Three Teams Are Prepared to Match Might With Glendale : Preview: Crescenta Valley, St. Francis and Franklin appear to be much improved over last year.

1992 is expected to be a season of change for Glendale-area high school football teams.

For the first time in three years, Glendale High does not open the season as the overwhelming choice as the area’s strongest team.

Crescenta Valley, St. Francis and Franklin should all be much improved from 1991 and could threaten the Dynamiters’ stranglehold on area supremacy.

Here is a brief team-by-team look at area teams as they prepare to open the season this week.

GLENDALE

The Dynamiters, under fifth-year Coach Don Shoemaker, won their second consecutive Pacific League championship in 1991.

However, the only returning offensive starter is center Brian Flette. Gone is running back Pathon Rucker, who gained 1,666 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in 1991. Jaiya Figueras will replace Rucker in the backfield and also help anchor the defense at linebacker.

The Dynamiters will rely on several players who had outstanding seasons for the sophomore team in 1991. Tailback Chris Carr will play a lot. Neil Sowter and Ramon Jose are competing to be the starting quarterback.

With longtime Coach Jim Brownfield returning to Muir after a five-year hiatus, three consecutive league titles might be out of reach for the Dynamiters. But they appear to be a playoff-caliber team.

HOOVER

The Tornadoes struggled to a 1-9 record in 1991 but should improve this season if the team takes to the run-and-shoot offense installed by Coach Dennis Hughes.

Senior quarterback Nathan Dishington will lead an attack that Hughes hopes will help offset the Tornadoes’ traditional size disadvantage.

Juniors Marvin Toledo, Carlos Valdez, Chris Butler and Steve Sau are the Tornadoes’ receivers.

Senior linebacker Eddie Voskanian anchors a Hoover defensive unit that should be improved from 1991.

CRESCENTA VALLEY

The Falcons started 4-1 in 1991 but fell to 1-4 in league after several key players were removed from the team for disciplinary reasons.

If Crescenta Valley can keep its roster intact, it could challenge for the Pacific League title or a playoff spot.

Senior wide receiver Brett Miller, an all-league selection in 1991, is the Falcons’ most talented offensive player. Senior lineman Jon Berg, a Times’ All-Glendale player in 1990, will anchor the defense and move from nose guard to defensive end.

Junior Mike Kocicka or junior David Fielder may split time at quarterback. Paul Lopez, who gained more than 400 yards in 1991, is the team’s top running back.

EAGLE ROCK

The Eagles, under first-year Coach Gary Kuniyuki, will feature underclassmen at most positions, although senior running back Cesar Perez is expected to be the focus of the offense.

Junior Manny Navarrete will start at quarterback and operate behind a big line that features junior Enrique Cabanas, sophomore Chris Martinez and junior Saul Magana.

“We’re hoping our youth this season will help us in the long run,” Kuniyuki said. “We’re just looking to be competitive this season.”

FRANKLIN

The Panthers, under Coach Ed Elias, will rely on the pass this season with senior Tony Delgado at quarterback.

Senior Eric Jaimes, an All-Northern Conference selection who had 12 interceptions in 1991, returns at cornerback and will also team with senior Armando Valadez at wide receiver.

Senior Juan Perez, junior Octavio Solis and sophomore Ramon Sanchez are the Panthers’ top running backs.

Senior linebacker Manuel Delgado anchors the defense.

MARSHALL

The Barristers will be hard-pressed to top 1991, when they won the City Section Northern Conference championship and defeated rival Wilson.

Marshall lost three key players in running back Hector Ortega, quarterback Jose Rodriguez and receiver Sky Bushey, but Coach Ken Gerard still has talented running back Aman Abaye and receiver Everett Green.

Senior Shane Gerard, the coach’s son, will start at quarterback.

Senior linebackers Thomas Figueroa and Manny Escobar are the team’s defensive standouts.

VERDUGO HILLS

First-year Coach Buzz Johnson, a former Crenshaw assistant, takes over a team that finished 1-9 in 1991.

The Dons will feature junior David Bryant at quarterback and sophomore running backs Greg Martin and Ismael Dukes.

The offensive line is experienced, with seniors Armando Gonzalez and Pete Myers sharing time at center, Josh Lukasweski and Gabriel Subin at guards and Don Stewart and Chris Peterson at tackles.

“We’re young, but we’re looking for a good season and an outside shot at the playoffs,” Johnson said.

ST. FRANCIS

The Golden Knights move to the newly formed Mission League after two years in the now-defunct San Fernando League.

Coach Andy Boynton scheduled Loyola and Mater Dei during the preseason in games that could help prepare the team for a run in the Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

Senior quarterback Rudy Martinez passed for more than 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1991. Senior wide receiver Armando Mesa is expected to be Martinez’s primary receiver on a team that also includes junior running backs Ben Collins and Chris McAllister.

Fred Breshear and J.D. Walters anchor the defensive secondary.

LA CANADA

The Spartans lost Times’ All-Glendale running back Marvin Lo, who gained more than 1,000 yards in 1991, and All-Southern Section lineman Mike Stewart, which should make it difficult to improve on 1991’s 5-5 finish.

Running backs Seth Ovenspour and Tim Rosales will attempt to fill the void left by Lo. Brian Pitt will open the season at quarterback for the Spartans, who will try to gain a playoff berth in a talented Rio Hondo League that features strong teams at South Pasadena and San Marino.

Matt Perrigue, a junior who plays quarterback, kicker and punter, is recovering from a knee injury and will not be available for a few weeks.

FLINTRIDGE PREP

The Rebels won the Eight-Man Division Prep League in 1991, but it will be difficult to repeat because of the graduation of several key players, including quarterback J.D. Calsyn and wide receiver Sanjay Dalvoy.

Calsyn passed for 1,696 yards and 28 touchdowns, and Dalvoy caught 50 passes for 800 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Tailback Mike Rodriguez, linemen Frank Herman and John Vance, who will play quarterback this season, are the only players back from a team that finished 8-2 and 4-0 in league play under Coach Glen Beattie.

RIBET ACADEMY

The school moved from La Canada and is now located at Pater Noster High’s old campus.

That’s not the only change. The Fighting Frogs, who compete in the Southern Section Eight-Man Division, must replace two of the Heritage League’s most dominant players.

Lydell Hill, who ran for 1,000 yards and passed for 1,000 yards, has graduated. Also gone is Carlos Groom, who averaged 14 solo tackles and eight assists a game.