Preview of Area Teams: Poly, Paramount Expected to Repeat as Champs

Here is a preview of Southeast/Long Beach area high school football teams. The predicted order of finish, indicated by number, is based on information supplied by coaches and compiled by Mike Coil of The Times.

MOORE LEAGUE Perennial favorite Poly’s biggest challenge could come from Wilson, but Lakewood, Millikan and Jordan should also contend.

1. POLY--The youngest Jackrabbit team in 11 years is inexperienced in the secondary and offensive line. Only one starter returns on defense, safety Richard Washington, another in a long line of great defensive backs at the Long Beach school. Other top players are tight end Chris Love, an excellent receiver, and guard Edward Hopkins, who started every game in a 9-2 league championship season a year ago. “We are going to play like a bunch of wild and crazy guys,” said co-head Coach Jerry Jaso. Poly lost its opener, 14-7, to Eisenhower.

2. WILSON--”We are going to be right in the thick of it,” said Coach John Brennan. The Bruins (7-5 overall and 4-1 in league play last season) have good players at the skill positions, but an inexperienced defensive line. Running back Mike Steward (160 yards in a 14-12 opening win over Servite) and safety Dante Lewis are all-league. Wilson will miss center Buster Layton, now at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and tackle Demario Vaughn, now at Arizona State. Both were all-CIF.

3. MILLIKAN--The Rams, fourth in the league last season, are young and inexperienced, but optimistic Coach Dave Radford, a 27-year veteran, said, “We have good unity and (the players) are a joy to be around.” Jeremy Jones, a three-year starter, returns to running back after playing quarterback last season. Larry Satterlee is an all-league defensive end. The Rams beat St. Anthony, 29-9, last week.

4. LAKEWOOD--The Lancers ended a 19-game road losing streak last Friday night by beating Warren, 21-14. This is a pass-minded team whose top receivers are all-league Johnny Horner and A. J. Marinelli. Brian Kaveney, a senior with a strong arm, takes over for the graduated Robert Fonseca at quarterback. Coach Mark Rose said his linemen are young.

5. JORDAN--The Panthers, who lost their opener to Mission Viejo, 42-12, are led by 6-foot-3 Joel Rosborough, one of the area’s best wide receivers. The quarterback is junior Johnnie Nanson. The Panthers must improve their defense to avoid another losing season. They were 1-9 in 1989.

6. COMPTON--New coach Mike Wells, a former player at San Diego State who was a teacher last year at Compton, takes over a team that was 1-8 and 0-5. The Tarbabes are above average at the skill positions but weak in the line, Wells said. Top players are running back/linebacker Brian Bradford and quarterback Edward Hervey. Compton is scheduled to play at its home field Oct. 12 for the first time since fire destroyed the stands three years ago.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEAGUE Paramount, Dominguez and Lynwood should fight for the league title, with the other four teams evenly matched.

1. PARAMOUNT--The Pirates will try for their third consecutive Southern Section title. Returning from a 13-1 team is all-CIF back Leon Neal, who gained more than 1,700 yards last season. Neal and DeMondre White (9.5 yards a carry) are part of the best backfield Coach Ken Sutch said he has ever had. Larry Hooper and Steve Lopez will alternate at quarterback, replacing all-CIF Jack Manu.

2. DOMINGUEZ--Bruce Walker has gone on to UCLA, but Willie Donerson’s Dons have seven starters back from an 8-4 team. The most prominent are track star James Jackson, who scored 11 of the 37 times he carried the ball last season, and wide receiver/defensive back Lavell Townsend. “We should be in the top three in the league,” Donerson said. Quarterback Anthony Young passed for 97 yards last Thursday in an opening 43-0 victory over Centennial.

3. LYNWOOD--”We are rebuilding attitudes, philosophies and techniques, and we are starting from ground zero,” said Coach Ben Carpenter, a former Lynwood assistant who was a graduate assistant last season at Cal State Long Beach. Carpenter, off to a good start with a 28-15 victory over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, succeeds Joe Hembrick. The Knights, coming off a rare mediocre season (5-5), have a strong offensive line and a talented secondary, but lack linebackers. Eugene Jackson, an all-CIF cornerback, will try to replace graduated star Charles Levy at quarterback. Lineman Don Jacobs was all-league last season.

4. DOWNEY--The Vikings, trying to bounce back from a 3-7 and 0-6 season, opened with a 42-26 victory over Damien as sophomore quarterback Johnnie Macon ran for three touchdowns and threw for one. The Vikings have two dependable linemen in Robert Bayles, who also plays linebacker, and all-league tackle Demetrious Maxie. Coach Phil Dunaway said improving the defense will be the key to making the playoffs.

5. GAHR--Coach Steve Silberman, after turning around a losing program, has moved on to Macalester College in Minnesota. So the Gladiators, 7-4 last year, will have to start over under Steve Nishimoto, former coach at Fullerton High. “We have a lot of catching up to do,” he said. Returning starters include safety Frank Thornton, who will also play quarterback, and cornerback/running back Darius Cunnigan. Gahr beat California, 15-10, last Friday night.

6. WARREN--The Bears, 3-7 last season, will depend on junior quarterback Jon Miller and senior linebacker Mark Zapata. Miller threw for 179 yards in an opening 21-14 loss to Lakewood. Coach John Hennigan has a lot of returners at running back and wide receiver, but the offensive line is new.

7. CERRITOS--The Dons were 2-8 a year ago but Coach Harold Eggers said his young team is much better. Leslie Davis is the best runner on the team and quarterback Jon Nielsen started last season. Davis made a 75-yard TD run in an opening 24-16 loss to La Mirada.

WHITMONT LEAGUE Bell Gardens, El Rancho, Whittier and Montebello are expected to fight for the title, as they did last season.

1. MONTEBELLO--With the graduation of all-CIF Miguel Cortez, the Oilers are inexperienced at receiver. But they are strong defensively and in the offensive line. Top players are defensive end Hector Del Rio and center Jesse Robledo. The Oilers were 8-3 and 5-2 last season and finished in a second-place tie with El Rancho and Bell Gardens.

2. BELL GARDENS--Tailback Rudy Ramirez (50 TDs in two years) is gone, but Coach Dave Newell still sees his team, 7-4 last season, as a top contender. “We have good receivers and a good offensive line,” Newell said. Jesse Rafanon, who caught 29 passes for 489 yards last season, is back. The best returning lineman is tackle Jose Paulo. The Lancers lost their opener to Paramount, 27-6.

3. EL RANCHO--Nine juniors start on defense for Dick Shelko’s Dons, who were 7-5 and 5-2 last season. The most prominent players are junior quarterback Jim Arellanes, who threw for 1,000 yards last season; Noe Lopez, an outstanding kicker, and 6-5, 285-pound senior offensive lineman Matt Hicks. The Dons lost their opener to Los Altos, 21-13.

4. WHITTIER--The defending league champion Cardinals had one of their greatest seasons in 1989, but Coach Mike Fitch said, “The only thing that matters is the present.” The team is fast but not as big as it was last season. Top players are quarterback Eric Somilleva, fullback Albert Sethman and offensive lineman Fernando Hernandez. The Cardinals, who lost to Covina, 14-7, last week, have a tough preseason schedule.

5. SANTA FE--The Chiefs, 6-4 in 1989, are young and have only two defensive starters returning, safety Jim Hudnall and linebacker Chris Sandoval. Coach Mike Thomas thinks his team will be fighting for third or fourth place.

6. CALIFORNIA--The Condors, who lost their opener, 15-10, to Gahr, have the experience to improve on a 2-8 record. Quarterback Larry Haney threw for more than 1,500 yards last season as a sophomore. Paul Martinez is an all-league tailback, and linebacker Shawn Olivarez leads the defense. “I think we will surprise some people this year,” said Coach Tom Tereschuk.

7. PIONEER--Taking over the Titans is Hugh Mendez, who was head coach at Whittier College the last 10 years. “We will beat somebody,” he predicted. If that happens, the Titans will improve on last season’s 0-10 record. They lost their opener, however, 15-12, to Bassett. Tight end Danny Guerrero is the top returning letterman.

8. LA SERNA--Wayne Manzo’s Lancers, 1-9 last season, won’t have quarterback Brian Dunningan, who has decided to play only baseball. The main Lancer will be runing back/safety Alfredo Martinez. Linebacking looks strong with Scott Keen and St. Paul transfer Jim Uhl. La Serna, which lost to La Habra, 26-0, in the opener, lacks depth.

SUBURBAN LEAGUE La Mirada has the size and the defense, but Glenn, Norwalk and Mayfair can’t be counted out.

1. LA MIRADA--The Matadores, who were 9-4 and did well in the playoffs last season, have seven players back on defense, including all-CIF tackle Mike Cardona (6-4, 280) and linebacker Kendall Alexander. Alexander rushed for 134 yards in a 24-16 victory over Cerritos last Thursday. The player from last year’s team that Coach John Mele will miss most is fullback Joe Fernandez. “If we get the offense going we have a shot to win it,” Mele said.

2. GLENN--The Eagles were 9-2 last season and finished in a first-place tie in the league with Norwalk. They began this season with a 24-13 victory over La Puente. Paseko Teo, who gained almost 1,000 yards, is back, as are Jerry Jornadal, who rushed for 350 yards, and all-league guard Joshua Henderson. Coach Willie Norman has only 30 players and will miss all-CIF back Travis Carter, who graduated.

3. NORWALK--The Lancers average 230 pounds on their offensive line, but they lost eight defensive starters from an 8-2 team, including all-CIF back Chuck Stafford, who moved to Chicago. All-league Eric Peterson is back at tight end. The Lancers edged Sierra Vista, 23-21, last week.

4. MAYFAIR--The Monsoons, the only team to beat Glenn in the regular season, have seven starters returning in their bid to be a contender. Chris Shubin (6-3, 260) was impressive last season as a sophomore tackle. Damion Watson is an effective two-way back who scored twice in an opening 28-14 victory over Keppel. Larry Hilliard is the new coach.

5. ARTESIA--Eight starters are back on defense, only two on offense from a 3-7 team. Tackle Jimmy Buford was all-league last season, as was linebacker Scott Rafferty. “If we live through the preseason we will do pretty well,” said Coach Norm Flowers. The Pioneers survived the first game, 15-13, against Valley Christian.

6. BELLFLOWER--”We are picked dead last so every game we win is an upset,” said Coach Doug Bluth, who started his first full season last week with a 21-6 loss to South Torrance. The Bucs, 1-9 last season, are led by tailback/defensive back Marcus Galbreath and fulback/linebacker Jacob Davis.

CAMINO REAL LEAGUE Serra is expected to win, with everyone else contending for second place.

ST. ANTHONY--Run-oriented quarterback Garnett Overby, who started last season as a sophomore, and fullback Lincoln Sii lead the Saints, but Overby injured his hip in the opening 29-9 loss to Millikan. Coach Ralph Godfrey said his defensive line is untested. The Saints were 3-7 last season.

PIUS X--The Warriors’ 17-7 opening loss to Santa Fe was their 21st successive defeat, but that streak may end. “Everyone thinks we are going to be last but if we’re healthy we’ll win a couple of games in league,” said Coach Mike Gallegos. Up from a champion sophomore team is running back/defensive end Phil Ward. The best veteran is Devon English, who impressed as a runner last season.

OLYMPIC LEAGUE Once again, Whittier Christian and Valley Christian are the class of the league.

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN--The Heralds are quick but inexperienced. Coach Phil Bravo said 23 players on last season’s 11-1 team graduated. Returning are offensive lineman Ryan McEntire, a three-year starter, and two-way end Carl Martinez, who was all-league in 1989. The Heralds outscored Dos Pueblos, 41-40, in the opener.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN--”We can’t afford to get hurt, we’re dressing 26 guys,” said Coach Mike Wunderley. The Crusaders have a sound defense and running game, but will miss quarterback Chris Miller, who graduated. Top returnees from a 10-2 team are all-CIF linebacker Mike Overgaauw and tailback Mitch Bledsoe.

OTHERS SCHURR--”I should be able to score some points, I hope,” said Coach Ken Davis, who has all-Foothill League quarterback Jay Macias and all-league tight end Danny Vargas. But the Spartans, 7-4 and 4-1 last season, lack depth and already have had injuries to some starters. They tied highly regarded Montebello, 15-15, last week.

ST. JOHN BOSCO--The Braves, coming off a 4-6 season, appear solid on offense as they move into the Angelus League. Coach Gabe Soumakian’s top players are center Alex Hannaman and tackle Bobby Mendoza, both three-year starters. Bosco will miss defensive standout Mike Munoz, who graduated. The Braves lost to Valencia, 10-7, in their opener.

ST. PAUL--The Swordsmen, who have moved from the Angelus League to the Mission League, have Albert Borunda back at quarterback, but he threw four interceptions in an opening 17-0 loss to Loyola. His top receiver last season, Steve Corpus, is now at East Los Angeles College, and all the pass catchers are new. Joe Ledesma, a 6-2, 250-pound tackle, is the team’s best lineman. “Our depth is definitely a problem,” said Coach Miguel Olmeda.

CENTENNIAL--”If there is a strength, it’s the running game,” Coach James Emery said. “We moved the ball well against Dominguez (in a 42-0 loss last week).” Tailback Raydon Hawthorne and fullback Eric Jones lead the Apaches, who were winless last season and finished last in the Pioneer League. Emery was at Compton College and was the golf coach at the school last year.

CANTWELL--The Cardinals of the Santa Fe League, 4-5-1 last season, are led by tailback Carlos Zarate (923 yards in 1989) and tackle Lou Ayala, a strong blocker. Coach Mike Noonan said the weakness is tackling kick returners. Last season, opponents returned five kicks for touchdowns, and the opening kickoff last week resulted in a TD for Maranatha. But the Cards won, 34-6.

LEFFINGWELL CHRISTIAN--The Lions, 3-6 last season, will be led by tailback Allan LeCour, who had 1,500 yards in total offense as a junior.

PIONEER BAPTIST--This team, in the eight-man division, has only eight players, the best of whom is guard/defensive end Bobby Barnard.

CITY SECTION SCHOOLS SOUTH GATE--The Rams, coming off a 10-1-1 season, have all-league offensive tackle Carlos (The House) Nunez, who Coach Gary Cordray said is as quick as a mouse. They also have linebacker Steve Martinez, who had nine sacks last season. But the Rams do not have star runner Ivan Wilson, who is now at El Camino College. Of 22 starters, 21 are seniors, but they lack experience. “I would say our chances of winning the league are not very good,” Cordray said. “It will be between us and Fremont for second place. Locke will win the league.”

HUNTINGTON PARK--Quarterback Chris Hernandez, who threw for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1989, leads the Spartans. On defense, the key player is all-league linebacker Manuel Carvajal. Coach Dwight Muskrath said his team will contend for the league title despite an inexperienced offensive line.

BELL--Of eight starters who were thrown off the team for disciplinary reasons last season, six are back, which makes Coach Ray Galarze hopeful of improving on a 3-7 record. Two of those players are Armando Lara and Marshall Valante, who were all-league running backs as sophomores. Gilbert Garcia is an experienced quarterback. The Eagles lack kickers.