returns Markeith Ross. If Hall’s name sounds familiar, it’s because his brother, O.J., gained 2,130 yards last year to go with Ross’ 2,242.

With O.J. Hall and Ross last year, the Longhorns broke section records with 622 points (44.4 per game) and 5,831 rushing yards.

Still, Bell is most excited by his linebackers. Back are Fred Aliipule, Ray Taumaoe, Funi Moi and Matt Sailors, who led the team in sacks last year, including six against Point Loma in the section semifinals.

2: MORSE

1989 Record: 11-3

League: City Eastern

Coach: John Shacklett

Over the past three seasons, Morse has won one section championship and finished second twice. Over the past 25 years, the Tigers’ average season record is 7-3.

This year, Morse promises continued success. Option quarterback Teddy Lawrence, a Times All-County selection last season, returns to lead a potent offense that scored 55 points in its opener last week in Hawaii.

Running backs Gary Taylor and Conan Smith and receivers Tommy Bennett and Donny Nash will operate behind a huge line, including Salua Poutua (5-10, 300), John Moe (6-3, 285), Irwin Mendiola (5-10, 240), Danny Williams (6-3, 220) and Darius Benford (6-4, 238) and tight end Glen Steele (6-2, 200).

3: HELIX

1989 Record: 7-2-1

League: Grossmont 3-A

Coach: Jim Arnaiz

Helix’ combination of size, talent and experience could possibly make this team as good as Arnaiz’s 1980 and ’82 teams, which won section 3-A titles.

The defense, which allowed 12.5 points per game last year, returns four standouts; defensive backs Andreal Climon and Brandon Sanders, lineman Too’savili Ulutu (6-3, 245) and linebacker Gary Walton (6-4, 235). Running back Jarrett Parr and lineman Adam Norberg return on offense. Greg Wilbur, a transfer from Torrey Pines, will replace graduated Rob Ippolito at quarterback.

4: MIRA MESA

1989 Record: 9-4

League: City Eastern

Coach: Brad Griffith

Wayne Pittman, a second team All-County linebacker who also rushed for more than 1,300 yards as a fullback, returns and is joined by junior tailback Robbie Edwards. Blocking for them will be one of the biggest Marauder offensive lines ever, led by Jomo Graham, Tony Giacolone and Wes McDonald. Mira Mesa also returns six of seven defensive front players.

Mike Bovee, a 16-year-old senior who is one of the best baseball pitchers in the county, has big shoes to fill in replacing J.J. Rowlett at quarterback.

5: RAMONA

1989 Record: 8-5

League: Avocado

Coach: Mel Galli

For the first time, people in Ramona are talking section title instead of merely a .500 season. The reason for such optimism is that 17 of 22 starters return off a team that advanced to the 2-A semifinals last year.

Fullback Tom Smith and halfback Sarn Salmon should have a lot of fun running behind an offensive line that averages 250 pounds. Quarterback John Cappasolla runs and throws well. His favorite targets are receiver Todd Dick and tight end Ryan Simpson. The Bulldogs will be tested Friday in their home opener against Lincoln.

6: CHULA VISTA

1989 Record: 10-1-1

League: Metro

Coach: George Ohnesorgen

Chula Vista finished undefeated in league for the second year in a row and could make it three if quarterback Allan Delos Reyes and newcomers on the offensive line develop. Fullback Steve Gomez, tailback Neviette Richardson, receiver Brandon Gregg, tight end Donnie Edwards and tackle Daniel Alonzo will ease that process.

The defense, according to Ohnesorgen, will carry the team in the early going. Last year, the balanced Spartans were fourth in the county in offense (30.7 points per game) and ninth in defense (9.5).

7: GROSSMONT

1989 Record: 10-1-1

League: Grossmont 2-A

Coach: Judd Hulbert

Although Grossmont lost 17 of 22 starters, the Foothillers have enough talent to dominate again. Last year, Grossmont outscored its opponents, 420-59, during the regular season and finished second in the county in both offense and defense.

“We were lucky to score enough points last year that we were able to play a lot of people,” Hulbert said. “We have the experience. We’re not as bad off as some people think.”

8: MT. CARMEL

1989 Record: 6-5

League: Palomar

Coach: Doug Kamon

Mt. Carmel will lack experience but not talent. Back on offense are two starters, scrambling quarterback Matt Miller and running back Jeff Scott.

Miller led the team to a 5-0 start in league last year before he was injured in a 42-7 loss to Rancho Buena Vista. Despite that rout, the Sundevils allowed the fewest points in the league (91). Anchoring the 1990 defense are the two returners, Damon Wright and Shawn Adams.

9: POINT LOMA

1989 Record: 8-5

League: City Eastern

Coach: Bennie Edens

Point Loma, hit hard by graduation, is still fast and physical.

The defense returns dominating brothers Laroi and Darcel Glover at defensive ends, Michael Driver at cornerback and Eric Stein at tackle.

If there is a concern, it’s in the offensive backfield. Will John Faulkner recover from a severe broken leg suffered in last year’s playoffs? Will Alex Gresham and Shaunta Baker, two talented ballcarriers, learn the system and play to their potential? Will Dan White’s replacement at quarterback, Toby Gault, be able to move the offense through the air?

10: KEARNY

1989 Record: 9-2

League: City Western

Coach: Willie Matson

Kearny returned in force last year after three consecutive losing seasons, and the primary reason was Darnay Scott, an explosive wide receiver/kick returner few could stop. Scott scored 18 touchdowns and caught 48 passes, averaging nearly 20 yards a catch. Transfer Jemal Lucas, a reliable receiver, will play opposite Scott. The backfield will feature returning all-league player Chris Richmond, sophomore James Curtis and first-year quarterback Sam Page.

Eric Diato, the league’s defensive player of the year in 1989, returns. Aaron Mertens, Frank Hoffman and Joe Allen, all 6-6, help form an offensive line that averages 269 pounds.

Staff writers Dana Haddad, Martin Henderson, Dave McKibben and Laura Palmer contributed to this story.