FOOTBALL ’93 : The High Schools: Southern Section : CHANNEL LEAGUE

Buena

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 6-4

LEAGUE: 5-2

PLACE: Tied 2nd

COACH: Rick Scott

YEAR: 6th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 35-20

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR George Keiaho, 5-9, 200 RB -- Sr. Brian Williams, 6-5, 260 OL DL Sr. Brett Phillips, 6-2, 220 RB LB Sr. Aaron Hardy, 5-9, 150 -- DB Sr. Kris Hebert, 6-1, 245 OL -- Yr. Cecilo Flores, 6-2, 205 TE DL Sr. Sean Thompson, 6-0, 155 WR DB Sr. Reggy Richins, 5-10, 160 WR -- Sr. Larry Lovett, 6-1, 185 WR -- Sr. Tony Messineo, 6-4, 245 OL -- Sr. Jason Bendinelli, 6-4, 235 TE -- Sr. Jamie Hennard, 5-11, 180 QB -- Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR John Raymond, 6-6, 270 OL DL Jr. Quincy Ronan, 6-2, 240 OL DL Jr. Nathan Coyle, 6-2, 225 OL DL Jr. Chris Carr, 5-10, 170 QB DB Jr.

FAST FACT

Keiaho rushed for 1,760 yards and 22 touchdowns to earn Times All-Ventura County honors for the second consecutive season.

OUTLOOK

Scott--one of the area’s most respected and successful coaches--has another talented group that should compete for the league championship. Buena, a co-champion in 1991, has not finished lower than second in the league during Scott’s tenure. Led by Keiaho--the county’s dominant returning runner--Buena has five returning all-league performers. Moreover, Scott, who led Hart to a Southern Section tile in 1986, believes the Bulldogs will have one of the area’s top offensive lines. “This is the best offensive line I’ve ever been around,” Scott said. “We have two Division I tackles and a Division I guard.”

Hueneme

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 0-10

LEAGUE: 0-7

PLACE: 8th

COACH: Ed Knight

YEAR: 3rd

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 0-20

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Soleway Vainuku, 6-1, 220 RB LB Jr. James Jenkins, 6-1, 215 RB -- Sr. Robert Rush, 6-0, 250 OL -- Sr. Braulio Rush, 6-2, 255 OL -- Sr. Adam Lemus, 5-10, 260 -- DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR George Jones, 6-2, 170 QB -- So. Ronnie Jenkins, 5-11, 150 WR -- So.

FAST FACT

Hueneme has lost 15 league games in a row. The Vikings’ last league victory came against Santa Barbara, 28-25, in 1990.

OUTLOOK

This could be a breakthrough year for the Vikings. “I think we could get some wins this year,” Knight said. “But the most important thing is that this is the first year since I’ve been here that the kids have shown a work ethic.” Yes, success at Hueneme is judged more by moral victories than wins and losses. Hueneme is 1-29 during the last three seasons, including 0-14 in league play.

Oxnard

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 5-5

LEAGUE: 2-5

PLACE: 6th

COACH: Neil Kazmierczak

YEAR: 1st

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 0-0

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Ira Brown, 6-1, 225 RB -- Sr. Joe Sanchez, 5-9, 210 RB -- Sr. Eric Duff, 6-2, 175 WR -- Sr. Davin Arkangel, 6-0, 180 -- LB Sr. Eric Arteaga, 6-0, 200 -- DL Sr. Manuel Canales, 6-2, 185 -- DB Sr. Damian Thomas, 5-9, 180 -- DB Sr. Eric Terrill, 6-3, 240 -- DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Taj Lewis, 5-10, 155 QB -- Jr. Antone Ellison, 6-3, 185 -- DB Sr. Ricardo Hernandez, 6-2, 240 OL -- Sr.

FAST FACT

Brown is the Yellowjackets’ top returning receiver and scorer. He had four receptions for 79 yards with one touchdown last season.

OUTLOOK

Kazmierczak, formerly an assistant at Marshall, takes over for Jack Davis, who resigned after 14 seasons with the Yellowjackets. Defense, Kazmierczak’s specialty, could pose problems. “We have to improve our tackling and aggressiveness,” he said. “Watching films of last season, they didn’t seem aggressive enough.” Still, Kazmierczak believes he has a solid foundation on which to build. “I think we have some decent athletic ability,” Kazmierczak said, “but we need to mold it.”

Rio Mesa

1992: Did not make playoffs

OVERALL: 5-5

LEAGUE: 4-3

PLACE: 5th

COACH: John Reardon

YEAR: 26th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 148-101

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Don DiDomizio, 6-1, 175 QB DB Sr. Junior Liufau, 6-1, 200 RB DL Sr. Mike Contreras, 5-10, 170 WR DB Sr. Johnny Espinoza, 5-8, 170 RB DB Sr. Joaquin Evans, 6-0, 175 WR DB Sr. Andy Ferrari, 6-3, 215 OL DL Sr. Victor Martinez, 6-1, 270 OL -- Sr. James Jones, 5-10, 308 FB -- Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERSOFFDEFYR

Steve Arnoson, 6-0, 200 QB LB Jr. Charlie Boch, 5-11, 170 RB DB Jr.

FAST FACT

DiDomizio and Liufau give the Spartans the only backfield in the county with a pair of returning 1,000 yard rushers.

OUTLOOK

Reardon, who might retire after the season, has a strong squad. “We should be pretty good if everything falls in place the way I hope,” Reardon said. “I think we’ll definitely be improved over last season.” Reardon is not too concerned about his offense. DiDomizio and Liufau should again provide much excitement--and production. Defense, however, is another story. “Basically, we need to find some kids who can run fast and catch people,” Reardon joked.

Ventura

1992: Lost in first round of playoffs

OVERALL: 8-3

LEAGUE: 5-2

PLACE: Tied for 2nd

COACH: Phil McCune

YEAR: 9th

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 20-58

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Sean Burdick, 6-2, 250 OL LB Sr. Ebon Brown, 5-10, 210 OL DL Sr. Joe Beck, 6-0, 225 OL DL Sr. Jerold Reed, 6-2, 260 OL DL Sr. Clint Evans, 6-3, 250 OL DL Sr. Jason Tatum, 6-3, 225 OL DL Sr. DeWayne Mathis, 6-1, 175 RB DB Sr. George Lopez, 6-0, 215 RB LB Sr. Alfonso Delgado, 6-0, 195 RB LB Sr. Mason Meadows, 6-3, 195 TE DL Sr. Noah Walsh, 6-1, 170 WR DB Sr. Mike Urteaga, 5-10, 180 -- LB Sr. Erik Olson, 6-1, 180 QB -- Jr. Mike Lamey, 5-10, 170 WR DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Jason Sims, 6-3, 180 TE DL Jr. Cody Green, 6-1, 175 TE DL Jr.

FAST FACT

Ventura lost two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation. Lopez, who had one carry for seven yards last season, is the top returner.

OUTLOOK

Troubling off-field news about former coach Harvey Kochel dominated the Cougars’ season. Still, Ventura managed to earn a playoff berth. McCune, who coached the Cougars from 1974-80, took over as the interim coach after the Cougars’ third game and was later again named the head coach. He looks forward to getting the focus of Ventura football back on the field. Despite a lack of experience at the skill positions, McCune believes Ventura is poised for an excellent season. “I think our offensive and defensive lines will be real good,” McCune said. “Our running backs are unproven, but we have a lot of potential at that position.”