Paysinger, Roach, Ricketts Honored at Times’ Breakfast

Beverly Hills High Coach Carter Paysinger and linebacker Greg Roach and Culver City quarterback Dameron Ricketts were award winners Sunday at The Times’ All-Star football breakfast at the Guest Quarters Hotel in Santa Monica.

Paysinger was named the coach of the year, Roach was lineman of the year and Ricketts was the back of the year.

Paysinger, a former football player and assistant at Beverly Hills, was named the coach at his alma mater after a tumultuous 1989 season.

In the fall of 1989, a teachers’ strike resulted in the Normans having to forfeit three games. The school also lost its co-coaches, who accepted jobs elsewhere. Additionally, the 1990 spring drills were canceled.

Beverly Hills struggled in Paysinger’s first season, but it was the only Westside team to advance past the first round of the Southern Section playoffs. The team finished 6-6.

Last season the Normans went to the semifinals of the Division VII playoffs and finished 10-3.

Roach, who also was a running back, was the heart of the Beverly Hills’ defense. He was involved in 181 tackles, shattering Willie Crawford’s school record of 153.

Ricketts had 2,780 yards in total offense. He completed 109 passes in 216 attempts for 1,702 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He rushed for 789 yards in 134 carries and scored five touchdowns. As a defensive back, he had eight interceptions, including three for touchdowns. He also accumulated 289 yards in kickoff and punt returns.