Times’ All-County Football Team Honored

Brad Melsby and Matt Motherway received the top awards as The Times Orange County honored its all-county football first-team members, parents and coaches at an awards breakfast Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Melsby, a senior wide receiver/defensive back at Los Alamitos, was selected back of the year after finishing his prep career as the county’s leader in career receptions (185), yardage (2,979) and touchdown receptions (35). The Griffins were 39-1-1 and won two division championships during his three years on the varsity.

Motherway, a senior offensive and defensive lineman at Mater Dei, was selected lineman of the year after helping the undefeated Monarchs win the Division I championship. He was a two-time All-South Coast League selection and a three-year letterman.

Ken Visser, who led Chapman’s return to college football this past season, was the guest speaker. Visser came to the Panthers after a three-year stint at Whittier College. He also served 13 years as an assistant coach at Long Beach State.

Visser was head coach at Servite from 1974-78, during which time his teams shut out their opponents 23 times in 52 games. He led the Friars to the Big Five division championship game in 1978.

The first team:

Defensive lineman Zane Champion (Trabuco Hills), punter Peter Crosser (Servite), linebacker Tony D’Amato (Villa Park), offensive lineman Kris Farris (Santa Margarita), quarterback Kevin Feterik (Los Alamitos), running back Dahrin Footman (Esperanza).

Tight end Brian Forth (Esperanza), offensive lineman Jason Grain (Sonora), offensive lineman Jeff Hagstrom (Irvine), defensive back Anton Hector (Esperanza), defensive lineman Dax Houston (Los Alamitos), defensive back Greg Jacobs (Canyon).

Defensive lineman Bill Johns (Newport Harbor), defensive back Bryan Lachappelle (Edison), linebacker Dan McDonough (Newport Harbor), running back Brendan McGraw (Laguna Hills), wide receiver Brad Melsby (Los Alamitos), offensive lineman Matt Motherway (Mater Dei).

Wide receiver Rod Perry (Mater Dei), offensive lineman Brett Samperi (San Clemente), kicker Patrick Shinnefield (Mater Dei), defensive back Ape Tuato (Los Amigos), defensive lineman Tony Tuioti (Foothill), linebacker Chris Young (Rancho Alamitos).

Coach of the Year--John Barnes (Los Alamitos).