MIDWEEK REPORT : HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL UPDATE : Driving Force in Oxnard Defense

Oxnard High players have long enjoyed a reputation for possessing speed-- but 100 miles per hour?

Philip Giebler, a junior defensive back, reached the barrier in his Go Kart during races in August. In fact, the 16-year-old was fast enough to win two International Karting Federation championships, despite being the youngest competitor in the open pro division.

“It’s real competitive,” he said. “Almost like football, except that it’s one on one. You don’t get to hit the guy standing next to you, but with the speed and G-forces and competition, I like it a lot.”

Giebler has raced for five years, and he plans to make Go-Karting a steppingstone to racing Indy cars, pointing out that many Formula One racers cut their teeth on Go Karts. He races about once a month and eventually will attend Barber Saab racing school.

Meanwhile, he is the envy of many 16-year-olds who long to push the pedal to the metal but are bound by laws of the road. Giebler, a licensed driver since March, cruises to and from school in an ’89 Ford Ranger.

“I drive pretty mellow,” he said. “I take it all out on the track.”

Gonzalez, a Catchy Name

The saying, “You can’t tell the players without a program,” certainly is true at Alemany.

The Indians have two players named Jose Gonzalez, and both catch passes. One is a senior wide receiver, the other a junior tight end.

“It gets confusing at practice,” Coach Pat Degnan said. “We yell stuff like: ‘Hey, Jose Gonzalez, come here!’, and two guys show up.”

They’re also two guys from Central America. Jose the senior, who leads the Indians with 16 catches, is from San Jose, Costa Rica. Jose the junior, who has one catch, hails from Guadalajara, Mexico.

So how do players and coaches distinguish one Jose Gonzalez from the other?

“Usually, they call him junior,” said Jose the senior. “Me? They just call me No. 80.”

Too Young to Know

Remember Garo Yepremian? Steve Lee doesn’t.

“Never even heard of him,” said Lee, a kicker for Notre Dame.

Good thing--otherwise Lee might not have known what to do with the football.

Yepremian, a former All-Pro kicker for the Miami Dolphins, is best remembered for his ill-advised pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown following a blocked field-goal attempt in Super Bowl VII.

Lee found himself in a similar predicament last week when he scooped up a bad snap during an extra-point attempt against Serra.

“My first instinct was to run because I used to play running back,” Lee said. “But these guys from Serra were huge and three of them were coming right at me. I was going to get pummeled.”

Keeping his cool, Lee lofted a two-point scoring pass to Bozho Deranja.

Yepremian would have been proud.

If He Only Knew Ballet

When St. Bonaventure tight end David Bernal gets the ball, opponents cringe--and for good reason.

Bernal, 6 feet 1, 294 pounds, routinely leaves behind a string of bruised and battered bodies after making a reception. He has nine catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns.

Last week against Fillmore, Bernal, a junior, turned two short passes into gains totaling 30 yards, running over defenders big and small.

“David’s got the softest hands on the team and he’s really light on his feet,” Coach Jon Mack said. “He’s a 150-pound kid stuck in a 300-pound body.”

Bernal, who plays basketball, baseball and track, also has played well at defensive tackle, recording five sacks the past two games.

Paraclete Choice

Having resisted the temptation to use some unconventional strategy, Paraclete Coach Steve Hagerty can only second-guess himself.

In a game last week that featured 884 yards of offense, Bishop defeated Paraclete, 39-36, using the final 3 1/2 minutes to march 90 yards for the winning touchdown.

Which is why Hagerty is kicking himself.

With neither team able to stop the other, Hagerty said, he briefly considered the following strategy: “I seriously thought, with three minutes left, of telling the kids, ‘Don’t tackle the guy. Let him score and we’ll use the rest of the clock,’ ” Hagerty said.

Alas, he chose to play it straight.

“I would have had a hard time explaining myself after,” he said.

Around the Leagues

CITY SECTION

EAST VALLEY

Canoga Park tailback Raymar Adams was everywhere in the Hunters’ 19-7 victory over Grant. He rushed for 100 yards in 16 carries, caught a 42-yard screen pass and returned a punt 34 yards to set up a touchdown. . . . Reseda forced seven turnovers in its 14-7 victory over Poly. Defensive tackle Ennis Davis made 11 solo tackles, recovered a fumble and caused a fumble. Bobby Carrara and Michael Martin each made an interception and a fumble recovery. . . . Sylmar, which shut out six opponents last season, went six weeks before blanking Van Nuys, 52-0. . . . Van Nuys tailback John McPherson probably will miss Friday’s game against Reseda because of a sprained left ankle.

MID-VALLEY

North Hollywood Coach Gary Gray is hoping the Huskies’ 36-21 victory over previously unbeaten Monroe turns his team’s season around. “We needed to beat them to keep our playoff hopes alive,” Gray said. “It’s going to be a good one to build on down the road.” . . . Grant is passing almost as much as it’s running, but don’t get the wrong idea. Coach Bill Foster hasn’t junked his traditionally sound running offense for a run-and-shoot circus. “The passes we’re throwing are good routes,” Foster said. . . . The Monroe option attack continues to produce. Led by sophomore Jason Anderson, the Vikings average 221 rushing yards, third-best among area City Section teams. Anderson has rushed for 697 yards in 79 carries.

NORTH VALLEY

Taft linebacker Clay Carter, who returns to the lineup this week after nursing a sprained ankle, has noticed greater intensity in practice as the Toreadors prepare for Cleveland. “The coaches are stricter; there’s a lot more discipline. They really want us ready for this one,” Carter said. Taft is 3-0 in conference play but the teams it has beaten are a combined 4-13-1. . . . Kennedy tailback Antwane Smith, sidelined for a 38-0 victory over Cleveland because of an injured knee, ran well in practice Monday. He is expected to be available for Friday’s game against Chatsworth. Linebacker Semesi Umufuke is questionable because of an ankle injury. . . . Although he is only 5-7, 150 pounds, Paul Davis is the heaviest of the top three tailbacks on the Granada Hills depth chart. Francisco Rosario weighs 145 pounds; Jausten Thompson is 140. . . . San Fernando Coach Sean Blunt is worried about mental mistakes even though his team is playing better. The Tigers had 23 penalties last week. . . . El Camino Real quarterback Shaun Fishman is questionable after sitting out a 34-3 victory over Chatsworth because of a sprained shoulder. Linebacker J.D. Sumlin, who was out because of flu, is expected back.

WEST VALLEY

Third-string Chatsworth quarterback Brandon Liebman, a converted receiver, completed five of 12 passes against El Camino Real after subbing for starter Ryan Martinez, who was out because of an injured knee. Liebman was playing in place of backup Travis Winn, who injured an ankle in practice. Both Winn and Martinez are healthy. . . . If fullback Charles Stewart returns to the lineup as expected against Granada Hills on Friday, Birmingham will be without a major injury for the first time this season. . . . A region-high six Cleveland players have attempted passes.

NORTHWESTERN

Verdugo Hills plays Marshall in a rare City Saturday afternoon game. The switch was made to allow more Verdugo Hills fans to attend homecoming festivities. The Dons’ home field does not have lights. Verdugo Hills lineman Joe Delaney will be out two weeks because of a sprained knee.

SOUTHERN SECTION

DEL REY

Crespi quarterback Todd McLean’s 29 completions in a 35-33 loss to St. John Bosco tied Cody Smith’s school record set in 1991. McLean’s 312 yards rank third behind Smith’s 373 yards in 1990 and 370 in ’91. McLean attempted 56 passes, but records for attempts are not kept, Coach Tim Lins said. . . . Senior Jose Gonzalez is averaging 22.5 yards per punt return and 38 yards per kickoff return for Alemany. Senior Ryan Ricks, who rushed for a team-high 55 yards against Bishop Amat, is the third Alemany player to play tailback since Mario Thompson was sidelined two weeks ago because of a broken wrist.

FOOTHILL

Saugus has moved away from its wing-T rushing attack and started passing. The result: two victories by a margin of 74-6. The Centurions have more yards passing (1,017) than rushing (789). . . . The Hart receiving corps is a defensive backfield’s nightmare. Kevin McLaughlin averages 25 yards per catch, followed by Cody Joyce (23.8), J.B. Nelson (18.5) and Ted Iacenda (15). . . . Canyon has one of the least-potent passing attacks--quarterbacks Ahjeron Palmer and Rick Thomas have a combined 319 yards--but the Cowboys are the only team in the area that has not thrown an interception. . . . Burroughs quarterback J.K. Scott was hit by Saugus pass rushers on 27 of his 30 passes. The Indians, who have lost three in a row, enter tonight’s game against Canyon with a 2-0 record on Thursdays.

GOLDEN

Palmdale has won two in row as Jan Brown has rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns after rushing for only 214 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ first four games. . . . With running back Lafayette Bailey serving a one-game suspension, the Littlerock rushing attack ground to a halt. The Lobos rushed for 76 yards--two yards per carry--against Quartz Hill after gaining 449 against Valencia. . . . Highland has allowed a league-low 423 passing yards. Against Palmdale last week, the Bulldogs stopped the Falcons seven times in two possessions near the goal line, allowing only a field goal. But the Bulldogs (3-3, 0-1) lost, 17-16, and this week are in a must-win situation against Quartz Hill (5-1, 1-0). . . . Quartz Hill has allowed an average of only 9.8 points per game. . . . Of the 46 points Antelope Valley has allowed in its five victories, 30 have been scored in the fourth quarter, usually against its second-team defense.

PACIFIC

Hoover linebacker Jin Hur suffered a separated right shoulder against Muir but says he will play Friday against Pasadena. “It’s noticeable that my bone sticks out,” Hur said. “But it’s not to the point it’s disgusting.” . . . Oscar Hernandez, a two-way senior lineman for Glendale, will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a sprained knee.

CHANNEL

Of 34 Division III teams, six Channel teams rank in the bottom 11 in points allowed. “Our league is like the AFL in the ‘60s,” said George Contreras, whose Rio Mesa team is the worst offender, having allowed a Division-high 212 points. . . . In the three league games Ventura has played, 203 points have been scored. . . . Three juniors who transferred from Rio Mesa to Oxnard last year will gain eligibility next week--one week too late to face their former team. Rio Mesa plays host to Oxnard on Friday. The transfers--Donald Arguelles, Mark Valdivia and Courtney Palmore--all will start both ways, Oxnard Coach Wes Morimune said. With Caleb Droughn sidelined because of a shoulder injury, senior Jacques Lee moved from receiver to tailback last week and scored two touchdowns for the Yellowjackets. . . . Hueneme has scored more than 20 points in five consecutive games and has rushed for 990 yards in three league games. However, the Vikings have lost two league games in the final minute. Fullback Saipole Vainuku has become a strong complement to tailback Ronney Jenkins (888 yards, 13 touchdowns). Vainuku has rushed for 261 yards in league play and has seven two-point conversions. . . . Despite a five-week investigation, no suspects have been identified in the robbery of about $2,000 worth of personal belongings from Hueneme players at Palmdale High, Sgt. Greg Collins of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said.

MARMONTE

With tailback David Lightfoot having moved to Louisiana and replacement Andy Kroneberger sidelined because of a thumb injury, Camarillo quarterback Joe Borchard finally got to air it out. The junior completed 20 of 38 passes for a school-record 360 yards in a 38-19 loss to Westlake. Several passes were dropped, a season-long problem. Mike Anger and Colin Foutz each had nine receptions and Foutz’ 190 receiving yards is a school record. . . . Westlake rushed for 300 yards. Jason Victor, Jamal Harris and Steve Aylsworth--Westlake’s top three offensive players--will patrol the defensive backfield Friday against Newbury Park and quarterback Chris Czernek, the state’s leading passer. . . . Newbury Park kicker Chrissy Sanford has continued to play despite a broken toe on her kicking foot. . . . Channel Islands snapped a 24-game league losing streak by running a backfield by committee: Nine players carried the ball in a 23-13 victory over Agoura. Leslie Patu, who had only 32 yards before the game, led the way with 87 yards in 14 carries. Jerry AhChing made two touchdown receptions, giving him five in 10 catches. . . . Teddest McKinne gave Agoura its first 100-yard rushing effort. . . . Sophomore linebacker Chad Troxler was a bright spot for Simi Valley in a loss to Thousand Oaks. On the other hand, Pioneer quarterbacks were sacked six times by the Lancers. . . . Hall of Fame receiver Raymond Berry’s talk to the Royal team last week impressed Highlander Coach Gene Uebelhardt. “Berry had a fantastic message,” he said. “He talked about life, about how everything that matters now to the kids won’t really matter later on.” Still, the Highlanders were waxed by Newbury Park, 33-0. Christian Broussard, Royal’s Division I prospect at cornerback, was hobbled by a toe injury. He left the game near the end of the first half.

MISSION

Chaminade tailback Jason Giovannettone, who suffered a sprained left ankle against St. Bernard last week, is questionable for Friday’s game against Bishop Montgomery. . . . Notre Dame has won 15 games in a row, dating to last season’s 14-10 loss to Harvard-Westlake. The Knights are 28-4 over the past three years and 19-1 with quarterback Ryan Bowne at the helm. . . . St. Francis has three consecutive shutouts and has not been scored on in 12 1/2 quarters. But the toughest part of the Golden Knights’ schedule is just ahead: Serra on Friday, followed by Notre Dame and Chaminade. Receiver Matt Blaney, who has 10 receptions for 204 yards and a touchdown, suffered a slight shoulder separation last week and is questionable for Friday’s game.

RIO HONDO

La Canada senior Sam Paneno, who has 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns, is 65 yards shy of the school single-season rushing record of 1,230 yards set by Frank Mendicina in 1979. La Canada won the Southern Section Northwestern Conference championship that season.

CAMINO REAL

Perhaps no Harvard-Westlake player enjoyed last week’s 49-0 victory over Southwest more than running back Abed Abusaleh, who rushed for four touchdowns. Hampered for much of last season because of a shoulder injury, Abusaleh had stumbled along with the rest of the Wolverines to an 0-5 start. “This year was so disappointing,” said Abusaleh, who last season rushed for 857 yards to lead Harvard to the Southern Section Division IX semifinals. “But so far, knock on wood, I’ve been injury free this year.” Harvard’s entourage spent more than eight hours traveling to and from El Centro High, where the game against Southwest was played just a few miles from the Mexican border.

FRONTIER

Santa Clara has switched from the wing-T to the I formation in order to utilize the straight-ahead running style of Andre Pinedo, who has 167 yards and two touchdowns in 64 carries. . . . David Burns of Moorpark, the Musketeers’ only returning receiver, has 28 receptions for 413 yards and six touchdowns. Moorpark ran a two-minute offense throughout a 32-20 victory over Santa Clara. Moorpark lineman Evan Garcia (shoulder) and safety Jeff Martin (ankle) are expected back for Friday’s game against Bishop Diego. . . . Nordhoff won two of five games against Tri-Valley League teams. . . . Daniel Forhan, a lineman, kicked a 43-yard field goal for Santa Paula against Calabasas. Santa Paula’s Aaron Pettitt, a running back and linebacker, injured his shoulder against Calabasas but continued to play. He did not practice Monday. Cardinal defensive back Javier Rodriquez, out last week because of a fractured wrist, might play against Santa Clara wearing a soft cast. . . . Sophomore Robbie Coppola, who has played only one complete game, leads Calabasas with 400 yards and four touchdowns in 74 carries. Five Coyote players have touchdown receptions. “We don’t have a go-to guy, we go to everybody,” Coach Larry Edwards said.

TRI-VALLEY

Oak Park is 2-4 and already has punted more than it did all of last year. . . . Tailback James Cummings of Fillmore has recovered from a concussion suffered two weeks ago and has been cleared to play Friday against Oak Park. . . . St. Bonaventure defensive back Andrew Montenegro missed the Fillmore game and will be sidelined for two more weeks because of a hairline fracture of his left fibula.

ALPHA

Village Christian had to step up its red-zone defense when the offense couldn’t get untracked in a 6-0 victory over Kilpatrick. The Crusaders gained only 183 yards, but stopped the Mustangs inside the Crusader five on four occasions. Quarterback Matt Pike (concussion) and receiver Mike Santiago (broken finger) are expected to miss Saturday’s homecoming game against Marshall. . . . Kilpatrick had 148 yards in penalties against Village Christian and fumbled three times, including once at the Crusader one, ending a potentially game-winning drive. . . . L.A. Baptist won its first game behind Chris Ross, who rushed for 222 yards and scored twice.

HIGH DESERT

Paraclete extended its losing streak against Bishop to 11 games, losing, 39-36. Paraclete forced the Broncos to punt out of their own territory with roughly three minutes left. But the Spirits were charged with encroachment on fourth down, giving Bishop a first down that resulted in the game’s winning touchdown drive.

SANTA FE

The four league teams that won last week averaged 34 points. The four that lost were blanked. . . . St. Genevieve was without leading rusher Rickey Estrada in a 35-0 loss to Cathedral. Estrada is expected back for Saturday’s game against Salesian. . . . Winless Bell-Jeff faces winless Pius X. Bell-Jeff has been outscored, 112-2, against league opponents. Pius X has been outscored, 129-0.

FREE-LANCE

Quarterback Kenny Taylor and running back Donavan Calhoun starred for Valencia in a 43-26 victory over winless Burbank. Taylor rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in 13 carries. Calhoun rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns in 27 carries, threw a touchdown pass to Taylor on a halfback option play, caught a two-point conversion from Taylor, made an interception and blocked an extra-point attempt. . . . Montclair Prep running back Akil Anderson has a tender ankle and is questionable for Friday’s game against Community Christian of Bakersfield.

Contributing: Mike Bresnahan, Dana Haddad, Steve Henson, Vince Kowalick, Michael Lazarus, Tris Wykes, Peter Yoon.