1991 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS : Running Backs Rucker, Lo Lead Parade of Glendale Stars : All-Stars: Glendale and La Canada runners are joined in backfield by St. Francis’ Laurence and Marshall’s Rodriguez.

The 1991 high school football season was successful for many teams in the Glendale area.

Glendale, Marshall and Ribet Academy won league championships. Franklin, St. Francis and Flintridge Prep also earned berths in the playoffs, and La Canada, Crescenta Valley and Eagle Rock fell just short. Even Hoover and Verdugo Hills, each of which won only one game, enjoyed a season of some success as they built toward next year.

The players selected to The Times’ 1991 Glendale All-Star team reflect the talent and diversity of an area that includes 11 schools that compete in seven leagues and six divisions within the Southern and City sections.

The team was selected by Times’ sportswriters based upon nominations received from area schools, all of which 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 Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. Winners of the Glendale back, coach and lineman of the year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

The team features several outstanding running backs, including Glendale senior Pathon Rucker, who was the area’s back of the year in 1990.

Rucker rushed for more than 4,000 yards in his three-year varsity career and led the Dynamiters to their second consecutive Pacific League championship this season.

La Canada’s Marvin Lo was selected back of the year in the Rio Hondo League after a senior season that included a 280-yard game against Hoover. Lo is the first Spartan running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards since 1985.

Running back Pat Laurence was injured in St. Francis’ first game. But Laurence, a senior, gained almost 800 yards in the final seven games and led the Golden Knights into the Southern Section playoffs.

Senior Jose Rodriguez played quarterback for Marshall and was, perhaps, the most dangerous component of an offensive attack that helped produce the school’s first league championship in more than 40 years. Rodriguez passed for 15 touchdowns and more than 1,400 yards.

Yon Mun, a senior offensive lineman, was one of the main reasons the Glendale offense had another outstanding season.

Junior Brian Flette also had a big season on the offensive line for Glendale. He gives Coach Don Shoemaker an experienced player to build his line around next season when the Dynamiters attempt to win their third consecutive Pacific League championship.

Senior Robert Vanover of Verdugo Hills was a three-year starter on the offensive line. He made many of the key blocks that allowed second-team running back Donald Coulter to break long runs.

Senior Sal Alvarez had the highest blocking proficiency rating (83%) for Franklin and dominated the line of scrimmage.

Chris Boghosian, also a senior, provided stability for the Cresenta Valley line. The Falcons challenged for a playoff berth despite the loss of several key offensive backs for disciplinary reasons.

Other than teammate Rucker, Glendale wide receiver Mike Wright was probably the most exciting player to watch in the area. Every reception was a potential touchdown for Wright, a senior who caught 40 passes and averaged almost 23 yards a reception in his first season of football.

Wide receiver Brett Miller suffered statistically when Crescenta Valley was forced to go to a wing-T offense after losing some key players. But Miller’s ability was such that Pacific League coaches voted him first-team all-league.

Lydell Hill was an All-Heritage League kicker at Ribet Academy, which plays eight-man football. Hill’s main contributions were at quarterback, where he rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards in each category.

Defensive lineman Jayson Spangler of Glendale had 10 sacks. Teammate Yoshi Yamawaki had nine sacks from his tackle position.

Lineman Eric Steinlight was the main defensive force for Crescenta Valley. He stepped up his play to an even higher level when Jon Berg, a 1990 All-Glendale selection, became injured.

Albert Aguirre led Franklin with 68 solo tackles, 10 sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Linebacker Chris Hamela of St. Francis was the San Fernando League’s defensive player of the year. He helped the Golden Knights battle their way into the playoffs.

Max Ocon of Glendale, who made the All-Glendale team last year as a junior, dominated as a linebacker and tight end. He made 112 tackles and was the heart of a unit that allowed only two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Gian Alpuche of Franklin had 14 sacks, two interceptions and was named All-Northern Conference.

Marshall defensive back Aman Abye was also selected all-conference after making five interceptions.

Teammate Hector Ortega makes the All-Glendale team as a defensive back, although his main contribution to the team was as a running back. Ortega gained more than 1,300 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

J. D. Calsyn of Flintridge Prep was another player who made an impact on both sides of the ball. He had 119 tackles and two interceptions for the Eight-Man Division Rebels and passed for 1,696 yards and a school-record 28 touchdowns.

Franklin’s Anthony Aguilar, a second-team All-City selection last season, was an all-conference safety, tight end and punter in 1991.

1991 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS Offense

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Mike Wright Glendale Sr. 6-4 185 WR Brett Miller Crescenta Valley Sr. 5-11 180 WR Yon Mun Glendale Sr. 5-11 270 OL Sal Alvarez Franklin Sr. 6-3 255 OL Robert Vanover Verdugo Hills Sr. 5-11 220 OL Chris Bogosian Crescenta Valley Sr. 6-0 200 OL Brian Flette Glendale Jr. 6-0 195 OL Jose Rodriguez Marshall Sr. 5-9 168 B Pathon Rucker Glendale Sr. 5-11 185 B Pat Laurence St.Francis Sr. 5-10 185 B Marvin Lo La Canada Sr. 5-6 160 B Lydell Hill Ribet Academy Sr. 6-2 190 K

Defense

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Jayson Spangler Glendale Sr. 6-0 210 L Eric Stenlight Crescenta Valley Sr. 6-2 210 L Albert Aguirre Franklin Sr. 6-1 195 L Yoshi Yamawaki Glendale Sr. 5-10 210 L Chris Hamela St. Francis Sr. 6-2 220 LB Max Ocon Glendale Sr. 6-0 225 LB Gain Alpuche Franklin Sr. 5-10 178 LB Aman Abye Marshall Sr. 5-8 165 DB J.D. Calsyn Flintridge Prep Sr. 6-0 185 DB Hector Ortega Marshall Sr. 5-9 175 DB Anthony Aguilar Franklin Sr. 6-2 185 DB

All-Glendale Second Team

OFFENSE

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Gabriel Pulgarin Eagle Rock Sr. 5-9 160 B Paul Lopez Crescenta Valley Sr. 6-0 195 B Donald Coulter Verdugo Hills Jr. 6-1 205 B Nathan Callister Glendale Sr. 6-1 175 B David Ower St. Francis Sr. 6-2 210 L John Spaulding La Canada Sr. 6-2 210 L Leo Diaz Franklin Sr. 6-3 245 L Casey Mathews La Canada Sr. 5-10 195 L Jose Martinez Eagle Rock Sr. 5-11 185 L Sky Bushey Marshall Sr. 5-6 155 WR Sanjay Daluvoy Flintridge Prep Sr. 5-9 125 WR Jason Sharman La Canada Sr. 5-10 175 K

DEFENSE

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Mike Stewart La Canada Sr. 6-1 195 L Carlos Groom Ribet Academy Sr. 6-4 200 L Martin Marrujo Eagle Rock Sr. 6-2 210 L Haro Thorossian Glendale Jr. 6-0 230 L Jose Lopez Marshall Sr. 5-10 203 LB Tim Caraher St. Francis Sr. 5-11 200 LB Jaiya Figueras Glendale Jr. 6-2 190 LB Cesar Perez Eagle Rock Jr. 5-11 170 DB Eric Jaimes Franklin Jr. 5-9 145 DB Justin Jamison Verdugo Hills Sr. 5-10 165 DB Nathan Dishington Hoover Sr. 5-10 170 DB