Blanton Heads List of 24 on Academic Team

Quarterback Billy Blanton of Mater Dei High School, who has thrown 31 touchdown passes this season, heads the list of selections for the second GTE/Los Angeles Rams all-Orange County academic football team.

Players were selected based on their on-field performance and grade-point average, with a minimum average of 3.0 required to qualify for nomination.

The 24 players will be awarded plaques in pregame ceremonies Sunday, when the Rams play host to the Atlanta Falcons at Anaheim Stadium.

Mater Dei, a semifinalist in the Division I playoffs, is represented by three players. Esperanza, winners of 26 consecutive games, is represented by two players.

Included among the top academic players selected and their grade-point averages: punter Payson LeMeilleur (Mission Viejo), 4.4; linebacker Alex Lin (Los Alamitos), 4.4; defensive back Chris Weissman (Esperanza), 4.4; guard Brad Turek (Troy), 4.1; tackle Travis Pulliam (Esperanza), 4.1; linebacker Parker Gregg (Mater Dei), 4.1, and kicker Brian Broadbent (Mater Dei), 4.0.

The team:

Offense: TE--Gavin Brown (El Modena); WR--Branon Coluccio (Newport Harbor) and Eric Fegraus (Laguna Beach); T--Matt Keneley (Mission Viejo) and Travis Pulliam (Esperanza); G--Brad Turek (Troy) and Matt Zaist (Santa Margarita); C--George Brunt (Foothill); QB--Billy Blanton (Mater Dei); RB--Jeff Byrd (Rancho Alamitos) and Juan Garica (Century); K--Brian Broadbent (Mater Dei).

Defense: Line--Ben Iuli (Fullerton), Matt Finch (Servite), James Howard (Anaheim) and Adrian Ioja (Garden Grove); LB--Alex Lin (Los Alamitos), Parker Gregg (Mater Dei) and Garrett Martinez (Claremont); DB--Chris Weissman (Esperanza), Curt Peil (Loara), Jason Bailey (El Toro) and Jeff Ragos (Savanna); P--Payson LeMeilleur (Mission Viejo).