FOOTBALL ’91 : THE JUNIOR COLLEGES : WESTERN STATE CONFERENCE : Glendale

COACH: John Cicuto, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 9-2; 1st in Nthn. Division, 8-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sophomore tailback Bobby Webster (5-foot-8, 185 pounds) rushed for 1,360 yards and 21 touchdowns last season and was a unanimous WSC Northern Division pick. This year “he’s bigger, he’s stronger without losing any speed,” Cicuto said. Sophomore fullback Rafik Thorossian (6-0, 232), Cicuto said, “has a chance to be as good if not better than Wes Bender,” who is now at USC. The strongest player on the team, Thorossian can bench-press 455 pounds, squat lift 575 and run the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds. Sophomore center Dave Boghossian (6-1, 285) and sophomore offensive lineman Abe Jimenez (5-10, 255) were All-Southern Division second-team choices. Sophomores Jeff Dyrek (6-0, 225) and Darren Jenkins (6- 1/2, 222) were both All-Southern Division second-team picks and team with sophomore Robert Bustamante to form a strong linebacker corps. Owen Taylor (6-1, 260) and Robert Marceau (6-4, 235) were part-time starters on the defensive line. Sophomore cornerback Robert Floyd (5-10, 170) led Glendale with four interceptions.

OUTLOOK: Glendale is the team other coaches point to as the regional power. The offense is more experienced than the defense, but the Vaqueros will start a true freshman at quarterback for the first time in 16 years. With Webster and Thorossian running behind one of the best Glendale offensive lines in years, the quarterback’s main duty may simply be to handle the snap and hand off the ball. With nine sophomores who earned all-conference recognition last year and a talented freshman class that includes running back Leon Gable (5-6, 160) of North Hollywood and linebacker Scott Blade (5-10, 205) of Canyon, Glendale is as stacked as a riverboat gambler’s deck.

Moorpark

COACH: Jim Bittner, 14th season

LAST SEASON: 9-2; 2nd in Nthn. Division, 7-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bittner describes sophomore running back Jamal Anderson (6-1, 235) as “a nightmare to tackle.” One opposing coach said he worried more about Anderson last year than record-setting Freddie Bradley. Anderson gained 776 yards and averaged nearly eight yards a carry. Sophomore nose tackle Robert Moose (6-3, 235) was one of only two freshmen named to the Northern Division first-team defense. Moose, sophomore safety Melvin Nunnery (6-2, 205) and sophomore linebacker Jerry Thompson (6-1, 225) lend experience to a young Moorpark defense. Returning starters Jeff Long (6-5, 287) and Jonathan Paulson (6-2, 255) anchor the left side of the line at tackle and guard, and Don Young (6-2, 310) has moved from nose tackle to right tackle after sitting out a year to get his grades in order. Talented sophomore Johnel Turner (6-1, 195) is trying his hand at quarterback, which he played at Oxnard High.

OUTLOOK: After three consecutive 9-2 seasons (the last two with Bradley), Moorpark will find out if there is life after Freddie. “We’re definitely going to have to depend a little more on a balanced attack,” Bittner said. Moorpark led the Northern Division in scoring last season, and a strong offensive line should again fuel a high-octane offense. The Raiders’ defense is young and will be tested in the opener against perennial power Riverside. “You’re always worried when you’re young,” Bittner said, “but we think we’re talented.”

Pierce

COACH: Bill Norton, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 3rd in Sthn. Division, 4-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sophomore running back LaShante Parker (5-11, 185) ran for 946 yards in only eight games last season and was second-team All-Southern Division. “He’s a north-south runner,” said Norton, who said Parker could bench-press 325 pounds as a high school freshman. After leading Antelope Valley College with nine interceptions last season, John Johnson (6-3, 210) has transferred to Pierce. He will play free safety, and “he’s our stopper,” defensive coordinator Danny Geyer said. “He could start anywhere. . . . He has no responsibility--just make good plays.” The coaches consider freshman defensive lineman Willie Jackson (6-4, 248) from Taft one of Pierce’s most talented players, and sophomore Randy West (6-5, 232) returns on the defensive line after gaining second-team All-Southern Division honors a year ago. Strong-armed sophomore Joe Pica (6-2, 195) is the top candidate at quarterback. Center Corey Alter (6-2, 255), tackles Mike DiFonzo (6-4, 293) and Bob Kyman (6-6, 284) and guard Charles Gietzen (6-5, 300) are all returning starters. Sophomore wide receiver Shannon Culver (5-11, 160) returns after a year off, and sophomore cornerback Bruce Dotson (5-10, 178) is vastly improved.

OUTLOOK: Norton emphasized building a team attitude during the off-season and had his players playing volleyball and basketball together as well as lifting weights and practicing football. He also involved them in team governance but said, “you can’t do everything they want . . . otherwise you’d have free beer at halftime.” Pierce could be the surprise team of the fall. The nucleus is strong and experienced, and last year Pierce showed it can play with the big boys by nearly knocking off then-undefeated Bakersfield in a 38-35 final-game loss.

Valley

COACH: Jim Fenwick, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 6th in Sthn. Division, 3-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sophomore linebacker Jeff Hampsten (6-1, 200) was first-team All-Southern Division last season. Defensive back Ed Jones (5-11, 185) and safety Mike O’Brien are other returning starters on defense. Chris Gadomski (6-1, 190), a redshirt freshman transfer from Moorpark, and Mike Wynn (6-3, 220), a redshirt freshman transfer from San Diego State, will contend for the quarterback position. William Estelle (6-3, 260), honorable mention All-Southern Division last season, returns on the offensive line.

OUTLOOK: Valley is rebuilding, but Fenwick is a master carpenter. His Pierce teams from 1983 to 1985 were 9-2, 10-1, 9-2. He has about a dozen sophomores at Valley. “I don’t think we’re going to be that strong of a team,” Fenwick said. Valley will use an I offense and an odd-numbered defensive front. “We’re just going to keep it simple, teach a new system, play hard and learn,” Fenwick said. “Hopefully, we can sneak up on a few people.”

Ventura

COACH: Dick James, 12th season

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 3rd in Nthn. Division, 3-6

PLAYERS TO WATCH: At 5-5, sophomore tailback Tony Williams is Ventura’s little engine that can. “Tony’s the go-to guy,” James said. “We’re in the I formation for one reason--to feature that guy.” Williams (208 pounds) rushed for 943 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last season. Sophomore tight end Charles Roberson (6-3, 217) and sophomore wide receiver J.J. Alvarez (5-5, 159) give Ventura a strong receiving corps. After earning significant playing time last season as Tim Albrent’s backup, Matt Brimigion (6-3, 185) takes over at quarterback. Sophomore rover Doug Brekke (6-3, 205) is the lone returning starter on defense. Brekke was second-team All-Northern Division.

OUTLOOK: After surrendering the second-most points in the WSC last season, Ventura has revamped its defense. “We’re going to attack people,” James said. “We’re not going to sit and get pounded. We’ve got a more aggressive style.” James will be his own defensive coordinator and will implement the switch from the gap-control system Ventura used since the early 1970s to a 46-type blitzing defense. Former head Coach Phil Passno is back to run the offense, and Ventura will look to establish the run behind a big offensive line.

FOOTHILL CONFERENCE

Antelope Valley

COACH: Brent Carder, 22nd season

LAST SEASON: 8-3, T-2nd in conference, 6-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sophomore center Tony Valencia (6-5, 260) and sophomore tackle Chuck Slayton (6-1, 250) are first-team all-conference veterans, and they are two of the “little” guys on the offensive line. Sophomore lineman Jesse Cartwright (6-5, 325) is battling back problems but should play, and a pair of enormous freshmen, George Murdoch (6-8, 335) and William Knight (6-9, 320), could start. Sophomore Marty Washington (6-2, 190) is the only returning starting quarterback at any of the six regional schools. He threw for 1,448 yards last year and welcomes back his top two receivers, sophomore tight end Thomas Reimer (6-2, 215) and sophomore wide receiver David Brown (5-11, 190). Daron Rodgers (6-3, 220) has moved to linebacker after being chosen second-team all-conference as a defensive lineman last season and will join first-team all-conference linebacker Charley Wright (6-1, 215). Sophomore cornerback Wilson Hookfin (6-1, 170) intercepted three passes last season.

OUTLOOK: “I think the team we have now is potentially as good as any we’ve coached here,” said Carder, who has taken his teams to seven conference championships. More than 20 of the Marauders’ 50-plus players bench-pressed more than 300 pounds during preseason tests. With a huge, experienced offensive line and talented skill players, the Marauders should score often.