Los Angeles Times 1995 All-Valley Football Team : LINEMAN OF THE YEAR : Crecion Has Busy Season

Tight end Gabe Crecion provided the spearhead for the Chaminade High running attack on virtually every play this season.

But not the one that mattered most.

Clinging to a 10-7 lead, Chaminade failed to convert on fourth and one deep in Diamond Bar territory midway through the fourth quarter of a Southern Section Division III semifinal. Diamond Bar stopped tailback Jason Giovannettone, then drove for a touchdown to claim a 14-10 victory.

Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson, attempting to fool the defense, instead wound up accepting the blame: With Crecion lined up on the right, the coach called for Giovannettone to run left.

And that left the Eagles inches short of putting away the game.

“We ran behind Crecion 95% of the time, but we didn’t run behind him that time,” Lawson said. “What a goofball I am.”

In theory, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea--considering how accustomed defenses had become to seeing Crecion leading the charge.

At 6 feet 4 and 220 pounds, Crecion paved the way in a ground attack that averaged 205 yards and carried the Eagles to an 11-2 record. Crecion, a three-year starter, also served as long snapper for the punt and field-goal teams, and started at defensive end.

In between, he managed to catch 25 passes for 401 yards and eight touchdowns.

“I like dealing with the ball and being in control of things,” Crecion said. “But I wouldn’t mind playing defensive end in college.”

Crecion’s size, strength and versatility have made him a coveted Division I prospect. Arizona, Colorado, Northwestern, UCLA and Washington are among several schools interested in him.

He also is a baseball prospect. A hard-throwing right-hander, Crecion was 3-2 last season with a 2.64 earned-run average. He also batted .390 with five home runs and a team-high 30 runs batted in.

Offense or defense? Football or baseball? Decisions, decisions.

“I’m not sure which one,” Crecion said. “Some of the schools say I could play both.”