TIMES’ 1993 ALL-VALLEY FOOTBALL TEAM : St. Genevieve Hit Bottom, Went to Top With Fong

Life was a parade this season at St. Genevieve High. It was expected to be a funeral procession.

Team after team lined up the Valiants for their homecoming game. After all, when it’s homecoming, it’s nice to send the partisan folks home with a victory. To accomplish that, it’s best to line up a road team that’s road kill.

“We saw a lot of long halftimes,” Coach Richard Fong said. “We saw a lot of floats and a lot of free fireworks.”

Ah, pyrotechnics. St. Genevieve showed opponents some of their own in 1993, and all those homecomings became home wreckings. After winning one game from 1991-92, the Valiants this fall won a league title, made the playoffs and nearly upset the top-seeded team in their division.

For his part in the turnaround, Fong has been selected The Times’ Valley coach of the year.

Considering Fong’s background, his success isn’t exactly a shock. In 1986, Fong was an assistant at Crespi, which became the first team in San Fernando Valley history to win the Southern Section Big Five Conference (now Division I) title.

Crespi Coach Bill Redell, now at St. Francis, surrounded himself with young, talented assistants. Fong was coaching the junior varsity and tagged along for the Big Five final at Anaheim Stadium.

“It was better than any football clinic I could have gone to,” said Fong, who turns 36 Friday. “When we got to the playoffs this year, it wasn’t foreign to me.”

Positive results aren’t foreign to his Crespi pals, either. Former Celts assistants from 1986 are now running the show at high schools throughout the nation. Crespi is coached by Tim Lins, Jim Benkert is at Westlake, Doug Semones is a head coach in Hawaii, ditto Frank Bean in Kansas.

“I learned a lot from those guys,” Fong said.

After Crespi, Fong spent one year as an assistant at Westlake under Benkert before he took over three seasons ago at St. Genevieve. Its football team had fallen on hard times, a trend that Fong did little to reverse--initially.

Fong, who spent two years as an assistant at Chaminade before his tenure at Crespi and Westlake, always aspired to be a head coach. But he concedes it crossed his mind that he might have “found his niche” as an assistant.

“At the end of my first year at St. Gen’s, I thought maybe that was my calling,” he said.

St. Genevieve lost 19 games in a row under Fong before winning its season finale in 1992. “At least we had something to build on,” he said.

He constructed a winner in 1993. The Valiants finished 9-3, won the Santa Fe League title and advanced to the Southern Section Division X quarterfinals. Top-seeded L.A. Baptist scored in the final minute to end the Valiants’ season, 28-20.

Earlier this month, Fong called a meeting for returning players and varsity hopefuls. He had 26 players on the varsity this fall. Forty-five kids turned out for the meeting.

Have the Valiants arrived? Some seem to think so: Another watershed moment took place this week when Cal-Hi Sports ranked St. Genevieve No. 10 in its state Division IV poll.

Antelope Valley finished the season ranked 13th in Division I, and senior linebacker Keith Schiele (pronounced SHEE-lee) whacked running backs like a shillelagh. Schiele, The Times’ Valley lineman of the year, is the grunting embodiment of his team’s blue-collar, no-star makeup.

A look at the Antelopes’ roster turns up few major-college prospects. Like his mates, Schiele makes up in determination what he lacks in physical exponents. He led the team in tackles (114) for the second season in a row.

“He loves to play,” Coach Brent Newcomb said. “He goes to school because we have a football team. He loves to play and he loves to practice. He plays as hard Monday through Thursday as he does Friday night.

“He’s made a lot of big plays for me over the last three years.”

None bigger than his 29-yard interception return for a touchdown that led to a 21-7 upset of Bishop Amat in the Division I quarterfinals. Defending champion Bishop Amat entered the game unbeaten, ranked first in the state and hadn’t lost since the 1991 playoffs. . . . when Schiele and the Antelopes beat the Lancers in overtime, 13-10.

It is no stretch to say that The Times’ Valley back of the year, senior quarterback Mike Kocicka of Hart, also exceeded all expectations this fall. The fact that Kocicka’s name will hereafter be mentioned in the same breath as former Hart quarterbacks such as Jim Bonds, Ryan Connors, Darren Renfro and Davis Delmatoff is some feat in itself.

So far, so fast. From his birthplace in Bron, a small rural town in Czechoslovakia, the family moved to the San Fernando Valley area when Kocicka was 2. He soon put the pass in passport.

However, his climb up the statistical charts--Kocicka ranks third in the state in passing with 2,966 yards--wasn’t meteoric. At least, not at first.

Kocicka started for the Crescenta Valley junior varsity as a sophomore, though he had never before played the sport on an organized level. He served as the Crescenta Valley varsity backup as a junior but quit the team in frustration. His confidence somewhat shaken, he transferred to Hart.

He blossomed in Hart’s run-and-shoot offense, though none of his teammates were surprised. After all, Kocicka once boasted he could throw a football 50 yards from his knees--and he did exactly that.

Opponents were on their knees thereafter.

Times’ 1993 All-Valley Football Team

Back of the Year: Mike Kocicka, Hart

Lineman of the Year: Keith Schiele, Antelope Valley

Coach of the Year: Richard Fong, St. Genevieve Player: Damon Blechen School: Agoura Year: Senior Position: OL Height: 6-4 Weight: 225

Blechen is not the typical hulking lineman, though he was selected the Marmonte League lineman of the year. Picture this: Blechen is a starting guard on the basketball team who throws the shotput and discus in the spring. He projects as a linebacker in college and couples strength with skill.

*Player: Leon Blunt School: San Fernando Year: Senior Position: DB Height: 5-10 Weight: 180

Three years at quarterback, three years of ravaging school records. Blunt passed for 715 yards, rushed for 803, but was known more for his last-second heroics. His 71-yard touchdown run fueled a 19-18 upset of unbeaten Taft. Blunt, an All-City Section pick as a junior, has committed to play at Notre Dame.

*Player: Jerry Brown School: Taft Year: Junior Position: RB Height: 5-11 Weight: 185

Brown, the reigning City 3-A player of the year, helped Taft win 10 games in a season for the first time. He rushed for 1,761 yards, 19 touchdowns and was named co-most valuable player of the North Valley League. Brown’s 90-yard kickoff return against Dorsey two weeks ago once again showed his big-play ability.

*Player: Jabbar Craigwell School: Notre Dame Year: Senior Position: DB Height: 5-10 Weight: 180

Clearly the front man for Notre Dame’s most successful team in history, Craigwell was as effective at quarterback as he was at safety. He passed for 1,345 yards, rushed for 480 and intercepted two passes. Craigwell, one of the school’s most popular students, also plays for the basketball and baseball teams.

*Player: Tyrone Crenshaw School: Sylmar Year: Senior Position: RB Height: 5-11 Weight: 180

For the second time in as many seasons, Crenshaw led area City Section ballcarriers. Crenshaw, the 1992 4-A player of the year, rushed for 1,785 yards and 23 touchdowns and led the Spartans into the semifinals. Try this for consistency: Crenshaw rushed for 1,875 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.

*Player: Shaun Dudra School: Kennedy Year: Senior Position: K Height: 6-4 Weight: 180

Who says City teams can’t throw? Dudra, a three-year starter, caught 59 passes, breaking the single-season school record that stood since 1977. Dudra’s catches accounted for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also made 30 of 33 extra-point kicks, scored 108 points and averaged 36 yards a punt.

*Player: Soren Halladay School: Hart Year: Senior Position: WR Height: 6-2 Weight: 185

Receivers in the run-and-shoot often catch plenty of short passes and Halladay showed unusual explosiveness. He caught 49 passes for 1,062 yards (21.7 average) and was co-most valuable player in the Foothill League. Said Saugus Coach Jack Bowman: “Best player I’ve seen in years.” Also was a standout on defense.

*Player: Patrick Jeffries School: Crespi Year: Senior Position: LB Height: 6-0 Weight: 205

Taft tailback Jerry Brown, held to 38 yards in 16 carries by the Celts, can attest to the strength of Crespi’s front seven, and Jeffries led the pack. Jeffries was the team leader with 120 tackles and was named Crespi’s player of the game against Loyola and Bishop Amat. He also earned All-Del Rey League honors.

*Player: Mike Kocicka School: Hart Year: Senior Position: Senior Height: 6-3 Weight: 210

Hard as it is to believe, Kocicka was practically a novice when he took over at quarterback. A raw transfer from Crescenta Valley, Kocicka performed better than anyone could have hoped, which at Hart, is a great accomplishment. He passed for 2,966 yards--to rank third in the state--and threw 32 touchdown passes.

*Player: Dan Lazarovits School: Taft Year: Senior Position: OL Height: 6-4 Weight: 235

A returning All-City selection, Lazarovits is the lineman full of one-liners. Taft’s best and most colorful lineman opened holes for All-Valley teammate Jerry Brown and also played at linebacker, proving that he giveth and taketh away. Behind his girth and mirth, Taft averaged 373 yards offensively to lead area City teams.

*Player: Jermaine Lewis School: Antelope Valley Year: Sophomore Position: RB Height: 5-6 Weight: 135

Lewis is small, but his performances against big-time competition are indisputable. Lewis rushed for 1,612 yards--even though the Antelopes played six teams ranked in the state top 20. He became the first player since 1989 to gain 100 yards against Loyola and is the first sophomore in school history to rush for 1,000 yards.

*Player: Andrew Mikhail School: Notre Dame Year: Senior Position: DL Height: 6-0 Weight: 210

Notre Dame won the Mission League title behind a defense that allowed an average of 164 yards in the regular season, the second-best mark in the region. Diplomacy be damned, Mikhail was no Gorbachev when it came to burying backs. He was named the league lineman of the year and led the team to the Division IV semifinals.

*Player: Brad Norris School: Quartz Hill Year: Senior Position: QB Height: 6-3 Weight: 180

When it came to the Golden League, Norris filled the air with golden arches. He set school single-season records for passing yardage (2,691) and touchdowns (24). The Rebels won their first 10 games for the first time in school history and won the league title. Norris ranks eighth in the state in passing yardage.

*Player: Brian Pereira School: Quartz Hill Year: Junior Position: LB Height: 6-0 Weight: 190

If Norris was Quartz Hill’s leader on offense, Pereira was the ringleader defensively, a feeling reflected when coaches named him the Golden League’s lineman of the year. Pereira had a career-high 17 tackles in a crucial 13-9 victory over Antelope Valley that decided the league championship.

*Player: DaShon Polk School: Taft Year: Junior Position: LB Height: 6-3 Weight: 195

Polk, as spirited as any player ever to wear a Taft uniform, brought a spark and emotion to one of the region’s top defenses. Polk was an All-City selection at safety as a sophomore and made the transition to linebacker in 1993. One scouting service predicts Polk will rank among the state’s top prospects at safety next fall.

*Player: David Pratchard School: Canyon Year: Senior Position: OL Height: 6-5 Weight: 265

Pratchard was half of Canyon’s double trouble tackles, this pair looking like a stand of redwood trees. Along with 6-7, 235-pound line mate Mark Manskar, Pratchard punched holes through defenses all year for the Cowboys, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards. Pratchard is a repeater on the All-Valley team.

*Player: Mike Reily School: Burroughs Year: Senior Position: DL Height: 6-3 Weight: 285

According to Burroughs Coach Gary Bernardi, formerly a recruiting coordinator at USC, Reily is a definite NCAA Division I prospect. Reily was a cornerstone of the Indians’ turnaround from 0-10 in 1992 to a berth in the playoffs in 1993. Another dumb lineman? Reily has a grade-point average of 4.2 in college-prep courses.

*Player: Jason Rempel School: Calabasas Year: Senior Position: OL Height: 6-4 Weight: 250

Offensive linemen don’t generate much notoriety, except when they get flagged for holding. Rempel, however, is a definite exception. A measure of the esteem in which he is held: Rempel was selected the Frontier League co-player of the year on offense. Rempel is a returning All-Valley selection.

*Player: Dane Roman School: Crescenta Valley Year: Senior Position: DL Height: 6-2 Weight: 225

Coaches rated Roman, a defensive end, as one of the best linemen they saw all season. Said Burroughs Coach Gary Bernardi: “He was damn good.” And darn strong, in the weight room and classroom. Roman, a shy guy off the field, bench-presses 300 pounds and carries a grade-point average of 3.2.

*Player: Jim Romero School: L.A. Baptist Year: Senior Position: WR Height: 5-11 Weight: 165

Romero turned heads at a summer scouting combine, then backed up his lofty status with a superlative season. Entering Friday night’s Division X final, Romero ranks eighth in the state with 80 receptions for 1,468 yards and 11 touchdowns. Romero placed sixth in the state high jump finals as a junior.

*Player: Keith Schiele School: Antelope Valley Year: Senior Position: LB Height: 6-0 Weight: 210

A returning All-Southern Section selection, Schiele was the hero of Antelope Valley’s 21-7 upset of top-ranked Bishop Amat in the Division I quarterfinals. He intercepted a fourth-quarter pass and ran 21 yards for a touchdown to break a 7-7 tie against the heavily favored Lancers, then the state’s top-ranked team.

*Player: Wilbert Smith School: Montclair Prep Year: Senior Position: DB Height: 5-9 Weight: 180

Another in a string of highly productive Montclair Prep backs, Smith is being recruited by the cream of the NCAA football crop. And why not? He ranks second in the state in scoring with 248 points and third in rushing with 2,512 yards. It was no real surprise: Smith led the Valley region with 158 points as a junior.

*Player: Shaun Williams School: Crespi Year: Senior Position: DB Height: 6-2 Weight: 185

Williams started 1993 on the recruiting bubble, a player who could land a major-college scholarship if he had a breakthrough year. Williams rushed for 1,809 yards, intercepted three passes--and recruiters have noticed. He was named Del Rey League most valuable player over players from Bishop Amat and Loyola.

*Coach: Richard Fong School: St. Genevieve

Talk about making a 180-degree turn. OK, so it was gradual. After losing 23 games dating to 1990, St. Genevieve won its final game of 1992--and it set the tone for this fall. The resurgent Valiants went 9-3, won the Santa Fe League championship and advanced to the Southern Section Division X quarterfinals.

Times’ All-Valley Football Team

FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. B Jerry Brown Taft 5-11 185 Jr. B Tyrone Crenshaw Sylmar 5-11 180 Sr. B Mike Kocicka Hart 6-3 210 Sr. B Jermaine Lewis Antelope Valley 5-6 135 So. B Brad Norris Quartz Hill 6-3 180 Sr. WR Soren Halladay Hart 6-2 185 Sr. WR Jim Romero L.A. Baptist 5-11 165 Sr. L Dan Lazarovits Taft 6-4 235 Sr. L David Pratchard Canyon 6-5 265 Sr. L Mike Reily Burroughs 6-3 285 Sr. L Jason Rempel Calabasas 6-4 250 Sr. K Shaun Dudra Kennedy 6-4 180 Sr.

*

FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DB Leon Blunt San Fernando 5-10 180 Sr. DB Jabbar Craigwell Notre Dame 5-10 180 Sr. DB Wilbert Smith Montclair Prep 5-9 180 Sr. DB Shaun Williams Crespi 6-2 185 Sr. LB Patrick Jeffries Crespi 6-0 205 Sr. LB Brian Pereira Quartz Hill 6-0 190 Jr. LB DaShon Polk Taft 6-3 195 Jr. LB Keith Schiele Antelope Valley 6-0 210 Sr. L Damon Blechen Agoura 6-4 225 Sr. L Andrew Mikhail Notre Dame 6-0 210 Sr. L Dane Roman Crescenta Valley 6-2 225 Sr.

SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. B Chris Johnson Saugus 6-2 220 Sr. B Erik LaCom Crescenta Valley 5-9 195 Sr. B Rocque Sandoval Palmdale 6-2 185 Sr. B Donte Scarbrough Kennedy 5-9 165 Sr. WR Anthony Coleman Palmdale 6-1 180 Sr. WR Troy Searcy Quartz Hill 5-11 160 Sr. TE Dion Gaston Taft 6-0 220 Jr. L John Gonzalez Sylmar 6-3 305 Sr. L Josh Lopez Hart 6-2 240 Sr. L Mark Manskar Canyon 6-7 240 Jr. L Mencil Williams Granada Hills 6-4 270 Sr. K Matt Sebree Harvard-Westlake 6-1 165 Sr.

*

SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DB Carlos Baker Burbank 6-1 185 Jr. DB Dwyer McKeith Taft 5-11 165 Sr. DB Chris Shinnick El Camino Real 5-11 185 Sr. DB Ed Williams Canyon 5-9 170 Sr. LB Marvin Powell Birmingham 6-3 220 Jr. LB Dorrick Roy Montclair Prep 6-4 220 Sr. LB Travion Trammel Reseda 6-0 235 Sr. L Marty Crowder Hart 6-3 235 Sr. L Brian McWhorter Quartz Hill 6-4 225 Sr. L Brett Nordyke Crespi 6-3 190 Sr. L Matt Speranza Saugus 6-2 250 Sr.