FOOTBALL ’91 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTION : FOOTHILL LEAGUE : Burbank

COACH: Randy Stage, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 2-8; 5th in league, 1-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Wide receiver Mike Lyneis (6-foot, 185 pounds) and linebacker Miguel Cerna (6-0, 210) will be the offensive and defensive leaders of a team that will seem absolutely enormous in numbers (43 players) compared to last season (as few as 17). “We tended to play teams tough in the first half of games last year,” Stage said. “But then they’d just wear us out in the second half.” Lyneis had 22 receptions for 312 yards last year. Stage lists the offensive line as the team’s biggest strength, with four returning senior starters in tackle David Zion (6-5, 265), guard David Kasubowski (6-4, 220) and center Robert Morataya (6-2, 225). Sean Casey (6-3, 240) will play tight end. Senior Brian Linbille (6-3, 190), a part-time starter last season, will play quarterback with brothers Frank Brenes (6-0, 200) and Steve Brenes (5-11, 185) starting at fullback and tailback. Junior defensive end Rod Blythe (6-3, 225) and junior cornerback Brian Cyphers (5-10, 170) are the other leaders on defense.

OUTLOOK: “I think we’ll be able to run the ball,” Stage said. “How effective our offense will be will depend on whether or not we’re able to throw the ball effectively.” Burbank’s defense, though long on young talent, is inexperienced. “If I have to move offensive players over to the defense to shore things up, we could be in trouble,” Stage said.

Burroughs

COACH: Butch McElwee, 5th season

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH: After staggering to a 5-16 overall record in the past two seasons, McElwee expects this year’s team to be a winner. The Indians have nine returning starters on offense and defense, although some of them are two-way players. Junior running back Sean McDermott (5-10, 170), a second-team all-league selection as a sophomore, rushed for 583 yards and three touchdowns last year. He has improve dramatically, according to his coach. “I think every coach would agree that Sean is the best running back in our league,” McElwee said. Seniors Marco Cecena (5-11, 170) and Freddie Salas (5-9, 185) were second-team all-league picks at defensive back and linebacker, respectively. Marco Esquivel (5-11, 180) will return at quarterback. The list of two-way starters includes seniors Ben Goldwasser (6-0, 195), Lalo Delgado (5-11, 175), Sean Greves (6-3, 220) and Jay Martinson (6-0, 190). Goldwasser, who has NCAA Division I potential, will start at fullback and either linebacker or defensive back. Delgado will be used in a variety of positions on the offensive line and will be either an end or linebacker on defense. Greves will be an offensive guard-defensive tackle, and Martinson will play tight end and linebacker.

OUTLOOK: “We’ve got a lot of talented kids,” McElwee said. “They have a lot of experience that we haven’t had since 1988. We didn’t play real well last year so these kids are working to redeem themselves this season. I think we’re to the point where we can be competitive with Hart again.”

Hart

COACH: Mike Herrington, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 9-4; 2nd in league, 4-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Only five starting players return from last year’s team that advanced to the Division III semifinals and is ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, but Herrington does not seem overly concerned. Of course, when quarterback Ryan Connors is one of the five returnees, it’s easy to understand why. Connors (6-0, 180) completed 187 of 345 passes for a region-leading 2,833 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior, and Herrington said he has improved. “His speed is better, his arm strength is better, and he’s more comfortable with being one of the leaders on this team,” Herrington said. Doug Distaso, who had 26 receptions for 448 yards and five touchdowns as a junior, and Davis Delmatoff, a starting free safety last season, are expected to be Hart’s leading receivers. The running backs are inexperienced. The offensive line will be anchored by returning tackles Sean McCarthy (6-3, 250) and Dean O’Kronick (6-0, 230). Juniors Scott Blowers (6-0, 200) and Nathan Thompson (6-6, 230) will lead the defensive line, with classmates Ryan Hourigan (6-2, 185) and Travis Rappleye (5-9, 180) tending the inside linebacking positions. Delmatoff will start at strong safety and Jason Wreede will play one of the corners.

OUTLOOK: “I don’t believe in using the word rebuilding at the high school level,” Herrington said about this year’s team. “You have the kids for such a short time that that’s misleading. You just have to find replacements. You have to reload.” The offensive line and the defense--eight of 11 starters could be non-seniors--are question marks, but Hart should have no problem scoring. “We’re going to send four receivers downfield on every play and see what happens,” Herrington said.