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

GOLDEN LEAGUE

Antelope Valley COACH: Brent Newcomb, 15th season LAST SEASON: 7-5; Tied for 1st in league, 4-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Many of Antelope Valley’s top players have graduated--including running back Freddie Edwards (209 carries, 1,338 yards, 15 touchdowns)--but many return. Senior Bayi Hilton (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) is one of four returning starting quarterbacks in the league. Hilton, who completed nearly 60% of his passes, was the most productive of the group, throwing for 1,150 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, Hilton poses other threats to defenses: “The strongest point about Bayi is that he can pull it down and run with it whenever he wants--he’s got the feet,” Newcomb said. Two of Hilton’s backfield mates also return: senior fullback Carlos Acosta (5-10, 220) and senior tailback Eric McQuown (5-9, 190), who also plays linebacker. Newcomb is touting this year’s corps of linebackers as his best since 1986. The leader of the unit is senior Heath Renfro (6-1, 175), who will work inside with junior Keith Schiele (6-0, 195). The team’s weakness is the secondary, which features no returning starters. Hoping to fill that void is junior Mike Gleich (5-10, 155), junior David Newman (6-1, 165), sophomore Chad Murphy (6-1, 162) and freshman Trymon Rideck (6-1, 170). Returning linemen include seniors Heath Dilger (6-3, 245) and Mike D’Andrea (6-4, 205). OUTLOOK: The Antelopes, early favorites in the realigned league, again face a tough preseason schedule: Hesperia, West Bakersfield, Bakersfield, Loyola and Muir.

*

Highland COACH: Lin Parker, 2nd season LAST SEASON: 9-2 as a free-lance team PLAYERS TO WATCH: Highland, which opened with only a freshman class in 1989, is entering its second season of varsity play and is the largest school in the league with 3,000 students. Although Highland did extremely well last season, its schedule was conducive to winning and winning big. Headlining an 80-man roster is senior tailback Cleveland Williams (6-0, 212), who rushed for 978 yards in 129 carries (7.6-yard average) and scored a team-high 13 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Travis Sabadin (6-1, 190), who completed 27 of 63 attempts for 384 yards and four touchdowns in 1991, returns. Senior Jermaine Brooks (6-0, 170) is the veteran wide receiver who is getting attention from college recruiters. Senior Darryl Wustrack (5-11, 190) is a powerful fullback. Senior Jeff Tepper (5-10, 170) runs the defense from strong safety. UCLA has expressed interest in Jarod Dodson (6-1, 190), a senior cornerback. Senior free safety Ken Lewis (6-1, 190) has a knack for interceptions. Seniors Brad Newlin (6-0, 215) and Andy Hoggatt (6-2, 245) are defensive linemen. Senior Scott Ralston (6-5, 270) is an imposing figure at offensive tackle. OUTLOOK: Although Parker is pointing to Antelope Valley as the front-runner, Highland is poised to challenge. A tough preseason, which includes three Bakersfield-area teams, will get Highland ready for league play. “If Highland can survive the preseason, then look out,” Parker said. “If we can win three of our first five, we’ll be looking good.”

*

Littlerock COACH: Jim Bauer, 2nd season LAST SEASON: 6-3 as a free-lance team PLAYERS TO WATCH: Like Highland, Littlerock opened its doors with a freshman class in 1989. But Littlerock has a smaller enrollment, about 2,000. Senior quarterback Mitch Casey (5-10, 165), an option-type, is small but effective. Last season Casey threw for five touchdowns and rushed for seven. He completed 52 of 117 for 806 yards and rushed for 303 yards in 76 carries. Backfield-mate John Venema (5-11, 225), a senior fullback, rushed for a team-high 906 yards and 11 touchdowns in 166 carries last year. Senior Kai Hampton (5-11, 195) is an inside linebacker and running back with 4.5 speed. Brian Wilkins (6-0, 185), a sophomore transfer from Oak Park, hopes to make an impact at running back and strong safety. Senior Juan Estrada (6-3, 195) is a tight end and defensive end. Working the line are senior tackles Adam Martin (6-4, 245) and Mike Dutton (6-2, 226), and senior guard Carlos Martin (5-10, 210). Underclassmen Chris Towery (5-10, 185), a junior, and sophomore Lawrence Larry (6-3, 195) play linebacker along with Hampton. OUTLOOK: Bauer said the Lobos’ biggest obstacle is in their minds. “Our kids have gotta believe that they can play in this league,” Bauer said. “They can’t be intimidated by playing Division I.”

*

Palmdale COACH: Jeff Williams, 2nd season LAST SEASON: 0-10; last in league, 0-5 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Winless in his first season as the head coach, Williams hopes the worst is over. “We’ve gotten rid of the riffraff and now we have some players,” he said. Seventeen lettermen return. Senior Terrence Zenno (6-2, 185), an all-league selection last year, returns. Zenno completed 90 of 205 for 1,125 yards. He threw six touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Senior fullback Adam Greenidge (5-10, 170) is a third-year starter. Also in the backfield is Roosevelt Miller (5-10, 170), who will start at halfback. Tony Coleman (6-2, 180), a junior, will play both ways at free safety and halfback. Junior John Towels (5-10, 165) is a strong safety. Receivers include junior Ted Mondragon (5-8, 160) and senior third-year starter Al Corney (6-2, 180). Three senior starting lineman return: Ben Woody (5-10, 170), Josh Bagley (5-10, 230) and Canyoun Williams (5-10, 215). OUTLOOK: Twelve returning starters should keep Palmdale out of last place. “We took our lumps last year,” Williams said. “The big thing for us is confidence--believing in ourselves.”

*

Quartz Hill COACH: John Albee, 25th season LAST SEASON: 7-4; Tied for 1st in league, 4-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Quartz Hill is a two-time defending league champion, but senior fullback Idanre Anderson (5-8, 185) is the team’s only returning starter. And Anderson did not get many carries last season playing in the shadow of Erik Thomas (1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns). Anderson rushed for 115 yards in 36 carries but did not score. Working their way into the starting lineup are many players with limited experience. Junior Brad Norris (6-3, 170) will start at quarterback and junior Mike Perry (6-0, 190) is at running back. Senior Eric McDowell (5-9, 165) and junior James Welch (5-9, 160) are the wide receivers. OUTLOOK: With just one returning starter, it is doubtful that Quartz Hill will be able to continue its winning ways. Every other team in the league is better equipped. Albee is classifying this season as a rebuilding year.