FOOTBALL ’93 : NORTHWEST VALLEY CONFERENCE : WEST VALLEY LEAGUE

Chatsworth

1992: Lost in City 3-A semifinals

OVERALL: 8-5

LEAGUE: 4-3

PLACE: Tied 1st

COACH: Myron Gibford

YEAR: 15th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 70-69-5

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Eric Cook, 6-1, 190 OL LB Sr. Cory Farell, 5-10, 210 OL -- Yr. Pat Murphy, 5-10, 155 WR DB Sr. Jorge Buery, 6-0, 160 WR DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Sean Alexander, 5-8, 210 RB -- Sr. Hugh Hall, 6-2, 220 OL DL Jr. Dan Crespo, 6-2, 220 OL DL Jr. Brian Frechman, 5-6, 140 WR -- Jr. Aaron Hummel, 5-10, 160 QB -- Jr. Golden Fowler, 6-1, 175 TE LB Jr. Marlon Jones, 6-1, 170 RB DB Jr. Alvaro Camas, 6-2, 190 TE -- Sr. Aristol Melchor, 5-8, 160 WR DB Sr.

FAST FACT

Pass-happy Chatsworth has advanced to the City 3-A semifinals or beyond in each of the past two seasons.

OUTLOOK

Expect Hummel to rank among the area City leaders in passing. “We plan to throw as much, if not more, than we have the last couple of seasons,” Gibford said. Only two starters, Cook and Farell, return. However, the core of players is solid. “We’ve got some talent, but we’re as green as green gets,” Gibford said. Key players are Alexander, a transfer from Texas, and Hall and Crespo, transfers from Montclair Prep. Camas and Melchor, who have never played football and were recruited off the basketball program, likely will start.

Cleveland

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 2-7

LEAGUE: 0-7

PLACE: 4th

COACHES YEAR RECORD AT SCHOOL Everett Macy 3rd 3-15 Joe Santallano

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR John Sanchez, 5-10, 180 OL LB Sr. Brandon Woodland, 6-2, 230 TE LB Sr. David Aguilar, 5-10, 240 OL -- Sr. Jerome Taylor, 6-1, 190 -- LB Sr. Russel Burwell, 5-10, 160 RB DB Jr. Cesar Sanchez, 6-3, 240 OL -- Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Damian Williams, 5-8, 150 -- DB Jr. Joe Findly, 6-2, 240 OL -- Jr. Eric Brown, 6-0, 170 WR DB Jr. Sam Duran, 5-8, 165 WR DB Sr. Johnny Lopez, 5-11, 180 QB -- Jr. Esmith Estrada, 6-1, 230 OL DL So.

FAST FACT

Russel Burwell is the brother of former Cleveland standout Sean Burwell, now a senior tailback at Oregon.

OUTLOOK

“We’re young and inexperienced, but attitude-wise, it’s the best group we’ve had,” Macy said. Macy has the staff to impart knowledge quickly. Santallano was named co-coach in the middle of the 1992 season and over the summer, former Chatsworth assistant Bill Paden transferred to Cleveland. “Having three full-time coaches on staff will definitely be a benefit,” Macy said. The immediate goal is to play .500 ball and make the playoffs, Macy said. “I believe that’s realistic,” he said.

Reseda

1992: Lost in first round of playoffs

OVERALL: 4-7

LEAGUE: 2-5

PLACE: 3rd

COACH: Joel Schaeffer

YEAR: 16th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 97-52-5

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Reggie James, 5-10, 165 QB DB Sr. DeWayne Johnson, 5-9, 170 RB DB Sr. Tyrone Francis, 5-9, 175 RB DB Sr. Frank Rodriguez, 5-10, 265 OL DL Jr. Jordan Hriston, 6-1, 225 OL DL Sr. Travion Trammel, 6-0, 225 RB LB Sr. Nilson Espana, 6-1, 205 QB -- Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Michael Oxx, 5-8, 155 RB DB Jr. Alonzo Arreola, 5-11, 205 TE LB Jr. Ennis Davis, 6-4, 245 OL DL So. Tommy Gutierrez, 5-9, 175 PK -- So.

FAST FACT

The versatile trio of James, Francis and Espana all completed passes and rushed for at least one touchdown last season.

OUTLOOK

Depth, a point of concern for years, again is a problem. Only 37 players are on the varsity and most starters will play both ways. However, with all-league seniors James (516 yards passing), Johnson (415 yards rushing) and Francis (356 rushing), Reseda is stable at the skill positions. “Depth worries me,” Schaeffer said. “Especially in this black-and-blue conference.” Yet with only three teams in the league, Reseda has a great shot at one of two playoff berths.