Simi Valley Sacks Woebegone Image

The city of Simi Valley’s well-earned reputation for being a barren wasteland for football talent was demolished this season.

The two high schools--Royal and Simi Valley--joined perennial power Thousand Oaks in earning Division II playoff berths from the Marmonte League. Royal finished the regular season 10-0 and won its first league championship. Simi Valley converted an 0-10 team into one that finished 7-4 behind an exciting run-and-shoot offense.

Buena and Ventura tied for the Channel League title with 6-1 records, but they were not the only teams from the city of Ventura to be called a champion. St. Bonaventure tied Oak Park and Carpinteria for the Tri-Valley League title and advanced to the Division X semifinals.

Frontier League champion Nordhoff was perhaps the county’s most pleasant surprise, winning its first outright league title since 1938.

A look at the county’s top players:

OFFENSIVE BACKS

Despite a hamstring injury that hampered him most of the season and caused him to miss nearly two games, Cory Bowen of Thousand Oaks posted exceptional rushing numbers. The two-time All-Ventura County choice gained 1,704 yards in 178 carries for a county-high 9.6-yard average. He scored 22 touchdowns. Bowen, a slashing runner who exhibits great balance and impressive second effort, also is an excellent blocker and receiver.

A year ago, Buena’s George Keiaho became the state’s first freshman to rush for more than 1,000 yards. This season the Fiji native surpassed last year’s total of 1,134 by churning out 1,443 yards and 21 touchdowns in 242 carries. Primarily because of Keiaho, a powerful back whose legs never seem to stop churning, Buena has been transformed from a passing team to one that runs expertly.

RECEIVERS

Three-year standout wide receiver Erik Holcomb of Westlake capped his career with an outstanding season. Holcomb made 60 catches for 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also played tailback in two games and rushed for a team-leading 264 yards in 37 carries. Holcomb’s 29 career receiving touchdowns rank him fifth on the all-time Southern Section list. He also made 14 catches in the first half in two games this season.

The county’s leading receiver with 65 catches was Leodes Van Buren of Newbury Park. Van Buren, a sophomore wide receiver, also played varsity last season and has 88 career catches. He racked up 987 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season and has 1,424 career yards. Van Buren will team with quarterback Keith Smith, a sophomore who passed for 2,409 yards this season, for two more years.

Whether it required blocking down on a lineman or tying up the defensive end, tight end Shane Graham of Thousand Oaks provided blocking that would make any guard or tackle envious. Despite playing for the run-oriented Lancers, he made 13 catches for 210 yards. One of Thousand Oaks’ most recruited players ever, Graham is making trips to Colorado, Colorado State, Oregon and Oregon State.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Justin Werth was the county’s best center. The hub of Ventura’s veer offense, Werth effectively sealed off penetration between the guards. When a defense employed an odd-man front, Werth effectively went one on one with a nose tackle. And when a defense used an even front, he was just as effective at chasing down a linebacker.

Known at Royal as the Tower of Power, tackle Jason Wendland provided a proven path to the end zone. All of the Highlanders’ rushing touchdowns inside the five-yard line came on a simple off-tackle run directly behind Wendland. Wendland is taking recruiting trips to Cal and UCLA.

Eric Bateman of Camarillo began playing football only two years ago. He has learned the game well enough to be making a recruiting trip to Brigham Young. No wonder major colleges are interested in Bateman, a brawny tackle. He is tall, quick and is projected as being able to carry a muscular 290 pounds.

Born in Green Bay, Wis., tackle Kirk Robertson of Simi Valley has long been a Packers’ fan. So it is no surprise that in addition to Cal, Colorado and Washington, he is taking a recruiting trip to Wisconsin. Robertson’s responsibility in the Pioneers’ run-and-shoot offense was to pass block, but he also is an accomplished base blocker.

For a player of his considerable size, tackle Paul Yerman of Thousand Oaks is an outstanding athlete. On the Lancers’ bread-and-butter play, the counter-gap, Yerman was required to pull and make a downfield block. He did so expertly, often flattening a linebacker or defensive back. Yerman is making a recruiting trip to Colorado State.

KICKER

Trevor Rumsey of Ventura scored 105 points while playing quarterback and kicker. A two-year starter, Rumsey was the master of the big play, averaging 22.4 yards per completion and passing for 1,412 yards. He also rushed for nine touchdowns, three two-point conversions and 530 yards, made 36 of 44 point-after-touchdown kicks and three field goals.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN/LINEBACKERS

Buena played excellent defense against the run, allowing only 100.1 yards a game. Keying the Bulldogs was defensive end Dywayne Hurst. The quick and rangy Hurst was Buena’s third-leading tackler despite having teams run away from him all season. Hurst also played center and was Buena’s only two-way player.

As an inside linebacker and fullback whose main responsibility was blocking, Tag Johnson of Camarillo probably led the area in concussive hits per game. Johnson, a two-time all-county choice, spearheaded a Scorpion defense that allowed a county-low 670 rushing yards. Johnson also rushed for 1,343 yards in his career.

Middle linebacker Vince Bruno was Westlake’s tackling leader by far, making 148 to rank second on the school’s all-time single-season list. In addition to dominating between the tackles, Bruno has quick feet, enabling him to retreat into pass coverage. Bruno will take recruiting trips to Washington State, Oregon and Pacific.

Inside linebacker Jeremy Cochrane was Rio Mesa’s leading tackler with 102, including three sacks. Cochrane was the Spartans’ top hitter and most consistent defensive player, leading the team in tackles in seven of 11 games. Rio Mesa held opponents to two touchdowns or fewer in nine games and a primary reason was a goal-line defense led by Cochrane.

Nordhoff won the league title behind the rugged play of middle linebacker Matt Johnson. Nicknamed “The Enforcer,” Johnson led the Rangers to the Frontier title by posting a team-high 107 tackles. And many of them were major hits. Johnson is a talent head and shoulders above any other in the league.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

On a Ventura team of explosive players, Elan Walshe turned in the most big plays. Excellent at either man-to-man or zone coverage, Walshe tied for the county lead with 10 interceptions. He piled up 150 yards in interception-return yardage and added more than 400 yards on kick and punt returns. Walshe also made 35 receptions for 800 yards (22.9-yard average).

The other county co-leader in interceptions with 10 was Dave Romines of Simi Valley, who had 139 yards in interception returns. He also had 1,667 yards in total offense--from five categories. As a receiver, he caught 48 passes for 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns. He passed for 44 yards, rushed for 172 and had 271 on kick returns and 110 on punt returns.

Rio Mesa’s leader on both sides of the ball was Andy Contreras, who played free safety and quarterback. Contreras was the team’s second-leading tackler with 87. He also had two interceptions and broke up four passes. On offense, Contreras passed for 1,375 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 56.6% of his throws.

Aggressive and versatile, Dan Fitzgerald played several important roles for Thousand Oaks. Against most opponents, Fitzgerald played safety on the wide side of the field, filling quickly against the run: His 97 tackles ranked second on the team. Against teams with a single standout receiver, Fitzgerald had man-to-man coverage responsibility.

Douglas Varner, pound-for-pound probably the hardest hitter in the county, was a primary reason Simi Valley turned its program into a winner. The strong safety led the Pioneers with 103 tackles, and he has six interceptions and 107 yards in return yardage. Varner also blocked three field goals and one extra-point attempt and twice tackled punters before the punt.

Ventura County Coach of the Year

Establishing a sense of pride in players who know only losing is a daunting task for a coach. Especially in a program that has a long history of failure. When Stan Quina took over at Simi Valley High in 1990, developing a positive attitude was at the top of his agenda. Victories would follow sooner or later, Quina reasoned, even as the Pioneers suffered through an 0-10 season in his rookie season. The turning point came in the 1991 opener against perennial county power Ventura. Simi Valley shocked the Cougars, 23-20, with a potent run-and-shoot offense and a scrappy defense that bent but refused to give up the big play. As the season wore on, it became apparent that the Pioneers’ success was no fluke. They finished 7-4, posted a 5-2 Marmonte League record and qualified for the Southern Section Division II playoffs--Simi Valley’s first postseason appearance since 1985. The Pioneers, Quina and his coaching staff now can be justifiably proud of their accomplishments.

Ventura County Back of the Year

What is the most impressive attribute of Royal High quarterback Ryan Fien? The arm strong enough to throw a football 75 yards, yet accurate enough to complete 61.1% of his passes this season? Height and strength that help make him one of the most heavily recruited players in Ventura County history? The poise that enabled him to throw only three interceptions in 208 passes? His big-strike capability, evidenced by his 23 touchdown passes this season and a Ventura County record-tying 52 in his career? None of the above. Fien at his finest is a player who does exactly what it takes to win. He willingly suppressed the urge to pile up eye-popping passing statistics--he passed for 1,720 yards, third-best in the county--in order for the Highlanders to run a balanced offense. Payoff No. 1: Royal’s first Marmonte League title and a 10-0 regular-season record. Payoff No. 2: Fien is taking recruiting trips to UCLA, Texas, Washington, Michigan State and Washington State.

Ventura County Lineman of the Year

He has the quickness and flat-out speed of an offensive back. He can dunk a basketball. He is the best athlete his coach has ever had. So which position does he play? Not wide receiver, or free safety or kick returner. Would you believe nose guard? That’s where Jason Evans of Royal High could be found, crouching in a four-point stance, beating opposing centers and guards to the snap, wreaking havoc in offensive backfields all season. Evans tied a school record by recording 17 sacks, a mark he established last season. His 34 career sacks are also a school record. Evans is taking recruiting trips to Hawaii, Fresno State and Northern Arizona. The school he chooses will get a high-intensity leader who spearheaded a defense that allowed an average of only 66.5 yards rushing a game. Evans was the ideal high school defensive lineman: a virtual Tasmanian devil who dominated the line of scrimmage on running plays between the tackles and applied fierce pressure on passing plays.

All-Ventura County Second Team

Offense

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Keith Smith Newbury Park So. 5-11 165 QB Larry Bumpus Oxnard Jr. 5-10 170 QB Tarik Smith Oak Park Jr. 6-0 185 RB Derek Swafford Ventura Jr. 5-11 165 RB Tom Magallanes Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-1 235 OL Travis Walters Ventura Sr. 6-4 255 OL Josh Calderon Buena Sr. 5-10 205 OL Jon Marshall St. Bonaventure Sr. 6-2 210 OL Scott Wilding Buena Sr. 6-4 225 OL Chris Kalaleh Oxnard Sr. 6-0 170 WR Swanson Nunnery Rio Mesa Sr. 5-8 162 WR Paul Spencer Moorpark Sr. 5-11 160 K

Player Comment Keith Smith Passed for 2,409 yards in 9 games. Larry Bumpus Equally dangerous running or passing. Tarik Smith Superb athlete; 1,776 rushing yards. Derek Swafford Back-to-back 1,000- yard rushing seasons. Tom Magallanes Intelligent, physical Lancer leader. Travis Walters Physically overpowering base blocker. Josh Calderon Steadiest Bulldog lineman. Jon Marshall Quickness of guard, strength of tackle. Scott Wilding Athletic ability evident blocking on sweeps. Chris Kalaleh Runs precision patterns and makes the catch. Swanson Nunnery Excellent playmaker at cornerback, receiver. Paul Spencer Punts averaged 42 yards with good hang time.

Defense

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Scott Adams Ventura Sr. 6-0 200 DL David Acosta Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-1 275 DL Armando Salazar Oxnard Sr. 5-8 205 DL Jerome Tinoco Channel Islands Sr. 5-10 212 DL John Liebe Oak Park Sr. 5-11 185 LB Adam Kline Royal Sr. 6-3 210 LB Chris Peltonen Moorpark Sr. 6-1 195 LB Jeff Trevathan Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-0 175 DB Dan Lemp Buena Sr. 6-1 170 DB Jeff Onstot St. Bonaventure Sr. 6-1 180 DB Jeremy Bolton Buena Sr. 6-0 160 DB

Player Comment Scott Adams Adept at using hands to gain advantage. David Acosta A force despite playing injured. Armando Salazar Defensive leader always around the ball. Jerome Tinoco Put together fine seasons back to back. John Liebe Made 152 tackles, including 6 sacks. Adam Kline Key member of county’s best defense. Chris Peltonen Team captain had more than 100 tackles. Jeff Trevathan Heady two-way starter and defensive leader. Dan Lemp 8 interceptions, fine tackler and kick returner. Jeff Onstot Best player on surprise Tri-Valley team. Jeremy Bolton Excellent on pass coverage; willing to hit.

* 1991 STATISTICAL LEADERS C14

* VALLEY TEAM C15

* GLENDALE TEAM C15

1991 FOOTBALL ALL-STARS

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Offense Ryan Fien Royal Sr. 6-4 198 QB Cory Bowen Thousand Oaks Sr. 5-8 185 RB George Keiaho Buena So. 5-8 190 RB Justin Werth Ventura Sr. 6-4 250 OL Kirk Robertson Simi Valley Sr. 6-4 270 OL Paul Yerman Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-5 240 OL Jason Wendland Royal Sr. 6-5 255 OL Eric Bateman Camarillo Sr. 6-6 270 OL Shane Graham Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-6 230 TE Erik Holcomb Westlake Sr. 6-0 165 WR Leodes Van Buren Newbury Park So. 6-0 168 WR Trevor Rumsey Ventura Sr. 5-11 165 K Defense Jason Evans Royal Sr. 6-1 1/2 265 DL Dywayne Hurst Buena Sr. 6-2 220 DL Tag Johnson Camarillo Sr. 6-0 200 LB Matt Johnson Nordhoff Sr. 6-2 1/2 230 LB Jeremy Cochrane Rio Mesa Sr. 5-11 200 LB Vince Bruno Westlake Sr. 6-3 215 LB Elan Walshe Ventura Sr. 5-11 180 DB Andy Contreras Rio Mesa Sr. 5-10 160 DB Dave Romines Simi Valley Sr. 5-8 155 DB Douglas Varner Simi Valley Sr. 5-9 155 DB Dan Fitzgerald Thousand Oaks Sr. 6-0 175 DB