1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS : 11 Schools Represented on Multitalented South Coast All-Stars

Unlike many of their counterparts throughout the CIF Southern Section this last fall, area prep football coaches relished the luxury of having an abundance of talent to choose from.

The Times’ South Coast All-Star High School Football Team clearly reflects that. Only nine players on the 23-man first team roster played more than one position.

Those who did, however, are exceptional athletes. Junior Brandon Whiting was a rarity at Poly High of Long Beach, going both ways at offensive and defensive tackle. Wilson’s DeMarco Ford played four positions during the season, and Cerritos linebacker Juan Esquivel accounted for more than 700 yards rushing as a quarterback.

Eleven schools are represented on the first team, led by Moore League champion Poly with five and Suburban League co-champion Artesia with four.

The team members will be honored at a breakfast at 9 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Sheraton Long Beach. Long Beach City College Coach Larry Reisbig, formerly of Cal State Long Beach, will be the guest speaker.

Awards for the best lineman, back and coach of the year will be announced at the breakfast.

The All-South Coast team, selected through a poll of coaches:

OFFENSE

Aaron Flowers, Artesia, quarterback--A repeat choice after leading the Pioneers to a share of the Suburban League title, the 6-foot senior was a three-year starter who amassed 8,873 career yards passing. That ranks second in Southern Section history to Los Angeles Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich, who threw for 9,182 yards in four seasons at Mater Dei of Santa Ana and Capistrano Valley of Mission Viejo. Flowers passed for seven touchdowns in one game and six in another, and finished with 29 TDs this season and 79 overall. That ranks second to former Rams quarterback and current television analyst Pat Haden, who had 83 for Bishop Amat of La Puente from 1968 to 1970.

Gabriel Anguiano, Artesia, tight end--Although he missed 3 1/2 games with a foot injury, Anguiano was an unstoppable force in the Suburban League, where he also played outside linebacker. The favorite target for Flowers, he caught 48 passes for 834 yards and 12 touchdowns. He will make recruiting trips to Fresno State and Colorado State.

Jason McCorvey, Poly, wide receiver--On a team that made its living on defense, the 6-foot, 175-pound senior could have been overlooked were it not for his ability to shake free at crucial times. Some of his best moves occurred on special teams, including an 85-yard kickoff return and a 50-yard punt return, both for touchdowns. On an otherwise dull offense, he caught 35 passes for 600 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cordell Horner, Lakewood, wide receiver--The All-Moore League choice averaged 14.5 yards a catch and scored five touchdowns on a team that threw only 70 passes all season. “He really deserved better,” Lancer Coach Mark Rose said. “We just didn’t have a quarterback who could throw this year.” Opposing defenses double-teamed Horner most of the time.

Joe Nuez, Lakewood, running back--The flip side for the Lancers was a potent running attack, led by Nuez’s school record 1,234 yards rushing. He scored 18 touchdowns and caught 20 passes for 250 yards. An All-Moore League selection, he was also known as a fierce blocker.

Thyya Ung, Paramount, running back--At 5-7, this 165-pounder often slipped around opposing tacklers before they could get their hands on him. A two-year starter, Ung first surfaced as a junior when he made the All-South Coast second team.

Robert Jenkins, Dominguez, running back--A bruising fullback with plenty of speed, he anchored the team’s wing-T offense with 1,346 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing. The 5-10, 220-pound senior was not afraid to get out in front of other ball carriers and block for them, either. This marks the second straight year he has made the Times’ team.

Simona Toomalatai, Poly, offensive line--At guard the three-year starter was, according to Poly Coach Jerry Jaso, “an offensive person with a defensive personality. He liked to attack players.” The 6-foot, 240-pound senior was known for consistency in blocking and his strong physical ability.

Marcus Whitney, Bellflower, offensive line--The Bucs had a resurgence this season, going 7-4 and making the playoffs for the first time in years. The 6-4, 290-pound senior tackle led the way and was voted the Suburban League’s most valuable lineman. The two-time all-league choice is considering Brigham Young, UCLA, Oregon State and Fresno State.

Doug Loeser, Wilson, offensive line--The 6-3, 240-pound tackle was a “dominating blocker on a good offensive line,” according to Bruin Coach J. C. Clarke. “A good player,” said Poly’s Coach Jaso. Several Division I schools are interested in the senior.

Curtiss Armour, Dominguez, offensive line--A big, strong, pounding guard who led the way for many long runs out of the wing-T backfield that averaged nearly 30 points a game. The 6-1, 250-pounder is a great trap blocker and was an All-San Gabriel Valley League selection.

DEFENSE

Kevin McKenzie, Wilson, defensive back--He was a two-way starter who set single season and career rushing marks for the Bruins, averaging 7.1 yards a carry. The 6-foot, 175-pound senior raced 68 yards for a touchdown against Poly’s formidable defense. But he also was outstanding in the defensive backfield, where he led the secondary in tackles. “He was the best athlete on the team,” Clarke said.

Chris Love, Artesia, defensive back--A two-year, two-way Suburban League choice, the 205-pound strong safety played more like an outside linebacker. He also played wide receiver. Offensively, he caught 29 passes for 487 yards and six touchdowns. On defense he made 40 unassisted tackles and 64 overall, knocked down six pass attempts, recovered three fumbles, caused two other fumbles and intercepted four passes. He is considering Washington, San Diego State, Fresno State and Nevada.

Kelly Malveaux, Poly, defensive back--The 5-9, 160-pound cornerback intercepted five passes and deflected seven others to go along with 42 tackles. He blocked a pair of punts, forced one fumble and recovered another. He was known as a very tough hitter.

Lovell Alford, Millikan, linebacker--The 5-9, 190-pound junior was a highlight in an otherwise dreary season for the Rams, who finished 3-7. He recorded more than 100 tackles and was the team’s most valuable defensive player. He is an All-Moore League selection.

Kelron Sykes, Lynwood, linebacker--A fierce competitor, the 6-3, 205-pound outside backer missed five games with a knee injury. But that has not stopped several major colleges from pursuing him, according to Coach Ben Carpenter.

Juan Esquivel, Cerritos, linebacker--The 6-foot, 210-pound two-way starter also plays for the Dons’ soccer team as a goalie. In football, he played running back and quarterback and accounted for more than 700 yards rushing. Defensively, he was the San Gabriel Valley League’s player of the year with 110 tackles. He is interested in Oregon.

Brandon Whiting, Poly, defensive line--As a junior, the 6-2, 254-pound lineman is one of the few players in recent memory to go both ways for the Jackrabbits. As a tackle on both sides of the ball he was, according to Jaso, “our smartest player on the best defensive team in the league.” He made 61 tackles and 12 sacks.

DeMarco Ford, Wilson, defensive line--A multifaceted player who was comfortable at four positions, the 6-foot, 210-pound senior had 15 sacks, 43 unassisted tackles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown from either outside linebacker or defensive end positions. He was in on 108 tackles, and offensively played running back and tight end.

Dan Stover, St. Anthony, defensive line--The team captain and two-year starter at tackle made 78 tackles and was a unanimous choice for the All-Camino Real League team. “Too tough, too quick to stop,” said Coach Dave Radford, who dealt with a rash of injuries this year that limited the Saints to a 2-7-1 record.

Fia Ili, Poly, defensive line--He is an “unrelenting” tackler, according to Jaso. The 6-0, 235-pound senior was the Moore League’s defensive player of the year. He recorded 55 tackles, seven sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered five others. He also picked off a pass and blocked a field goal try from his defensive end position.

Tele Afemata, Paramount, defensive line--The 5-10, 200-pound senior is one in a long line of Afematas who have played or are playing football for the Pirates. It all began with an uncle in the mid-1970s. A cousin and a pair of brothers are expected to join the varsity next season. “It’s a real tradition of family excellence,” Coach Ken Sutch said. Tele Afemata played nose guard and tackle, and was among the team leaders in tackles.

Chad Weaver, Artesia, all-purpose. A player of many talents, he ran for more than 1,000 yards, caught 21 passes for 265 yards, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, kicked three field goals, 35 points after touchdowns and sent 47 of 53 kickoffs into the end zone. He accounted for 14 touchdowns and 128 points.

1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS

Name: Chad Weaver Position: All-Purpose School: Artesia Height: 6-0 Weight: 200 Year: Senior

OFFENSE

Name: Cordell Horner Position: Wide Receiver School: Lakewood Height: 5-11 Weight: 175 Weight: Senior

Name: Jason McCorvey Position: Wide Receiver School: Poly Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

Name: Gabriel Anguiano Position: Tight End School: Artesia Height: 6-4 Weight: 210 Year: Senior

Name: Simona Toomalatai Position: Lineman School: Poly Height: 6-0 Weight: 240 Year: Senior

Name: Marcus Whitney Position: Lineman School: Bellflower Height: 6-4 Weight: 290 Year: Senior

Name: Curtis Armour Position: Lineman School: Dominguez Height: 6-1 Weight: 250 Year: Senior

Name: Doug Loeser Position: Lineman School: Wilson Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Year: Senior

Name: Thyya Ung Position: Running Back School: Paramount Height: 5-7 Weight: 165 Year: Senior

Name: Joe Nuez Position: Running Back School: Lakewood Height: 5-10 Weight: 185 Year: Senior

Name: Robert Jenkins Position: Running Back School: Dominguez Height: 5-10 Weight: 220 Year: Senior

Name: Aaron Flowers Position: Quarterback School: Artesia Height: 6-0 Weight: 180 Year: Senior

DEFENSE

Name: Fia Ili Position: Lineman School: Poly Height: 6-0 Weight: 235 Year: Senior

Name: Brandon Whiting Position: Lineman School: Poly Height: 6-2 Weight: 254 Year: Junior

Name: Demarco Ford Position: Lineman School: Wilson Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Year: Senior

Name: Tele Afemata Position: Lineman School: Paramount Height: 5-10 Weight: 200 Year: Senior

Name: Dan Stover Position: Lineman School: St. Anthony Height: 5-10 Weight: 190 Year: Senior

Name: Juan Esquivel Position: Linebacker School: Cerritos Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Year: Senior

Name: Kelron Sykes Position: Linebacker School: Lynwood Height: 6-3 Weight: 205 Year: Senior

Name: Lovell Alford Position: Linebacker School: Millikan Height: 5-9 Weight: 190 Year: Junior

Name: Chris Love Position: Back School: Artesia Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Year: Senior

Name: Kelly Malveaux Position: Back School: Poly Height: 5-9 Weight: 160 Year: Junior

Name: Kevin McKenzie Position: Back School: Wilson Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

All-South Coast Second Team

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos OFFENSE Nikia McKinney Cerritos Sr. 5-11 175 WR Omar Mireles Millikan Sr. 5-10 145 WR Benny Ibarra Lynwood Jr. 6-0 230 TE Derrick Chandler Lynwood Sr. 6-7 305 OL Matt Howard Lakewood Jr. 6-2 240 OL Gabe Hernandez Lakewood Jr. 6-2 220 OL Quinn Taylor Centennial Sr. 6-5 265 OL Sheva Branch Millikan Sr. 5-8 175 RB Scoey Peters Poly Sr. 5-10 175 RB Greg Sil Jordan Sr. 6-0 250 RB Lou Porch Bellflower Jr. 6-1 220 RB Jeff Prince Wilson Sr. 5-10 170 K DEFENSE Brandon Williams Lynwood Sr. 5-11 240 DL Joe Irving Bellflower Sr. 6-4 220 DL Shatony Sargeant Poly Sr. 6-6 245 DL Gregory White Dominguez Sr. 6-1 185 DL Danjuan Magee Poly Jr. 6-2 245 LB Brent Malili Paramount Sr. 6-1 196 LB Kris Belman Lakewood Sr. 6-1 190 LB Eric Richardson Lakewood Sr. 6-2 195 LB Ricky Sanchez St. Anthony Sr. 5-10 150 DB Richie Ashley Wilson Sr. 6-0 180 DB Tony Afemata Paramount Jr. 6-0 170 DB