HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : After a Lean Year, 1992 Is Looking Like a Mean Year : Prep football: The Southland should again establish itself as a hotbed for talent with several blue-chip prospects.

After a drop-off in 1991, Southern California is expected to recoup its standing as a producer of blue-chip prep football players in 1992.

“You can’t have good (recruiting) years every year but last year was definitely a little down,” said Dick Lascola, who runs the Fallbrook, Calif.-based Scouting Evaluation Assn., which provides reports of prep players to 100 colleges nationwide.

“I think the talent in Southern California this year is very good,” Lascola said. “Barring injuries, I think it should be an outstanding year.”

The positions with the most depth appear to be in the offensive backfield, where players such as quarterbacks Tim Carey of Los Alamitos and Stais Boseman of Morningside and running back Saladin McCullough of Pasadena Muir are expected to have banner seasons.

Other blue-chip prospects include wide receiver Antonio Carrion of Dorsey and defensive linemen Germaine Gray of Rialto Eisenhower and Travis Kirschke of Anaheim Esperanza.

In addition to Lascola, national recruiting services such as Max Emfinger’s National High School Football Recruiting Service of Houston, Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report of Illinois, G & W Recruiting Report of Pennsylvania, SuperPrep magazine of Costa Mesa and Blue Chip Report of Woodland Hills were also used to determine which Greater Los Angeles and Orange County seniors earned distinction on The Times’ Terrific 22.

Los Alamitos, which won the Southern Section Division III title last season, is the only school with more than one player on the list.

Here, in no particular order, are the 22 players who have received the most publicity nationally from recruiting services.

TIM CAREY, QUARTERBACK,

LOS ALAMITOS

In a good year for quarterbacks in the Southland, the 6-foot-4, 180-pound Carey is attracting the most attention from recruiters. As a junior, the All-Southern Section selection passed for 2,491 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also plays baseball and is an above-average student.

PAT BARNES, QUARTERBACK,

MISSION VIEJO TRABUCO HILLS

The 6-4, 207-pound Barnes was impressive at Lascola’s scouting combine last spring. He runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and is described by SuperPrep as a quarterback who “can take a hit and plays the game with a linebacker’s mentality.” He passed for 2,920 yards and 22 TDs in 1991.

AARON FLOWERS, QUARTERBACK,

ARTESIA

The 6-1, 170-pound Flowers is not as big as Carey or Barnes, but he has the statistics to rival any quarterback. He used his mobility to pass for 3,954 yards in 1991-- No. 2 on the Southern Section list for a season. He also can play safety and is an excellent student.

STAIS BOSEMAN, QUARTERBACK,

MORNINGSIDE

There is nobody who is more gifted athletically in this year’s Terrific 22 than Boseman. The 6-4, 190-pounder runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds and is effective as a drop-back or option quarterback. He also could be a defensive back or receiver in college. As a junior, he rushed for 1,367 yards and 17 TDs and passed for 1,173 yards and 16 TDs. He also had six interceptions as a defensive back. Boseman is also a standout guard for the Morningside basketball team and may play that sport in college.

JOHNNY MACON, ATHLETE, DOWNEY

The 5-11, 180-pounder has built a reputation as an exceptional option quarterback, although he may be a receiver or defensive back in college. He runs the 40 in 4.7 and, like Boseman, is an outstanding basketball player.

SAMMY KNIGHT, ATHLETE,

RIVERSIDE RUBIDOUX

Sammy’s older brother, Ryan, was a running back at Rubidoux who played at USC in the 1980s. Sammy’s forte may be as a defensive back. Knight intercepted three passes in 1991 and has blocked eight kicks in his career. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, he also plays running back and is a forward on the basketball team.

ZUKONI HODGES, ATHLETE,

PASADENA BLAIR

His legal name is Z but he is strictly on the A list when it comes to playing football. The 6-1, 185-pound Hodges has a quick first step and exceptional agility. He had 14 TDs in 1991, including five as return specialist. He also plays free safety and could be a receiver in college. He runs the 40 in 4.5 and also competes in track.

SALADIN McCULLOUGH,

RUNNING BACK, PASADENA MUIR

It is difficult to find a more dangerous back than McCullough. He combines great speed, having run the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds, and the moves to match any runner. Some scouts say he may be even more talented than former Mustang Ricky Ervins, who is playing for the Washington Redskins. The 6-foot, 185-pound McCullough also is talented enough to play defensive back. He may need to improve his grades to earn a scholarship.

LAWRENCE PHILLIPS, RUNNING BACK,

BALDWIN PARK

The 6-foot, 190-pound Phillips is powerful enough to run inside but has the speed to go outside. He is regarded as a good receiver and excels on defense as a safety. Phillips recovered four fumbles in 1991 and runs the 40 in 4.5. He is a sprinter in track.

TARIK SMITH, RUNNING BACK,

AGOURA OAK PARK

Despite playing for a small program, scouts say it was no fluke that Smith rushed for 1,776 yards and 21 touchdowns in 1991. He runs the 40 in 4.45 and has above-average strength. “Speed and strength set him apart as one of the nation’s finest backs,” according to SuperPrep. He also plays defensive back and competes in track as a sprinter and long jumper.

ELIEL SWINTON, RUNNING BACK,

VAN NUYS MONTCLAIR PREP

Swinton, whose brother Rich played for Montclair Prep and Washington State, runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds and has bench-pressed 310 pounds. He rushed for 1,773 yards and 22 TDs in 1991 and is a long jumper in track.

ANTONIO CARRION, RECEIVER,

DORSEY

Carrion may be the area’s best receiver. Although he is only 5-10 and 160 pounds, he has great hands and leaping ability. He runs the 40 in 4.6 seconds and is quick off the ball. He made several acrobatic receptions in 1991, when he caught 37 passes for 871 yards--an average of 23.5 yards a catch. Will need to improve his grades to earn a scholarship.

GEORGE SAGEN, RECEIVER,

LOS ALAMITOS

Like Carrion, Sagen does not have great speed or size, but makes up for it with great hands. “He has soft hands and catches everything within reach,” Lemming said. The 6-foot, 180-pounder caught 77 passes for 1,135 yards and 11 TDs in 1991. He might be a defensive back in college.

ED GRAY, RECEIVER,

RIVERSIDE NORTH

Perhaps the Terrific 22’s most skilled receiver, the 6-2, 180-pound Gray combines leaping ability with 4.5 speed in the 40. He caught 46 passes for 989 yards in 1991 and also is an outstanding guard for the basketball team. He is being recruited for both sports but appears to be favoring basketball.

ANDY MEYERS, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN,

FONTANA

Not only does the 6-6, 290-pound Meyers have the size to play major-college football, but the strength and agility as well. He runs the 40 in 5.0. Lemming says he “might just be the state of California’s top-rated offensive line prospect.” He even rates him higher than former Fontana standouts Robert Loya and Clay Hattabaugh, both playing for USC.

SHAWN STUART,

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, SAUGUS

Most scouts rate Stuart among the best centers in the nation. The 6-4, 280-pounder has quick feet and is especially strong as a pass blocker. Lemming says he is a “tough kid who can simply overpower opponents.” Stuart also plays defensive tackle, although his future appears to be on the offensive line.

TYSON LINGENFELTER,

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, UPLAND

Although he is listed as an offensive lineman, Lingenfelter also plays plays defense. He has excellent quickness and runs the 40 in 5.0. On defense, the 6-4, 250-pounder is a tackle and was credited with six sacks in 1991. He has good strength and ranks among the state leaders in the discus and national leaders in the shotput. He would like to continue competing in track in college.

GERMAINE GRAY,

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN,

RIALTO EISENHOWER

He is remarkably quick for a 6-6, 260-pounder. Gray has run the 40 in 4.8 and has a good vertical leap. He has 13 tackles for losses in his career and blocked seven passes in 1991 despite missing five games because of a knee injury. He is an excellent student.

TRAVIS KIRSCHKE,

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN,

ANAHEIM ESPERANZA

The 6-4, 250-pound Kirschke has made nearly every major recruiting list. He runs the 40 in 4.8 and was credited with 13 sacks in 1991. He is a guard on offense.

TREYVONE TOWNS, LINEBACKER,

PASADENA

The 6-4, 220-pound Towns runs the 40 in 4.7 and is rarely knocked off his feet despite his aggressive play. He is a tight end on offense and a forward on the basketball team. He may need to improve his grades in order to earn a scholarship.

KELRON SYKES, LINEBACKER,

LYNWOOD

The prospects for Lynwood improved greatly when Sykes transferred to the school from Pius X. Sykes has good range and quickness for a 6-3, 210-pounder. He runs the 40 in 4.7 and has 24 sacks in his career and 15 tackles for losses in 1991. He also must improve his grades to earn a scholarship.

BRANDON MOORE, DEFENSIVE BACK,

BANNING

Lascola is sold on Moore’s ability. “He could be one of the better (players) to come out of Banning,” Lascola said. The 6-foot, 195-pounder intercepted six passes in 1991. He is a threat returning punts with his 4.5 speed in the 40. He also is a running back.

The Terrific 22

Name School Ht. Wt. Pos. Tim Carey Los Alamitos 6-4 180 QB Pat Barnes Trabuco Hills 6-4 207 QB Aaron Flowers Artesia 6-1 170 QB Stais Boseman Morningside 6-4 190 QB Johnny Macon Downey 5-11 180 Ath. Sammy Knight Rubidoux 6-1 190 Atl. Zukoni Hodges Blair 6-1 185 Ath. Saladin McCullough Muir 6-0 185 RB Lawrence Phillips Baldwin Park 6-0 190 RB Tarik Smith Oak Park 5-11 182 RB Eliel Swinton Montclair Prep 5-10 185 RB Antonio Carrion Dorsey 5-10 160 WR George Sagen Los Alamitos 6-0 180 WR Ed Gray Riverside North 6-2 180 WR Andy Meyers Fontana 6-6 290 OL Shawn Stuart Saugus 6-4 280 OL Tyson Lingenfelter Upland 6-4 250 OL Germaine Gray Eisenhower 6-6 260 DL Travis Kirschke Esperanza 6-4 250 DL Treyvone Towns Pasadena 6-4 220 LB Kelron Sykes Lynwood 6-3 210 LB Brandon Moore Banning 6-0 195 DB