He Always Presents Edison’s Best Defense : Division II: Simmons plays in shadow of star tailback and quarterback, but Chargers depend on linebacker’s leadership.

Tailback Michael Graham, who has rushed for more than 1,300 yards, provides the flash for Edison’s offense.

Todd Belitz, a quarterback and defensive end who leads the team in sacks, is the team’s brash leader.

But at the center of the storm is 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker Jeremy Simmons, Edison’s low-key leader of a defense allowing fewer than 14 points per game.

Simmons and Charger linebacker Andy Robertson, the team’s two leading tacklers, will try to slow top-seeded Los Alamitos tonight in a Southern Section Division II quarterfinal game at Orange Coast College.

So is Edison psyched-up?

“We’ve been in so many big games this season, we’re preparing for this one just like any other one,” Simmons said.

Simmons knew it was best not to provide Los Alamitos with any motivational fodder. But he made one prediction.

“We’ll have to play a perfect game to beat them,” Simmons said. “Los Al is probably the best passing team we’ve seen. I’m not saying who’s going to win, but it will be a tough game.”

Eight weeks ago, meeting Los Alamitos in the playoffs was the furthest thing from Simmons’ mind.

The Chargers had lost their Sunset League opener to Huntington Beach, 10-7, one week after a 17-13 loss to Capistrano Valley.

So with a 2-2 record and six league games remaining, the Chargers did some soul searching and stopped the finger-pointing.

“I made a prediction after the Huntington Beach loss and said we’d win six straight and do some damage in the playoffs,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “The kids really came together.”

With the offense struggling after the Huntington Beach loss, Simmons approached White in an effort to spark the Chargers’ stagnant offense.

“Our running game wasn’t working,” White said. “And it was a combination of things, our line’s blocking, the fullbacks, the tailback . . . “

Besides playing linebacker, Simmons also was the starting tailback, a position he earned after working and waiting for three years. But he was ready to give it up.

“Jeremy came to me and said he would move back to fullback, where he started last year, if it would help the team win,” White said.

So Chris Young and Brad Lisotto took over at tailback, and with Simmons at fullback, the Chargers rolled up 97 points in victories over Ocean View and Westminster.

Then Graham, who had rushed for more than 600 yards in four games with Mater Dei, transferred to Edison in mid-October and took over the starting tailback duties after two weeks of practice.

“There was a lot of disbelief when we first heard Michael was coming here,” Simmons said. “But I was happy because I thought he could help us offensively.

“It was a big adjustment moving back to fullback, but I just accepted it. I’ll do whatever it takes for us to win. Looking at the results and it’s pretty clear that he was the missing link.”

With Simmons blocking in front of Graham, the Chargers have averaged more than 32 points. The Simmons switch helped Edison to a second-place finish in league, including a 27-14 victory over rival Fountain Valley.

Edison extended its winning streak to seven with last week’s 40-20 first-round playoff victory over Canyon Country Canyon. Simmons scored a touchdown and gained 66 yards in seven carries.

“Jeremy’s one of our most valuable players,” White said. “He calls signals for us on defense, then plays every down on offense.

“He never comes out. He’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever had.”

Simmons has a tough assignment tonight facing a Griffin offense led by quarterback Mike Good, who has passed for more than 2,100 yards, and running back Enrico Bozman, who has rushed for more than 1,400 yards.

“They have no weaknesses,” White said. “They run the ball well, pass well, spread the field, plus they’re not giving up any points.

“We have tremendous respect for Los Alamitos, but we’re going in expecting we can win this game. But we’ll have to be perfect.”