Walsh Selected as Southland’s Best Prep Player

John Walsh took a risk last summer when he transferred from West Torrance High to Carson High, traditionally a power-running team. Walsh was looking for a football program that would allow him to develop his passing talents.

The risk paid off as Walsh, a senior, passed for an L.A. City and state single-season record of 4,206 yards and 48 touchdowns. And he led Carson past Wilmington Banning, 37-16, Friday night for the City 4-A Division championship.

Walsh, 6 feet 4 and 205 pounds, finished the season only 250 yards shy of a national record. As a result, he was honored Sunday with the Glenn Davis Award as Southern California’s best high school player at The Times’ annual football banquet at the Anaheim Hilton.

“This is an honor and I owe a lot of it to Coach Gene Vollnogle, who is the best I’ve ever worked with,” Walsh said. “I also owe a lot to my parents, who are the best anyone could ask for.”

Glenn Davis is a former Times employee who was in charge of special events. He played football at La Verne Bonita High before starring as a running back for Army. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1946.

The late Kevin Copeland of Dorsey, a receiver, won the award last year.

Winners of the back, lineman and coach of the year for each of The Times’ 12 circulation areas also were honored at the banquet, at which Times Sports Editor Bill Dwyre was the guest speaker. They were:

Central City--Andrew Casani, Loyola (back); Cedric White, Dorsey (lineman); Steve Grady, Loyola (coach).

Glendale--Pathon Rucker, Glendale (back); Albert Ocon, Glendale (lineman); Don Shoemaker, Glendale (coach).

Inland Empire--David Dotson, Moreno Valley Valley View (back); Chris Finch, Riverside Ramona (lineman); Tom Hoak, Rialto Eisenhower (coach).

Orange County--Rob Johnson, El Toro (back); Beau LeBreton, Mission Viejo (lineman); Marijon Ancich, Tustin (coach).

San Diego County--Teddy Lawrence, San Diego Morse (back); Don Aliipule, Rancho Buena Vista (lineman); Jim Arnaiz, San Diego Helix (coach).

San Fernando Valley--Brett Washington, Granada Hills (back); Selves Smith, Quartz Hill (lineman); John Albee, Quartz Hill (coach).

San Gabriel Valley--Sedrick Thomas, Pasadena Muir (back); Jason Patterson, La Puente Bishop Amat (lineman); Tony Zane, Baldwin Park (coach).

South Bay--John Walsh, Carson (back); David Bohner, Palos Verdes (lineman); Gene Vollnogle, Carson (coach).

South Coast--Leon Neal, Paramount (back); Mark Manu, Paramount (lineman); Ken Sutch, Paramount (coach).

Southeast--Jesse Rafanan, Bell Gardens (back); Fernando Hernandez, Whittier (lineman); Willie Norman, Norwalk Glenn (coach).

Ventura County--Todd Preston, Westlake Village Westlake (back); Bryce Elliott, Thousand Oaks (lineman); Gene Uebelhardt, Simi Valley Royal (coach).

Westside--Rahim Muhammad, Fairfax (back); Wes Smith, Westchester (lineman); Ron Price and Earl Smith, Fairfax (coaches).