FOOTBALL ’91 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTION : ALPHA LEAGUE : L.A. Baptist

COACH: Mark Bates, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 4th in league, 2-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The player to look for on an improved L.A. Baptist team is senior Dane Brown (6-foot-4, 230 pounds), a huge quarterback by Division X standards and the player on whom the team is pinning its hopes. “He has a real strong arm,” Bates said, “and he’s probably improved more than any player.” Brown will throw to junior wide receiver Eric Coyle (6-0, 165) and newcomers Peter Lee (5-8, 150), a senior, and sophomore Jim Romero (6-1, 170). Senior tight end Isaac Regenstreif (5-9, 165) will figure into the offense too. He also plays linebacker. The ground attack is spearheaded by tailback Mike Degl’Innocenti (5-8, 175) and fullback Jeff Faller (6-0, 195), both seniors. The line also features seniors: center Kris Johnson (6-1, 240), guard Randy Neckine (5-9, 205) and offensive and defensive tackle Shawn Peacock (6-5, 195). The junior varsity was league champion last year and many of those players will step into prominent roles, including sophomore safety Zach Hernandez (5-10, 150) and his twin Matt Hernandez (6-0, 155). Another sophomore, Dana Berg (6-0, 160), also plays in the secondary. Sophomore Craig Lord (5-11, 190) and junior Vinnie Degl’Innocenti (5-7, 150) join senior Matt Guiza (5-8, 160) at linebacker.

OUTLOOK: L.A. Baptist has not been to the playoffs under Bates, who thinks this might be the year. With powerhouse Montclair Prep ineligible for one of the three Alpha playoff berths, the Knights’ chances are greatly enhanced. “We’d be so happy to be there,” Bates said.

Montclair Prep

COACH: George Giannini, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 10-3; 1st in league, 5-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: It promises to be an odd year for the Mounties, a team with loads of talent, but one that won’t make the playoffs. Banned by the Southern Section from making the playoffs for this year and next, Montclair Prep cannot defend its Division X championship. But that doesn’t mean this year won’t be successful. Junior tailback Eliel Swinton (5-10, 185) had a fabulous season as a sophomore (1,719 yards, 20 touchdowns) and figures to do much of the same. But Giannini promises that typically ground-oriented Montclair Prep will throw the ball this year. Senior Mike Lincavage (6-2, 190) is a returning starter who passed for 653 yards last year. Lincavage will throw to an outstanding receiver in junior flanker Kimo Atkins (5-11, 175). The line features senior Francis Power (6-1, 195), who will also play inside linebacker, junior guard Aaron Blatt (5-10, 185), whose brother Jason is at Colorado after playing at Montclair Prep, and sophomore tackle David Grossman (6-0, 225). One of the team’s most versatile players will be senior fullback-linebacker Chris Portugal (6-1, 190).

OUTLOOK: Despite the playoff ban, the Mounties are eligible for a league title, giving the team something to shoot for. And they should get it too, with their main competition coming from Village Christian. Giannini, meanwhile, tries to downplay the Southern Section punishment when assessing the team. “There’s no talk about the CIF or probation at all,” he said. “Now, we really don’t have time to think about it.”

Village Christian

COACH: Mike Plaisance, 12th season

LAST SEASON: 8-4-1; 3rd in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bad news greets an otherwise promising season: Senior running back Jason Gourson (5-10, 186) broke an ankle and will be lost for the nonleague season. But senior tailback Chad Everett (5-4, 165) is healthy. Everett gained 1,098 yards as a junior and made All-Southern Section Division X. “Chad’s not a little guy,” Plaisance said. “He’s just short. Pound for pound, he’s as strong as anybody on our team.” Until Gourson returns, junior Brett Borden (5-10, 180) will play running back. The team’s passing game is as capable as the running game, with junior quarterback David Treanor (5-11, 175) throwing to standout receivers. Senior Myles Brown (5-10, 180), “the fastest kid in the school,” according to Plaisance, heads the crew along with junior J.B. McLeod (6-1, 180), senior Eric Weisel (6-4, 135) and sophomore Brodie McClain (5-9, 170). Three offensive linemen return: senior Bret Harrison (6-3, 230), junior Virgil Ross (5-10, 235) and senior center Bob Hook (5-11, 165), one of the team’s captains. Among the 14 starters returning are some solid defenders. Seniors Cameron Kelly (5-11, 180), Billy Rust (5-9, 186) and Tom Jahr (5-11, 200) are back on the defensive line and junior Tristan Grell (5-11, 170) will anchor an inexperienced linebacking corps that will be helped by sophomore Mike Agnor (5-11, 190). The lone returner in the secondary is junior Erik Martin (5-10, 168).

OUTLOOK: Village Christian, ranked No. 3 in the Division X preseason poll, should give Montclair Prep a run for the league title. And in the playoffs, this might be the year Village Christian goes all the way.