PREP FOOTBALL ’94 / TOP PLAYERS, TEAMS : A 25-Point Plan for a Prep Football Fan

Here are 25 must-know items for the 1994 high school football season:

1. GENERATION X’S AND O’S

Reuben Droughns may be the finest running back to play at Anaheim High, but is he the best on the Anaheim sideline?

Allen Carter, his coach, wasn’t too shabby either.

Carter gained 4,388 yards and scored 70 touchdowns at La Verne Bonita from 1968-70. As a senior, he gained 1,915 yards and scored 33 touchdowns.

Droughns gained 2,039 yards as a sophomore last year, topping Carter’s single-season best. He is on pace to surpass his coach’s career mark as well.

“Don’t tell him that,” Carter said. “He could easily do it, but don’t tell him about it. It will be good, but don’t tell him about it.”

Sorry coach. Too late.

2. IT’S A YOUNG MAN’S WORLD

So who’s better? Droughns or Carter? Well, Droughns of course. Carter’s in his 40s.

3. KING OF THE HILL

Let’s see, last season Los Alamitos defeated Esperanza, Marina, Edison, Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. All five are in the Sunset League with the Griffins this season. So doesn’t that make the Griffins the defending Sunset League champions?

Los Alamitos beat Esperanza in Empire League play and Marina in a nonleague game. The Griffins then steamrolled Edison, Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach in the Division II playoffs.

More than one Griffin player suggested that the Sunset League championship trophy be handed over after the title game.

4. NEXT!

Kevin Feterik, just another cog in the Los Alamitos’ quarterback machine.

Feterik, a junior, follows in the footsteps of some heavy hitters.

1993--Mike Good (Northern Arizona) threw for 2,969 yards and 35 touchdowns.

1992--Tim Carey (Stanford) threw for 3,397 yards and 35 touchdowns.

1991--Carey threw for 2,501 yards.

Now comes Feterik, who is right in that company. He was invited to a quarterback camp at Cal State Los Angeles during the summer--which included college quarterbacks--and finished first among 60.

“He’s cool,” Coach John Barnes said. “He was incredible during the summer, and we have him for two years.”

5. ON THE RECEIVING END

If Feterik throws ‘em, Brad Melsby will catch ‘em.

Melsby, a senior wide receiver, caught 77 passes for 1,261 yards and 17 touchdowns last season--all ranking in the top five in county history. He had four touchdown receptions against Palmdale. Melsby has 110 career receptions.

It’ll be tough to double-cover Melsby because Tony Hartley also lines up at wide receiver for the Griffins. He had 25 receptions, 10 of which went for touchdowns, and averaged 21 yards per catch.

“With our receivers, anything in the vicinity gets caught,” Barnes said.

6. STREAKS

Los Alamitos has not lost in 35 games. Ocean View has not won in 29 games.

The two teams, thankfully, don’t play each other this season.

7. DeWAYNE’S WORLD

As a runner, DeWayne Crenshaw is among the best. But when he runs off at the mouth, he stumbles a bit.

After Costa Mesa defeated Trabuco Hills, 13-3, last season, Crenshaw boldly stated that the Pacific Coast League race was over. Never mind that the Mustangs had two games remaining, against Estancia and Century.

“No one’s going to get in our way,” Crenshaw said. “We own Century. We own Estancia.”

Well, they did own Estancia, Century wasn’t on the market. The Centurions tied the Mustangs, 7-7. Still, the Mustangs did win the first outright league title in the school’s history.

Crenshaw, who also plays defensive end, was a big part of that success, gaining 930 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. He was the only bright spot in the Mustangs’ first section title game. His 60-yard touchdown run was the Mustangs’ only score in a 44-6 loss to Trabuco Hills in the Division VII final.

Crenshaw certainly will have the Mustangs in the running for a second league title, but don’t expect more predictions.

8. MEAL TICKET

Having Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan over for dinner might be nice, but it can get expensive.

Parents of Eagle football players can bid to have Hartigan as a guest. It’s part of an auction during the program’s annual dinner/dance. Starting bids are $500 and top out at $1,000. For that, Hartigan will scrape scraps off your plate.

“The first year, the deal was that I would come over and fix dinner,” Hartigan said. “I used to be a cook in a restaurant. But I found out the mothers were much better cooks. So now I come over, eat and we have good conversation.”

At those prices, it better be.

9. BEEFY BOOKENDS

The Hartigan Value Meal could be worse. He could bring along senior tackles Kris Farris and Josh Beckett, two big reasons the Eagles might win the Sea View League title.

Farris is 6 feet 8, 275 pounds; Beckett is 6-5, 305.

“We got a few complaints from them last year that there was never enough food at the pregame meal,” Hartigan said. “They will really stretch our budget.”

And, hopefully for Hartigan, a few defenses. The Eagles want to rely on the running game more this season because of Farris and Beckett, the Santa Margarita Mountains.

“We’re going to ask Kris and Josh to move some people around this season,” Hartigan said. “They certainly have the leverage.”

10. MORE BULK

San Clemente’s Brett Samperi may be the most sought-after lineman in the county. His 6-5, 270 frame has drawn recruiters like flies.

USC, UCLA, Washington and Nebraska are some of the schools drooling over him.

11. SMALL FISH, BIG POND

OK, so Trabuco Hills won the Division VIII title last season. OK, so the Mustangs have won three championships and played in a fourth title game since 1988. But is that any reason to punish them?

Trabuco Hills made the largest jump in Orange County history this year. When the Mustangs were moved into the South Coast League, they went from Division VIII to Division I.

“Even if we make the playoffs, the best we could hope for would be to draw a team like Long Beach Poly,” Barnett said. “That scares me.”

Of course, Trabuco Hills is 5-1 against South Coast League teams over the last two seasons.

12. ON THE OTHER HAND . . .

Irvine won its third consecutive championship and was dropped to a lower division for the second time. Irvine won the Division II title in 1991, but was moved out of the South Coast League and into the Sea View League, which was Division IV.

Now, after Irvine has won back-to-back Division IV titles, the Sea View League has been dropped to Division V.

“Maybe that’s our reward for all those years of being in the same league with Mission Viejo, Capo Valley and El Toro,” Coach Terry Henigan said.

13. PRESSURE? WHAT PRESSURE?

By the way, don’t remind Henigan that his team has won three consecutive titles. He doesn’t want to hear it.

“We don’t say a word about those things around here,” he said. “Every year we have a different group of kids. We don’t want to compare seasons. There’s enough pressure on them.”

Sorry Terry, have to mention it. The Vaqueros could become the first Orange County team to win four consecutive titles.

Los Alamitos, which has won two championships and shared one, also could pull it off.

Brea-Olinda won three consecutive titles from 1961-63.

14. THE REAL DEAL

Russell Deal might help Irvine get that fourth ring.

The junior running back first went to Santa Margarita, where he was the MVP of a 10-0 freshman team. He transferred to Irvine last season and helped the Vaquero sophomore team go 10-0.

15. NO DUMMY

John Selbe has returned as Cypress football coach. He was the Centurions coach from 1985-92.

After eight years of banging his head against the wall, compiling a 24-43-2 record, he stepped down to be an assistant.

Now he’s back. Of course, the fact that Los Alamitos and Esperanza have left the Empire League--and left it wide open--probably had nothing to do with his return.

16. TRICK AND TREAT

On Oct. 31, 1993, Larry Montgomery turned 15. That was bad news for Troy opponents.

Montgomery was eligible to play varsity football from then on. He gained 120 yards against Fullerton the following week. His next assignment was Sunny Hills. He gained 160 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Now Montgomery is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior. It’s more bad news for Warrior opponents.

17. GONZO BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Tony Gonzalez, Huntington Beach’s all-everything linebacker/tight end, has had his No. 44 jersey retired by the school. Gonzalez is now at California.

18. GONZO AND PLEASE LET’S FORGET

Michael Graham--remember him--has finally landed. He’s at Covina Charter Oak High School.

Graham, a junior running back, was so fast last year that he gained tons of yards at two schools, first Mater Dei, then Edison.

He finished with with 1,207 yards during the regular season. He also struck some pretty fancy Heisman Trophy poses during the playoffs, until he was struck by Los Alamitos in the quarterfinals.

19. SUPER SOPH

Esperanza quarterback Dave Parrish, one of this year’s top sophomores, will have to wait his turn this season, backing up Chris Stretch. But he may see some time.

“I wouldn’t be concerned about using him,” Coach Gary Meek said. “He’s got size and a great arm. The only thing I keep telling him is he lacks the athletic genes.”

Parrish’s father is Lance Parrish, former Angel catcher.

20. LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Orange County’s 1994 Wrestlemania match--Villa Park’s Lenard Barnes (6-2, 260) vs. Foothill’s Tony Tuioti (6-1, 256).

These loose cannons meet on Oct. 13, when Villa Park plays Foothill at Tustin High School. The Century League title, not to mention the World Championship, should be on the line.

21. PAIN FREE

Everyone warned Ben Haley that if he took the job at Santiago, it would be nothing but headaches.

No parents. No money. No kids. No victories. Wrong.

Haley said the program has a booster club for the first time since 1979. They’ve even raised some cash, including $7,000 for video equipment.

Participation is up--the varsity has 75 kids out compared to 32 at this time last year. The freshmen numbers are even better, 43 compared to eight last August.

There are no victories yet, at least not in games. But off the field . . .

“Everybody told me the attitude was the biggest thing I had to overcome here,” Haley said. “That has been the easy thing. Everyone, the administration, the parents and the kids, have done what’s needed.”

22. A BRAVE NEW LEAGUE

One thing is certain, someone from the newly formed Golden West League is going to the playoffs.

Ocean View, Saddleback, Santa Ana, Servite, Tustin and Westminster--the league’s six teams--failed to qualify last season.

23. THE THREE THOROUGHBREDS

Mater Dei certainly won’t be lacking for weapons this season. The Monarchs return their entire starting backfield.

--Quarterback John Flynn threw for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is 15-3 as a starter.

--Tailback Steve Bodnar gained 1,111 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. When Graham left for greener pastures, the Monarchs’ running game actually got better. Bodnar’s wild 57-yard run against Long Beach Poly in the division quarterfinals helped the Monarchs pull out a 17-14 victory.

--Fullback Joey Trampush may be the best of the three. He gained 697 yards, scored five touchdowns and tended to knock people down when they tried to tackle Bodnar. Trampush is also a good receiver.

Those three have a pretty hefty guy to do the blocking up front in Matt Motherway (6-3, 255), one of the top linemen in the county.

24. ONE HOSS

Santa Ana Valley, which hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 1979, will have to make do with only one returner in the backfield. Of course, that one guy is Dwayne Cherrington.

Cherrington gained 1,234 yards last season, including a 327-yard performance against Dana Hills.

Said Coach Scott Orloff: “When people chase Dwayne, he seems to run faster then they do.”

‘Nuff said.

25. GAME OF THE YEAR

No question about it--Los Alamitos vs. Mater Dei, Friday, Dec. 9, in the Division I title game.

TOP RETURNERS

PASSING

(Minimum 100 Attempts)

Player, School PA PC Pct. Yards Avg. TD Int. John Flynn, Mater Dei 145 90 62.1 1,173 13.0 14 7 Adam Hoover, Canyon 230 131 56.9 1,630 12.4 10 8 John Frank, Rancho Alamitos 161 77 47.8 1,365 17.7 15 9 Ape Tuato, Los Amigos 143 75 52.4 1,250 16.7 9 7 Sean McMahon, Villa Park 134 67 50.0 1,074 16.0 8 6

Player, School Rating John Flynn, Mater Dei 152.0 Adam Hoover, Canyon 123.8 John Frank, Rancho Alamitos 138.7 Ape Tuato, Los Amigos 136.7 Sean McMahon, Villa Park 127.9

*

RUSHING

Player, School G Att Yards Avg. Reuben Droughns, Anaheim 10 274 1,663 6.1 Dwayne Cherrington, SAV 10 207 1,234 6.0 Charlie Marino, Kennedy 10 134 882 6.6 Steve Bodnar, Mater Dei 10 102 821 8.0 Dahrin Footman, Esperanza 9 133 663 5.0

*

RECEIVING

Player, School G No. Yards Avg. Brad Melsby, Los Alamitos 10 52 805 15.5 Jermaine Gray, Valencia 10 39 652 16.7 Greg Jacobs, Canyon 10 39 545 14.0 Carlos Rodriguez, Santa Ana 9 33 594 18.0 Ryan Wilkins, Esperanza 10 31 423 13.6

*

SCORING

Player, School TD FG XP Pts. Reuben Droughns, Anaheim 15 0 0 90 Charlie Marino, Kennedy 15 0 0 90 Brad Melsby, Los Alamitos 15 0 0 90 Dwayne Cherrington, SA Valley 13 0 2 80 Steve Bodnar, Mater Dei 11 0 0 66

*

INTERCEPTIONS

Player, School G Int. Pedro Calderon, Western 10 8 Jermaine Gray, Valencia 10 6 Joey Secoda, Valencia 10 6 Robbie Tritz, Mater Dei 10 6 Nate Pivaroff, Laguna Beach 9 5

TOP 10 1 - Mater Dei

The Monarchs, as usual, don’t lack talent. This season no one in the county has more. The backfield returns and sophomore wide receiver Rod Perry gives them a deep threat. The defense is inexperienced, but solid up front.

*

2 - Los Alamitos

The Griffins, who have not lost in 35 games, drop all the way to No. 2. They lost a lot, but they found a lot, namely junior quarterback Kevin Feterik. The defense has holes, but the offense should be able to pull off plenty of 42-35 victories.

*

3 - Santa Margarita

The Eagles plan to grind it out this season and they have the offensive line to do it. If they can just find a running back to blow through those big holes, the Sea View League title should at last belong to them.

*

4 - Esperanza

A perennial power loses little. Running back Dahrin Footman should be ready to have that long-awaited great season. Quarterback Chris Stretch is solid and, as always, there is size and strength on the offensive line.

*

5 - Irvine

Yeah, the Vaqueros lost a lot. But they did last year too and still won the Division IV title. There is enough talent back, plus plenty of new blood from a 10-0 sophomore team. Look for a slow start, followed by a fast finish.

*

6 - Trabuco Hills

The Mustangs jump from Division VIII to Division I with a move to the South Coast League. They should be able to handle the new neighborhood. J.C. Pintsak and Chad Collins are both capable quarterbacks. The team has enough size and strength to be a factor in its new league.

*

7 - Rancho Alamitos

The Vaqueros have so much talent they can move 1,000-yard rusher Kevin Allen from tailback to wide receiver. Chris Young, a transfer from Edison, will be the primary ball carrier. But with junior John Frank back at quarterback, Allen will see the ball plenty.

*

8 - Sunset League’s third-place team

Edison, Fountain Valley, Marina or Huntington Beach. Take your pick.

*

9 - Villa Park

Gone is Grant Pearsall, Mr. Instant Offense, but plenty return. In fact, there are 14 returning starters. Quarterback Sean McMahon should step forward. The running game won’t have a blazer like Pearsall, but it has quantity if not quality.

*

10 - Kennedy

A move from the Garden Grove League to the Empire League will change nothing. The Fighting Irish are tough, especially with running back Charlie Marino back. If someone steps forward at quarterback, then a league title will follow.

The Next 10

(alphabetically)

Anaheim--Reuben Droughns left, Reuben Droughns right.

El Dorado--Five returning starters on the offensive line.

Foothill--Lots of size and a burner in Trammel Robinson.

Fullerton--Loaded with 20 returning starters

Los Amigos--Quarterback Ape Tuato is a load.

Mission Viejo--Quarterback Austin Moherman could be great.

Servite--Should dominate the new Golden West League.

Troy--Someone has to win the Freeway League.

Valencia--Always good, even in down years like this one.

Woodbridge--Ian Dominelli is brutal on defense.