GROSSMONT 3-A LEAGUE PREVIEW : Skill Personnel Put Helix at Higher Level
If Helix Coach Jim Arnaiz can pull a Plum out of a Gottlieb, there might be no stopping the Highlanders.
OK, that might be a bit much to ask.
Jim Plum, 10 years removed from the Helix campus, is still the most prolific passer in the history of the San Diego Section. And Jeremy Gottlieb was a wide receiver and kicker last year.
Then again, given the Highlanders’ extraordinary skill personnel, Gottlieb could put together some impressive passing statistics.
“He’s coming along nicely,” Arnaiz said. “But he still has a lot to learn.”
Grossmont, in its first year in the Grossmont 3-A League, beat Helix and won the league title in 1991, but most feel the Highlanders will snatch it back this year.
“Helix is kind of loaded with talent,” Grossmont Coach Judd Hulbert said. “It’s awfully tough not to like their chances.”
Mt. Miguel Coach Jim Mann: “I think Helix, to be real honest, is going to be leaps and bounds beyond everybody else.”
Monte Vista Coach Ed Carberry: “Helix is an awesome group this particular year. I’d have to say they have the inside track.”
Cal-Hi Magazine has ranked Helix 13th in the state.
“Obviously, it’s a real compliment to this team and to these players, but it’s too early to tell,” Arnaiz said. “We’re still unproven. We think we have a chance to be pretty good, but we’re real young. We’ve got a lot of holes to fill from last year’s team.”
HELIX HIGHLANDERS
Coach: Jim Arnaiz, 20th year
1991 Record: 8-3-1, 3-1
Starters Returning: 8
Why is Helix such an overwhelming choice?
Most of the eight returning starters are considered among the best in the county at their respective positions. They are: cornerback Samiji Smith, safety Keith Harrison, linebackers Ryan Baxter and Ryan Vanderhoffen, defensive lineman Gerard Burchard, halfback Chris Baker, offensive guard Erik Moe and quarterback Jeremy Gottlieb.
Akili and Baxter were sophomores last year. Harrison, a 23-7 long jumper, is a three-year starter and a Division I prospect. Moe (6-3, 240) is another three-year starter, and Burchard (6-2, 280) anchors the defensive line. Vanderhoffen is the leader of the defense, which has allowed fewer than 100 points each of the past two years. Baker, despite missing three games in ‘91, still managed to amass 1,300 all-purpose yards.
Two Mt. Miguel transfers should also help. Running back Teniel Ethridge gained over 750 yards and averaged nearly seven yards per carry as a sophomore last year. And Robert Crayton is a Division I prospect at linebacker.
As if that wasn’t enough, Helix’ junior varsity was 10-0 and allowed only 16 points last year.
GROSSMONT FOOTHILLERS
Coach: Judd Hulbert, 6th year
1991 Record: 9-1-1, 4-0
Starters Returning: 14
The Foothillers, undefeated during the ’91 regular season, have some big shoes to fill. County regular-season rushing leader Jason Eskridge (1,875 yards), tackle Ken Loncar and linebacker Matt Jones were instrumental in leading Grossmont to the Grossmont 3-A title last season.
“Jason Palmer kind of covers up for the loss of Ken Loncar,” Hulbert said. “Joel Purma covers up for the loss of Matt Jones. But I’m afraid we’ll miss Jason Eskridge a lot at running back. We don’t have anybody with his speed or experience.”
Palmer (6-5, 265) will be assisted by fellow linemen Mike Sangiorgi (5-10, 235), Russ Jackson (6-2, 200) and Billy Van Raaphorst (6-4, 240) and tight end Rob Coddington (6-1, 185). Purma (6-3, 210) is counting on help from linebacker Jason Hanks (6-2, 210), safeties Jon Heinrichs and Jared Andrus, speedy cornerback Chris Buchanan and tackle Van Raaphorst.
Heinrichs also started at receiver last year. Quarterback Vinnie Curran has great speed and is improving as a passer, according to Hulbert. Brian Howard, the Foothillers’ kicker in 1990, returns after moving to Texas last season.
“I don’t believe we have any glaring weaknesses,” Hulbert said. “If there was one, it’s probably inexperience at running back.”
MONTE VISTA MONARCHS
Coach: Ed Carberry, 4th year
1991 Record: 5-5, 2-2
Starters Returning: 16
For the Monarchs to be crowned, they can not afford to lose many games like the one eight days ago against Kaneohe Castle in Hawaii. Monte Vista recorded 10 sacks, allowed Castle past the 50-yard line only once, outgained Castle by nearly 100 yards (246-147) and lost, 6-2.
“We were right there and playing good,” Carberry said. “We just didn’t make the key plays.”
With nine starters returning on offense, Carberry was justifiably disappointed in the unit’s failure to score even though the Monarchs scored the fewest points (113) in the Grossmont Conference last year. There were, however, some bright spots. Ricky Berrian, already the school’s most prolific rusher, gained 93 yards in 23 attempts and caught six passes for 70 yards. Berrian had only one reception for minus three yards in 1991. Quarterback John Acosta, who passed for 1,129 yards last year, completed 15 of 34 for 162 yards. Receiver Johnny Conde had four catches for 51 yards after having only four receptions last year.
Those three, along with ’91 leading receiver Shawn McClendon, figure to fare well all season with returning starters Larry Moore (6-2, 230), Brian Hoffman (6-3, 260) and Adam Simms (5-10, 185) blocking up front.
The defense--led by linebackers Tom Haakma and Vince Cardona and tackle Garry Parker--is probably the strength of the team. Haakma had three sacks and two pass deflections against Castle. Linemen Tony Roderick and Brandon Young, linebacker Jeff Elleraas and safety Robby Robinson are also returning starters.
MT. MIGUEL MATADORS
Coach: Jim Mann, 2nd year
1991 Record: 1-9, 0-4
Starters Returning: 6
Mt. Miguel actually won four games and tied another last year but forfeited victories over El Cajon Valley, Granite Hills and Monte Vista and a tie to Bonita Vista because of an ineligible player. Not that that means much. Most of the contributors from a year ago either graduated or transferred to another school.
As for this year, Mann feels he’ll have one heck of a track team. “We’ll match up speed with just about anybody,” he said.
Split end Jamel Mitchel, the East County 100-meter champion in track last spring, is the most intriguing player. Mitchel, a senior who also plays soccer, didn’t play football last year, but Mann says he’s one of the best athletes he’s come across in 26 years of coaching. “I’m not sure if we can get him the ball enough, but we’ll try,” Mann said.
Tailbacks Tarius Wells, a transfer from Rancho Bernardo, and Kareeb Jackson, a transfer from Lincoln, should also get the ball enough to demonstrate their speed.
On defense, Mann says cornerback Norman Hall, safety James Johnson and linebacker Reggie Jones are all Division I prospects.
The biggest question mark is whether an inexperienced offensive line will provide enough time for sophomore quarterback Alex Estrada to operate.
GRANITE HILLS EAGLES
Coach: Mitch Burton, 2nd year
1991 Record: 4-6, 1-3
Starters Returning: 6
Burton, 25, the county’s youngest head coach, hopes to establish more consistency and tenacity during his second season than his first squad demonstrated last year. The Eagles won only three games on the field and all three of those came against 2-A teams with losing records.
Burton will have to find replacements for quarterback Tom Fordham, who threw for 1,706 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, Mike Smith, the county’s fourth-leading receiver last year with 50 catches, and Charlie Smith, who caught 38 passes.
The candidates are Chad Nieratko at quarterback and John Barnes at receiver. Halfback Bill Russell has at least one outstanding blocker in senior Jason Lynn.
The defense, inexperienced and suspect, is led by lineman Jamy Reynoldson and linebacker Gene Rozelle.
22 to Watch
Pos Name School Yr. QB John Acosta Monte Vista Sr. CB Samiji Akili Helix Jr. RB Chris Baker Helix Sr. LB Ryan Baxter Helix Jr. RB Ricky Berrian Monte Vista Sr. LB Robert Crayton Helix Sr. RB Teniel Ethridge Helix Jr. LB Tom Haakma Monte Vista Sr. CB Norman Hall Mt. Miguel Sr. FS Keith Harrison Helix Sr. WR Jon Heinrichs Grossmont Sr. SS James Johnson Mt. Miguel Sr. LB Reggie Jones Mt. Miguel Sr. OL Jason Lynn Granite Hills Sr. WR Shawn McClendon Monte Vista Sr. WR Jamel Mitchel Mt. Miguel Sr. OG Erik Moe Helix Sr. OL Jason Palmer Grossmont Sr. LB Joel Purma Grossmont Jr. DL Jamy Reynoldson Granite Hills Sr. DL Billy Van Raaphorst Grossmont Sr. LB Ryan Vanderhoffen Helix Sr.
