FOOTBALL ’92 : Area Teams Expected to Take a Different Point of View : Preview: Scoring came easy in 1991, but stingy defenses--led by a standout group of linebackers--should prevail this season.

Although 1991 was the year of the quarterback on the Westside--Ziv Gottlieb of Beverly Hills High, Dameron Ricketts of Culver City, Chris Keldorf of St. Bernard, Rahim Muhammad of Fairfax and Zach Nishimura of Santa Monica earned scholarships to four-year universities--defensive players are expected to dominate play in 1992.

“We had a lot of 31-30 type scores last season and players were running all over the field,” Culver City Coach Lou Lichtl said. “I think you’re going to see tighter games with fewer points being scored.”

Several linebackers could earn Division I scholarships with stellar senior seasons.

Beverly Hills has one of the best in outside linebacker Rasheed Hibler, a 6-foot-2, 235-pounder who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds.

St. Bernard has revamped its defense so hard-hitting middle linebacker Joe Henderson will be able to play a bigger role. Palisades’ best player is linebacker Erwin De Leon and Santa Monica has a punishing tackler in junior linebacker Jeremey Cox.

Look for offenses to run in the opposite direction of University linebacker John Rim (5-11, 195) and Hamilton’s Kelvin Moore.

There is a scattering of offensive talent. Tommy Covington was a All-Ocean League first-team selection as a wide receiver, but Culver City may use him as a quarterback this season. Hamilton’s Moore and Westchester’s Richard Bowden may switch from wide receiver to quarterback.

Here is a look at the Westside’s top 10 teams.

1. CULVER CITY

1991 Record: 6--5

League: OCEAN

Coach: LOU LICHTI

Tommy Covington had 53 catches and nine touchdowns as a wide receiver in 1991, but he could see extensive action at quarterback or tailback this season. He also will play cornerback or free safety. “We feel we need to put our best athlete on the field all the time,” Coach Lou Lichtl said. Senior Richard Perez (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) is also expected to see extensive playing time at quarterback, a position he played as a sophomore. The offensive line is expected to be among the area’s best with center Ulises Regalado (5-11, 205), guard Chris Noutsios (6-0, 210) and tackle John Vega (6-3, 245). Senior Jona Sami (5-9, 195) and junior Chris Ellison (5-11, 175) are expected to be the running backs. The top defensive player is senior free safety Chris Roland (5-10, 170).

2. BEVERLY HILLS

1991 Record: 10--3

League: OCEAN

Coach: CARTER PAYSINGER

Beverly Hills won a school-record 10 games in 1991 and reached the semifinals of the Southern Section playoffs for only the third time in school history. Quarterback Ziv Gottlieb and wide receiver David Saraf have graduated, but Coach Carter Paysinger has capable replacements. Senior quarterback Reza Ghodstinat (6-2, 180) replaced an injured Gottlieb in the third quarter of a scoreless league game against Mira Costa and passed for two touchdowns to lead the Normans to a 14-10 victory. Senior split end Kevin Moore (6-2, 195), the brother of former Norman and UCLA receiver Michael Moore, has recovered from an injury to his left knee. Junior Taylor Humphries (6-2, 175), senior James Hwang (5-9, 160) and senior Kris Mora (5-11, 170) are the other receivers. Running back Tony Thapthimthong (6-0, 175) is nicknamed “Triple-T” because of his last name, but he could spell trouble for defenders. He was an All-Ocean League selection despite missing three games because of an injury. The linebackers are the strength of Beverly Hills’ defense. In addition to Rasheed Hibler, the Normans have junior Eric Lipschultz (6-0, 210) and senior Danny Moy (6-0, 190).

3. SANTA MONICA

1991 Record: 5--5--1

League: BAY

Coach: RON GUERCIO

Coach Ron Guercio returns a NCAA Division I-caliber player in junior tight end Michael Jackson (6-4, 240). The Vikings have three outstanding linemen in tackle John Cox (6-2, 235), center Brad Isenberg (6-2, 245) and weakside tackle Ryan Hurst (6-0, 265). They also have two quick tailbacks in senior Adrian Sugars (5-6, 155) and junior Tyson Murphy (5-7, 175) and a workman fullback in junior Jeremey Cox (5-9, 185). Guercio has to make a decision at quarterback where junior Sheldon Sharpe (5-8, 155) and senior Lucas Harper (6-3, 180) are battling for the job. Harper can also play wide receiver. The only question mark is their defense. Junior Sean Scott (6-0, 230), junior Joey Arjuo (5-8, 230) and Jeremey Cox are expected to be the starters at linebacker. The rest of the Vikings’ best athletes (Jackson, Sugars, and Murphy) will be shuffled around. “Santa Monica still has a lot of tradition left,” Guercio said. “I think the glory days of Santa Monica will return this year. We’re making the turnaround.”

4. HAMILTON

1991 Record: 3--8

League: COASTAL

Coach: JON AUSBON

Hamilton has 15 returning starters, including Kelvin Moore, who will be the featured runner in a pro-set offense. Senior split end Eric Polk (6-1, 180), who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, is a big-play threat. Senior flanker Andre Kinnibrew (6-1, 190) returns after missing four games because of an ankle injury. Senior tailback Anthony Dean (5-6, 155) was the third-leading rusher in the City Section 3-A Division as a junior before he was ruled ineligible for the last two games. Senior center Ivan Johnson (6-1, 255) is a good blocker. Defensively, Hamilton will have four down lineman and four linebackers. Senior Alex Moore (5-11, 180) and Johnson will be the middle linebackers. Senior defensive tackle Willie Barnes (6-0, 260) has the potential to be an All-City selection. “I expect us to have a strong running game,” Hamilton Coach Jon Ausbon said. “I expect our team to win our league and do well in our conference.”

5. WESTCHESTER 1991 Record: 6--5

League: COASTAL

Coach: LARRY WEIN

The Comets have one of the area’s most talented players in senior Richard Bowden (5-1, 165), who played quarterback, wide receiver and safety. Wein would like to use Bowden as a full-time receiver and junior Seaka Edwards (6-0, 170) at quarterback. Edwards played well in the playoff loss to Dorsey, but can erratic. Senior Oliver Baines (5-9, 165) alternated at tailback last year and, like Bowden, has breakaway speed. Junior Jermaine Lewis (5-9, 165) can play tailback and fullback. Receiver Johnathan Edwards (6-0, 175) is not as fast as Bowden, but runs good routes and can catch the ball in a crowd of defenders. Senior cornerback Stephen Johnson (5-8, 155) may be the fastest player on the team and senior tackle Tyrone Carter (6-3, 360) the Comets’ biggest player. Look for Westchester to contend for the Coastal Conference title.

6. ST. BERNARD

1991 Record: 2--8

League: DEL REY

Coach: TOM STRICKLAND

Thomas Strickland, in his second year as coach, returns six players. Fullback Joe Henderson (5-10, 210) was selected to the Mission League second team. He had 650 yards and seven touchdowns. He will run behind an experienced line that includes senior tight end Chris Bowman (6-3, 205), senior tackle Steven Buether (6-4, 250), senior tackle Lamont Brown (6-3, 250) and junior guard Matt Higgins (6-5, 250). Strickland must decide whether to run the option with junior quarterback Larry Stanback (5-10, 170) or a more traditional pro-set with junior Bob Simon (5-10, 170), a drop-back passer. Juniors Carlos Meeks (5-11, 185) and Lawrence Cohen (5-11, 180) will split time as Henderson’s backfield partner. St. Bernard’s weakness is at receiver. Senior Toussaint Moore (5-11, 180) had shoulder surgery during the off-season and is not expected to return. “We should be very competitive up front,” Strickland said. “We match well with everyone in terms of size. We have a young backfield, but we have pretty good speed. Obviously when you lose eight games, our biggest concern is defense. It has to be overhauled.”

7. PALISADES

1991 Record: 5--5

League: COASTAL

Coach: JACK EPSTEIN

Jack Epstein will make his 21st season and seventh at Palisades his last as a coach. He has 10 starters returning (five on offense and five on defense). The top returning offensive players are senior running back Ahmad Lewis (5-7, 160) and wide receiver Ray Abelkader (5-10, 170). Senior offensive tackle Bobby Moore (6-4, 300) is one of the area’s biggest lineman. At quarterback, Epstein will have to choose between senior Andre Johnson (5-10, 165), who is accomplished at running the option, or junior Chris Kasteler (6-0, 175), a hard-throwing starter from the B team. On defense, senior Erwin DeLeon (5-9, 175) is a returning All-Coastal Conference linebacker and senior Andre Bratton (5-9, 175) is a defensive end and running back.

8. FAIRFAX

1991 Record: 8--2

League: COASTAL

Coach: TERREL RAY

Coach Terrel Ray leaves his position as co-coach at Crenshaw to take over the Lion program. Senior Hasan Muhammad (5-11, 175) will replace his brother Rahim as the starting quarterback. Senior Andre Rhodes (6-1, 205), a receiver and middle linebacker, may be the team’s best athlete. Junior Azzaire Hakim (5-9, 165) will see action at receiver, quarterback and defensive back. Senior fullback Ricky Harbor (5-8, 200) and junior tailback Tyrone Evans (5-11, 170) will do the bulk of the running.

9. ST. MONICA

1991 Record: 1--8--1

League: CAMINO REAL

Coach: NORM LACY

St. Monica earned its only victory as result of a forfeit by Pius X, which played an ineligible player. Junior quarterback Oscar Casillas (6-1, 170), who passed for 540 yards and five touchdowns in 1991, should be improved. Junior Dan Gardea (5-11, 165) and sophomore Jason Jones (5-10, 160) are expected to be the receivers and senior Chris Henderson (5-10, 165) and sophomore Ronald Eadie (5-10, 160) will be the running backs. The Mariners have three standout linemen in senior guard Enrique Romero (6-1, 220), junior tight end Carlos Casillas (6-1, 175) and senior guard David Sinada (5-11, 215).

10. UNIVERSITY

1991 Record: 1--9

League: COASTAL

Co-coaches: BRAD RATCLIFF and KENJI MOCHIZUKI

University begins the season with two coaches and 36 players, doubling the number in both categories from 1991. Brad Ratcliff will share his coaching duties with Kenji Mochizuki, a University graduate and coach at Van Nuys in 1991. Mochizuki will be the defense coordinator and returns three starters. Senior John Rim (5-11, 195) will be an outside linebacker and fullback. Junior LeShaun Bell (6-3, 221) was big enough to start as a lineman in 1991 and fast enough to move to inside linebacker and fullback this season. Senior Beto Jara (5-11, 193) is a returning starter at nose guard and offensive tackle. Senior Brandon Tucker (6-5, 276) is a transfer from Culver City and has looked impressive in practice as an offensive and defensive tackle. Junior Chris Brazzel (6-1, 243) will start at tackle opposite Tucker. Senior Marlon Harrison (6-0, 170) is a transfer from Venice and will start at tailback. Sophomore Ben Weiss (6-1, 165) will be the starting quarterback. “Our main strength is the offensive line,” Ratcliff said. “As far as size and experience, it’s the best I’ve had since I started coaching in 1988.”

OTHERS

Venice will begin a new era this season. Al Dellinger resigned as coach after 26 years at City schools, including the past 20 at Venice. Tony Cretin, who was co-coach with Dellinger for four years, and baseball Coach Kirk Alexander will be the co-coaches. Cretin and Alexander coached Venice’s B team in 1983 and 1984. Venice does not return any starters and has only five varsity lettermen. The best player may be junior running back/defensive back Larry Atkins (6-2, 185). Senior John Mitropetros (5-9, 233) can hold his ground well as an offensive and defensive tackle. Junior Gabe Shaibi (5-8, 184) is one of the best athletes on the team and will start at fullback and linebacker. Junior quarterback Michael Blasi (5-11, 180) has a strong arm. Seniors Abel Leal (5-6, 140) and Miguel Chacon (5-2, 130) are expected to be the receivers.

Brentwood returns nine players, led by senior quarterback Jono Ohlgren (6-4, 200), senior tight end/linebacker Kevin Gifford (6-3, 195) and senior wide receiver/safety Michael Green (6-3, 155). Gifford and Green were selected to the Southern Section Eight-Man Large first team on defense. Top newcomers are running back Brian Messing (6-2, 180) and center/defensive tackle Darrin Klein (5-10, 205). “We only have 16 players on the team, but what we have are among the best players in the Southern Section Eight-Man division,” Coach Pat Brown said.