The Times 1991 All-County Football Team...

Why is it that every all-star, all-county, all-whatever-it-happens-to-be football team always starts with offensive players?

Trash the trends. Trash the traditions.

If ever there was a reason to honor defensive standouts and defensive teams, it was the 1991 high school football season in San Diego County.

This year, in listing The Times All-County defensive and offensive teams, we will do so--on purpose--alphabetically.

“Coaches will say it many different ways, but I think they all stress the same thing,” Torrey Pines Coach Ed Burke said. “You can attract the fans--hordes of them--with a wild and high-potent offense, but you’re going to win championships with defense.

“It’s an old, old coaches’ cliche, but the reason it’s old is because it’s true. If it wasn’t, it would have died out years ago. And that was never more evident than Saturday night.”

Point Loma won the 3-A championship Saturday with one of the most impressive defensive performances in county history. The Pointers not only shut out Vista, 14-0, they held the Panthers to minus six yards passing, 77 total.

With a similar effort hours before, El Camino won the 2-A title, 29-7 over La Jolla. And to begin the season, El Camino shut out Point Loma, 20-0.

Taking nothing away from Vista and La Jolla, they both got to the finals playing some terrific defense themselves during the course of the year.

El Camino led the county in allowing the fewest points per game during the regular season at 6.3, and Point Loma was next at 6.5. But Vista was fourth at 8.1, and La Jolla tied for sixth at 9.9.

The rest of the top 10 list was as follows: 3. Torrey Pines (8-2 during the regular season) 7.5 points allowed per game; 5. USDHS (9-1) 9.5; 6. (tie) Helix (8-1-1) 9.9; 8. (tie) Chula Vista (8-2) and San Diego (6-3-1) 10.8; 10. Mira Mesa (7-3) 11.4.

Mira Mesa, whose losses were to Chula Vista, Point Loma and La Jolla, and Chula Vista, who lost only to Vista and a great defensive team from Las Vegas, made it to the 3-A semifinals.

Torrey Pines’ two losses were to Vista and USDHS, whose only loss was to La Jolla. Helix’s only blemishes were a 10-7 loss to Point Loma and a 7-7 tie of El Capitan, which made it to the 2-A semifinals.

San Diego, which started the year with three consecutive shutouts and had four overall, was coming off a 2-8 season in 1990.

“To build something on the high school level, you have to start with defense,” San Diego Coach Art Anderson said. “Quarterbacks, for the most part, are just not that experienced in high school, and neither are the offensive linemen. The teams that win consistently are the ones that exploit those positions with aggressive defensive schemes.”

Mira Mesa’s Chad Davis, who is perhaps the most knowledgeable and experienced quarterback in the county, set a national record this fall for most career passing yards. But against Point Loma, Davis threw for only 45 yards, and against Vista, he had 17.

“If you have to go with something, I think most coaches would agree, you go with defense,” Point Loma Coach Bennie Edens said. “I’ve had some teams with some real firepower on offense that didn’t win championships.”

And it matters little what schemes are used, Edens added. “I am a firm believer that personnel makes the defense,” he said. “The defense can’t make the personnel.”

Name: ABDUL McCULLOUGH School: LB/El Camino

Teams made a point of running away from McCullough, the two-time defensive player of the year in the Avocado, but his 4.5 speed in the 40-yard made that nearly impossible. “It didn’t matter where you ran, you never got away from him,” Rancho Bernardo Coach Bill Christopher said. “He’d just run you down.” The 6-1, 200-pound senior scored nine touchdowns in two seasons, four on interceptions and five on fumble returns. This season he had 12 sacks, one interception, three fumble recoveries and 16 unassisted tackles.

Name: DANIEL ESPOSITO School: LB/El Camino

Esposito, a 5-7, 184-pound senior, was supposed to play inside, but an injury to Mike Gee forced him to play outside, on the other side of McCullough. “McCullough would run you down and Esposito would stuff you,” San Marcos Coach Ken Broach said. “I think he’s a little better hitter than McCullough.” Esposito had 10 unassisted tackles three sacks, four tackles behind the line and a fumble recovery. As a fullback, he had 454 yards and five touchdowns. “He just unloads on you,” El Camino defensive coordinator Bill Kovacevich said.

Name: PICO GONZALEZ School: LB/Point Loma

A 6-3, 234-pound foreign exchange student from Mexico, Gonzalez has narrowed his collegiate choices to Stanford, Colorado or USC. Pointer linebacker coach David Aros said: “He has a way of getting to the ball before other people do. He plays like he runs a 4.6 and has a knack for angles. Once he’s there, it’s signed, sealed and delivered.” Gonzalez delivered a team-leading 82 tackles, he had 21 assists, an interception, caused three fumbles, recovered four fumbles (one returned for a touchdown), deflected five passes and blocked a punt.

Name: CHATO JACKSON School: LB/Vista

A 6-2, 212-pound senior, Jackson was a versatile talent in the Vista scheme, helping the Panthers to 13 victories before their loss in the Section finals. As a running back, Jackson rushed 271 times for 1,519 yards, scored 25 touchdowns and was named the Palomar League’s offensive player of the year. But it was on defense that most coaches feared him, and for good reason. As a weakside linebacker, he had 122 solo tackles, including eight sacks, intercepted two passes, caused five fumbles and recovered two.

Name: CRAIG PERSON School: DB/Fallbrook

There are offensive players who didn’t score as much as Person, a 6-0, 180-pound senior. The Warriors’ strong safety has a nose for the ball and the end zone. He intercepted five passes and returned three for touchdowns and had another called back. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown. Person had 42 unassisted tackles and 28 big plays, described in the team’s system as passes knocked down, sacks, interceptions, caused fumbles, recoveries. The only thing he didn’t do was score on a punt or kickoff return. He did those his junior season.

Name: RASHAAN SALAAM School: DB/La Jolla Country Day

His three years as a starting tailback at LJCD have been legendary. Southern California-based Super Prep magazine has rated the 6-2, 190-pound senior the sixth best running back prospect in the country. His 4,982 yards in 25 games (199.2 per game) and 105 touchdowns (90 rushing, 11 on returns) are Section records. His career average per carry is 11.5. He finished 1991 with 1,569 yards in eight games. Some think Salaam could have a brighter future as a defensive back. A big hitter, Salaam had three interceptions and a a repeat first-team pick.

Name: BRYANT WESTBROOK School: DB/El Camino

A 6-1, 185-pound junior, he gained a reputation for shutting people down when he held Kearny’s Darnay Scott to two catches in the 1990 Section 2-A title game. He had five interceptions, 15 unassisted tackles, two sacks and three tackles behind the line. Westbrook and Mike Booker, El Camino’s other cornerback, held opposing quarterbacks to a 35% completion rate. Westbrook also played wingback, averaging 18 yards a carry and scoring five touchdowns.

Name: JOHN ZUANICH School: DB/La Jolla

Somewhat overshadowed by teammate E.J. Watson, the 6-3, 215-pound senior was a feared receiver and part-time running back who scored 15 touchdowns. But as the City Western League’s defensive player of the year, he was more than feared. A prototypical Division I free safety, Zuanich had 93 solo tackles, mostly of the bone-crushing variety, 48 assists, three sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He is being recruited by UCLA, USC, Cal, BYU, Oregon and Duke, among others.

Name: ANDY DURAN School: DL/Chula Vista

A 6-4, 230-pound senior, Duran established himself among the section’s elite defensive linemen. He gained that reputation in the season’s first week when he spearheaded Chula Vista’s defense, which kept Mira Mesa scoreless in a 6-0 upset. Duran wreaked havoc on national career passing leader Chad Davis, sacking him four times. “Andy is just a bull,” his coach, George Ohnesorghen, said after the game. Metro Conference coaches considered Duran the most dominating defender in the South Bay.

Name: LA’ROI GLOVER School: DL/Point Loma

Point Loma’s defense boasted a great supporting cast, but Glover, a 6-3, 276-pound senior, was the obvious standout. Glover drifted from nose guard to tackle to end, with the blessings of a staff that allowed him to use his speed, strength and desire. Glover was one of only three Pointers to play offense and defense. His numbers: 77 tackles, 21 assists, 17 1/2 sacks, six fumbles recovered, six fumbles caused and three blocked passes. He will go to either UCLA or San Diego State.

Name: JOHN VERBER School: DL/Rancho Bernardo

In only his second year of playing football, Verber, 6-2, 200-pound senior, became the most dominant defensive lineman in the Avocado League. He had 31 unassisted tackles, including seven sacks and nine tackles behind the line. Verber also recovered four fumbles and deflected three passes. “He was an unknown to us,” Rancho Bernardo Coach Bill Christopher said. “He’s just incredibly quick and was difficult for people to block. He turned out to be one of the top lineman I’ve ever had.”

Name: KRIS PLASH School: WR/Orange Glen

A 5-8, 160-pound senior, Plash has sure hands and determination. He is a finesse receiver who can catch the ball on the sidelines or over the middle much like Fred Biletnikoff or Steve Largent. And he knows what to do with the ball after he catches it. Despite missing nearly two full games with a sprained ankle, he still caught 52 passes for 672 yards and finished his three-year career with 167 receptions (second all-time) for 2,210 yards (third).

Name: BOBBY LUGO School: WR/Hilltop

A 5-11, 165-pound senior, Lugo finished the regular season with more receptions (55) than any other receiver in the county and he was the only receiver in the section to finish the regular season with more than 1,000 yards . . . 1,049. He sneaked past his opponents by running tight patterns and using deceptive moves. With quarterback Jorge Munoz, he was one-half of the country’s most productive offensive duo.

Name: JOHN ALLRED School: TE/Torrey Pines

The Falcons took advantage of their offensive line, rushing for more than 3,000 yards, their specialty being the sweep outside the tight end. They passed only 122 times, completing 64, and that is why Allred, a 6-5, 225-pound senior, caught only 23 passes for 347 yards and one touchdown. Allred wasn’t just an offensive force. As a linebacker, he was the Palomar League’s defensive player of the year on a team that allowed only 7.5 points per game. He should have his pick of the Pac 10 schools recruiting him.

Name: ERIC ABRAMS School: K/La Jolla Country Day

Abrams, a 5-8, 165-pound senior, is considered the best kicker in the country by many scouting services. Abrams, who is left-footed, set a national record for extra points in a career (177, old record 173). His 213 career points surpassed the previous state record (by Helix’s Scott Webb) of 207 for kickers. He was seven-for-eight in field goal attempts this season, matching his career best with a 53-yarder. He made 52 of 53 extra-point kicks, and only 17 of his 243 career kickoffs were returned. Abrams also carries a 4.32 GPA.

Name: JORGE MUNOZ School: QB/Hilltop

A 6-2, 185-pound senior, Munoz is the other half of the county’s most productive offensive combination, having benefited from Bobby Lugo’s ability to find seams in opposing secondaries. Munoz became the Section’s second all-time leading passer, throwing for 5,930 career yards. His 60 career touchdown passes also rank him second all-time in the section. During the regular season, Munoz led the county with 2,255 yards and 23 touchdowns. He possesses a strong arm but, more often, he simply finesses passes through defenders.

Name: JASON ESKRIDGE School: RB/Grossmont

A 5-9, 180-pound senior, Eskridge is far from being the biggest or fastest running back in the county. He does not have the greatest moves nor is he feared in the open field. Still, he led the county in rushing during the regular season with 1,875 yards, 221 more than anyone else, and tied for the county lead with 23 touchdowns. His lowest output of the season was 101 yards and he gained 200 or more yards six times. During his career, Eskridge gained 3,469 yards and set Grossmont Conference records for most touchdowns (42) and points (356).

Name: E.J. WATSON School: RB/La Jolla

Watson, a 5-10, 190-pound senior, rushed for 2,501 yards and scored 30 touchdowns. He had seven touchdowns and ran for a Section single-game record 370 yards in the Vikings’ 50-49 victory over San Pasqual in the 2-A semifinals. La Jolla Coach Dick Huddleston said Watson is rivaled only by Marcus Allen as the best running back he has seen in 25 years of coaching. Watson rushed for more than 100 yards in each game except in the Vikings’ championship loss to El Camino (94 yards). Watson was a first-team pick as a defensive back last year.

Name: KEN LONCAR School: OL/Grossmont

At 6-6 and 275 pounds and the biggest of the self-proclaimed “Clydesdales,” Loncar led Grossmont’s offensive line from his right tackle spot. Whenever running back Jason Eskridge broke for a long gainer--and that was often--Loncar was often responsible. His size is obvious, but Loncar is also quick off the ball and a good pass blocker as well. In addition, he played defensive line for the Foothillers, who finished the regular unbeaten for the second time in his three seasons.

Name: KYLE SCOTT School: OL/San Marcos

A two-year starting center, Scott, a 6-3, 230-pound senior, was directly responsible for fullback Mark Frazier’s 1,446 regular-season yards. Frazier’s two favorite plays were dives and traps over Scott. “Kyle had a lot to do with Mark’s success,” San Marcos Coach Ken Broach said. “He set the tone for our team with his blocking and his was also very consistent. He only had one bad snap in two years.”

Name: JAMIE SOMMERCAMP School: OL/Torrey Pines

On a team that featured one of the largest and best lines in the county, Sommercamp, a 5-11, 215-pound senior, provided the most consistent performance of the season. His size prohibits him from being a big-time Division I prospect, unlike some of his linemates, but he was the unanimous all-league line selection by coaches in the Palomar League.

Name: CARLOS SMITH School: OL/San Pasqual

A 5-9, 200-pound senior, he played linebacker for two seasons, before being moved to guard as a sophomore. A very compact and quick guard, he runs a 4.9 40-yard dash. “In our offense we have to have a quick guard to make things work,” San Pasqual Coach Mike Dolan said. Smith also set a school mark with 35 “decleaters,” a term Dolan uses for blocks that knock defenders off their feet.

Name: ERIC THALER School: OL/El Capitan

A three-year starter at right tackle for the Vaqueros, Thaler and Erik Stuhr, a fellow three-year man at right guard, helped El Capitan establish school records for victories, rushing yards, total yards and scoring. Thanks in large part to Thaler, a 6-3, 255-pound senior, El Capitan had one 1,000-yard rusher and three others with more than 500 yards. El Capitan, which won nine consecutive games at one point, also won two playoff games and made the 2-A semifinals for the first time in school history.

THE SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: WR--Travis Case, Fallbrook WR--Brian McGehee, Oceanside TE--Dave Jackyl, Valhalla OL--Steve Balelo, USDHS OL--Lee Carr, Vista OL--Brian Chapman, El Camino OL--Erik Stuhr, El Capitan OL--Danny Williams, Morse QB--Chad Davis, Mira Mesa RB--Mark Frazier, San Marcos RB--Chris Lewis, USDHS K--Noel Prefontaine, El Camino

DEFENSE DL--Ramiro Castillo, Fallbrook DL--Andy Nash, Poway DL--Rashad Wright, Kearny LB--Ryan Logan, Mira Mesa LB--Kevin Mitchell, Lincoln LB--Elias Noa, El Camino LB--Glenn Steele, Morse DB--Mike Booker, El Camino DB--Andreal Climon, Helix DB--Micheal Driver, Point Loma DB--Mike Frank, Escondido