Chapman Football Gives Players Chance to End Hiatus From Game : College: School’s first team in 62 years features athletes of various backgrounds who transferred.

After a 62-year absence, a football team from Chapman will take the field tonight at Whittier College. But for many Chapman players, it’s the end of a shorter, although often painful, layoff.

Take starting linebacker Mike Simmons, for example. Simmons last played in a football game in November, 1992, making four tackles for Cal State Fullerton in a 33-16 loss to Nevada Las Vegas. After the season, Fullerton suspended its program and he transferred to Division II Central Oklahoma but had to move home before football season because he wasn’t able to sell his condominium in Bellflower.

Quarterback Todd Gragnano hasn’t played in a game since 1991 at Nebraska. A standout at Los Alamitos High, Gragnano got to play mop up in three Cornhusker games, but transferred to Louisville in 1992 after it became clear that he wasn’t in the Cornhuskers’ plans. At Louisville, he didn’t even get to take a snap in practice.

“A lot of the guys on this team have been waiting for a long time just to put pads on again,” said starting tailback Darnell Morgan, who last played two seasons ago for Cerritos College.

Chapman Coach Ken Visser will try to harness the pent up energy and unleash it at 7 tonight against Whittier, the team he coached for the last three seasons.

Visser, who had little to work with when he took over at Whittier in 1991, had to start completely from scratch at Chapman. But because of an overwhelming response to his recruiting efforts--he had 112 players show up for the first day of practice--expectations have risen.

“I think we have the personnel to play the teams on this (level),” Visser said. “But I know everybody else has excellent personnel also.”

Visser got a preview of what his team might be capable of last week when the Panthers beat the University of San Diego’s junior varsity, 41-7.

Whittier is unlikely to be such a pushover. The Poets return 46 lettermen, including 15 starters, from a team that won three of its last four games last season. Tight end Eric Hammond and offensive lineman Chris Allen were first team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selections last season and quarterback Erik Jencks was sixth in NCAA Division III in passing efficiency.

QUARTERBACK

Curtis Robinson, a junior transfer from Citrus, and Gragnano will each play, but Robinson has the edge because of his running ability. Chapman will run its offense out of a formation called the I-Bone, which allows either option or standard running plays. Robinson, 6 feet 3, almost went to USC as a running back or receiver. Gragnano, 6-1, has the edge as a passer.

RUNNING BACKS

Morgan, a first-team All-Mission Conference selection in 1992, beat out Rancho Santiago’s Juan Garcia for the tailback spot. Morgan gained 75 yards in three carries in the scrimmage; Garcia, who has been slowed by injuries, gained 66 in six carries. Aaron Meschuk, who gained 2,208 yards for Whittier Christian High in 1992, is a physical fullback.

RECEIVERS

Rio Hondo’s Darnell Rubin is the speediest receiver and Fullerton’s Terrance Green runs the best patterns. Saddleback’s Dave Poltl, who set the county career reception record with 176 for Capistrano Valley High, and Oscar Ford, from Long Beach College and Servite, are solid backups.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

Visser is happy with the progress here. “The only thing that has me worried is how cohesive they will be early,” he said. The Panthers certainly don’t lack for bulk: tackles Moana Liva (6-4, 320 pounds) and Steve Gardner (6-2, 285), guards Kelly Akridge (6-2, 270) and Mark Maddux (6-0, 280). Jeff Wilkes (5-11, 250) will also play at guard. Liva and center Matt Hertzler of El Dorado are the only freshmen in the starting lineup. Brian Macias of Fresno and Geoff Jones of Rancho Santiago are expected to play together, often in two-tight end sets.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Tackle Efriam Miranda, an honorable mention All-American at Orange Coast, was the Panthers’ defensive standout at the scrimmage, with seven tackles, including three for a loss. Jim Grove, from Fullerton College, joins him at tackle. Toney Eggleston, who played at Cerritos and Northern Illinois, is at one end and Cerritos’ Robert Ernster and San Diego Mesa’s Charles Harris are competing for the other spot.

LINEBACKERS

Aaron Gutridge, Mike Simmons and Kenison Poching are the starters. Neil Griffin, a transfer from Citrus, was slowed early by a pulled hamstring. “Right now, the linebackers are the strength of the defense but the other two elements, the defensive line and the defensive backs, are catching up,” Visser said. “They’re really starting to do well.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The cornerbacks are Malcolm King, who played at Buena Park, Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback College, and Shad Vickers, who played at Tustin High and Orange Coast. The safeties are Al Mejia, from El Toro High, Cal State Fullerton and Saddleback, and Atlas Helaire, a sophomore from Compton Dominguez High. Helaire is the only starter who was at Chapman before Visser.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Bill Hamlin missed two of his first three extra points in the scrimmage, but made his last two and made field goals of 40 and 34 yards. Mario Acosta averaged 39.5 yards on two punts.

Rubin, Todd Stock and Ford will return punts and kickoffs.

Chapman’s Starting Lineup

OFFENSE

Name Hgt Wgt Pos. Yr. Last Team Curtis Robinson 6-3 206 QB Jr. Citrus C. Aaron Meschuk 6-0 210 FB So. Citrus C. Darnell Morgan 5-9 182 TB Jr. Cerritos C. Terrance Green 5-9 165 WR Jr. Fullerton C. Steve Gardner 6-2 285 LT Jr. Fresno C. Kelly Akridge 6-2 270 LG Jr. Long Beach C. Matthew Hertzler 5-11 220 C Fr. El Dorado Mark Maddux 6-0 280 RG Jr. Saddleback C. Moana Liva 6-4 320 RT Fr. Long Beach Poly Brian Macias 6-3 225 TE Jr. Fresno C. Darnell Rubin 5-5 140 WR Jr. Rio Hondo C. Bill Hamlin 5-10 180 K Jr. Cerritos C.

DEFENSE

Name Hgt Wgt Pos. Yr. Last Team Toney Eggleston 6-2 223 DE Sr. Northern Illinois Efriam Miranda 6-0 245 DT Jr. Orange Coast Jim Grove 5-11 245 DT Jr. Fullerton C. Robert Ernster 6-2 217 DE Jr. Cerritos C. Aaron Gutridge 5-10 220 ILB Jr. Orange Coast Kenison Poching 6-0 228 ILB Jr. Fullerton C. Mike Simmons 6-2 220 OLB Sr. CS Fullerton Malcolm King 5-9 165 CB Jr. Saddleback C. Shad Vickers 5-9 192 CB Jr. Orange Coast Al Mejia 5-10 175 S Jr. Saddleback C. Atlas Helaire 5-10 167 S So. Dominguez High Mario Acosta 6-0 220 P Fr. Servite Mike Mesta 5-8 195 LS* Jr. Cerritos C.