Jose Mejia

SCHOOL: Reseda

YEAR: Senior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: As Reseda’s last line of defense, Mejia was a huge part of the Regents’ success in 1994-95.

Behind the 6-foot-1, senior sweeper’s intimidating presence, Reseda won the Valley Pac-8 Conference and earned the No. 3 seed in the City Section playoffs. The Regents advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual-champion Banning.

The 17-year old Mejia not only shut down opposing forwards but also sparked the Reseda attack by clearing balls upfield and positioning himself in front of the opponent’s net on Reseda corner kicks. He had six goals and seven assists. “He allowed us to take a lot chances offensively,” said first-year Reseda Coach Terry Davila, who guided his team to a 23-2-5 record after the Regents went 4-5 in 1993-94.

“Jose was everything to us. He controlled the air like no other player; I don’t think he lost one head ball the whole season.”

A Reseda varsity starter since age 13, Mejia is also a member of the California Stars club team. He is being recruited by UCLA, the University of San Diego and Cal State Northridge.

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ALL-AREA FIRST AND SECOND TEAMS: FIRST TEAM: Forwards: Josh Henderson, La Canada, Sr., Southern Section Division IV offensive player of the year, Rio Hondo League offensive player of the year, 41 goals and 33 assists, has signed letter of intent with Duke; Jesus Diaz, Burroughs, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division II, Foothill League player of the year, 22 goals and four assists; Federico Arroyo, Van Nuys, Sr., 35 goals; Midfielders: Pete Vagenas, St. Francis, Jr., first-team All-Southern Section Division III, Mission League most valuable player, nine goals and five assists; Tim Pederson, Royal, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division I, Marmonte League offensive player of the year, 14 goals and 14 assists; Adam Cooper, Calabasas, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division IV, Frontier League co-most valuable player, 17 goals and 23 assists; Danny Nishiyama, Quartz Hill, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division III, Golden League player of the year, 17 goals and 10 assists; Defenders: Gaston Haupert, La Canada, Jr., second-team Southern Section Division IV, first-team All-Rio Hondo League, four goals and seven assists; Nick Paneno, La Canada, Jr., first-team All-Southern Section Division IV, first-team All-Rio Hondo League, seven goals and 11 assists; Gabriel Ortega, Birmingham, 11 goals and three assists; Defenders: Ty Russell, Royal, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division I, first-team All-Marmonte League, 15-1-1 record with 11 shutouts; Coach of the Year--Terry Davila, Reseda. In his first year as head coach Davila took Reseda from 4-5 in 1993-94 to 23-2-5 and the City semifinals this season; SECOND TEAM: Forwards: Tyler Blondi, Oak Park, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division V, Tri-Valley League’s co-most valuable player, 28 goals; Israel Cabrea, Sylmar, Sr., 32 goals; Michael Preis, Chatsworth, Jr., 13 goals, 11 assists; Midfielders: Aaron Older, Buena, Sr., first-team All-Southern Section Division II, first-team All-Channel League, 12 goals and 12 assists. Fonzie Ruiz, Simi Valley, Sr., second-team All-Southern Section Division I, first-team All-Marmonte League, two goals and two assists; Rigo Iniguez, Burbank, Sr., third-team All-Southern Section Division II, first team All-Foothill League, eight goals and four assists; Defenders: Derrick Dyslin, La Canada, Jr., first-team All-Southern Section Division IV, two goals and six assists; Jeff Teague, Notre Dame, Jr., third-team All-Southern Section Division III, Mission League co-defensive player of the year; Matt Gillis, Saugus, Sr., first team All-Foothill League, two goals; Victor Escobar, Birmingham, Sr; Goalkeeper: Chris Ross, St. Francis, Sr., second-team All-Southern Section Division III, Mission League goalkeeper of the year, 11 shutouts, 0.76 goals against average.