Running Backs Move to the Forefront of All-San Gabriel Team : * All-Stars: Bishop Amat senior Scott Fields, Muir junior Saladin McCullough and Nogales junior Lamonte Adams are rated best among runners.

More than anything else, 1991 was the year of the running back in the San Gabriel Valley.

Coaches who have worked in the area for more than 20 years were hard-pressed to recall a season in which so many schools had talented runners.

The Times’ 1991 San Gabriel Valley All-Star football team features three exceptionally gifted running backs and 20 other skilled and multitalented players.

The team was selected by Times’ sportswriters based upon nominations received from coaches, all of whom were asked to participate.

Players named to the first team will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast on Jan. 12 at the Pasadena Hilton. Winners of the San Gabriel Valley back, coach and lineman of the year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

Here is a position-by-position look at the all-stars:

RUNNING BACK

Senior Scott Fields gained 1,589 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for Bishop Amat, which tied for the Angelus League championship. Fields averaged 6.5 yards a carry.

Junior Saladin McCullough gained 1,266 yards and scored 17 touchdowns for Muir, which advanced to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs. McCullough averaged 7.7 yards a carry.

Junior Lamonte Adams gained more than 1,600 yards and scored 19 touchdowns for Nogales, which won the Sierra League championship and advanced to the Division IV championship game.

QUARTERBACK

Senior Marc Ruiz passed for 23 touchdowns this season and more than 4,300 yards in his career as Baldwin Park won the Division IV championship. Ruiz guided several come-from-behind victories during the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Walnut senior Jason Hill helped lead his team to the Valle Vista League title. He played offense and defense and was named lineman of the year in the Valle Vista League.

Senior Wayne Countryman of Nogales also played both ways and was the dominant lineman for a team that featured Lamonte Adams and Lawrence Lanham, both of whom gained more than 1,000 yards.

Senior Kirk Bowman played both ways for Baseline League champion Glendora and was equally effective on either side of the line.

Senior Charles Owens of Muir led the way for a running attack that featured McCullough and quarterback Andy Colbert. Owens was at his best against Eisenhower, Fontana and Bishop Amat.

Senior Manuel Cruz of Mission Valley League champion Arroyo was the league’s lineman of the year. On offense, he helped lead the way for backs D. J. Hoyt and Keith MacLellan. He also played linebacker.

RECEIVER

Workman junior Yo Yamamoto caught 62 passes for 971 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 14.9 yards per reception.

Senior Dante Casillas of Baldwin Park had 50 receptions for 700 yards and several clutch catches in the playoffs.

KICKER

Damien senior Kris Mindlin kicked eight field goals, including a 52-yarder. Mindlin’s kicking helped the Spartans advance to the Division IV semifinals.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Senior Danilo Robinson had 17 sacks and helped Covina to a 6-0 start and eventual berth in the playoffs.

Senior Joe Parra led Los Altos with 109 tackles and also excelled as a guard on offense.

Rosemead senior Pat Ahhing dominated the defensive line and also played tight end and fullback.

LINEBACKER

Covina senior Marcus Alridge had 105 tackles, two interceptions and caused five fumbles.

Senior Robert Buccola was the top defensive player for Rio Hondo League champion Temple City.

Senior Peter Gomez was the leading tackler for Bishop Amat, which tied for the Angelus League championship.

Senior Andy Rose of Northview was in on 103 tackles. He recovered six fumbles and returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Senior Steve McHenry of West Covina excelled on defense and offense and was selected most valuable player in the Sierra League. McHenry had six interceptions, led the team in tackles and caught 51 passes for 810 yards.

Covina senior Brian Kearns was also versatile. He had eight interceptions and scored 15 of his 18 touchdowns as a receiver.

Senior Ron Jones of Muir follows the footsteps of Reggie Reser and a slew of other talented Muir defenders. Jones was instrumental in leading the Mustangs to the Division II semifinals.

Senior Josh Romero had six interceptions and was a key player in Glendora’s excellent defense.

All-San Gabriel Second Team

OFFENSE

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Kenny Gonzalez Rosemead Sr. 5-11 175 WR Randy Snyder Wilson Sr. 6-1 185 WR Chris Voth Los Altos Sr. 5-10 210 L Don Liddell Glendora Sr. 6-3 250 L Desi Herrera Damien Sr. 6-1 215 L Keith Pollock Covina Sr. 6-2 245 L Alfredo Beltran Baldwin Park Sr. 5-9 175 L Jody Napuunoa Damien Sr. 6-1 195 B D.J. Hoyt Arroyo Sr. 5-11 180 B Lawrence Lanham Nogales Sr. 5-10 180 B Matt Koffler Rosemead Sr. 6-4 210 B Keven O’Leary Temple City NA NA NA K

DEFENSE

Jonathan Moseley Muir Jr. 6-0 195 L Mike Bernal Arroyo Sr. 6-2 225 L Bronson Hatch Temple City Sr. 6-4 200 L Treyvone Towns Pasadena Jr. 6-4 225 LB Kelly Edwards South Pasadena Sr. 6-1 220 LB Matthew Moody Blair Sr. 5-10 180 LB Keith McLellan Arroyo Sr. 5-10 185 LB Miregi Huma Bishop Amat Sr. 6-0 185 DB Damien Helms Ganesha Sr. 6-1 190 DB Z-Ukoni Hodges Blair Jr. 6-1 185 DB Areth De la Torre Alhambra Sr. 6-0 180 DB

1991 SAN GABRIEL VALLEY ALL-STARS, First Team

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Offense Yo Yamamoto Workman 6-0 165 Senior WR Dante Casillas Baldwin Park 5-9 160 Senior WR Jason Hill Walnut 6-3 245 Senior L Wayne Countryman Nogales 6-1 242 Senior L Kirk Bowman Glendora 6-5 235 Senior L Charles Owens Muir 6-3 205 Senior L Manuel Cruz Arroyo 5-8 180 Senior L Marc Ruiz Baldwin Park 6-2 185 Senior B Scott Fields Bishop Amat 6-3 210 Senior B Saladin McCullough Muir 5-10 170 Junior B Lamonte Adams Nogales 5-10 162 Junior B Kris Mindlin Damien 5-11 186 Senior K DEFENSE Danilo Robinson Covina 6-2 190 Senior L Joe Parra Los Altos 5-8 200 Senior L Pat Ahhing Rosemead 6-3 290 Senior L Marcus Aldridge Covina 6-0 205 Senior LB Andy Rose Northview 6-1 205 Senior LB Peter Gomez Bishop Amat 5-10 190 Senior LB Robert Buccola Temple City 6-3 200 Senior LB Steve McHenry West Covina 6-3 190 Senior DB Ron Jones Muir 6-2 195 Senior DB Brian Kearns Covina 5-11 180 Senior DB Josh Romera Glendora 6-1 205 Senior DB