PREP FOOTBALL ’95 / DEL REY LEAGUE : SOUTHERN SECTION

FACTS AND FIGURES: Opponents should be relieved that Bishop Amat, ranked No. 1 in the nation most of last season, has lost 18 starters, including tailback Daylon McCutcheon (USC) and defensive end Kory Minor (Notre Dame). However, Bishop Amat still figures to have the league’s top offensive threat, tailback Ralph Brown, an All-Southern Section defensive back who was McCutcheon’s backup. . . . League coaches say the race should be more competitive than last year. . . . St. Paul, whose sophomore team was undefeated and handed Loyola its first league loss in more than 80 games, might be the favorite. . . . Crespi must replace its quarterback and three receivers who combined for 174 receptions. But the Celts still have tight end Greg Boskin (10 catches) and figure to continue to be a passing team with new quarterback Todd McClean (6 feet 4, 206 pounds), a converted tight end. . . . Crespi running back Jamian Barbour, who rushed for 997 yards, should provide balance. Crespi’s defense is questionable. . . . Alemany should be improved, but the Indians’ most-promising player, sophomore tailback Miguel Fletcher, will open the season with the junior varsity. . . . . Senior Kevin Peterson, who passed only five times last season, is Alemany’s quarterback. . . . Loyola junior quarterback Scott Walter logged considerable playing time as a backup, starting two late-season games.

LAST YEAR: Bishop Amat made short work of league foes last season. The Lancers blasted Alemany, 49-0, and handled Crespi, 28-6. The Lancers’ only loss was to Mater Dei in the Division I final at Anaheim Stadium. . . . Crespi squeezed into the playoffs, largely because of an upset of St. Paul. . . . Alemany, held to fewer than 10 points in six games, should improve. However, the Indians won’t be around long enough to enjoy it; next season Alemany moves to the Mission League.

KEY RETURNERS: Bishop Amat: Ralph Brown, running back; Mark Verti, tight end. Loyola: Robert Quigley, guard; John Williams, linebacker. Crespi: Jamian Barbour, running back; Mark Stipkovich, linebacker. Alemany: Jose Gonzalez, wide receiver/defensive back.

OUTLOOK: Bishop Amat is back in the same league with everyone else. In fact, there are those who figure the Lancers might struggle to finish third, probably behind St. Paul and either sizable St. John Bosco or always-tough Loyola. Crespi should also be in the hunt, but it figures to be another long season for Alemany.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1994 IN REVIEW

*--*

League Overall School W L T W L T Bishop Amat 5 0 0 13 1 0 Loyola 3 2 0 8 3 0 Crespi 3 2 0 5 6 0 St. Paul 2 3 0 7 3 0 St. John Bosco 2 3 0 5 6 0 Alemany 0 5 0 1 7 2

*--*