HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW : Quarterbacks Still in Glare of Spotlight

For Marmonte League quarterbacks who spent last season in the shadow of Royal High’s Ryan Fien, their day in the sun finally has arrived.

As one of the nation’s most sought-after players, Fien had it made in the shade, and he overshadowed passers throughout the Marmonte League and beyond.

Interest in Fien extended past the end of last season, when the 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback, who passed for 4,542 yards in his three-year career, committed to Texas but signed with UCLA.

Now that Fien finally has headed off into the sunset, the spotlight is up for grabs and a handful of players will be reaching.

Seven of the league’s eight schools have a quarterback returning with varsity experience. Jim Hansen of Camarillo, Mike Mariz of Channel Islands, Keith Smith of Newbury Park, Eric Bennett of Simi Valley and Trevor Thompson of Thousand Oaks all are returning starters.

Agoura’s Jason Warren started three games last season and Westlake’s Brian Field attempted eight passes as a third-string quarterback.

Royal is the only school without a returning varsity quarterback. Fien’s heir-apparent is junior Matt Olsen, whose 6-foot-4, 198-pound frame closely resembles Fien’s. “He looks like Fien,” Royal Coach Gene Uebelhardt said. “Whether he plays like him remains to be seen.”

Interestingly, Fien ranked third last season among league passers behind Bennett (2,467 yards) and Smith (2,409).

Bennett, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, and Smith, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior, unquestionably are the league’s best quarterbacks.

But who is better?

Bennett, who completed 173 of 371 passes and threw 21 touchdown passes, has received recruiting letters from several NCAA Division I schools, including USC, California, Colorado, Colorado State and Washington State. After watching with interest as Fien was being wooed by recruiters, Bennett spent the off-season strengthening his right arm and waiting for his turn.

“He was a senior last year, so he was the guy who was going to get all the attention,” Bennett said. “He deserved it. I knew I’d get my chance. Now, I just figure it’s my turn to get the attention.”

However, Bennett cannot lay sole claim to the spotlight.

Some league coaches consider Smith, a virtual unknown at this time last year, the league’s best quarterback. Smith moved into a starting role last season after senior Zack Sutton suffered a broken hand during summer practice. Sutton’s hand had healed by the season’s first game, “but I guess I was better,” Smith said.

Smith completed 163 of 296, 17 for touchdowns. He also rushed for 342 yards and four touchdowns in 73 carries and will be one of the Panthers’ top running threats this season, Newbury Park Coach George Hurley said.

“Smith is one of the premier quarterbacks in high school--period,” Channel Islands Coach Joel Gershon said.

Said Hurley: “I think he is the best player in the Marmonte League.”

Already, Smith has received letters from USC, Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, San Diego State and Brigham Young. Moreover, Smith will have in his sights junior wide receiver Leodes Van Buren, perhaps the league’s best wide receiver, for the next two seasons.

“I feel great, physically, and I’m really looking forward to the season,” Smith said. “My arm has gotten a lot stronger and I’ve gotten a little faster.”

Next year, Smith could be challenged for the spotlight by Camarillo’s Hansen, who started every down last season and completed 36 of 99 for 639 yards and six touchdowns. “He’s still growing,” Camarillo Coach Carl Thompson said of his junior quarterback. “He wears a size 12 1/2 shoe.”

Thompson of Thousand Oaks and Mariz of Channel Islands, both juniors, moved into starting roles the last half of the season. Thompson passed for 272 yards and four touchdowns; Mariz passed for 307 yards and one touchdown. Channel Islands’ senior Cesar Puga, who began last season as the starting quarterback, has switched to wide receiver but might take a few snaps, Gershon said.

Warren of Agoura, a senior, completed seven of 29 for 301 yards. Field of Westlake, a senior, completed five of eight.

MARMONTE LEAGUE

FINAL 1991 STANDINGS PROJECTED FINISH Royal 10-1, 7-0 Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks 10-2, 6-1 Newbury Park Simi Valley 7-4, 5-2 Simi Valley Newbury Park 4-6, 4-3 Royal Camarillo 5-5, 3-4 Camarillo Westlake 3-7, 2-5 Channel Islands Channel Islands 2-8, 1-6 Westlake Agoura 2-8, 0-7 Agoura

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Player School Pos. Ht Wt Class Eric Bennett Simi Valley QB 6-1 185 Sr. Eric Benson Thousand Oaks OT 6-2 1/2 260 Sr. Fahali Campbell Camarillo TB 5-10 170 Sr. Sheldon Griffith Royal TE-LB 6-3 220 Sr. Quincy Jacobs Thousand Oaks RB 5-11 195 Sr. Rob Kaller Westlake OT 6-2 270 Sr. Vince Serrano Channel Islands OT 6-3 260 Sr. Keith Smith Newbury Park QB 6-0 180 Jr. Michael Streeter Royal TB 5-7 178 Sr. Leodes Van Buren Newbury Park WR 6-1 180 Jr.