Morse Tigers Pile Up Honors as They Piled Up Victories : High school football: Five from unbeaten team named to first team, two to second team in The Times’ All-County selections.

Morse High School is being called by many as the greatest team in San Diego Section history. The Times’ 1990 All-County selections illustrate seven reasons why.

Five Tigers were named to the first team and two made the second team, making Morse one of the most represented schools in the 13 years The Times’ has selected all-county teams.

Rancho Buena Vista had three players on the first team for the third year in a row (the Longhorns had four in 1988), including one of the running backs. An Aliipule from Rancho Buena Vista also has been on the first team three years in a row. Don Aliipule has made it the past two years, Al Aliipule in 1988.

Point Loma had brothers La’Roi and Darcel Glover at defensive ends. La Jolla Country Day, the 1-A eight-man champion, placed two juniors on the first team.

In all, there are six juniors on the first team, two more than the past two years combined.

Players are selected by the Times’ high school football writers based on performances during the regular season and recommendations from coaches around the county.

A look at the 1990 first team: DEFENSE

Darnay Scott, Kearny, wide receiver--Scott, one of the county’s top Division I recruits, had 23 receptions for 456 yards, a 19.6 per-catch average, despite being double- and triple-teamed all season. Scott (6-feet-3, 190 pounds) also had a county-high nine interceptions as a free safety. His 14 touchdowns came five different ways--on punt, kick and interception returns, on receptions and on runs.

Kris Plash, Orange Glen, wide receiver--A reliable possession receiver, Plash, a junior, can be elusive once he gets the ball. He’s superb in Orange Glen’s short passing game and has a knack for getting the necessary yardage for first downs. Coach Rob Gilster says Plash has dropped only one pass in two years. He was third in the county this season with 51 receptions for 758 yards.

Donnie Edwards, Chula Vista, tight end--As a leader and person, Edwards is a coach’s delight. Add size (6-3, 195), quickness and skills, and Edwards, in Coach George Ohensorgen’s words, “stuck out like a sore thumb.” On offense, Edwards bolstered a line that enabled four Spartan backs to ahve big seasons. As a linebacker, Edwards keyed a defense that finished second in the county. Edwards lettered three years in football and baseball and two in basketball.

Don Aliipule, Rancho Buena Vista, offensive line--Aliipule comes right out of the mold of former section player of the year, Jack Harrington. The Longhorns do only one thing--run--and they do it behind the mobile Aliipule. He is as athletic as any player on the team, including Markeith Ross, except Aliipule is 240 pounds and delivers crunching blocks.

Salua Poutoa, Morse, offensive line--The leader of perhaps Morse’s best offensive line ever, Poutoa (6-0, 295) helped open holes for a backfield that gained more than 3,500 yards in 10 games. “I think he’s the real spark plug on our team,” Coach John Shacklett said. “He’s the leader. He has tremendous pride, and he set the standard for our offensive line.”

John Moe, Morse, offensive line--Another outstanding member of a line that helped Morse average 48 points a game during the regular season, Moe (6-2, 270) ranks with some of the best blockers ever to play for the Tigers. He has great technique and mobility on pulls and traps, and has smarts to go with it. He carry’s a 3.1 grade-point average in school and plans to attend the Naval Academy next year.

John Michels, La Jolla, offensive line--Coach Dick Huddleston called Michels, who is 6-7, 230, an intense player who learned schemes quickly and made good adjustments. Michels also played defense, where he displayed great quickness and lateral movement. A 3.8 student, Michels has orally committed to play at USC. “He’s made good progress, and he’s getting tougher all the time,” Huddleston said.

Jason Abraham, San Marcos, offensive line--Described as a late bloomer by Coach Ken Broach, Abraham (6-3, 215) started only a couple games as a junior. But this year at left tackle, he was one of the main reasons junior fullback Mark Frazier rushed for more than 1,900 yards. “We usually ran behind him when we needed tough yards,” Broach said. “He got better each week. I think he surprised himself more than anybody.” Broach added that it was Abraham’s athletic ability--he also plays basketball and baseball--that allowed him to dominate.

Teddy Lawrence, Morse, quarterback--Morse used to compare all its great athletes to former football/basketball standout Keith McGee. Lawrence (5-9, 175) now sets the standard. Coach John Shacklett said Lawrence is the best athlete he’s ever coached. Shacklett said Lawrence was reluctant to play quarterback at first, but he flourished in Morse’s option set, rushing for 1,158 yards during the regular season and a county-best 19 yards per carry. He also threw seven touchdown passes and just one interception in 48 attempts.

Gary Taylor, Morse, running back--Taylor (6-0, 165) became the second junior in a row to lead the county in rushing with 1,977 yards in 170 carries. He was second in the county with 25 touchdowns, yet Coach John Shacklett said he may be one of the Tigers’ most improved players. A quick, tough back with great cutting ability, Taylor has improved his field vision and ability to find holes throughout the season.

Markeith Ross, Rancho Buena Vista, running back--Rancho Buena Vista has had three of the county’s four 2,000-yard rushers heading into this season--Scott Garcia, O.J. Hall and Ross, who had 2,242 last year. Ross gained 1,622 yards this season, but the county’s all-time leading rusher (5,285) combines the moves of Garcia and the speed of Hall. As a result, he had 26 touchdowns, including scoring runs of 83, 80, 72, 64, 59, 49, and 41 yards. His 158 points put him ahead of some select company, including Lincoln’s Marcus Allen (156, 1977). Ross (5-10, 180) is a bona fide game-breaker, and Bell said his blocking is underrated.

Eric Abrams, La Jolla Country Day, kicker--A second-team selection in 1989, Abrams was again impressive this season. In 11 games, Abrams made 74 of 76 extra-point conversions (three others were blocked), placing him second in the section record book behind Rancho Buena Vista’s Abel Lopez, who had 81 in 14 games last year. In addition, every one of Abrams’ 100 kickoffs carried into the end zone, which in high school cannot be returned. Just a junior, Abrams is already second on the career conversion list with 125, and he is third in career points with 140. Abrams has been called by at least one scouting service as the premier junior kicker in the nation. DEFENSE

Mike Johnson, Southwest, defensive line--Defensive player of the year in the Metro Conference for the second consecutive year, Johnson was one of only four juniors on The Times’ first team in 1989. Johnson, who also played on the offensive line, led Southwest (9-3) to a second-place finish in the Metro. A dominating pass rusher and run defender, Johnson (5-11, 225) led the Raiders in tackles and sacks for the second year in a row.

Darcel Glover, Point Loma, defensive line--Quickness may earn Darcel Glover a spot on a Division I college team. Coach Bennie Edens says Glover, a senior defensive end, has improved his grades since last season, making him more attractive to college coaches. “A year ago his (school) work habits weren’t real good,” Edens said. “He has always been in advanced classes, but he hadn’t achieved at the level of his ability. Now he has settled down and he’s doing great.” San Diego State, among others, has shown interest. Glover is the senior member of Tag Team Glover. His younger brother, La’Roi, was Point Loma’s other starting defensive end. Darcel (6-2 1/2, 225) finished the season with 32 tackles, 10 assists and 5 1/2 sacks. He also doubled as a back-up receiver.

La’Roi Glover, Point Loma, defensive line--Coach Bennie Edens said Glover, a strong, overpowering defensive end, could be the best lineman in Point Loma’s history. “He’s a dominating football player,” Edens said. “He’s very intense, quick off the ball and very aggressive.” La’Roi, a 6-2, 265-pound junior, starts on defense with his older brother, Darcel, and outweighs him by 40 pounds. The Glover brothers helped anchor a defense that gave up an average of 9.3 points a game during the regular season. La’Roi had 43 tackles, 18 assists and eight sacks; he also started at guard on offense.

Gary Walton, Helix, defensive line--A good athlete who also plays basketball, Walton (6-4, 235) was a big reason Helix led the county in defense, allowing 2.3 points per game during the regular season. “Gary is a good demonstration of commitment and hard work,” Coach Jim Arnaiz said. “He will go down in our record books as one of the best defensive lineman we’ve had.”

Abdul McCullough, El Camino, linebacker--Coach Herb Meyer couldn’t find a position for McCullough during spring practice. McCullough (5-11, 185) was auditioned at tight end, running back and defensive end, before he settled in at outside linebacker. McCullough replaced Ricky Spears, who now plays for Cal, as the Wildcats’ big-play linebacker. Selected as defensive player of the year in Avocado League, McCullough had 13 sacks among his 33 tackles and returned all three of his interceptions for touchdowns. “He’s like a garbage man in basketball,” Meyer said. “He’s always around the ball.” McCullough scored a fourth touchdown while playing tight end.

Wayne Pittman, Mira Mesa, linebacker--Another outstanding athlete that played both ways, Pittman made The Times’ team as a linebacker for the second year in a row. He was a second-team pick last year. Pittman, who had 17 sacks, was a big hitter on what was one of the best defenses in the county all season. As the cornerstone of Mira Mesa’s offense, Pittman (5-11, 190) gained 1,604 yards rushing and had 17 touchdowns during the regular season. He added 205 yards and three scores in the Marauders’ opening playoff victory over Torrey Pines.

Matt Sailors, Rancho Buena Vista, linebacker--Coach Craig Bell said Sailors “is a fierce competitor to the point of being nasty.” What more do you want of a linebacker? Sailors’ quickness, agility and nose for the ball set him apart and helped make him a dominant player on defense. Sailors (6-2, 220) had 26 sacks, four interceptions, six fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. He also blocked five kicks.

Brandon Sanders, Helix, defensive back--”Brandon is a demonstration of aggressive, intense football playing,” Coach Jim Arnaiz said. “He is a blend of the best defensive backs over the years, but he plays with his own personality of reckless abandon.” Sanders had four interceptions and five blocked kicks during the regular season. Arnaiz said that Sanders and Gary Walton were, “The catalysts for a defense that will go down in Helix history.”

Tommy Bennett, Morse, defensive back--Bennett (6-2, 190) was an unsung hero on a team full of them. But his instincts, athletic ability and intelligence--he has a 3.2 grade-point-average--have piqued the interest of recruiters from UCLA and Stanford. He had six interceptions, two of which were spectacular one-handed grabs, and four touchdown receptions as quarterback Teddy Lawrence’s primary target. He also returned punts and kickoffs.

Rashaan Salaam, La Jolla Country Day, defensive back--Because he was also one of the county’s best running backs, Salaam had ample motivation on defense; the more he got the ball . . . Salaam, a 6-1 junior, put up unbelievable numbers at the eight-man level in a championship season that included four 11-man victories. He finished with 2,162 yards on 114 carries and 51 touchdowns, including 45 rushing. Though he intercepted only three passes, he was dominant on defense as well.

Danny Branch, Sweetwater, defensive back--Played five games this year with a broken wrist and a tender hamstring, but not even sore limbs could trim Branch. “He’s got a heart bigger than his body,” Coach Andy Sanchez said. “There’s no quit in him. Pound-for-pound, he’s the best all-around player in San Diego County.” High praise, but consider Branch’s numbers: 5-7, 165--his height and weight; six interceptions--two returned for touchdowns; four fumble recoveries--one returned for a touchdown; and three kickoffs returned for touchdowns. On offense, he added 789 rushing yards, third best in the Metro Conference. Little wonder Branch was named BMOC at Sweetwater’s homecoming.

ALL-COUNTY OFFENSE

Pos. Name School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Darnay Scott Kearny 6-3 190 Sr. WR Kris Plash Orange Glen 5-6 160 Jr. TE Donnie Edwards Chula Vista 6-3 195 Sr. OL Don Aliipule Rancho Buena Vista 6-0 240 Sr. OL Salua Poutoa Morse 6-0 295 Sr. OL John Moe Morse 6-2 270 Sr. OL John Michels La Jolla 6-7 230 Sr. OL Jason Abraham San Marcos 6-3 215 Sr. QB Teddy Lawrence Morse 5-11 175 Sr. RB Gary Taylor Morse 6-0 164 Jr. RB Markeith Ross Rancho Buena Vista 5-10 180 Sr. K Eric Abrams La Jolla Country Day 5-7 163 Jr.

ALL-COUNTY DEFENSE

Pos. Name School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Mike Johnson Southwest 5-11 225 Sr. DL La’Roi Glover Point Loma 6-2 265 Jr. DL Darcel Glover Point Loma 6-2 1/2 225 Sr. DL Gary Walton Helix 6-4 235 Sr. LB Abdul McCullough El Camino 5-11 185 Jr. LB Wayne Pittman Mira Mesa 5-11 190 Sr. LB Matt Sailors Rancho Buena Vista 6-2 220 Sr. DB Brandon Sanders Helix 5-11 160 Sr. DB Tommy Bennett Morse 6-2 190 Sr. DB Rashaan Salaam La Jolla Country Day 6-1 190 Jr. DB Danny Branch Sweetwater 5-7 165 Sr.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

WR--John Lynch, Torrey Pines, Senior; Larry Lehman, Mt. Carmel, Senior; TE--Glen Steele, Morse, Junior; OL--Eric Reid, Poway, Senior; Sefa Aina, Sweetwater, Senior; Chad McGee, El Camino, Senior; James Witkowski, Point Loma, Senior; Aaron Mertens, Kearny, Senior; QB--Matt Miller, Mt. Carmel, Senior; RB--Steve Gomez, Chula Vista, Senior; Mark Frazier, San Marcos, Junior; K--David Napier, Orange Glen, Senior.

DEFENSE

DL--Tom Smith, Ramona, Senior; Irwin Mendiola, Morse, Senior; Brant Taylor, Mt. Carmel, Senior; Eddie Tagoai, Vista, Senior; LB--Craig Threlfall, West Hills, Senior; Andy Buh, Orange Glen, Senior; Ted Johnson, Carlsbad, Senior; DB--E.J. Watson, La Jolla, Junior; Craig Person, Fallbrook, Junior; David Romero, Chula Vista, Senior; Mike Bledsoe, Serra, Senior.