SUNSET LEAGUE FOOTBALL PREVIEW : Wimbish Keeping Cool From Start

Huntington Beach High School Coach George Pascoe was trying his best to describe just how cool quarterback Jonathan Wimbish is under pressure.

“An earthquake could hit the stadium, the walls could come crumbling down and it’s mass chaos,” Pascoe said. “I guarantee you that Jonathan Wimbish would be the only one remaining calm.”

Pascoe knows from experience. Last year, Huntington Beach received a jolt in its season finale against Edison. The game was pivotal as the Oilers were in a position to tie Santa Ana for the Sunset League championship with a victory.

But starting quarterback Jack Friend suffered a knee injury in the third quarter and his backup, Wimbish, hadn’t practiced at the position in six weeks.

“While I was out on the field helping Jack, I looked over to the sideline and Jon was already warming up and going over some plays,” Pascoe said. “He went into the game and passed for 125 yards and a touchdown. It was like he never missed a beat.”

But Huntington Beach missed its shot at a share of the league title, losing to Edison, 21-14. It was the beginning of a weekend of disappointments that Wimbish hasn’t forgotten.

Later that night, Huntington Beach was the loser in a three-way coin flip with Marina and Edison for the Sunset League’s Nos. 2 and 3 entries into the Division I playoffs after the schools’ teams finished in a three-way tie for second.

Huntington Beach’s only chance of entering the playoffs was as an at-large entry, but Southern Section officials selected Saugus instead.

“I’ll never forget the look in the seniors’ eyes when Coach Pascoe told us that we weren’t going (to the playoffs),” Wimbish said. “They were devastated. I felt we deserved to be in the playoffs. That was a pretty tough weekend.”

It also marked the beginning of a roller-coaster season of sports for Wimbish, who plays football, basketball and volleyball.

It began in early fall when Friend beat out Wimbish for the starting quarterback position and ended in late spring when Wimbish helped lead the Oilers’ volleyball team to the Southern Section 4-A division championship game.

Between, there was the honor of being selected by his teammates as the football team’s most valuable player and the disappointment of failing to win the league’s basketball championship after being picked as the preseason favorite.

Wimbish lost his bid to become the team’s quarterback last year in a forgettable outing against Pacifica. He completed only two of 15 passes for 33 yards. Afterward, he moved to wide receiver and remained as the team’s free safety, where he earned all-league honors.

“It was pretty clear after two games that Jack was going to be the quarterback,” Wimbish said. “It didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to do whatever would help the team.”

Wimbish brings the same attitude to Oiler basketball, where he serves as the sixth man for one of the county’s top teams.

“I think I’m pretty even with the starters, but I don’t come out (to practice) until late because of football,” Wimbish said. “I like watching the tempo develop in a game and then coming off the bench.”

Huntington Beach basketball Coach Roy Miller sometimes wonders how good Wimbish could be if he concentrated on basketball.

“If he spent more time on basketball, I think he could be one of the better players in the county,” Miller said. “He’s the personification of a competitor blessed with a lot of God-given talent.

“Jonathan reminds me a lot of Danny Thompson. Both were three-sport athletes who are winners. Give me 12 Jonathan Wimbishes and it’s going to be an enjoyable year, win, lose or draw.”

Wimbish’s winning attitude helped the Oilers’ volleyball team reach the 4-A championship match. He didn’t begin playing volleyball until the eighth grade, but figures to start as the team’s right-side hitter this year.

But playing three sports meant very little free time for Wimbish over the summer. A typical day went something like this: football practice from 7-8 a.m.; basketball practice from 8-10 a.m.; weightlifting from 10-11 a.m.; basketball games on Monday and Wednesday nights, and passing leagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I get a month off a year, but usually after a couple of days, I start getting antsy so I throw the football with my brother or play a pickup basketball game with friends, “ Wimbish said. “I love playing all three sports.”

Wimbish’s three-sports status figures to end next year. He plans to concentrate on football in college and has already received letters from 60 schools.

Wimbish began preparing for what he hopes will be a big season by attending a college quarterback camp at San Jose State and then participated in a high-exposure passing league at Oceanside, where he threw 150 passes without an interception.

“I definitely want to play Division I football next year,” Wimbish said. “But I realize a lot will depend on how I perform this year. I think the disappointment of last year will motivate every player on this team.”

1991 IN REVIEW

Team League Overall PF PA Santa Ana 5-1 5-6 184 192 Edison 4-2 7-5 239 204 Huntington Beach 4-2 6-4 148 104 Marina 4-2 6-5 177 148 Fountain Valley 2-4 2-6-1 88 103 Westminster 2-4 4-6 195 192 Ocean View 0-6 1-9 63 240

League MVP: Kevin Pola (Santa Ana); Offensive player of the year: John Khamis (Edison); Defensive player of the year: Ingmar Northcott (Marina).