FOOTBALL PREVIEW : A New Title Is Up for Grabs: Best in the Basin : High schools: The City Section 4-A champion will play the Southern Section Division I champion. Dorsey, Crenshaw and Loyola are top contenders.

Historically, schools in and around Los Angeles have produced a veritable all-star roster of top players, such as James Lofton, Hugh McElhenny and Chris Mims, to name a few.

Of course, there is no guarantee that this year’s crop of athletes will join the ranks of Hall of Famers and NFL record-holders who have contributed to successful football programs in City and Southern section schools. But what is virtually assured is that many of them will uphold their schools’ proud traditions.

Quarterback Akili Roberson of Locke and receivers Antonio Carrion of Dorsey and Kofi Nartey of Crenshaw are listed among the best in the state, as were McElhenny, Lofton and Mims in their high school days. McElhenny, who played for the San Francisco 49ers in the ‘50s and went on to become an NFL Hall of Famer, and Lofton, the Buffalo Bills wide receiver who holds the NFL record for receptions, both starred at Washington. Mims, drafted in the first round this year by the San Diego Chargers, was a standout at Dorsey.

This year, Carrion is expected to provide a significant spark to the offense at Dorsey, which won its first City Section 4-A Division championship last season.

Last season was also a landmark for the Division 3-A champ Crenshaw Cougars, who won their first title since the school starting fielding a varsity team in 1969.

In 1992, the Dorsey Dons and Crenshaw are expected to be joined by Loyola as the teams to watch.

The Cubs, a perennial power, lost to Mater Dei in the Southern Section Division I championship after winning the title in 1990.

There’s a good chance that one of those three teams will be competing this year for a new crown--the best of the Los Angeles Basin.

This season, the City Section 4-A champion will play the Southern Section Division I champion for bragging rights in the inaugural CIF/Reebok Bowl on Dec. 18. It will be the first meeting between the two champions since the two organizations split in 1934.

Upsets are always a possibility, and a host of other teams are bound to give the Cubs, Cougars and Dons a run for their money. Here is a capsule look at the returning starters and top newcomers from the area’s schools.

City Section 4-A Division

Belmont (6 wins, 4 losses in 1991, Northern Conference)--The Sentinels have three returning offensive linemen--Ben Rivera (6-0, 235, Sr.), Ricardo Capra (5-10, 210, Sr.) and Alfonso Gollas (5-11, 205, Sr.)--and an outstanding receiver in Magin Munoz (5-9, 145, Sr.). Belmont, however, will need some outstanding performances from its new players to be competitive in the 4-A Division. Yussef Evereteze (6-0, 175, Sr.) and Dale Saulque (5-9, 155, Sr.) are the candidates to run the offense.

Crenshaw (10-4, Southern Pacific Conference)--Quarterback Eric Scott (6-1, 180, Sr.) will take control of the offense and will have all-City Section receiver-punter Kofi Nartey (6-2, 180, Sr.) as his main target. The Cougars also have two outstanding fullbacks in Dennis Fomond (6-1, 205, Jr.) and Davenport Vickers (5-11, 225, Sr.). Tackle Brandon Young (6-3, 290, Sr.), guard Marques Mitchell (6-2, 250) and inside linebacker “Junior” Eugene (6-2, 185, Sr.), a transfer from Quebec, are Division I-type players.

Dorsey (11-1-1, Southern Pacific Conference)--Sultan Ali (5-7, 165, Sr.), will compete at quarterback with Moses Malaki (5-10, 160, Sr.). Carrion (5-11, 165, Sr.) has been mentioned in most recruiting polls as one of the nation’s top players. In 1991, he had 27 catches for 650 yards.

Garfield (5-5, Southeastern Conference)--Coach Steve Robinson can’t make up his mind whether he wants the Bulldogs to be a running or a passing team. Running back Armando Figueroa (5-7, 170, Jr.) was one of the leading rushers in the City Section last season. But quarterback David Villalobos (5-11, 150, Jr.) can do more than just hand off and George Contreras (6-3, 215, Sr.) is more than just a blocking tight end. Eddie Pasillas (5-11, 260, Jr.) is biggest of the offensive lineman, who average between 235 and 240 pounds.

Huntington Park (10-1-1, Southeastern Conference)--Danny Morales will be the new quarterback for the Spartans, with returning starters Frank Rojas (5-8, 165, Sr.) and Armando Bravo (6-0, 185, Sr.) as receivers. Defensive tackle/center Mark Saucedo (5-10, 305, Jr.) is a potential all-league lineman.

Jefferson (6-5, Southeastern Conference)--The Diplomats move to the 4-A Division and the Eastern League in 1992. Kelvin Johnson (5-10, 185, Sr.) is a returning all-conference middle linebacker. Marcus Johnson (5-9, 205, Sr.) has started three years at safety and will become quarterback after playing four games in 1991.

Lincoln (8-3-1, Northern Conference)--The Tigers have reached the playoffs six of the past seven years and have another strong team this season. Receiver Marcelo Ortega (5-11, 170, Sr.) caught 45 passes for 813 yards and nine touchdowns and was selected to the 4-A Division first team. Quarterback Gerardo (Lalo) Roman (6-1, 180, Jr.) completed 89 passes for 1,653 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

Locke (8-3, Southeastern Conference)--The Saints are expected to improve after finishing second in the Southeastern Conference in 1992. Akili Roberson (6-0, 185, Jr.), one of the City Section’s best quarterbacks, runs the Saints’ wishbone offense. Running back Joe Thompson (5-11, 185, Sr.) and receiver Brian Clark (6-0, 180, Sr.) were selected to the all-conference team last season.

Los Angeles (5-3-2, Coastal Conference)--The fall of the Romans started when six players were declared academically ineligible in 1991. Coach John Watson hopes receiver/defensive back Derrick Royal (5-10, 165, Sr.) and second-year starting tackle Gabriel Sanchez (6-3, 250, Sr.) will provide leadership. Quarterback Juan Ruano (5-9, 167, Sr.) will start after serving three years as an understudy.

Roosevelt (8-3-1, Southeastern Conference)--The Rough Riders move up to the 4-A Division after reaching the semifinals in the 3-A Division in 1991. Coach David Endow, in his eighth season, has several seniors starting with no previous varsity experience. The only returning starter is receiver Juan Pimentel (5-10, 180, Sr.). Quarterback Frank Madrid (5-10, 165, Jr.) started on the B team and will get first shot at running the offense.

City Section 3-A Division

Bell (3-6, Southeastern Conference)--The Eagles move back to 3-A Division from 4-A and should contend for a Central League title. Tailback/fullback Bobby Sullivan (6-1, 195, Sr.) rushed for more than 500 yards as a starter last season. Fullback/middle linebacker Yoel Lopez (6-2, 210, Jr.) is a returning starter on defense. Quarterback Omar Rodriguez (5-9, 145, Sr.), who has been a backup for two years, replaces last year’s starter, Jesus Gomez. Defensive tackle Ricardo Avelar (6-2, 220, Sr.) is the top returning defensive lineman.

South Gate (4-5, Southeastern Conference)--The Rams return five players on defense and four on offense, including center Steve Medina (6-2, 295, Sr.). Quarterback Ignacio Altamarino (5-7, 150, Sr.), running back Alan Cervantes (5-7, 155, Sr.) and tight end Mark Redoval (6-2, 235, So.) have little or no varsity experience but will play pivotal roles on offense.

Fremont (1-8, Southeastern Conference)--William Yates (6-0, 175, Jr.) moves into a full-time role as quarterback. Yates, who also competes in basketball, baseball and track, is the third quarterback to play four sports at Fremont. The Pathfinders have three outstanding sprinters--Yates, tailback Romell Knutt (5-10, 170, Jr.), and receiver Kory Jones (6-1, 157, Sr.), but need to develop linemen to be competitive. Dernel King (5-10, 165, Sr.) is one of the top defensive backs in the state.

Manual Arts (4-5-1, Coastal Conference)--Quarterback Frederick Moore (6-2, 180, Sr.) and fullback Dion Laffitte (6-1, 230, Sr.) were impact players on defense in 1991 and move into new roles on offense. Anthony Steele (6-2, 250, Sr.), a third-year starting lineman, and Jose Garcia (6-2, 250, Sr.) will anchor the line.

Jordan (0-10, Southeastern Conference)--Coach David Richardson started his new job as coach with only 14 players for a varsity and sophomore team, but that list has expanded to 70. The leading returning players are running back Domingo Maldonado (5-7, 160, Sr.), strong safety/punter Danny Vizcaino (5-7, 175, Sr.), offensive guard Jose Hernandez (5-9, 215, Sr.) and defensive tackle Jaston Miranda (5-9, 225, Sr.).

Washington (6-4, Southern Pacific Conference)--The Generals added two transfer students to their offense. Quarterback R.B. Bonner (5-9, 175, Sr.) transferred from Serra and fullback/linebacker Joseph Brown (5-11, 230, Jr.) returned after spending one year at Taft. Running back Tim McTyer (5-11, 170, Sr.) is expected to be the leading ball carrier.

Wilson (4-6, Northern Conference)--Fullback/defensive tackle Art Rosen (6-0, 215, Sr.) and tailback/linebacker Sammy Guerrero (5-7, 150, Sr.) are the only returning starters. Zeke Monarrez (6-0, 165, Sr.), a slick option quarterback, and Ivan Magana (5-11, 160, Jr.), a drop-back passer, will run the offense.

Southern Section

Bell Gardens (5-5, Whitmont League)--Last year Dave Newell led the Lancers to their worst record in his 16 years of coaching the team; they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1978. Bell Gardens should return to success in the newly formed six-team Almont League. Offensive tackle Jose Bernal (6-0, 265, Sr.) was selected to The Times’ Southeast All-Star team. Cesar Magana (5-10, 185, Sr.) will move to linebacker after being a two-time all-league defensive tackle. Tailback Junior Samano (5-8, 170, Jr.) and fullback German Chavez (6-1, 195, Sr.) are the main offensive threats.

Cathedral (8-3, Santa Fe League)--The Phantoms return seven seniors from last year’s team, which lost to Oak Park in the first round of the Division IX playoffs. Quarterback Gerald Valdivia (6-1, 180, Sr.) threw for 1,876 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games. Receiver Frank Barilla (5-8, 150, Sr.) and linebacker Ben Moreno (5-11, 170) were selected to the all-league team. Two-way starter Danny Gutierrez (6-0, 225) and tackle Oscar Rodriguez (6-2, 265) are the team’s biggest lineman.

Loyola (9-3, Del Rey League)--Loyola won its first title in 1990 and finished runner-up to Mater Dei last season. They move to the Del Rey League after competing last season in the Angelus League. Quarterback Clelio Boccato (6-1, 190, Sr.) was selected to the all-Angelus League first team last season, when he threw for 1,158 yards and 12 touchdowns. The offensive line is led by tackle Robert Jungerhans (6-5, 245), one of the top 100 players in the state, according to Cal-Hi Sports Magazine, Also mentioned by Cal-Hi were defensive back/wide receiver Jerome Henry (6-2, 175) and middle linebacker Kwame Cain (6-1, 235, Jr.).

Salesian (3-7, Santa Fe League)--Fourth-year Coach Jerry Scott will have a squad mainly of underclassmen. Running back Mike Barganon (5-7, 190) led the team in rushing last season, and Jim Gonzalez (6-2, 200, Sr.) was the team’s leading receiver until he dislocated his right elbow and missed five games.

Verbum Dei (1-9, Camino Real League)--Coach Ernie Chavez in his first season will have 15 returning starters. Jimmy Perry (6-1, 185, Sr.) will start at tailback and free safety and may see some action at quarterback. Alton Stafford (6-1, 190, Sr.) moves into starting quarterback after being an understudy last season.