AVOCADO LEAGUE : Loaded El Camino Appears Ready for a Repeat

Injuries might be the only factor that could stop El Camino from winning its third consecutive league and San Diego Section title. The Wildcats return 13 starters, including Times All-County linebacker Abdul McCullough, from last year’s section championship team.

“If you’re going to get them this year, it better be early,” San Pasqual Coach Mike Dolan said.

After two consecutive playoff semifinal appearances, Ramona appears to be rebuilding. But the league figures to be more balanced this year with the improvement of San Pasqual, Rancho Bernardo, Oceanside and Escondido. San Marcos might be the only team with a chance to dethrone El Camino.

THE RACE

Top contenders: El Camino (10-4), San Marcos (7-4-1), San Pasqual (3-5-2).

Could surprise: Rancho Bernardo (2-8), Oceanside (4-5-2), Escondido (6-6).

Hoping for improvement: Ramona (7-6), Carlsbad (8-3-1).

Game of the year: El Camino at Oceanside, Oct. 18. After Oceanside’s upset of El Camino last year, this cross-town rivalry game should be better than usual.

THE PLAYERS

The Man: Abdul McCullough, El Camino’s senior outside linebacker. McCullough is a good bet to be named the league’s defensive player of the year again. Last year, he had 15 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, but even more will be expected of him this season. McCullough, who scored 1292 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, will be one of the most recruited players in the county this year.

Who will fill Von Robinson’s shoes? It is doubtful El Camino will be able to replace Robinson’s 21 touchdowns and 1,378 yards, but it might not have to if quarterback Noel Prefontaine continues to improve. Prefontaine turned around El Camino’s season in the fourth game last year--coming off the bench to lead the Wildcats to a 15-13 comeback victory over Carlsbad. From there, Prefontaine led the Wildcats to victories in nine of the their last 10 games.

Lamont Girton, who backed up Robinson last year, will start at tailback this year. Girton, a quick, slashing runner, will need more help from his offensive line than did Robinson, a bruiser.

Others to watch on offense: San Marcos fullback Mark Frazier, the county’s fourth-leading rusher, caught teams by surprise last year. But with defenses keying on him this season, it might be tough for Frazier to improve on his average of seven yards per carry.

Quarterback Bill Geddes should be a major factor in San Pasqual’s resurgence. “He throws as well as anybody we’ve had here,” Dolan said. Oceanside quarterback John Portugal and receivers Brian McGehee, Chris Warner, Damon Marrero and Carl Mathis led Oceanside to a 31-0 record in the passing league this summer.

Other to watch on defense: El Camino cornerback Bryant Westbrook, Oceanside monster man Calvin Walton and San Marcos defensive linemen Travis Gill and Jeremy Tidd.

THE INTANGIBLES

Everybody back: Rancho Bernardo returns all 22 starters from a year ago. The second-year school could go from having the league’s worst team to one of the best.

“They had above-average sophomores and juniors, so there’s no reason why they should haven’t above-average juniors and seniors this year,” Oceanside Coach John Carroll said.