High School Football Preview : Poly, Jordan Look Strong Again in Moore League

Here are the outlooks for area high school football teams. Teams are listed in alphabetical order within their leagues. CIF Southern Section teams are grouped by leagues into divisions. City Section teams compete in conferences by division. Several area teams play their opening games tonight.

MOORE LEAGUE

League play is expected to be balanced this season. Poly and Jordan are favored, as they were a year ago.

COMPTON--Although the team has good size on the line, few experienced players return under second-year Coach Mike Wells. The Tarbabes (1-8) finished last a year ago. Defensive end Anthony Sanford, who stands 6-foot-7; 280-pound junior tackle Derrick Chandler, who wears a size 18 shoe; and quarterback Jerry Stone, a converted running back, are the key veterans. A good crop of players is advancing from a junior varsity team that defeated both Poly and Jordan last season. “The attitude has improved and we are hitting and playing harder,” Wells said.

JORDAN--”We feel we should be one or two in the league,” said Coach Mike Ono. The Panthers, who are ranked fifth in the preseason poll for CIF Southern Section Division I, finished with a 5-6 overall record last year, but were 4-1 in the league to tie Poly for first. Jordan will be led by senior quarterback Johnny Nanson, the league’s most valuable offensive player last year, who passed for 1,400 yards and gained close to 900 on the ground. He was an All-CIF Southern Section choice and named to the Cal-Hi Sports publication’s all-state underclass team. Six offensive starters return, including all-league running backs Shocker Sisson and Jerome Henderson.

LAKEWOOD--When the Long Beach Unified School District decided to install a new sprinkler system on the football field to save water, workers showed up a week before fall practice began, forcing Lancer Coach Mark Rose to move practices to Bancroft Junior High. The team’s season opener against Warren, originally scheduled for Friday, has been moved to Millikan High tonight. “It’s been one crisis after another,” Rose said. However, the Lancers have 160 underclassmen--the largest number in more than a decade. Varsity standouts are expected to include tackle Keith Hopkins, quarterback Ray Domingo and defensive back/wide receiver Terence Brown. Defense is a concern.

MILLIKAN--The Rams, who finished 2-8 last year, will be led by running back Dione Tyler, who gained more than 1,200 yards as a junior. First-year Coach Dave Shawver, who replaced the fired Dave Radford, will have 17 players who saw some action last year. The offensive line averages 6 feet 5, and 265 pounds. The underclass teams went a combined 17-3 last season and many are expected to make the varsity this fall.

POLY--Seven offensive starters return on a team that traditionally is better known for its defense. Wide receiver Anthony Cobb and offensive linemen Samona Toomalatai and Edward Arredondo are back from last year’s team that tied Jordan for first place. Brian Webster, who sat out last season because of eligibility problems, is expected to start at quarterback. Speed is a plus. The Jackrabbits have a killer preseason schedule that includes games with Eisenhower of Rialto, Banning of Wilmington, Bishop Amat of La Puente and El Toro. “Everyone looks at Jordan and Wilson in the league, but I think we will be playing for the championship,” Co-Coach Thomas Whiting said.

WILSON--The Bruins should be led by All-Southern Section linebacker Frank Russell, a senior, who also is expected to start at wingback. Senior running back Jim Hicks, an all-league choice last year, is expected to start at cornerback. Junior Brian Poyer will start at fullback and on the defensive line. The biggest question marks are the offensive and defensive lines. Neither has a returning starter. Wilson finished 6-4-1 overall last year.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEAGUE

Dominguez, Lynwood and Paramount are the annual favorites, and Gahr is the only team not considered a contender.

CERRITOS--The Dons have had back-to-back 2-8 records, but this year they hope to rebound with seven returning defensive starters, including junior linebacker Juan Esquivel and senior safety Damone Johnson, who also is expected to start at tight end. Three-year starter Kevin Franco will probably go both ways on the line. Offensively, Coach Harold Eggers will look to transfers Ryan Wilson, a senior quarterback from La Mirada, and Ernest Foster, a running back who transferred from San Pedro.

DOMINGUEZ--After closing the decade of the 1980s with some of the best teams in the area, the Dons dropped to 6-4 last season and tied for fourth in the league. But Dominguez has 14 starters returning and is rated No. 6 in the Southern Section Division II preseason poll. Top returners are quarterback Sean Williams, who rushed for 500 yards last season; fullback Robert Jenkins, who gained 1,145 yards on the ground; and running back James Jackson, a three-year starter who gained 750 yards in seven games.

DOWNEY--The offense is expected to revolve around junior quarterback Johnny Macon, who has all-state potential, according to Cal-Hi Sports. He passed for 16 touchdowns last season while leading the Vikings to their first playoff appearance since 1976. Said Dominguez Coach Willie Donerson: “When you have Johnny Macon, anything can happen.” Many holes have to be filled from last year’s 8-4 team, however.

GAHR--The Gladiators, with a roster of only 30 players, are not expected to be a factor in the league race, according to a consensus of league coaches. Gahr was 3-7 a year ago. Running backs/defensive backs Paul Guidry and Mike Windsor and fullback/linebacker Gil Beltran are the top returning players. Said second-year Coach Steve Nishimoto about the league race: “Ask me in November (when it’s over). I don’t like to predict.”

LYNWOOD--Second-year Coach Ben Carpenter believes his team will “be in the hunt” for the league title. The Knights, who advanced to the Division II quarterfinals last year and are rated No. 10 in preseason polls, should have a strong offensive line anchored by returning starters Robert Gilmore and Eugene Williams, a pair of 6-foot-4, 260-pound seniors, and Carlos Escobar, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound sophomore. The secondary may suffer with the graduation of cornerback Eugene Jackson, now at Oregon. Quarterback Tovor (Jock) Ingram, who threw nine touchdown passes last season, may be moved to running back. He is also expected to start at defensive back.

PARAMOUNT--The second-ranked Pirates, whose 17-15 loss to Capistrano Valley in the finals last year ended their attempt to win three consecutive Division II titles, will have to recover without the help of All-CIF running back Leon Neal, now at the University of Washington, and three other players who went on to play at Division I colleges. Coach Ken Sutch has a pragmatic outlook on the situation. “Every year you have to rebuild something,” he said. A number of last year’s backup players saw a lot of playing time in lopsided games (the Pirates were 13-1 and had most games locked up by halftime). Defense will be the team’s strength. All-Southern Section selection Sam Santana returns at linebacker, along with Jorge Campos and Efrain Quesada. Santana is a Cal-Hi Sports preseason all-state selection.

WARREN--Former assistant Coach Jim Neal inherits a team that was 5-15 over the past two years, including a 2-8 record last season. Former Coach John Hennigan is now an assistant coach at Rio Hondo College. Returning players include seniors Anthony Papa, a defensive back and wide receiver; Troy Stricklin, a tight end/defensive end; and Doug Koo, an offensive tackle. Although seven starters and 11 other lettermen are returning, Neal considers this a young, inexperienced team in a tough league. “It’s going to be interesting, to say the least,” he said.

SUBURBAN LEAGUE

Last year’s co-champion, John Glenn High of Norwalk, which plays host to La Puente at 7 tonight at La Mirada High, will be strong again but coaches agree that this is one of the most balanced leagues in the Southern Section. The Suburban League is part of Division VII.

ARTESIA--Expect the eighth-ranked Pioneers to be in full bloom this fall. Junior quarterback Aaron Flowers, who passed for 2,217 yards last season, will be playing in a system designed by his father, Coach Norm Flowers. Twelve starters return, including linebacker Sean Estrada and running back/linebacker Louie Major, who caught 24 passes for 270 yards and rushed for 400 yards.

BELLFLOWER--Second-year Coach Doug Bluth has 15 starters returning, including defensive end Joe Irving, quarterback Ricky Snyder and offensive tackle Marcus Whitney. “We do not have depth, but we do have experience even though many are juniors,” Bluth said. Only four seniors are expected to start.

GLENN--Co-champions a year ago with Norwalk, the Eagles are expected to challenge for one of the top three spots in the league. Eight players return, including running back Adrian Eppinger, who gained 400 yards last year, and quarterback Joey Romero, who passed for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. “We are very young and kind of small,” said Coach Willie Norman, who guided the team to an 11-4 record last season.

LA MIRADA--Considered one of the big three in the league along with Glenn and Norwalk, the sixth-rated Matadors appear to be a slight favorite to win the title. Six defensive players return, but missing are all five of last season’s starting offensive linemen. Todd Koenig, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound tight end is back, as are free safety Jimmy Huchinson and linebacker Leo Anthony Casados.

MAYFAIR--Coach Larry Hilliard is upbeat. Several good underclassmen are expected to move up to the varsity, prompting Hilliard to say, “We will do pretty good.” Lineman Chris Schubin, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound three-year starter, returns, as does fullback/linebacker Don Montelone, who rushed for 560 yards and gained another 120 yards in receptions. The defense is inexperienced.

NORWALK--Seven all-league players have graduated from a team that was 8-2-1 last year. But Coach Ken Mardis still believes his team has experienced players. Two-way lineman Alex Toyos, center/nose guard Bradley Baker and tailback/defensive back Derek Blackshire return. Depth at linebacker and wide receiver is a problem. “If we don’t have injuries to key players we will be competitive,” Mardis said.

WHITMONT LEAGUE

El Rancho is a solid favorite to win the final Whitmont League title. The league will be dissolved in June and the teams scattered into different alignments. The league plays in Division IV.

BELL GARDENS--Coach Dave Newell has won four league titles and taken the Lancers into the playoffs 13 consecutive years, but has yet to win a Southern Section title. The offensive line is seasoned, but the defense, led by junior linebacker Cesar Magana, should be the team’s hallmark. Running back Alfred Zamudio (800 yards rushing) and quarterback Armando Valencia (1,325 yards passing) are also back. “If consistency means anything, we should be there,” said Newell, referring to the team’s chances for a title shot. The Lancers are rated ninth in the preseason poll.

CALIFORNIA--With an improved offensive line and the return of all-league quarterback Larry Haney, the Condors of Whittier should be competitive. First-year Coach Nick Buehler says the team will rely strongly on the passing arm of Haney. The Condors finished second in the league last year and should do equally well this year.

EL RANCHO--”I hope that the players don’t take things for granted,” said Coach Dick Shelko about the fourth-rated Dons of Pico Rivera. Fourteen starters return from a first-place team that went 7-4 overall last year. All 11 offensive positions will be filled by lettermen. Quarterback James Arellanes begins his third season as a starter. The defense returns seven starters and will be led by all-league defensive end Charles Telley.

LA SERNA--After a pair of disappointing seasons, the Lancers hope to find the forumla that made them a powerhouse during most of the 1980s. Senior running back/defensive back Alfredo Martinez, senior fullback/defensive tackle Bobby Robertson, and junior tight end/linebacker Scott Keen are expected to start. Newcomer Jason Hill, a junior wide receiver/defensive back, is expected to make an impact. Longtime area Coach Wayne Manzo begins his third season with enough players to field a junior varsity team for the first time.

MONTEBELLO--The start of Coach Doug Rihn’s 10th year has been marred by several injuries and a team-wide flu. Offensive lineman Richard Ybarra, who was robbed and severely beaten at a shopping mall, missed most of the summer practice. All key players are expected to return well in advance of the league race, however. Linebacker Sergio Teran and offensive guard Tim Anaya are back, but Rihn plans to rely heavily on players from last year’s 7-3 junior varsity team. “The league is a lot stronger than last year,” Rihn said.

PIONEER--Second-year Coach Hugh Mendez was blunt about his team’s chances in this tough league: “If we get some luck we might finish third. . .that is, a lot of luck.” Only six lettermen return from last year’s 3-7 club. Among them are quarterback Angel Quinones, who threw nine touchdown passes last season, and tailback Anthony Perez, a deft ballcarrier who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last season. Junior varsity player Ricardo Casillas will push Perez for the starting job. Defensive tackle John Petrossian, another JV player, is expected to start.

SANTA FE--Not only did the Chiefs lose 16 starters from last year’s team, they also lost their coach when Mike Thomas moved to Washington. Jack Mahlstede, who coached the Chiefs from 1970 to 1982, has taken over again. Returning starters include seniors Gil Contreras at quarterback; Vince Wilson, a defensive back/wide receiver; and 6-foot-6, 287-pound Aaron Fortaleza, offensive tackle. New offensive and defensive schemes have been installed by Mahlstede.

WHITTIER--Mike Fitch has a simple way of dealing with problems on the field: “When all else fails, run jumbo left 25.” He was referring to a simple running play the Cardinals have used to success in past seasons. However, this season the offense is a question mark because few starters return. Defensively, seven starters return, including a trio of seniors: cornerbacks Tim Spicer and Jose Toscano and safety Albert Sethman. Sethman also is expected to play quarterback. Newcomer Greg Ford, a 5-foot-11, 230-pound sophomore nose guard, has Fitch excited.

CITY SECTION

Three area schools participate in the Southeastern Conference of the Los Angeles City Section of CIF.

BELL--The Eagles return all-conference running back Marshall Valente, who gained more than 800 yards last season, and all-league wide receiver Gilbert Monteon. Fifteen lettermen return.

HUNTINGTON PARK--Look for the run-and-shoot offense again this year from Coach Dwight Muskrath because the Spartans have an experienced line led by 5-foot-11, 235-pound Fernando Loza. Quarterback Albert Saldana and running back Adrian Fernandez, an all-league choice, also return. Muskrath says he will be satisfied if the team makes the playoffs.

SOUTH GATE--Veteran Coach Gary Cordray has only one starter returning--cornerback Tony Rendon. “We are so young and inexperienced,” Cordray said. Two players off the junior varsity, linebacker Isaac Lopez and running back Charlie Ramirez, should start. Cordray seeks weekly improvement.

Garfield, Roosevelt, Fremont, Locke, Jefferson and Jordan of Los Angeles also play in the conference.

OTHERS

Teams that play in leagues with a majority of schools from outside the Southeast/Long Beach area.

CANTWELL--First-year head Coach Joseph Canales, who spent the last nine years as an assistant at Bishop Amat, inherits a team that was 8-3 and finished second in the Santa Fe League. Linemen Chris Loustauna and George Torres, linebacker Eddie Torres and fullback Alex Padilla return. About a dozen transfers from nearby Pater Noster, which has been closed, have raised the roster to 55 players, large by previous standards. Cathedral, favored Mary Star, Murphy and Salesian round out the Division IX league.

CENTENNIAL--Former Lynwood High Coach Joe Hembrick has been hired to rebuild the Apache program, which has lost 24 consecutive games. “This program has been in a shambles,” said Hembrick, who was 16-14 at Lynwood. Five two-way starters return. Torrance and South Torrance are favored to battle for the Pioneer League title. Others in the Division VIII league are North Torrance and West Torrance.

LEFFINGWELL CHRISTIAN--Former St. Bernard assistant Coach Lyn Lumley inherits 12 returning starters from a team that was 8-3 overall. Linebacker/fullback Isaac Selter and tight end/linebacker Nigel Neal, both all-Arrowhead League selections, return. Tailback/strong safety Lawrence Wolaridge, a transfer from St. Anthony, is expected to start. Lumley predicts his club will finish third. California School for the Deaf in Riverside, Calvary Chapel, Capistrano Valley Christian, La Verne Lutheran, Sherman Indian and Southern California Christian round out the Division X league.

PIONEER BAPTIST--The Patriots are up to 10 players in the eight-man Express League, two more than they had a season ago. Only three have played football before, according to Coach Manuel Cortez, who says a third-place finish would please him.

PIUS X--Although they finished 1-9 last season, new Coach Bob Thompson predicts that the Warriors will “be battling for (Camino Real) league champs, no doubt about it.” Linebacker/tight end Phillip Ward and defensive back/slot back Ryan Brass return. Two transfers, wide receiver Patrick Pitts and fullback Tank Traylor, are expected to start. St. Anthony, St. Monica, Serra and Verbum Dei also play in the league, which competes in Division IX.

SCHURR--Coach Ken Davis, the dean of the area, begins his 21st season with 15 starters returning, including Claudio Millan and Kiki Casillas, both running backs/linebackers, and two-way lineman Danny Cervantes, a three-year starter. The Spartans were 7-3-1 last year and the sophomore team was 10-0. Alhambra and second-ranked Hart are expected to battle fifth-ranked Schurr for the Foothill League title. Burbank, Burroughs of Burbank and San Gabriel also compete in the Division VIII league.

ST. ANTHONY--The school’s seventh head coach in the past nine seasons, Dave Radford, says he wants to stay around for a while. Radford was fired at Millikan after six years and a 28-27-1 record. Quarterback Garnett Overby, center Eddie Sanchez, tight end Steve Ruffner and running back Dex Onadason return, but the Saints are not expected to challenge for the Camino Real title.

ST. JOHN BOSCO--The Braves made a big splash last season, their first year in the rugged Angelus League, despite finishing 1-3. This season the school is considered a top contender for the league title with 11 starters, all seniors, returning. Last season, running back Derek Ayers gained more than 1,200 yards in only seven games. The offensive line averages 232 pounds. Six defensive starters, including three backs, return. Mater Dei, Servite, Loyola and Bishop Amat round out the Division I league.

ST. PAUL--Ron Henke, formerly the coach at Roger Bacon High in Cincinnati, replaces Miguel Olmeda. Henke was St. Paul’s offensive coordinator in 1985 under then-Coach Rick Ready. Not one defensive starter returns from last year’s Division III finalist team. Henke expects to start nine underclassmen in hopes they will gain experience in time to play Mission Conference opponents. He also has installed new offensive sets. The Swordsmen have one of the area’s most difficult preseason schedules, including games with Wilson, Mater Dei, Fontana and Bishop Amat. Other Division III League teams are Alemany, Bishop Montgomery, Chaminade, Crespi, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and St. Bernard.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN--Thirteen starters return for Coach Mike Wunderley, who begins his 14th season with a 102-41-1 record. The third-ranked Crusaders have advanced to the playoffs each season under Wunderley and are expected to battle rival Whittier Christian, ranked No. 2, once again for the Olympic League title. Wunderley claims “there won’t be any cake walks.” Six two-way starters return, including all-league linebacker Aaron Plante. The quarterback spot is up for grabs. Other Division IX league members are Ayala, Brethren Christian, Ontario Christian and Orange Lutheran.