FOOTBALL ’93 : The High Schools: City Section : NORTHWEST VALLEY CONFERENCE : NORTH VALLEY LEAGUE

El Camino Real

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 3-7

LEAGUE: 3-4

PLACE: 4th

COACHES YEAR RECORD AT SCHOOL Mike Maio 6th 23-31 Ralph Stam

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Michael Cooper, 5-11, 182 QB -- Sr. Jay Graham, 5-9, 162 RB WR Jr. Brandon Henry, 5-11, 190 RB -- Jr. Greg Krochmal, 6-0, 202 OL -- Sr. Joey Maiden, 5-6, 162 WR DB Sr. Kenneth Mason, 5-11, 207 OL -- Jr. James Romero, 6-6, 301 OL DL Sr. Jason Shaw, 5-10, 165 DB WR Jr. Chris Shinnick, 5-10, 182 RB DB Sr. Brian Tade, 6-4, 241 OL DL Sr. Ryan Venturine, 6-3, 181 QB -- Sr. Bryan Waldron, 5-10, 165 OL -- Sr. Ryan Walter, 5-11, 200 OL -- Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Mike Wolfsohn, 5-9, 150 K -- Jr. Nathan Burke, 6-3, 225 OL DL So. Jeff Macrea, 6-0, 178 TE LB So.

FAST FACT

Chris Shinnick’s father, Don, played at UCLA and for the Baltimore Colts as a linebacker in the late 1950s. He later coached in the NFL.

OUTLOOK

Four starting offensive linemen are back, which is a great place to start. “I think we can be tough up front, offensively and defensively,” Maio said. “I think we can open up some holes and stop the run.” The Conquistadores should be balanced offensively behind veterans Venturine and Shinnick. Venturine passed for 1,032 yards while Shinnick, a three-year starter, rushed for 949 yards and 12 touchdowns, which makes a potent 1-2 punch. However, Maio sees holes at receiver and in the secondary.

Granada Hills

1992: Lost in first round of playoffs

OVERALL: 6-5

LEAGUE: 6-1

PLACE: 1st

COACHES YEAR RECORD AT SCHOOL Darryl Stroh 9th 65-21-1 Tom Harp

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Mencil Williams, 6-3, 270 OL DL Sr. Charles Batarse, 6-0, 220 OL DL Jr. Eric Carpenter, 5-11, 165 WR -- Jr. Danny Garcia, 5-10, 160 WR -- Sr. Jim Landress, 6-0, 170 QB -- Jr. Danny Haag, 6-0, 175 RB -- Sr. James Brooks, 6-0, 185 RB DB Jr. Jah Abdul, 5-10, 160 -- DB Sr. Jamal Brooks, 6-0, 205 TE LB Sr. Randy Watson, 5-10, 160 -- DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Brian Jones, 5-9, 155 TB -- So. Chris Watkins, 6-2, 230 OL -- Sr. Alex Aguilar, 5-9, 160 -- DB Jr. Javier Salar, 5-10, 215 OL -- Jr. Mike Klevens, 5-10, 205 OL -- Sr.

FAST FACT

The Highlanders are 41-5-1 in the league over eight years. Their only losses are to San Fernando (three) and Kennedy (two).

OUTLOOK

Granada Hills has an experienced quarterback in Landress and depth at receiver, which should allow a return to a more pass-oriented attack, long the school’s hallmark. In 1991, the Highlanders were lowlanders, rushing for 1,675 yards while throwing for only 694. A primary concern is the defensive line. Last year’s corps was perhaps the best in school history, but all four starters graduated.

Kennedy

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 4-6

LEAGUE: 4-3

PLACE: 3rd

COACH: Bob Francola

YEAR: 8th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 41-35-

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Vincent Carthron, 6-1, 250 FB LB Sr. Shawn Dudra, 6-4, 180 WR DB Sr. Donte Scarbrough, 5-9, 175 RB -- Sr. Sammy Wilson, 5-10, 170 -- DB Sr. Alex Espinoza, 6-3, 220 OL -- Sr. Leonard Rini, 6-2, 220 OL -- Sr. Ken Hanke, 6-2, 250 -- DL Sr. Dan McMullen, 6-4, 185 QB -- Jr. Ken Bernas, 5-9, 160 5-9 160 Sr. Eric Sweet, 6-2, 195 -- LB Jr. Ladell Shuler, 5-10, 160 -- DB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Antwan Smith, 5-9, 160 RB WR So. Damian Thompson, 5-10, 185 -- LB So. Karlos Doyle, 6-0, 170 -- DB So. Joe Langi, 6-1, 250 FB DL Jr. Darnell Carter, 5-11, 185 -- LB Sr.

FAST FACT

First-year offensive coordinator Fred Grimes, who formerly coached at North Hollywood and Chaminade, will add some new wrinkles.

OUTLOOK

Dudra and Scarbrough give the Golden Cougars an experienced pair of ballcarriers. Dudra, whom Francola compares to the Rams’ Sean LaChapelle, caught 20 passes for 384 yards in last season’s run-oriented set. Scarbrough rushed for 704 yards and eight touchdowns. McMullen, whose brother Mike started at quarterback for Kennedy two years ago, will be brought along slowly. Carthron, a three-year starter, is expected to play a major role at linebacker. Despite having three returning starters on the offensive line, it remains a concern. “The question mark is how our young and old offensive line will develop,” Francola said.

San Fernando

1992: Lost in first round of playoffs

OVERALL: 7-3-1

LEAGUE: 5-2

PLACE: 2nd

COACH: Sean Blunt

YEAR: 1st

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 0-0

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Leon Blunt, 5-10, 180 QB DB Sr. Brian Jackson, 5-10, 175 WR DB Sr. Flip Aguilar, 5-10, 180 WR DB Sr. Lavell Thompson, 5-10, 175 WR DB Jr. Kilian Young, 6-2, 210 OL LB Sr. Marcus Young, 6-0, 200 TE LB Jr. Victor Santilliano, 6-0, 225 OL DL Sr. Jose De La Torre, 5-11, 225 OL DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR David Kelly, 5-10, 170 QB DB So. Larry Ford, 5-9, 165 RB DB So. Jason Dorsey, 6-2, 180 WR DB So. Mario Farias, 5-10, 185 FB DB Sr.

FAST FACT

David Kelly is the younger brother of Raider linebacker Joe Kelly and Coach Sean Blunt is the cousin of quarterback Leon Blunt.

OUTLOOK

Sean Blunt, 27, moves from his position as defensive coordinator and keeps alive the tradition of San Fernando graduates returning as coaches. Blunt graduated from San Fernando in 1984, when he backed up tailback Chris Richards, who later starred at Cal. Richards is now a Tiger assistant. Quick-footed quarterback Leon Blunt, the conference MVP last season and an All-City selection, may see action at running back and receiver.

Taft

1992: Lost in City 3-A final

OVERALL: 9-5

LEAGUE: 4-3

PLACE: Tied 1st in W. Valley

COACH: Troy Starr

YEAR: 2nd

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 9-5

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR DaShon Polk, 6-3, 200 TE DB Jr. Dion Gaston, 6-0, 225 TE LB Jr. Dayon Shaw, 5-11, 170 WR DB Jr. Jerry Brown, 5-11, 185 RB -- Jr. Mike Ferguson, 5-10, 180 QB DB Sr. Dan Lazarovits, 6-3, 235 OL LB Sr. Joey Rothman, 6-3, 240 OL DL Sr. Leo Robateau, 6-0, 220 OL LB Sr. Dwyer McKeith, 6-0, 165 -- DB Sr. Jerry Benson, 5-9, 160 -- DB Sr. Jamal Joseph, 6-0, 270 -- DL Sr. Fernando Pohina, 6-3, 250 OL -- Jr. Ben Peiny, 5-10, 160 WR DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Antuan Simpson, 6-0, 180 FB LB So. Melvin Fulcher, 5-9, 185 -- LB Jr. Donte Daley, 5-10, 180 FB LB Sr.

FAST FACT

Transfer Donte Daley, ineligible last season, rushed for 362 yards and scored eight touchdown as a sophomore at Highland.

OUTLOOK

Find a weakness. It won’t be easy, since Taft has seven returning starters on offense and seven on defense. Included in that mix are All-City selections Brown, Lazarovits, Polk and Gaston. Brown, who rushed for 1,731 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, was the 3-A MVP. “We have blazing speed,” Starr said. “If it was a track baton instead of a football, we’d still be in great shape.” Strength too: 10 players bench-press at least 300 pounds. Four team captains return from 1992, during which the Toreadors lost to San Pedro in the 3-A Division final. “We’re hungry,” Starr said. “If we stay healthy, we can run with the big dogs.”