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

MISSION LEAGUE

Chaminade COACH: Rich Lawson, 6th season LAST SEASON: 9-3; 2nd in league, 4-2 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior running back Justin Giovannettone (5-foot-8, 175 pounds) returns after gaining 1,315 yards in 215 carries and scoring 15 touchdowns. “Last year he was our go-to guy when we needed a big play and he’ll be again this year,” Lawson said. “He’s got the attitude to play big-time college football.” The quarterback will be senior Ryan Graves (6-1, 175), who completed 14 of 22 passes for 130 yards in parts of three games last year. Graves will be throwing to senior John Lucas (5-10, 165) and junior Josh Ellias (5-9, 150). The top offensive linemen are senior tackles Steve Bruckner (6-1, 220) and Steve Swaney (6-1, 215). On defense, the Eagles have a pair of talented safeties in junior Adam Crecion (6-1, 165) and senior Eric Delconte (6-2, 180). Linebackers to watch are seniors Brian Powers (6-0, 200) and Darrin Goka (5-9, 200), who is returning to the football field after not playing since his freshman year. The defensive line will feature senior Jeremiah Reynolds (6-2, 190) and Bruckner. OUTLOOK: The Eagles gained almost 300 yards per game last year, and Giovannettone was largely responsible. Chaminade also passed for more than 1,200 yards, however. Although Lawson likes Graves, the quarterback is relatively inexperienced. If he cannot pass effectively, defenses will key on Giovannettone. Chaminade is a contender, but perhaps a half-step behind Notre Dame.

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Harvard-Westlake COACH: Gary Thran, 19th season LAST SEASON: 3-7; 3rd in San Fernando League, 2-2 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Wolverines will be led by a quarterback who formerly was a receiver. Senior Justin Ehrlich (5-10, 160) had 18 catches for 453 yards last year and also completed nine of 26 passes for 91 yards. “He’s the kind of athlete who really needs to touch the ball more than four or five times a game,” Thran said. Another strange position change involves junior Don Donester (6-2, 198), who was switched from tight end to tailback. “He’s never taken a handoff,” Thran said. The strength of the team will be the lines, on both sides of the ball, led by seniors Ryan Dahlman (6-4, 221), Mike Lee (5-11, 187) and Josh Minuto (6-2, 215). Senior defensive lineman Jason Horn (5-11, 175) led the team with 11 sacks last year. The defensive backfield is full of question marks, with the only sure starter being Ehrlich at cornerback. Senior Gold Lee (5-10, 180) and junior Chris Anderson (5-9, 170) are the top linebackers. OUTLOOK: The Wolverines have two things going against them: They have gone from being at the bottom of a weak San Fernando League to a stronger Mission League, and they have so many players going both ways that they might tire quickly. “For us to compete week after week is going to be difficult,” Thran said. “We were in favor (of the realignment), but I think it’s going to be a couple of years before we can compete.”

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Notre Dame COACH: Kevin Rooney, 13th season LAST SEASON: 5-5; 6th in league, 2-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior tailback Jabaar Craigwell (5-9, 170) is the Notre Dame player who most concerns coaches in the Mission League. Craigwell gained 562 yards in 107 carries with seven touchdowns last year. Junior fullback Lei Malieitulua (5-9, 220) gained 401 yards in 87 carries. Rooney is confident that Kelly Moran (5-11, 175) will excel in his first year as the starting quarterback. “He really did well during the summer (passing league),” Rooney said. “He’s a good, smart kid.” A rising star whom Moran will be throwing to is junior wide receiver Joey Orlando (5-8, 165). All this talent at the skill positions might be moot if the offensive line, which has only one returning player, can’t block. This concerns Rooney. The defense, which is more experienced, will be led by senior defensive end Brandon Gabriel (6-4, 210), who led the Knights in tackles last year. Senior linebacker Scott Aragno (5-11, 210) and senior defensive lineman Rob Breman (6-1, 225) are also good defensive players. OUTLOOK: Notre Dame is the consensus favorite among the coaches in the revamped Mission League, which no longer contains Crespi or Alemany. However, it wouldn’t be much of a drop from first to last in this balanced league. Notre Dame has talent, but it is inexperienced. If the offensive line can grow up in a hurry, the Knights should be able to hold off the rest of the league.

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St. Francis COACH: Andy Boynton, 2nd season LAST SEASON: 5-6; 2nd in San Fernando League, 3-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior quarterback Rudy Martinez (6-0, 175) has some work to do if he is going to improve on last year’s numbers--1,234 yards on 90-for-187 passing with 14 touchdown passes. Junior Ben Collins (5-11, 180) rushed for about 1,400 yards last year on the junior varsity team. He will get a shot in the backfield along with senior J.D. Walters (5-9, 160), who gained 241 yards in 15 carries last year, and senior Fred Brashear (6-0, 185). Boynton also likes speedy sophomore running back Chris McAlister (5-10, 170), the son of former UCLA and NFL halfback James McAlister. Junior tight end Rome Douglas (6-6, 245), who transferred from Webb High, will make his debut with St. Francis. On defense, St. Francis will be led by junior defensive lineman Bob Aubrey (6-3, 210), a converted tight end, and senior defensive back Chris McCoy (5-9, 155), who is also the kicker. The only returning linebacker is senior Matt Eggleston (6-1, 205). Lineman Ben Kadlatz (6-3, 260) transferred from Crescenta Valley last year and is eligible to play this season.

OUTLOOK: Boynton believes his team has the talent to compete with Notre Dame and Chaminade for the league title, but, being in a new league, it is difficult to tell. The Golden Knights need another big year from Martinez and the defense to come together despite many new faces.