NOTEBOOK : Coach Determined to ‘Ring’ Bell Football Players

It took a lot of hard work for the Bell High football team to win its first City Section title in the 3-A final Dec. 9.

But Coach Henry Santiago said raising funds to purchase championship rings will be a much more difficult task. Santiago is seeking sponsors to purchase rings for 64 players at a cost of $150 each.

“It’s traditional to have a ring when you win a City championship, but about 80% of our players cannot afford it “ Santiago said. “This is an enormous undertaking. Hopefully, we’ll reach our goal.”

Donations from staff and teachers at Bell have raised enough money to purchase 20 rings. Santiago hopes that with the help of contributions from the community, he will garner enough money to purchase the rest by the team’s Jan. 28 awards banquet.

“The school is excited and we had a lot of responses,” Santiago said. “Besides a marriage ring, this will be the only one most of our players’ will have in their lifetime.”

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Santiago, who directed Bell (11-3) to its first title in five championship appearances, was chosen City 3-A coach of the year and Dicky Purcell of Bell was named player of the year.

Purcell, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior tight end, caught 51 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns.

On defense, Purcell had 84 tackles and 112 assists at inside linebacker. He also had two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Quarterback Gus Valenzuela, running back Vern Benard and defensive back Freddy Hernandez were also named to the 3-A team for Bell.

Semifinalist Wilson placed running back Arlin Slayton, quarterback Eddie Gonzales and receiver Buster Bradley on the 32-player team chosen by the Amateur Athletic Foundation and First Interstate Bank.

City Times player of the year running back Sirr Parker, linemen Eboni Wilson of Jefferson and Lamar Lightburn of Manual Arts and defensive back Damon Whitehurst of Manual Arts were other selections.

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Crenshaw placed three players on the 4-A team. Running back Farrel Payton, linemen Todd Moore and Kabeer Smith were chosen for the City runner-up Cougars.

The Franklin duo of Jeff Deno and Johnnie Sanders, who led the area in passing and receiving, were also named to the team.

Running back Hoffman Cortes and tight end Mark Redoval were selected after leading South Gate to its first Southeastern Conference title since 1989.

Dorsey defensive back Jemell Gordon and linebacker Darius Wesber, defensive back Jesse Villalobos of Garfield and lineman Steve Barragan of Fremont were other selections.

Sylmar running back Durell Price was selected the 4-A player of the year. Sylmar’s Jeff Engilman was coach of the year.

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Prawit Namutawong of East L.A. College has been selected to the National Soccer Coaches Athletic Assn.’s All-American team. The sophomore goalkeeper, one of two California players on the first team, allowed only five goals against 151 shots and had 130 saves to help East L.A. (20-3-1) reach the State junior college final.

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A free-throw shooting contest for boys and girls age 10-14 will be held at St. Vincent school Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. The event will serve as a local qualifier for the Knights of Columbus International Free Throw championship. Nearly 200,000 participated in 2,990 local competitions last year.

Information: (213) 737-7498.