PREP FOOTBALL '94

L.A. Times Archives

Sept. 9, 1994 12 AM PT

Fairfax Lions

COACH: Terrel Ray, 3rd year.

1993 RECORD: 6-4; 4-3 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: The Lions have a deeper roster, but not as much veteran experience at the skill position. Look for the team to contend for a playoff spot.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Tony Henderson 6-2/280 OT Sr. Vashon Ferris 6-3/305 OT Sr. Tanqueray Clark 5-11/175 RB/DB Sr. Omari Thomas 6-0/205 LB Sr. Ivan Torres 5-6/150 WR Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Jason Lewis 6-0/170 WR Sr. Jermaine Walton 5-10/165 QB Jr. Alex Lencioni 6-0/210 OC Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at Burbank Burroughs, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17: at Silverado, Las Vegas, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: vs. Dorsey at Jackie Robinson, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30: at Venice, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 7: Westchester

Oct. 14: at Palisades

Oct. 21: Manual Arts

Oct. 28: at Hamilton

Nov. 4: Los Angeles, 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 10: University, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 3 p.m. unless noted.

Westchester Comets

COACH: Larry Wein, 13th year.

1993 RECORD: 11-2; 6-1 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: The Comets have qualified for the playoffs 11 of 13 years under Wein. Last season, they reached the 4-A semifinals under two-time Westside Player of the Year Seka Edwards.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Tony Griffin 6-2/200 TE Sr. Kaaron Conwright 5-8/160 WR Sr. Courtney Brown 6-3/210 WR Sr. Shay Fields 5-10/180 DB Sr. Louis Henderson 6-2/200 DB Sr. Kevin Bergschneider 6-4/210 LB Sr. Travor Turner 6-5/220 LB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Brennan Crooks 5-10/165 QB So. Eric Evans 5-9/185 LB Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: St. Monica, 7:30

Sept. 16: at San Fernando, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Inglewood, 2 p.m.

Sept. 30: Hamilton

Oct. 7: at Fairfax, 3 p.m.

Oct. 14: at Los Angeles, 3 p.m.

Oct. 21: University

Oct. 28: Venice

Nov. 4: Palisades

Nov. 10: at Manual Arts, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 6:30 p.m. unless noted.

Hamilton Yankees

COACH: John Ausbon, 6th year.

1993 RECORD: 4-6-1; 2-4-1 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: The Yankees did well during the summer passing league and will run a balanced attack with split backs. Gary Martinez was an All-City Section 3-A middle linebacker.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Gary Martinez 6-3/180 MLB Sr. Charles Butler 5-11/240 OC Sr. Alonzo Centendo 5-11/245 OG Sr. Marc Polk 6-0/160 WR Jr. Jamar Alexander 6-3/175 TE Jr. Marcus Nance 6-2/240 OT Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. John Murray 6-1/180 QB Sr. Mark Rodgers 6-0/175 RB/LB Jr. Mario Guavera 5-6/150 WR/DB So.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at Gardena, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16: at San Pedro, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23: Eagle Rock

Sept. 30: at Westchester, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Los Angeles

Oct. 14: at Manual Arts

Oct. 21: Palisades

Oct. 28: Fairfax

Nov. 4: University, 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 10: Venice, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 3 p.m. unless noted.

Culver City Centaurs

COACH: Robert Moore, 2nd year.

1993 RECORD: 8-4; 4-0 in Ocean League.

OUTLOOK: The Centaurs are favored to win the Southern Section Division VII title. Damon Williams, one of the top quarterbacks in the state, leads a cast of outstanding skill-position players.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Damon Williams 6-4/195 QB Sr. Jasiri Rodell 6-2/190 WR Sr. Aki Wilson 5-9/160 TB Sr. Rashad Stroops 6-0/175 WR Sr. Vince Sims 6-3/260 TE Sr. Jamal Wright 5-11/175 RB/DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Shannon Harris 5-9/160 DB So. Chris Johnson 5-9/165 DB Sr. Patrick Gladney 6-0/260 DL So.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at St. Bernard

Sept. 16: at Hawthorne

Sept. 23: Torrance

Sept. 30: South Torrance

Oct. 7: Morningside

Oct. 14: at Mira Costa

Oct. 21: El Segundo

Oct. 28: at Centennial

Nov. 4: at Redondo

Nov. 10: Beverly Hills

All games start at 7:30 p.m.

Murphy Nobles

COACH: Greg Dixon, 4th year.

1993 RECORD: 5-5-1; 3-1-1 in Santa Fe League.

OUTLOOK: Senior quarterback Danny Ragsdale threw for 1,904 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1993 and was selected to The Times’ All-Westside football team.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Danny Ragsdale 6-0/160 QB Sr. Kory Lumbard 6-3/250 OT Jr. Brian Requena 6-2/215 RB/LB Sr. Chris Miller 5-11/205 LB Sr. Kenneth Hunt 5-10/165 WR/DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Louis Segura 5-9/175 RB Sr. Ronald Eadie 5-10/175 RB Sr. Francis St. Paul 5-9/160 WR/DB So.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 10: Brethran Christian

Sept. 16: Serra

Sept. 24: at Whittier Christian

Oct. 1: at St. Genevieve

Oct. 8: Salesian

Oct. 15: at Cathedral, 1:45 p.m.

Oct. 21: La Salle

Oct. 29: Bell-Jeff

Nov. 5: Pius X

Nov. 11: at Mary Star

All home games, played at Jackie Robinson Stadium, start at 7:30 p.m.

Hollywood Sheiks

COACH: Bob O’Conner, 2nd year.

1993 RECORD: 0-10; 0-7 in league.

OUTLOOK: The Sheiks have not won a game since a 24-12 victory over St. Genevieve to open the 1992 season. O’Conner, however, believes a revamped front line will turn things around.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Walter Aquino 5-8/230 OC Sr. Sarkis Derbeshyian 6-2/270 OG Sr. Cesar Hernandez 5-10/180 Qb Sr. Max Guevara 5-7/160 RB Sr. Jorge Rivera 6-0/180 OT/LB Sr. Nugi Agung 5-7/130 QB/DB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Armen Sertyan 5-8/145 RB/LB Jr. Gary Petrosyian 5-10/230 OT Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at Los Angeles

Sept. 16: Venice

Sept. 23: at University

Sept. 30: at Wilson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Belmont, 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 14: Lincoln

Oct. 21: Marshall

Oct. 28: Eagle Rock

Nov. 4: at Franklin, 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 10: at Verdugo Hills, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 3 p.m. unless noted.

Brentwood Eagles

COACH: Pat Brown, 14th year.

1993 RECORD: 11-0 overall (Southern Section Eight-Man Large Division Champion.)

OUTLOOK: Riding the crest of a 23-game win streak, the Eagles return to the Delphic League after competing as a free-lance team. Tailback Brian Messing, a Southern Section all-star, has graduated.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Chris Malcolm 6-1/180 QB Sr. Sean Cramblett 6-0/185 FB/LB Sr. Teddy Miller 6-1/170 WR/DB Sr. Eric Kouba 6-1/195 OC/LB Jr. Max Girteit 6-1/195 OG Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Scott Fagan 6-0/185 RB/LB Jr. Rico Saken 5-9/165 RB So. Cameron Fagen 5-11/190 OG/LB Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 10: at Pasadena Poly, 1:30 p.m.

Sept. 17: at Flintridge Prep, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24: at Webb, 2 p.m.

Oct. 1: Masada, 2 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Chadwick, 3 p.m.

Oct. 15: at Capo. Valley Chrs., 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 22: Faith Baptist, 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 29: Bye

Nov. 4: South Bay Lutheran, 2 p.m.

Santa Monica Vikings

COACH: Daniel Escalera, 2nd year.

1993 RECORD: 4-6; 1-3 in Bay League.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings are a senior-dominated team with 17 returning lettermen. J’Von Willis was selected to The Times’ Westside team and is one of the area’s top running backs. The Vikings will challenge Hawthorne and Peninsula for the league title.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. J’Von Willis 5-8/192 RB/LB Sr. Tim Conley 6-4/255 OT/DT Sr. Dionte Thompson 5-11/160 WR/DB Sr. Guy Moise 5-8/160 RB/DB Sr. Maikel Mankarious 5-11/255 OG/NG Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Boris Campos 5-11/240 OT/DT Sr. Greg Morena 5-10/160 RB/DB Jr. Victor Cole 5-10/165 RB/LB Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at Santa Barbara

Sept. 16: Morningside

Sept. 23: Mira Costa

Sept. 30: at Inglewood

Oct. 7: West Torrance

Oct. 14: at Leuzinger

Oct. 21: at North Torrance

Oct. 28: Hawthorne

Nov. 4: Torrance

Nov. 11: Peninsula

Homes games played at Santa Monica College. All games start at 7:30 p.m.

St. Bernard Vikings

COACH: Mike Noonan, 2nd year

1993 RECORD: 6-5; 4-1 in Mission League.

OUTLOOK: Quarterback Brandon Purnell, who has been clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, tailback Dion Battee and receiver Jason Smith are the Vikings’ top returning players from a team that lost to Riverside Poly, 34-13, in the first round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Omar Casas 6-3/225 OT Sr. Chris Poveromo 5-11/230 OC Sr. Jason Smith 5-8/165 WR Sr. Brandon Purnell 6-1/175 QB Sr. Omar Burnett 6-2/165 QB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Geron Usher 5-9/185 RB Jr. Jerome Heavens 5-11/190 FB Jr. Antoine Boyd 5-10/190 LB Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: Culver City

Sept. 16: Damien

Sept. 23: at Redondo

Sept. 30: Lynwood

Oct. 7: at Crespi

Oct. 14: Chaminade

Oct. 21: at Notre Dame

Oct. 28: at Bishop Montgomery

Nov. 4: Serra

Nov. 11: at St. Francis

Games start at 7:30 p.m.

Palisades Dolphins

COACH: Russ Howard, 2nd year.

1993 RECORD: 3-7; 3-4 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: The Dolphins have struggled to get their players to practice. Of the 45 players on the roster, 40 are bused to the school. Tailback Lonnie Landry and receiver M’Shawri Scott are breakaway threats and the Dolphins return 13 other lettermen.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Lonnie Landry 5-9/180 TB Sr. M’Shawri Scott 6-2/180 WR/DB Jr. Jaime Craig 5-11/185 FB/LB Sr. Curtis Townsend 5-10/180 LB Sr. Sheldon Smith 5-8/185 LB Sr. Chris Reyes 6-1/250 OL/DL Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Ed Ruffin 6-0/165 QB Jr. David Lindsey 5-9/170 QB/DE Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: Van Nuys, 5 p.m.

Sept. 16: Bye

Sept. 23: Gardena, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 30: University, 3 p.m.

Oct. 7: at Venice, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14: Fairfax, 3 p.m.

Oct. 21: at Hamilton, 3 p.m.

Oct. 28: at Manual Arts, 3 p.m.

Nov. 4: at Westchester, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 10: Los Angeles, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 7 p.m. unless noted.

University Warriors

COACH: Marshall Jones, 2nd year.

1993 RECORD: 5-7; 3-4 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: Jones garnered The Times’ 1993 Westside Coach of the Year honors after the Warriors won the Metro League. Marco Pleas, who rushed for more than 1,110 yards, returns as the single back in the Warriors’ offense. Eric Barnes was all-Metro League selection as a defensive back, but may have been the team’s top receiver. The Warriors are a playoff contender and will most likely complete for the 3-A title.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Eric Barnes 5-8/175 WR/DB Sr. Marco Pleas 5-11/190 RB/DB Jr. Harry Merlo 6-1/275 OG Sr. Joey Gabriel 5-11/205 LB Sr. Carlos Campos 5-9/165 QB/K Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Henry Ruiz 5-11/245 OL/DL Jr. Andres Navarro 5-11/195 TE/LB So. Kirk Romo 5-8/170 DB Sr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 at Eagle Rock

Sept. 16 at Birmingham, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 Hollywood

Sept. 30 at Palisades

Oct. 7 Manual Arts

Oct. 14: Venice

Oct. 21: at Westchester, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 28: Los Angeles

Nov. 4: at Hamilton, 2:15 p.m.

Nov. 10: Fairfax, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 3 p.m. unless noted.

Beverly Hills Normans

COACH: Carter Paysinger, 5th year.

1993 RECORD: 2-8; 1-3 in Ocean League.

OUTLOOK: The Normans return 39 players, including 19 starters. Quarterback Chris Wallace passed for 1,543 yards and 16 touchdowns in 1993. Tackle Andrew Kline and tight end Jeff Greenberg are NCAA Division I recruits. Running back Aaron Kogan, who rushed for 677 yards and seven touchdowns, has outstanding speed

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Andrew Kline 6-3/265 OT/DT Sr. Chris Wallace 6-2/190 QB Sr. Jeff Greenberg 6-3/205 TE Sr. Aaron Kogan 6-0/200 TB Jr. Mark Schwartz 6-1/160 WR Sr. Jeremy Jones 5-10/190 LB Jr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Derick McNally 6-2/175 FS Jr. Jerald DeJean 5-8/160 DB Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Lost to Chugiak (Alas.), 47-28, in Honolulu

Sept. 8 Bye

Sept. 16 Pasadena at Pasadena CC, 7:30

Sept. 23 West Torrance

Sept. 30 at Morningside

Oct. 7 at Mira Costa, 7:30

Oct. 14 South Torrance

Oct. 21 at Centennial, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 Redondo

Nov. 4 El Segundo, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Culver City, 7:30 p.m.

All games start at 3 p.m. unless noted.

Venice Gondoliers

COACHES: Kirk Alexander, Tony Chretin, 3rd year.

1993 RECORD: 9-3; 6-1 in Coastal Conference.

OUTLOOK: After tying for the Western League title, the Gondoliers will have trouble matching last season’s record because of the number of young players on the team. The Gondoliers have a strong offensive line anchored by center Kris DiGiaimo and tackle Chris McLeod. Mike Soto is the leading candidate to start at quarterback.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Michael Barry 5-8/160 K Sr. Tony Fletcher 6-1/190 LB Jr. Tony Gomez 5-8/150 WR/DB Sr. Demetrius Posey 6-2/175 WR/DB Jr. Eric Helms 5-10/165 TE/DB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Kris DiGiaimo 5-11/245 OC Jr. Ronnel Jamar 5-9/145 DB Jr. Chris McLeod 5-11/260 OT Jr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9: at Huntington Park

Sept. 16: at Hollywood, 3 p.m.

Sept. 23: San Pedro

Sept. 30: Fairfax

Oct. 7: Palisades

Oct. 14: at University, 3 p.m.

Oct. 21: Los Angeles

Oct. 28: at Westchester, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 4: Manual Arts

Nov. 10: at Hamilton, 2:15 p.m.

All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted.

St. Monica Mariners

COACH: Norm Lacy, 4th year.

1993 RECORD: 8-3; 5-1 in Camino Real League.

OUTLOOK: The Mariners return seven two-year starters from the 1993 Camino Real League tri-championship team. Steve Pulley makes the switch to quarterback after starting two seasons at wide receiver. Receivers Jason Jones and Dwight Carter are threats to catch the long pass. Two-way lineman Adrian Klemm is a potential NCAA Division I player.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Adrian Klemm 6-5/250 OT/DE Sr. Steve Pulley 5-11/185 QB Sr. Jason Jones 5-11/180 SE/DB Sr. Dwight Carter 5-11/175 WR/DB Sr. Carlos Casillas 6-4/235 TE/DE Sr. Mike Bailey 6-0/210 LB/FB Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS

NAME SIZE POS. YR. Mike Vassar 6-0/245 OG/DT So. Andrew Schwartz 5-10/185 LB Sr.

SEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 at Westchester

Sept. 17 Santa Clara

Sept. 24 Blair

Sept. 30 at St. Francis

Oct. 7 Calabasas at Palisades or St. Bernard High

Oct. 14 at St. Anthony

Oct. 21 Bye

Oct. 27 Verbum Dei at Compton High

Nov. 5 Harvard-Westlake, 8 p.m.