Prep Football ’93 : Top 20 Football Poll

The Times’ top 20 high school football poll of teams from the City Section and Southern Section, with division, record and comment.

1. LOYOLA, Southern, I, 12-2--The Southland’s most solid program fields its finest team in years. Traditionally a defensive power, the Cubs have plenty of offensive talent. Transfer running back Kadar Hamilton is a major-college prospect.

2. BISHOP AMAT, Southern, I, 15-0--It will be difficult for the Lancers to repeat last season’s undefeated record. Running back Rodney Sermons and wide receiver Daylon McCutcheon are among the best at their positions in the state, but the team is thin on the lines.

3. EISENHOWER, Southern, I, 10-2-1--Coach Tom Hoak has built the Eagles into one of the Southland’s premier programs, and he says this season’s team is his best yet. Eisenhower, eliminated in the semifinals last year and a loser in the finals in 1991, is poised to go all the way.

4. SYLMAR, City, 4-A, 13-1--Running back Tyrone Crenshaw could win the state rushing title this season if he stays healthy. Crenshaw averaged eight yards a carry while gaining 1,875 yards last season in leading the Spartans to the 4-A title.

5. MATER DEI, Southern, I, 9-2-1--For the second consecutive season, Mater Dei is competing in a public school league. The parochial power fared well last year, winning the South Coast League with a 4-1 record. The Monarchs figure to be back at the top.

6. FONTANA, Southern, I, 11-2--The Southern Section’s dominant team of the 1980s is facing difficult times as many of the area’s top players are now attending the recently opened A.B. Miller High. Veteran Coach Dick Bruich is trying to do more with less, a task he’s more than capable of handling.

7. ESPERANZA, Southern, II, 12-1-1--Although the Aztecs do not have as much returning talent as seasons past, it is hard to bet against their recent success. Esperanza has won 39 of its last 41 games and tied Los Alamitos for the Division II title last season.

8. HAWTHORNE, Southern, III, 12-2--The Division III champions have 14 returning starters, including All-State wide receiver Justin Stallings and quarterback Kenji Tatum. The Cougars will find out how good they are in this week’s opener against Loyola.

9. MUIR, Southern, II, 11-2--It is difficult to figure out the Mustangs, who were rejuvenated last season when Coach Jim Brownfield returned after a seven-year absence. Brownfield resigned unexpectedly last spring for health reasons, turning the program over to one of his assistants, Jack Allen.

10. HART, Southern, II, 11-1--The Southland’s best-known passing school has turned the quarterbacking duties over to senior Mike Kocicka, a transfer from Crescenta Valley. The Indians have talented receivers to help, including senior John McLaughlin.

11. CARSON, City, 4-A, 9-4-1--David Williams is the latest coach hired to return the school to the glory years it enjoyed under Gene Vollnogle. The Colts slumped the last two years, losing the 4-A championship last year, 17-0. They open up with Bishop Amat.

12. LOS ALAMITOS, Southern, II, 13-0-1--All-State quarterback Tim Carey graduated, as did most of the other starters from last year’s team. The Griffins do have linebacker Marc Albert, who led Orange County in tackling last season.

13. NEWBURY PARK, Southern, III, 8-3--The Panthers might have the best passing combination in the state with quarterback Keith Smith and receiver Leodes Van Buren. Smith passed for 3,318 yards last season, and Van Buren had 1,330 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

14. CAPISTRANO VALLEY, Southern, I, 6-4-1--With a couple of breaks, the Cougars could have easily been 9-1-1 last season. With 17 returning starters, Coach Eric Patton is confident his team can unseat Mater Dei in the South Coast League.

15. NORCO, Southern, V, 14-0--The Cougars do not have as rugged a schedule as many other rated teams, but they have dominated their competition. This season they are led by highly touted quarterback Steve Campbell, who is coached by his father, Gary Campbell.

16. LONG BEACH POLY, Southern, I, 8-4--There is no doubt Poly deserves to be mentioned with the Southland’s top teams, but its nonleague schedule will make it hard for the Jackrabbits to post a glittering record. They face Wilmington Banning, Eisenhower, Fontana and Esperanza before opening Moore League play.

17. CANYON COUNTRY CANYON, Southern, II, 7-4--Coach Harry Welch, used to championship victories, has not led the Cowboys to a league title since 1989. Last season was his worst in 12 years. With powerful running back Ed Williams returning, things may be about to change.

18. ANTELOPE VALLEY, Southern, I, 7-4--The Antelopes have their most experienced team since Tommie Smith starred at the school in the late 1980s. The problem is depth, with only 33 players on the varsity. The leader is linebacker Keith Schiele, who is being heavily recruited.

19. VALENCIA, Southern, VI, 11-3--After losing two of their first three games last season, the Tigers rebounded to win the Division VI title. The two-time defending divisional champions are led by linebacker Chris Draft, who also rushed for 1,600 yards last season.

20. TAFT, City, 4-A, 9-5--After winning the 3-A title last season, the Toreadors were moved up to 4-A. Fourteen starters return, including junior running back Jerry Brown, who rushed for 1,731 yards and 16 touchdowns and was selected the divisional player of year.