FOOTBALL ’92 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTION : TEAM CAPSULES

PACIFIC LEAGUE

Crescenta Valley COACH: Jim Beckenhauer, 7th season LAST SEASON: 5-5; 5th in league, 1-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The receivers are the Falcons’ strength, and the best of the bunch is senior Brett Miller (6-foot, 175 pounds), who had 23 catches for 447 yards last year, earning all-league honors. He will be catching passes from either junior Mike Kocicka (6-3, 175) or junior David Fielder (5-10, 185). Kocicka, who went into practice slightly ahead of Fielder, is a better passer and Fielder is a better runner, Beckenhauer said. Running the ball will be senior Paul Lopez (6-2, 215), who gained 419 yards in 89 carries last year, and junior Erik LaCom (5-10, 185). On the line of scrimmage, Crescenta Valley will be led by senior Lance Thomas (6-3, 210), who was a tackle last year but will play tight end this year, and senior tackle Tom Watson (6-4, 215). The secondary should be the strength of the defense, and that unit will be led by senior Chad Stewart (5-8, 160) and junior Brendan Jones (5-8, 160). All-league nose guard John Berg (5-9, 165), a senior, will be moved to defensive end. OUTLOOK: The skill positions look good for Crescenta Valley, but the offensive and defensive lines are questionable. Having a good secondary will be a plus, particularly against pass-oriented teams like Muir and Hoover. It will take a monumental effort and some luck to overtake Muir, and if the Falcons don’t, they could finish just about anywhere.

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Glendale COACH: Don Shoemaker, 5th season LAST SEASON: 10-2; 1st in league, 5-0 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pathon Rucker, who rushed for 1,667 yards and scored 21 touchdowns last year, is gone. He is the most notable loss. “Basically, we are a new team,” Shoemaker said. The lone returning starter on offense is senior center Brian Flett (6-0, 245). Flett will snap the ball to either junior Ramon Jose (6-0, 175), who started at free safety and saw limited action at quarterback last year, or junior Neil Sowter (5-9, 185), who started for the sophomore team. The tailback will be senior Jaiya Figueras (6-2, 205), an exceptional athlete who is being recruited as a defensive back. He also will play linebacker. Junior Chris Carr (6-1, 210), who gained more than 1,000 yards for the sophomore team last year, also will see action at tailback. Besides Figueras, the defense will be led by senior lineman Phil Cook (6-3, 250), who also plays guard, and senior linebacker James Razumich (5-9, 200), who also plays fullback. OUTLOOK: Glendale will be using an inexperienced quarterback behind an inexperienced but large line. The Dynamiters’ only hope is that their running backs can carry the team. If they are able to throw the ball effectively, they could finish second, but the competition behind Muir is intense among Arcadia, Crescenta Valley and perhaps Pasadena.

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Hoover COACH: Dennis Hughes, 7th season LAST SEASON: 1-9; 6th in league, 1-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Tornadoes are trying the run-and-shoot this season, so the talents of senior quarterback Nathan Dishington (6-2, 215) should be showcased. Last year Dishington completed 71 of 190 passes for 659 yards, but he has improved in the summer passing league. “He has arm strength and size,” Hughes said. “Physically, the kid’s a nugget.” The receivers for Dishington will be four juniors: Marvin Toledo (5-9, 150), Carlos Valdez (5-11, 160), Chris Butler (5-10, 160) and Steve Sau (5-6, 140). Seniors David Harvey (5-10, 170) and Sevak Schirvanian (5-9, 175) will do whatever groundwork is to be done. The Tornadoes should be equipped to stop the pass. The defensive backfield is led by senior Richard Alvarez (5-7, 150), senior Ubaldo Mata (5-7, 145) and junior Trevor Dandridge (5-10, 155). Senior linebacker Eddie Voskanian (5-9, 175), a second-team all-league pick last year, will anchor the middle of the defense. Junior Steve Chase (5-9, 195) and Schirvanian also will play linebacker. On the line, junior Anthony Cascarano (5-9, 175) will return after starting as a sophomore. OUTLOOK: Hoover has one big problem: an offensive line with only one returning player. All that could prevent Dishington from having a good season is if he is on his back too often. If the line comes together and protects Dishington, Hoover could put up big numbers and the Tornadoes could climb out of the Pacific cellar. If the line falters, Hoover will be hard-pressed to do well in this very competitive league.