FOOTBALL ’94 / High School Coaches Show Off Their Tricks! : SOUTHERN SECTION : MARMONTE LEAGUE

AGOURA CHARGERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 4-6 3-4 Tie 4th

COACH YR. RECORD AT SCHOOL Charlie Wegher 1st 0-0

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Ryan Capretta, 5-11, 170 WR DB Sr. Eric Fitzgerald, 6-0, 200 QB -- Sr. Jon Gibbs, 6-1, 235 FB LB Sr. Tommy Kim, 5-9, 185 RB -- Sr. Roger Liang, 5-9, 185 RB LB Sr. Jeff Melcher, 5-8, 160 -- DB Sr. Jason Hicks, 6-1, 205 OL DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Maurice Moore, 5-11, 170 WR DB Sr. Elliot Silvers, 6-5, 300 OL DL Jr. Kevin Pak, 5-11, 225 OL LB Sr. Clint Bridge, 6-0, 185 WR DB Sr. Steve Parle, 5-11, 175 RB DB Sr.

FAST FACT

Moore, whom Wegher said runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, has not played football since his freshman year.

OUTLOOK

A former assistant at pass-happy Westlake, Wegher brings his style to a team that, for years under Frank Greminger, kept the ball on the ground. Fitzgerald, who completed 16 of 28 passes for 212 yards last year, is the key. He had back problems last season and the team needs him to remain injury-free. Wegher also said the team’s secondary is strong, a plus in the Marmonte League.

CAMARILLO SCORPIONS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 5-5 3-4 Tie 4th

COACH YR. LAST 5 YEARS Carl Thompson 10th 28-24

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Mike Muller, 6-3, 230 FB LB Sr. Jason Mastro, 6-1, 180 -- LB Sr. Ryan Bourget, 5-11, 185 FB DB Sr. Neil Cordes, 6-0, 187 -- DB Sr. Roth Valencia, 5-10, 175 RB LB Sr. Jason Vandermeyer, 5-10, 175 OL -- Sr. Ryan King, 6-2, 197 TE -- Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Matt Shack, 6-3, 330 OL -- Jr. Charles Burgent, 6-6, 320 OL -- Jr. Joe Borchard, 6-2, 175 QB -- So. Charles Copeland, 5-11, 170 WR -- Jr. Aaron Brown, 6-2, 220 OL DL Jr. Rob Festerling, 6-0, 200 OL -- Jr.

FAST FACT

Camarillo’s defense allowed the fewest yards per game (195.8) in the Marmonte League last season. The total was second only to Notre Dame in the region.

OUTLOOK

Camarillo, which failed to make the playoffs last year, relied heavily on its league-leading defense, and five starters from that unit return. Muller, Mastro and Valencia form a strong corps of returning linebackers. The offense hopes it can move the ball with the help of mammoth guards Shack and Burgent, both up from the junior varsity. If Camarillo is to escape the Marmonte League cellar, it will be because of a hard-hitting defense and the offensive line.

CHANNEL ISLANDS RAIDERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 0-10 0-7 8th

COACH YR. LAST 5 YEARS Joel Gershon 20th 13-36

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Blain Saipaia, 6-3, 270 OL DL Jr. Nhan Nguyen, 5-11, 205 TE DL Sr. Jose Cruz, 5-10, 185 OL LB Sr. Jeff Valaoga, 6-2, 190 -- DL Sr. Chris Heffernan, 5-8, 165 QB DB Sr. Alex Love, 6-2, 185 WR DB Sr. Tony Moore, 5-8, 170 FB -- Sr. Jesus Franco, 6-2, 265 OL -- Sr. Dustin Hammond, 5-11, 205 OL -- Sr. Jeff Laue, 6-2, 170 WR -- Sr. Mookie Boyd, 5-8, 165 -- DB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Charles Merricks, 5-11, 180 RB -- So. Bryan Parker, 5-8, 180 RB -- So.

FAST FACT

With the retirement of Agoura’s Frank Greminger, Gershon has now held his current position longer than any of his Marmonte League colleagues.

OUTLOOK

Channel Islands is probably the most experienced team in the league, with 28 returning letterman. Problem is, those players formed an 0-10 team last year, but Gershon is as optimistic as ever. “We think we are improved at every position,” he said. “These guys are really determined to have a successful season.” The Raiders probably will be improved, but successful is another matter.

NEWBURY PARK PANTHERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 14-0 7-0 1st

COACH YR. RECORD AT SCHOOL George Hurley 6th 36-19-2

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Tony Robertson, 5-6, 150 RB DB Sr. Eric Mahanke, 6-2, 185 WR LB Sr. Jeff Means, 5-9, 200 OL -- Sr. Brant Diediker, 6-2, 200 TE DL Jr. Brock Diediker, 6-2, 215 RB LB Jr. Justin Vint, 6-2, 180 QB -- Jr. Eddie Patterson, 5-9, 170 WR DB Jr. Spencer Goddard, 6-1, 180 WR DB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Patrick Reddick, 5-8, 175 WR DB So. Garrett Hobba, 5-10, 165 RB DB So.

FAST FACT

The Panthers began their Southern Section championship season with only 27 players on the roster.

OUTLOOK

Despite losing Keith Smith and Leodes Van Buren, the leading high school quarterback and receiver in state history, Hurley still will run a pass-oriented offense with Vint at the helm. “It’s out of the same playbook but we may go to another page or two,” Hurley said. Vint is more of a drop-back quarterback than the scrambling Smith. Most coaches figure the Panthers, despite their inexperience, will be in a group battling for third place.

ROYAL HIGHLANDERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 6-5 4-3 3rd

COACH YR. RECORD AT SCHOOL Gene Uebelhardt 6th 35-28-1

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Jerome Lee, 6-1, 210 RB -- Sr. Mike Reddington, 5-8, 200 RB -- Sr. Wes Legatta, 5-10, 170 QB -- Sr. Chris Fernandez, 5-8, 150 WR -- Sr. Brendan Gibson, 5-10, 150 WR -- Sr. Geoff Hinds, 6-3, 260 OL DL Sr. Don Luhmkuhl, 6-3, 275 OL -- Sr. Steve Zirnite, 6-4, 270 OL DL Sr. Kevin Musser, 6-2, 220 -- LB Sr. Ty Russell, 6-3, 220 -- LB Sr. Ryan Russell, 6-2, 218 -- LB Sr. Greg Pierce, 5-10, 180 -- LB Sr. Christian Broussard, 6-1, 190 -- DB Jr. Mike Weyant, 5-10, 180 -- DB Sr. Bryant Durphee, 5-7, 160 -- DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Ryan Nielsen, 6-4, 210 TE -- So. Ben Lemos, 6-2, 210 TE -- Sr. Levi Line, 6-3, 210 -- DL Jr. Brian Whitaker, 6-6, 225 -- DL Jr.

FAST FACT

All 17 of Royal’s returning starters were teammates on the freshman team that won the league title in 1991.

OUTLOOK

Royal and Westlake are the top teams in the league, but Royal has an edge with a returning quarterback and big, experienced players on defense. Also, Royal plays Westlake at home on Oct. 21. Uebelhardt doesn’t think his team is the favorite, though: “I’m in awe of Westlake,” he said. “I think to pick us at this time would be ludicrous.”

SIMI VALLEY PIONEERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 5-5 3-4 Tied 4th

COACH YR. RECORD AT SCHOOL Roger McCamy 2nd 5-5

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Tim Wolleck, 6-1, 215 PK DB Sr. J.J. Washington, 5-11, 170 WR DB Sr. Brian Kavanagh, 6-3, 210 OL LB Sr. Sean Ginnever, 6-2, 195 OL LB Sr. Tim Bennett, 6-1, 170 QB -- Sr. Matt Rezinis, 6-0, 215 OL LB Sr. Mark Villasenor, 5-9, 185 OL LB Sr. Justin Thomas, 6-2, 215 OL DL Jr. Chris Azzinario, 5-9, 170 RB DB Sr. Anthony Tauriello, 5-11, 170 WR DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Chris Miller, 5-11, 185 WR DB Jr. Robert Gonzalez, 5-11, 168 WR DB Jr. Jason May, 5-8, 170 RB DB Jr.

FAST FACT

Wolleck, whom McCamy said is being recruited by Pacific 10 Conference schools as a kicker and punter, made a 55-yard field goal last year.

OUTLOOK

Simi Valley’s strength is a tough corps of returning linebackers: Kavanagh, Ginnever, Rezinis and Villasenor. Seven players return on defense. Offensively, the Pioneers will go to a run-and-shoot led by Bennett, brother of former Simi Valley standout quarterback Eric Bennett. Simi Valley should be able to stick with any team in the league, but will probably finish in the middle of the pack.

THOUSAND OAKS LANCERS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 2-7-1 2-4-1 7th

COACH YR. LAST 5 YEARS Bob Richards 12th 34-17-4

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Andy Brady, 6-0, 265 OL -- Sr. Ryan Maley, 5-11, 225 OL -- Sr. Bill Tassio, 6-3, 218 OL -- Sr. Bill Sperry, 5-9, 160 RB DB Sr. Brandon Jackson, 5-10, 190 RB -- Sr. Scott Lorenzen, 5-10, 215 -- DL Sr. Josh Bollinger, 5-10, 210 -- DL Sr. Eddie Chung, 6-0, 180 -- LB Sr. Robbie Read, 5-11, 180 -- DB Sr. Frank Coletta, 5-10, 195 -- DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR R.J. Starr, 6-3, 247 OL DL Jr. Nick Hartman, 6-3, 275 OL DL So. Chris Melzer, 5-11, 175 -- DB Jr. Scott McEwan, 6-2, 175 QB -- So. Matt Williams, 5-11, 145 QB -- Jr. Scott Matalon, 5-11, 155 QB -- Jr.

FAST FACT

Chung spent eight weeks this summer in an Advanced Placement calculus program at Harvard University.

OUTLOOK

Thousand Oaks’ strength will be the offensive and defensive lines, but a clear weakness will be inexperience at quarterback. The three players vying for the job--McEwan, Williams and Matalon--have not thrown a varsity pass. McEwan was the freshman quarterback last fall. “One thing is having no experience and no ability,” Richards said, “but I don’t think we are in that category.” Richards hopes his team’s size and strength can vault the Lancers into the playoffs.

WESTLAKE WARRIORS

1993 OVERALL LEAGUE PLACE 8-3-1 5-1-1 2nd

COACH YR. RECORD AT SCHOOL Jim Benkert 6th 27-25-3

TOP RETURNEES OFF DEF YR Billy Miller, 6-4, 215 WR DB Sr. Craig Walendy, 6-1, 215 RB LB Sr. Mike Leibin, 5-10, 170 WR -- Sr. Starr Skinner, 6-3, 225 OL -- Sr. Eric Guenther, 6-3, 212 -- LB Sr. Ryan Dritz, 6-1, 190 -- LB Sr. Scott Siegel, 6-5, 200 TE -- Sr. Scott Spruill, 6-2, 175 QB -- Sr. Brian Schnittjer, 6-0, 225 OL -- Sr. Jason Victor, 6-1, 160 RB -- Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS OFF DEF YR Steve Aylsworth, 6-0, 160 QB DB Jr. Brian Shubin, 6-0, 180 QB -- Sr. Casey Patterson, 6-2, 210 OL -- Sr. Jamal Harris, 6-0, 185 -- DB Jr.

FAST FACT

Shubin is at his fifth school in four years. He has been at Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Canyon, Taft and Westlake.

OUTLOOK

The Warriors, who were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round last year, are considered the league’s co-favorite, along with Royal. Backs and receivers, particularly blue-chippers Miller and Walendy, are the team’s strength. As practice started, Benkert wasn’t sure who would be getting the ball to them. Spruill, Aylsworth and Shubin were vying for the quarterback job. Westlake’s weakness might be a small offensive line.