PREP FOOTBALL ’95 / TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE : SOUTHERN SECTION

FACTS AND FIGURES: With construction under way on the football stadium and locker rooms at Oak Park, the Eagles will split their home games between Calabasas and Agoura. . . . Oak Park, traditionally known for its team speed, should again be swift. “We’re not gonna make it a street fight, we’re gonna make it a track meet,” sixth-year Coach Dick Billingsley said. “We need to be quick, like bunnies.” . . . Oak Park returns only two starters on offense and four on defense, but the Eagles should be solid on special teams with the return of senior punter/kicker Josh Nicassio. A Times All-Ventura County pick in 1994, Nicassio connected on 41 of 44 extra points and two of four field goals for 47 points. . . . St. Bonaventure tackle Sam Benner (6 feet 5, 250 pounds) may be the league’s top player. A Division I college prospect, Benner is a three-year starter and two-time All-Ventura County pick who will line up primarily at left tackle. . . . St. Bonaventure returns brothers Topiltzin and Teohua Sanchez. Topiltzin, a senior running back, rushed for 1,024 yards and five touchdowns last fall, and received All-Ventura County honors. Teohua, a junior quarterback, passed for 658 yards and three touchdowns and was an all-league selection. . . . Fillmore senior quarterback James Cummings (5-10, 165), a second team all-league pick, will be given every opportunity to carry the Flashes to a winning season. Cummings will handle the ball on the option, bootlegs and rollout passes. . . . Carpinteria returns seven seniors who have started since their sophomore year. Included is fullback and linebacker Jeff Shaw (6-3, 220), who has been an all-league selection on offense and defense the past two years. . . . It won’t be hard to find Bishop Diego’s multitalented junior Ruben Gomez (5-9, 180). He’ll see action at running back, outside linebacker, punter and kick returner for the Cardinals. “He never leaves the field,” Bishop Diego Coach Norris Fletcher said.

LAST YEAR: Oak Park rolled over its league competition, its toughest game coming in a 21-14 victory over St. Bonaventure. . . . Oak Park’s offense was so proficient that the Eagles had to punt from inside their 40-yard line only four times. . . . Andrew Montenegro (5-11, 175), a senior at St. Bonaventure, intercepted seven passes and earned Times second-team All-Ventura County honors.

KEY RETURNERS: Oak Park: Josh Nicassio, kicker/punter; Dan Wasserman, quarterback. St. Bonaventure: Sam Benner, offensive tackle; Topiltzin Sanchez, running back; Teohua Sanchez, quarterback; Andrew Montenegro, defensive back. Fillmore: James Cummings, quarterback; Adam Woods, tight end/defensive line. Carpinteria: Jeff Shaw, fullback/defensive line. Bishop Diego: Ruben Gomez, running back/outside linebacker.

OUTLOOK: St. Bonaventure could go from having a losing record to league champions in only one season. The Seraphs have size, quickness at the skill positions and enough experience to win close games. . . . Carpinteria and Oak Park shouldn’t be too far behind, while Bishop Diego is again likely to find itself near .500. . . . Although Fillmore should be improved, the Flashes may have a tough time climbing out of the league cellar.

1994 IN REVIEW*--*

League Overall School W L T W L T Oak Park 4 0 0 10 2 0 Carpinteria 2 2 0 6 5 0 Bishop Diego 2 2 0 5 6 0 St. Bonaventure 1 3 0 4 6 0 Fillmore 1 3 0 3 7 0

*--*