SPOTLIGHT / FACTS, FIGURES AND COMMENTS FROM LAST WEEK’S GAMES : PREPS

The biggest surprise after the first week of the football season might have been Hoover’s inspired play in a 28-21 loss to Burbank.

The Tornadoes, led by quarterback Nathan Dishington, rallied for a 21-20 lead with just over a minute to play on a touchdown pass from Dishington to Israel Segura. Burbank came back to win the game with a touchdown pass, but Hoover Coach Dennis Hughes should be encouraged by his team’s play.

Hoover, which has installed a run-and-shoot attack in wake of a 1-9 finish in 1991, figures to be competitive this season.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Glendale College football team opened its season with a 31-0 victory over Citrus, its first season-opening victory since 1988.

“We’re not going to get overly excited because you don’t know how strong Citrus was,” Coach John Cicuto said. “But our guys showed a definite improvement since our scrimmage against Cerritos.”

Linebacker Scott Blade had two of the Vaqueros’ four interceptions and helped lead a defense that stuffed Citrus throughout the game.

“I still think our defense is a question mark because of lack of experience, it’s not overpowering like some we’ve had in the past,” said Cicuto, whose team has a bye this week. “I’ve told our guys, ‘Lets keep things in perspective. Each team we play is going to be better.’ ”

Fourteen Glendale players, including tailback Pathon Rucker, were held out of the game because of injuries. Cicuto said the Vaqueros should be at full strength when they play at Valley College on Sept. 26.

COLLEGES

The Occidental football team opens its season Saturday at Menlo College.

The Tigers, under 11th-year Coach Dale Widolff, finished 5-4 and 3-2 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1991.

Widolff became Occidental’s director of athletics in July, replacing Lynn Mehl, who will resume teaching psychology and exercise science. Jim Kerman and Peggy Carl were named assistant athletic directors.

Occidental has hired three new coaches, including Jeff Campbell (women’s volleyball), Costa Nicolaou (women’s soccer) and Kathy Connell (women’s basketball).

The women’s volleyball team opened its season last weekend at a tournament at Christian Heritage College. The Tigers finished 5-1.

The Occidental men’s and women’s cross-country teams begin their seasons Saturday at a meet at UC Irvine.

Becky Kopchick, a junior who finished second at NCAA Division III nationals in 1991, leads the Occidental women. Jose Garcia, who finished 15th at nationals, and Konstantine Kindreich, who won finished fourth in the nation in the 1,500 meters last spring, are the top runners for the men’s team.

Occidental’s 1991 swimming teams were selected All-Academic teams by the College Swimming Coaches Assn. of America.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

James Razumich, Glendale--The Dynamiters were expected to miss Pathon Rucker, who gained 1,666 yards in 1991, but Razumich proved there is still plenty of talent left in the backfield.

Razumich gained 52 yards in 12 carries and scored on runs of nine and 42 yards as the two-time defending Pacific League champion Dynamiters defeated Alhambra, 28-0, in the season opener.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Brad Faunce, Glendale--Faunce, a sophomore, kicked a school-record 57-yard field goal for the Vaqueros during a 31-0 victory over Citrus.

Cicuto compares Faunce to Brian Greenfield, a former All-American punter and kicker at Glendale who played at the University of Pittsburgh and with the Cleveland Browns.

“He’s got a leg every bit as strong as Greenfield,” Cicuto said. “He’s definitely going to help us in terms of being able to score from a lot of places on the field.”