1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS : Year of the Offense : Performances by quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs are tops among the best efforts by 23 players named to the City Times’ All-Star football team.

If Lincoln High quarterback Gerardo Roman could have thrown his 1992 passing total in one toss, his receiver would have had to stand more than a mile away.

If Garfield running back Armando Figueroa equaled this season’s rushing in one sprint, he would have had to run the length of nearly 15 football fields.

Those performances were tops among the best efforts by local football players. And they earned Roman, Figueroa and 21 others a berth on the inaugural City Times’ All-Star football team.

Roman and two other quarterbacks--Clelio Boccato of Loyola and Akili Roberson of Locke--each threw for more than 1,600 yards. Figueroa racked up 1,495 yards running, while Marcelo Ortega of Lincoln and Brian Clark of Locke each had more than 1,000 yards in pass receptions. Dorsey star receiver Antonio Carrion probably has the most potential to excel at the Division I level and he was only the fifth-leading receiver in the area.

“This was a great year for offensive players,” said Manual Arts Coach Rodney Spencer. “We haven’t seen a receiver as good as Antonio Carrion since Randy Peterson played at Manual Arts in 1984.”

Several players selected to the defensive team also displayed their versatility on offense. Bell defensive back William Mendez, for example, was pressed into service as a starting tailback in three games and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards on the season. Crenshaw’s Eric Scott became a competent quarterback in less than a week.

“I think it’s obvious how great these players are,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said. “You take a look at Washington, Colorado, Nebraska, UCLA and other college football programs and you can see what the impact of inner-city kids have on their teams.”

The 23 players named to the City Times All-Star team were selected based upon nominations from area coaches, all of whom were asked to participate. Here is a position-by-position look at the players:

OFFENSIVE BACKS

There was nothing common about the performances of any of the area’s top quarterbacks, but three clearly stood out and each was deserving of first-team recognition.

Lincoln’s Gerardo Roman had impressive statistics, completing 149 passes for 2,120 yards and 20 touchdowns. Roman and receiver Marcelo Ortega were the primary reason the Tigers qualified for the City Section 4-A playoffs and came within a touchdown pass of beating finalist Carson in the first round.

Clelio Boccato was Loyola’s best quarterback since Brendan McCracken graduated in 1984 and the Cubs would have had a tougher time making the playoffs without him. Boccato passed for 1,757 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was selected to the Southern Section Division I team and was named most valuable player in the Del Rey League.

Locke had a dangerous scoring combination in Akili Roberson and receiver Brian Clark. Roberson threw for 1,608 yards and 15 touchdowns. His best performance came when he threw three touchdowns in Locke’s stunning 62-37 win over defending City Section 4-A Division champion Dorsey in the first round of the playoffs.

No offensive backfield would be complete without a star running back. Garfield running back Armando Figueroa stood out, not only because he led the area with 1,495 yards, but because he was one its most consistent performers. He was named co-Most Valuable Player in the Southeastern Conference.

RECEIVERS

It was also a banner year for wide receivers--three were selected to the City Times first team and were also named the best receivers in the City 4-A division. Lincoln receiver Marcelo Ortega led the area in receptions (71) and was second in yardage (1,085). He was also the team’s kicker, punter, return specialist and top defensive back. He led the team with seven interceptions, and was selected the Northern Conference player of the year and was runner-up for City Section player of the year.

Brian Clark of Locke wanted to prove that he was one of the best receivers in the City Section and made his point with 387 yards in total offense in the Saints’ victory over Dorsey. Clark, who led the area with 1,143 yards in receptions, was voted the co-Most Valuable Player in the Southeastern Conference.

Making his second appearance on a Times’ all-star team is Dorsey receiver Antonio Carrion, who caught 33 passes for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns. Carrion was one of three players selected Most Valuable Player in the Southern Pacific Conference and has been recruited by several colleges.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, South Gate center Steve Medina was one of the area’s biggest lineman. He was instrumental in controlling the middle of the field and helping Rams’ rushers average nearly five yards a carry. An excellent blocker, Medina made the line calls for the Rams and was voted to the all-City 3-A team.

Offensive tackle Jose Bernal (6-0, 255) was the anchor of the Bell Gardens offensive line and can boast about being on two different Times’ All-Star teams. Last season, Bernal was voted to the Times’ Southeast All-Star team. He also received Southern Section Division III honors.

One of the most powerful blockers was Garfield junior guard Eddie Pasillas, who bench-presses more than 300 pounds and squats more than 400. Pasillas (5-11, 245) was the top player on an offensive line that averaged nearly 240 pounds.

Tackle Robert Jungerhans (6-4, 230) is not only the top blocker at Loyola, but he is also the student body president. Jungerhans was voted to the Southern Section Division I first team.

KICKER

Dorsey Coach Paul Knox called Crenshaw’s Kofi Nartey the best kicker he has seen. That is quite a compliment considering the rivalry between the two schools. But Nartey, who made the City 3-A team in 1991, proved it as the Cougars’ place kicker and punter. He made 11 of 13 extra-point attempts, all four field-goal attempts and averaged 47.8 yards a punt. He was also a great receiver until an ankle injury limited him to kicking duties. Nartey, who has a 3.77 grade-point average, is being recruited by California, UCLA, Stanford, Washington and Yale.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

One of the area’s best two-way tackles, Ben Rivera was a three-year starter at offensive tackle for Belmont. This season, Rivera distinguished himself as a top defensive lineman and was voted Northern Conference defensive player of the year. He was also named to the City 4-A defensive team.

At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Washington senior Tyron Gunn clearly has the size to be an NCAA Division I tackle, but during the season he proved that he also has the speed and strength. Gunn received City 3-A honors.

Bell Gardens defensive lineman German Chavez is arguably the area’s fastest defensive lineman. Chavez also played fullback and ranked eighth in the area with 839 yards and 13 touchdowns in 172 carries.

Dorsey always manages to have at least one great lineman, and this year Norman Ysaguirre proved great enough to make the City Times team. Ysaguirre also received City 4-A honors.

LINEBACKERS

Middle linebacker Dion Laffitte had 93 tackles, one interception and eight fumble recoveries for Manual Arts this season. On offense, he carried 87 times for 707 yards. Laffitte is taking recruiting trips to Oklahoma, Cal State Fresno, Oregon State, Nevada Las Vegas and Arizona State. He was named to the City 3-A team.

Another outstanding two-way player was Verbum Dei linebacker-running back Alton Stafford, who had 111 tackles and three interceptions for the Eagles. Stafford also rushed for 283 yards and seven touchdowns.

Kelvin Hopson was a three-year starter at middle linebacker and was voted Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year. Hopson had 101 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions. He caused 12 fumbles and recovered eight others. He also made the City 4-A team.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

A crowded field prevented Romell Knutt from making the City Times’ offensive team, but his 38 tackles as a defensive back earned him a spot on the defensive team. On offense, he rushed for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns and was voted to the City 3-A team as an offensive back.

Four days before the start of the football season, Eric Scott was informed that he would be Crenshaw’s starting quarterback. A versatile athlete, Scott threw for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. But he also excelled on defense, where he had four interceptions and more than 80 tackles, earning him a spot as a defensive back on the City 4-A team.

Jefferson’s Marcus Johnson never left the field once a game started. He was the team’s quarterback, passing for 974 yards and seven touchdowns. Then he switched sides to play defensive back, where he had 40 tackles and two sacks and caused four fumbles. He also kicked off for the Democrats, occasionally punted and returned punts and kickoffs.

Bell’s William Mendez began the season as a starting defensive back and backup tailback. By the end of the season, Mendez was the Eagles’ top two-way player. He finished with 851 yards and 11 touchdowns as the team’s starting tailback. He was honored as the top all-purpose back in the City 3-A.

Players selected to the first team will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast Jan. 17 at the University Hilton. Winners of the City Times lineman, back and coach-of-the-year awards will be announced at the breakfast.

HEAD 1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS

Name: Kofi Nartey Position: Kicker School: Crenshaw Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Year: Senior

OFFENSE

Name: Clelio Boccato Position: Back School: Loyola Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 Year: Senior

Name: Gerardo Roman Position: Back School: Lincoln Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Year: Junior

Name: Armando Figueroa Position: Back School: Garfield Height: 5-8 Weight: 160 Year: Junior

Name: Akili Roberson Position: Back School: Locke Height: 6-0 Weight: 180 Year: Junior

Name: Antonio Carrion Position: Wide Receiver School: Dorsey Height: 5-10 Weight: 160 Year: Senior

Name: Brian Clark Position: Wide Receiver School: Locke Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

Name: Marcelo Ortega Position: Wide Receiver School: Lincoln Height: 6-0 Weight: 165 Year: Senior

Name: Robert Jungerhans Position: Lineman School: Loyola Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Year: Senior

Name: Jose Bernal Position: Lineman School: Bell Gardens Height: 6-0 Weight: 255 Year: Senior

Name: Steve Medina Position: Lineman School: South Gate Height: 6-2 Weight: 200 Year: Senior

Name: Eddie Pasillas Position: Lineman School: Garfield Height: 5-11 Weight: 245 Year: Junior

DEFENSE

Name: Ben Rivera Position: Lineman School: Belmont Height: 6-0 Weight: 245 Year: Senior

Name: Tyron Gunn Position: Lineman School: Washington Height: 6-4 Weight: 235 Year: Senior

Name: Norman Ysaguirre Position: Lineman School: Dorsey Height: 6-1 Weight: 265 Year: Junior

Name: German Chavez Position: Lineman School: Bell Gardens Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Year: Senior

Name: Dion Laffitte Position: Linebacker School: Manual Arts Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Year: Senior

Name: Kelvin Hopson Position: Linebacker School: Jefferson Height: 5-10 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

Name: Alton Stafford Position: Linebacker School: Verbum Dei Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Year: Senior

Name: William Mendez Position: Back School: Bell Height: 6-0 Weight: 185 Year: Senior

Name: Eric Scott Position: Back School: Crenshaw Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

Name: Marcus Johnson Position: Back School: Jefferson Height: 5-8 Weight: 140 Year: Senior

Name: Romell Knutt Position: Back School: Fremont Height: 5-9 Weight: 175 Year: Senior

All-City Times Second Team

OFFENSE

Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Isaac Hatley Jefferson Soph. 5-8 150 B Francisco Samano Bell Gardens Jr. 5-9 175 B Ben Martinez Belmont Sr. 5-8 150 B Jose Pelayo Fremont Sr. 6-2 210 L Brandon Young Crenshaw Sr. 6-4 305 L Joshua Alvarez Bell Sr. 6-5 230 L Gabriel Sanchez Los Angeles Sr. 6-3 250 L Danny Gutierrez Cathedral Sr. 6-0 220 L Tom Lieb Loyola Sr. 6-0 215 TE Lamont Solomon Verbum Dei Sr. 5-10 165 WR Kory Jones Fremont Sr. 6-1 165 WR Felipe Escartin South Gate Sr. 5-10 170 K

DEFENSE

Rodney Richards Locke Sr. 5-11 275 L Yarien Corea Lincoln Sr. 5-9 215 L Salvador Vergara Roosevelt Sr. 5-6 155 L Manual Rodriguez Garfield Jr. 5-8 215 LB Peete Garcia Bell Gardens Sr. 5-8 175 LB Fernando Chavez Loyola Sr. 6-3 230 LB Domingo Maldonado Jordan Sr. 5-7 160 B Frank Rojas Huntington Park Sr. 5-8 165 B Jimmy Gonzalez Salesian Sr. 6-3 190 B Ghalee Wadood Dorsey Sr. 5-9 155 B R.B. Bonner Washington Sr. 5-10 180 DB