PREP EXTRA : THE PLAY BOOK : Here’s a Guide to the X’s and O’s of This Year’s Football Season

Questions and answers about the 1995 Orange County high school football season for coaches, players, parents and those two or three people who still miss the Rams.

Q. Which is the best team in the county?

A. Any team that beats Los Alamitos.

The Griffins have a glut o’ talent, especially on offense. Big-ticket items are quarterback Kevin Feterik, who passed for 2,911 yards and 27 touchdowns despite missing 3 1/2 games because of a broken hand, and receivers Tony Hartley (49 receptions, 967 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Stan Guyness (40 catches for 747 yards and 11 touchdowns).

Guyness has also gained lots of yardage on reverses, thrown touchdown passes on gadget plays and generally annoyed defensive coordinators. Plus, there are three returning starters on the offensive line, eight returning starters on defense and a couple of well-placed newcomers (running backs Tony Austin and Devon Griffin).

Q. What about Mater Dei?

A. The Monarchs, the defending Southern Section Division I champions, lost a lot on offense, but who’s going to notice by midseason?

Quarterback John Flynn has graduated. In steps David Castleton or Nick Stremick--with the hot money on Castleton. Hard to believe there will be a free fall in ability.

Tailback Steve Bodnar has graduated. But just give the ball to junior James Farley, who, Coach Bruce Rollinson says, will be among the best in the county.

The only noticeable depreciation is Rod Perry’s absence at wide receiver. His father, Rod Perry Sr., got a job with the Houston Oilers and the family moved out of town--the Monarchs’ biggest loss since the 56-3 defeat to Rialto Eisenhower in the 1993 title game.

Still, with seven returning defensive starters--including lineman Brad Williams and defensive backs Kevin Braga and David Gibson--the Monarchs will land on their feet.

Another Division I title is unlikely. Then again . . .

Q. Is there any team Mater Dei fears?

A. The Monarchs wouldn’t get anywhere near Villa Park this season.

The last thing they needed was for Stremick to have a pass intercepted by his brother Sam, the Spartans’ standout senior defensive back.

Sam Stremick had eight interceptions last season, second in the county. Of course, he’ll now learn how the other half lives after being moved to quarterback.

“The pressures of quarterback can take its toll, but Sam just smiles,” Coach Pat Mahoney said. “Sometimes it’s scary. You don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Q. Is there a next great Esperanza lineman?

A. From the school that has shipped tons of talented linemen to college programs comes senior Sean Jarne, who has certainly worked for the honor.

“He was this gangly kid with hair down to his shoulders when he as a freshman,” Coach Gary Meek said. “He was real goofy looking. But he’s been a dedicated weight lifter.”

So dedicated that you better think twice before calling him “Goofy.” Jarne is a 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive and offensive tackle.

His abilities won’t be wasted. The Aztecs have loads of talent, from quarterback David Parrish to receivers Brian Forth and Ryan Wilken.

Q. Who is the best running back?

A. Tough call, but the short list has to include Reuben Droughns (Anaheim), Larry Montgomery (Troy), Che Holloway (Orange Lutheran) and Jerome Owens (Brea Olinda).

Each gained more than 1,000 yards last season.

Q. Is there a player out there who can slow down Droughns?

A. It may amaze some, but yes. His brother, Robert, a senior linebacker for the Colonists.

Sure, Reuben has carved up defenses and induced ulcers for opposing coaches. He has gained 3,791 yards in two years and is back for more.

But in practice, Robert more than holds his own. In fact, like his brother, he is being recruited by Division I teams.

“Robert’s a head hunter,” Anaheim Coach Allen Carter said. “He likes to hit.”

Which can lead to a little unbrotherly love during practice.

“They mix it up a little,” Carter said. “Being brothers, they’re very competitive. The both get their share of licks in.”

Q. Who is the running back with the best moves?

A. That would be Los Amigos’ Greg Fausto, who’s a dancin’ machine.

He might have some wicked steps on the football field, but no one touches him on the dance floor. In fact, Fausto is semi-legendary around the school and local clubs.

“It’s my way to have some fun and stay out of trouble,” Fausto said. “It keeps me off the streets.”

But not off the football field. Fausto gained 1,229 yards and scored 29 touchdowns last season.

“I’ve seen him at school dances,” Coach Roger Takahasi said. “He’s wild.”

Q. Who runs the cleanest program?

A. Bill Crow, Trabuco Hills’ first-year coach. He is a longtime Mustang assistant and has already put his stamp on the program.

“We’re making the kids take showers this year,” Crow said.

According to parents, players have gone home to shower after practice in the past. It was part tradition, part lack of towels. Crow has made sure the shower facility is stocked and used.

“If nothing else, they’ll be clean,” Crow said.

Q. Who runs the toughest program?

A. Corona del Mar’s Mark Schuster.

The first week of practice began at 5 a.m., with each player doing a two-mile run lugging a car tire. For two of the eight laps around the track, they had to carry the tires over their heads.

“We call those pride laps,” Schuster said.

Undoubtedly, the players have other names for them.

Q. What can make this a breakthrough season for Aliso Niguel?

A. Junior quarterback Scott Nemeth, or is that Namath?

The program’s still soaked behind the lobes, but has a legitimate shot at the Pacific Coast League title. Nemeth, who threw for 1,356 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago, can get them there.

Nemeth is one of 23 lettermen, mostly juniors, who have other league members a tad nervous. The general feeling is, if not this year, then next. If Nemeth, who is 6-2, 205, has made the typical sophomore-turned-junior improvement, then it will be this year.

This team is on such a fast track, it even has a “media director.”

Q. Who travels the farthest for a game?

A. Vernon MacKenzie, father of Capistrano Valley running back Malaefou MacKenzie.

The elder MacKenzie, who owns and runs two department stores in Samoa, flew to the United States to see his son play this Friday. He’ll likely spend a month--four games--here then wing back to Samoa.

The trip should certainly be worth it. MacKenzie, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior, gained 905 yards and scored 15 touchdowns last season.

Q. So what team has shown the most flair?

A. Those guys at University High, who bring you “The Bermuda Triangle.” Nope, it’s not a sequel to “Waterworld.”

Fred Roberts, his brother, Ese, and Justin Overdevest have tabbed themselves the “triangle.” Why, you say? Ese is University’s nose guard; Fred and Overdevest are the two middle linebackers.

“We figured if anybody tried to come in there, they were going to get lost,” Fred Roberts said. “It won’t be a place you want to cross on the field; you’ve got to go around.”

Q. Has anyone vanished yet?

A. Well, there are unconfirmed reports that Estancia’s Chris Candlish has mysteriously disappeared.

When last heard from, Candlish, a 6-6, 230-pound lineman, was telling SuperPrep Magazine: “Basketball is my love, but football is my ticket.”

Love, it seems, has conquered all. Candlish reportedly will not playing football in order to concentrate on basketball. He will be missed, by some.

Said Eagles’ Coach John Liebengood: “[Mike] Galicia is just as good or better. If Candlish came back, he couldn’t beat him out.”

Q. On paper, what’s the biggest mismatch?

A. Mater Dei vs. Dana Hills, Oct. 13.

Not exactly Tyson-McNeeley, but the Monarchs have won 14 consecutive games while the Dolphins have lost 17.

Q. Who is the I-munch-on-nails-for-breakfast, toughest player?

A. Foothill running back/linebacker Lawrence Mariner. Football is his easy, less-violent sport. During the off-season, he plays rugby with his family--a sport his father, Kiri, played in Samoa.

“My dad says rugby is more of a man’s sport,” Mariner said. “He’s right, there’s no comparison. Football is more civilized.”

Yeah, civilized. That just what Foothill opponents will be saying when Mariner, a 6-3, 227-pound junior, is romping over them.

Q. Which coach will most likely be plying his trade at an orphanage in the near future?

A. La Quinta’s Fred Valko.

Valko said he had one sophomore leave the team because his mother convinced him he wasn’t mature enough to handle playing varsity football. Before Valko knew it, four more mothers decided their sons didn’t have the maturity to hack it on the varsity level.

Q. Which school has the largest coaching staff?

A. San Clemente, which will have two offensive coordinators during particular games.

Coach Mark McElroy held an auction as part of the fund-raising effort to send the Tritons to Hawaii for their opener. Among the items on the table were two chances to design a play. The team will use one against El Toro and the second against Wilmington Banning.

“After the play, the PA announcer will say whose play it was,” McElroy said. “It may go for a touchdown. It may go for a minus-30. But it will be their play.”

Q. Pound for pound, who is the best player?

A. Saddleback quarterback Danny Rodriguez.

At 5-7, 130 pounds, he can get lost in a crowd. Rodriguez gained 438 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns in the Roadrunners’ final four games last season. It helped them finish tied for second in the Golden West League.

Q. The most exciting player to watch?

A. Santa Margarita quarterback Chris Collins. Actually, it’s Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan when he’s talking about Collins.

Of course, Collins is coming off double knee surgery and won’t be 100% until Sea View League play. Still . . .

Said Hartigan: “He’s 6-2, 210 pounds, has a strong arm--he’s capable of throwing 70-yard bombs on the money--and he’s a physical specimen. If he does scramble, he’ll be tough to bring down. As a sophomore, he was an all-league linebacker and he rushed for almost 1,000 yards. So what you have is a combination linebacker/running back with a strong arm. And he’s smart.”

Other than that, he’s just your typical high school kid.

Q. Who will be the biggest surprise?

A. Fountain Valley’s Joey Vasquez.

Last season, the kid was the county player of the year . . . in soccer . . . and has decided to try his hand as a wide receiver.

Said Coach George Berg said: “This summer, Vasquez showed us he is dangerous when he catches the ball.”

Who knew he could even use his hands?

Q. Will opponents be able to get even with Newport Harbor?

A. Some, maybe. But it won’t be easy. Sure, the Sailors lost a slew of players from their undefeated Division V championship team. But they return plenty of talent, including lineman Sherif Pepic and wide receiver Danny Pulido.

Plus, the Sailors play seven of 10 regular-season games on their home field.

“That’s pretty nice, walking out the door and across the blacktop,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “Any time you don’t have to climb on a bus is pretty nice. It’s nice to not be in the corner of some girls’ locker room. It’s a nice comfort zone; they can sit in their little area and get ready to play, and do it the same way seven times.”

The key word there is nice , as in: “It’s nice to go 14-0 and win a championship.”

Q. Who are the best players who will get the least attention?

A. As always, it’s those offensive linemen.

Hard to believe that people so big can give such stealth performances. Still, you might glimpse Irvine’s Joel Sugg (6-5, 250) or Valencia’s Tim McLaughlin (6-6, 290) planting an opponent.

Q. And the best players who will get even less attention?

A. Those Brethren Christian kids.

The Warriors are a Division X team that went 1-9 last season. Yet, they have tight end Kevin Cooper (6-6, 245) and lineman Preston Downey (6-4, 270), two players any coach would drool over.

Q. What will be the game of the year?

A. Back by popular demand, Los Alamitos vs. Esperanza.

They play for the Sunset League title Oct. 20 at Valencia High, with a rematch in December in the Division I final.

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Times staff writer Dave McKibben contributed to this story.