FOOTBALL ’91 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTION : GOLDEN LEAGUE : Antelope Valley

COACH: Brent Newcomb, 14th season

LAST SEASON: 2-8; tied for 4th in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Five seniors in their third year of varsity play herald what promises to be a return to quality football at Antelope Valley after a combined record of 5-15 the past two years. Senior Freddie Edwards (6-foot-1, 172 pound) is a returning Times All-Valley player who should stand out at running back and safety. Edwards is touted in recruiting magazines as a sure-fire NCAA Division I prospect. The team’s most versatile player, however, may be senior Mike Fossati (6-0, 175). Fossati played quarterback last year but will move to flanker this year and may be “our featured player,” according to Newcomb. Two more of the three-year starters return on defense: lineman Carl Taylor (6-0, 252) and outside linebacker Eugene Dreher (6-4, 182). Rounding out the nucleus is all-league kicker Peter Holt (5-10, 170). Newcomb is high on junior quarterback Bayi Hilton (5-10, 165), who helped the team to a very successful passing-league summer. Back from a serious knee injury is highly touted junior running back Eric McQuown (5-11, 185). McQuown also will see time at outside linebacker. Newcomb also likes senior tight end Rodney Flakes (5-11, 196). Senior guard and linebacker Mario Amara (6-0, 225) is one of the strongest players on the team--”He can bench-press a house,” Newcomb said--and Newcomb found a fullback over the summer in junior Carlos Acosta (5-10, 206). Anchoring the secondary is senior Richard Lear, (6-1, 165), who didn’t play as a junior.

OUTLOOK: This could be a return to glory for the Antelopes, who have won three Southern Section titles in Newcomb’s tenure. “We’ve improved immensely over the summer and the off-season,” Newcomb said. “And we have a real strong nucleus.” Once again, a tough preseason schedule that includes Division I champion Loyola and Central Coast Section champion Bakersfield will ensure a trial by fire. “Our schedule is entertaining but it’s damn tough,” Newcomb said. He points to Canyon and Quartz Hill as the teams to beat, but said, “there’s always Antelope Valley too.”

Canyon

COACH: Harry Welch, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 11-2; 2nd in league, 4-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With the turmoil of Welch’s controversial summer apparently over, Canyon figures to take care of business as usual on the field. Heading the 1991 team is three-year starter Chuck Osborne (6-3, 240), a defensive end who is among the best in the region. “I have to feel pretty darn good to have Chuck back for another year,” Welch said. The quarterback, senior Chad Engbrecht (5-10, 165), is the Cowboys’ fourth in the past four years. The running game received a big boost from transfer Andy Cleland (5-11, 180), a senior tailback from El Capitan who Welch says he likes “big-time.” At fullback is junior Aidan Stanford (5-10, 175), who can double as a tailback. Canyon’s wideouts are experienced and talented: seniors Jim Zopelis (5-9, 165) and Chris Spahr (6-1, 191) are two of the team’s more versatile players. Senior Clint Jones (6-2, 183) also will catch a lot of passes. The line is anchored by returning part-time starter Joshua VanDeventer (6-5, 217) and a sophomore transfer from Antelope Valley, guard David Pratcher (6-5, 238). On defense, senior linebacker Craig Reiter (6-0, 208) is this year’s tough-as-nails linebacker. Joining him at inside linebacker is senior Mark White (6-0, 183). If he heals from reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament, senior Mike Torres will start at safety.

OUTLOOK: Welch notes that big-time competition looms up the freeway, citing Quartz Hill and Antelope Valley as two of the better teams in Southern California. He also characteristically downplayed his team, saying that the staff is “a little disappointed” that no leaders have emerged from early workouts. But after a summer in which Canyon was accused of bending the rules, expect Welch’s always well-prepared team to play even harder. Added incentive is to take a Golden League title won by Quartz Hill last year.

Palmdale

COACH: Jeff Williams, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 4-7; 3rd in league, 3-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Williams, after serving as an assistant under former Coach Kent Bothwell, will overhaul a program that has not lived up to expectations in the recent past. Senior fullback Tervell Spears (5-11, 190) gained 138 yards and scored two touchdowns last year and will lead the four backs who will play. Senior halfback Bryan Barnard (5-9, 165) has good hands. He also will play free safety. Junior Adam Greenidge (5-8, 170) is a “real slashy” runner, according to Williams, and Greenidge also will play strong safety. Another junior, Al Corney (6-1, 190) runs well inside and also will play outside linebacker. At quarterback, two players are battling. Senior Jay Mapson (5-9, 160) played seven games at the position last year and threw for 343 yards but finds himself competing with junior Terrence Zenno (6-1, 185). The Falcons have an outstanding lineman in senior offensive and defensive tackle Esaul Viramontes (6-3, 265). Returning all-league center Phil Maldonado is small (5-9, 165), but “he’ll get after you,” Williams said. Maldonado also will play outside linebacker. More experience comes from two-way lineman Jesse Polston (6-3, 195) and senior tight end Adam Harris (6-2, 180), who can catch the ball in traffic. The secondary features senior cornerback Joe Guillen (5-10, 160) and junior cornerback Kevin Gates (5-10, 160). Gates and junior Ty Gaines (6-4, 175), who started on the basketball team as a sophomore, will play wide receiver.

OUTLOOK: Palmdale is an unknown quantity. Williams is working to improve the attitude around campus, and the team features some talent. “We’re going to be real young,” Williams said. “But our strength is our execution. We execute really well and it’ll show in our play.” In a league with Canyon, Quartz Hill and Antelope Valley, a playoff berth might be hard to come by.

Quartz Hill

COACH: John Albee, 24th season

LAST SEASON: 11-3; 1st in league, 5-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Key players return from a team that stunned Canyon en route to a Golden League championship, then stunned Southern California by advancing to the Division I championship game before falling to Loyola, 24-14. This year promises more of the same with senior quarterback Jake Haro (5-9, 165) and several other standouts returning. Haro is a big-play quarterback who averaged 20.6 yards per completion and threw for 15 touchdowns last fall. He also ran for 316 yards. “He’s very underrated,” Albee said. ‘He’s been a winner on every level he’s played.” Just as important to the Rebel attack is the return of speedy senior tailback Erik Thomas (5-10, 185), one of the top backs in the region who gained 1,449 yards and scored 17 touchdowns as a junior. Ralph Gutierrez (6-3, 222), a Times All-Valley defensive lineman, will share time at fullback. But Gutierrez’s impact remains on defense. Another top returner is offensive and defensive lineman Randy Clemons (6-4, 265), a third-year player also tabbed among the top in the state by recruiting magazines. Senior Calvin Liggins (5-8, 210), a “fireplug,” according to Albee, will start at fullback and senior strong safety Joel Hansen (5-10, 158) is also a talented ballcarrier. Catching Haro’s passes will be seniors Randy Romero (5-9, 180) and Doug Ybarra (5-9, 160). Last year’s championship team lost Times lineman of the year Selves Smith to graduation, but Albee says senior linebackers Dave Spitzer (5-11, 187) and Liggins should compensate. The offensive line features guard-nose guard Randy LaBrie (5-11, 210) and offensive and defensive tackle Gary Armstrong (6-2, 225). Quartz Hill’s secondary will be anchored by senior cornerback Lateef Gooden (5-9, 150).

OUTLOOK: Once again, everything points to Quartz Hill’s league opening game against Canyon on Oct. 18. Last year, Quartz Hill came of age as the Rebels handed Canyon its first-ever home league loss in Harry Welch’s tenure as Canyon coach. From there, the Rebels won eight in a row before losing to Loyola. This year, the aim remains the same. Albee says the only difference is a lack of depth. “With no injuries, it will be a great year,” he said.

Saugus

COACH: Jack Bowman, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 2-8; tied for 4th in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bowman takes over a struggling team with 12 returning starters. Leading that group is senior tailback David Doyle (5-11, 180) a “good, solid, tough kid,” according to Bowman. Doyle gained more than 300 yards and scored five touchdowns as a junior. Senior Rich Gutierrez (5-9, 170) played quarterback last year but has moved to wingback and linebacker. Junior Bobby Cowan (6-0, 175) will step in at quarterback. Also in the backfield is sophomore fullback Chris Johnson (5-11, 190). Opening holes will be a line headed by three seniors in John Steinhof (6-2, 235), Deke Pike (6-0, 225) and Hong Min (5-10, 180). Bowman also likes senior receiver Mike Cruz (6-0, 165). Among Saugus’ defensive standouts will be lineman Chris Finicle (6-1, 210), a senior, and junior free safety Jibri Hodge (5-10, 150). Hodge is new to the varsity, but there are other defensive veterans, including senior cornerbacks Scott Johnson (5-7, 150) and Jason Bobby (5-10, 155), senior linebackers Geoff Menta (6-0 195) and John Lopata (5-10, 190), and senior defensive tackle Reno Torralba (6-1, 210).

OUTLOOK: Bowman takes over a program that has struggled in recent years, but he comes to the job with solid credentials. He was named Orange County coach of the year in 1985 while at Westminster. The Centurions will dive into the season the hard way, with games against Thousand Oaks, Hart and Royal in the preseason. And in a league with Canyon, Quartz Hill and Antelope Valley, Saugus has its work cut out.