Fullerton’s Ginter Is Big Hitter to All Fields : Football: All-Freeway League defensive back also is a standout in baseball.

This spring, Keith Ginter could become the county’s all-time leading home run hitter. But during football season, he’s hitting tailbacks, fullbacks, wide receivers . . .

Ginter, an All-Freeway League defensive back, also is finding the end zone.

He has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, caught seven touchdown passes and rushed for two touchdowns.

Ginter, who has 24 receptions for 404 yards, also has kicked five conversions, giving him 71 points. Los Alamitos running back Enrico Bozman, who has 12 touchdowns and 72 points, is the county’s scoring leader.

“Ginter is one of the best athletes in the Freeway League, “ Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney said.

Ginter, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior who has played wide receiver and running back this season, has helped the Indians to a 3-2 start and a No. 9 ranking in the Southern Section Division VII poll.

Under second-year Coach Julian Smilowitz, Fullerton enters Friday’s Freeway League opener against Sunny Hills with more victories than it had in the last two seasons.

“For two years, it was frustrating having to listen to the whole student body put down the football team,” said Ginter, a third-year varsity player.

Fullerton won only twice in 20 games during the 1991 and ’92 seasons.

“I thought about not playing my senior year to concentrate on baseball,” Ginter said. “But after talking to Coach Smilowitz, I decided to come back out. This year, it’s like a brand new school.”

The attitude change began with the arrival of Smilowitz, offensive line coach and defensive coordinator at La Mirada from 1984-91.

“There was more than enough negativity to go around when I came here,” Smilowitz said. “Although a situation like that can be overwhelming, you have to be positive and you have to stick to your guns and stay with your program.”

Ginter stuck with Smilowitz, and his speed and ability to make big plays exemplifies the Fullerton team.

Only two of Ginter’s touchdown receptions were less than 23 yards. He has caught 65- and 52-yard scoring passes from quarterback Chris Young and returned interceptions of 63 and 56 yards for touchdowns.

Those big plays were hard to find last season when the Indians finished 1-9 as Ginter spent a good portion of the time at quarterback.

“Although last season wasn’t a winning one for Fullerton, the young guys played a lot and got some invaluable experience, which is more than worth the price,” Devaney said.

This season, Smilowitz installed Young, who led the ’91 freshmen to a 9-1 record, at quarterback and Ginter moved outside.

“Ginter can turn ordinary plays into big plays,” Smilowitz said.

Ginter’s explosiveness showed when he scored five touchdowns in Fullerton’s 40-15 victory over Whittier California. Although he spearheads the Fullerton attack, he is quick to credit his teammates.

“In the Cal High game, everything was going right, it was a total team effort,” Ginter said. “After that, we knew we could win. We were behind against El Dorado and came from behind to win. That was something we never did in the past.”

In baseball, Ginter spent some time with former teammate and present Cal State Fullerton first baseman D.C. Olsen, the county’s all-time leading home run hitter with 25.

Ginter, who has 18 career home runs, has played on the varsity since his freshman year and is regarded as one of the county’s top hitters.

Although the records and recognition are nice, Ginter would trade it all to go out a winner.

“Every practice we’re getting better, and I’m hoping we can get to the football playoffs,” Ginter said. “But right now we’re thinking about Sunny Hills and trying to be 1-0 (in league).

“I think some people will underestimate us and that’s fine. They’ll find out about us when we play them.”