THE TIMES’ FOOTBALL ALL-STAR TEAMS : PLAYER OF THE YEAR : In a 3,398-Yard Season, Tustin’s Foster Saved Best for Last--Six Touchdowns and 378 Yards Rushing in Title Game

It already had been a superb season for Tustin High running back DeShaun Foster, who had rushed for more than 3,000 yards in 13 games.

But there was one game to play--the Division V final against unbeaten and defending champion Santa Margarita.

Santa Margarita had held Foster to 26 yards in 14 carries in last year’s 31-0 semifinal victory and had given up only 996 total yards and 126 points in 13 games in 1997.

Santa Margarita prevailed again in the title game, 55-42. But the Eagles couldn’t stop Foster, who rushed for 378 yards and six touchdowns in 31 carries.

The ability to come up with his best performance in the biggest game of the season is only one of the reasons Foster was selected winner of The Times’ Glenn Davis Award, given to the top prep football player in Southern California.

The award is named for the 1946 Heisman Trophy winner, who attended Bonita High in La Verne and West Point.

“It does feel special,” Foster said of his season. “But what I will remember most of all is my teammates. How together we all were, starting last summer when we were getting ready for the season. We had great camaraderie. They know they did something to help me do it.”

Foster, 17, also started at cornerback and led Tustin to a 13-1 record and its first Golden West League football championship. He finished with 3,398 yards in 323 carries, an average of 10.5 yards a rush.

Foster rushed for 55 touchdowns, breaking the single-season record of 46 held by David Dotson of Moreno Valley Valley View, and scored 362 points, bettering Dotson’s section-record 282.

Foster also caught a touchdown pass and returned a kick, a fumble and an interception for scores to finish with 59 touchdowns. According to National Federation of State High School Assn. records, that is the second-best season total. In 1988, Brett Law of Sheridan, Ind., scored 66 touchdowns.

Foster’s speed left defenders grasping at shadows, but he also had the strength to routinely break tackles.

He rushed for 300 or more yards three times and 200 or more seven times. His lowest single-game total was 136 yards in 15 carries against Westminster.

The 378 yards against Santa Margarita were a season-high.

Santa Margarita Coach Jim Hartigan called Foster’s performance “phenomenal,” saying none of the Eagle defenses designed to contain him worked.

“I figured he’d pop at least three touchdowns even if we played very well because he is so dangerous,” Hartigan said. “But he’s so hard to prepare for. You’d have to have a college-type back to simulate what he does.

“And that running style of his--upright like Eric Dickerson and Johnny Rodgers, the strong upper body and the great stiff arm. You have to decide whether to run him over, which is foolish, or surround him with multiple defenders. But he also has great vision, and can tell if you over-pursue or under-pursue. Not many high school backs have that.”

As outstanding as Foster’s performance against Santa Margarita was, Tustin Coach Myron Miller does not consider that effort the defining moment of his tailback’s season.

Miller, who said Foster “is the best running back I’ve seen in 30 years of coaching,” instead cited Tustin’s victory against Anaheim Servite, which had not lost a Golden West League game since the league was formed four years ago.

“We were down early in the first half with a third and goal from the 13,” Miller said. “I’m scratching my head trying to figure a play, and I look at DeShaun, who points to himself. He got the ball, got hit on the five by four guys, put his hand on the ground to keep his balance and went into the end zone. Then he ran in a two-point conversion. He realized that, when the game was on the line, he can carry the load.”

Foster, who has a 4.0 grade-point average, said he has narrowed his college choices to UCLA, Nebraska, Washington and Oregon.

He said his choice will involve more than football.

“I want to graduate in four years,” Foster said. “I want to be thought of as more than just a jock. It wouldn’t bother me if I made the NFL, but you can’t set your hopes on that. You have to have something to fall back on.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Glenn Davis Award Winners

*--*

Year Name School Pos. 1997 DeShaun Foster Tustin RB/DB 1996 Antoine Harris Loyola TE/DL 1995 Chris Claiborne J.W. North LB/RB 1994 Daylon McCutcheon Bishop Amat RB/DB 1993 Glenn Thompkins Eisenhower QB/DB 1992 Travis Kirschke Esperanza DL 1991 Billy Blanton Mater Dei QB 1990 John Walsh Carson QB 1989 Kevin Copeland Dorsey WR 1988 Derek Brown Servite RB 1987 Russell White Crespi RB

*--*

CENTRAL CITY

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Gary Love Jefferson 5-10 174 Sr. WR Billy Wingfield Carson 5-11 180 Sr. OL Eric Mendoza San Pedro 6-3 260 Sr. OL Adam Barondess Loyola 6-3 283 Sr. OL Rene Chavez Belmont 6-1 233 Sr. OL Amon Arnold Crenshaw 6-4 254 Sr. OL Vince Gonzalez Loyola 5-11 255 Sr. B Erik Garcia Franklin 6-0 165 Sr. B Wayne Johnson Fremont 5-8 150 Sr. B Chris Hanks Cathedral 6-0 182 Sr. B David Crockett Narbonne 5-11 180 Sr. AP Altrikii Brown Verbum Dei 5-10 180 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL John Bledsoe Washington 6-2 230 Sr. DL Michael Long Loyola 6-4 246 Sr. DL Michael Aguilar Franklin 5-10 200 Sr. DL Sloane Joseph Loyola 6-1 221 Sr. LB Sir Jerry Dandridge Dorsey 5-10 175 Sr. LB Jorge Ochoa Fremont 6-0 195 Sr. LB Ryan Solomona San Pedro 6-2 240 Sr. DB Joshua Griffin Jefferson 5-10 173 Sr. DB Ramon Lopez Bell Gardens 6-0 170 Sr. DB Wesley Willard Loyola 5-9 180 Sr. DB Sherman Austin Lincoln 5-7 165 Sr. AP Holman Wiggins San Pedro 6-1 205 Sr.

*--*

* Back of the year: Holman Wiggins, San Pedro.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Michael Long, Loyola.

* Coach of the year: Peter Duffy, Fremont.

INLAND EMPIRE

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Chad Wakumoto R. Cucamonga 5-8 160 Sr. WR Paul Nelson San Bernardino 6-2 205 Sr. TE Nate Davenport Cathedral City 6-6 207 Sr. OL Tim Collins Poly 6-2 270 Sr. OL Josh Beckham Yucca Valley 6-3 258 Jr. OL Antonio Sandoval Fontana 6-2 280 Sr. OL Tim Provost Perris 6-6 235 Sr. OL Troy Munson Murietta Valley 6-3 260 Sr. QB Jose Fuentes R. Cucamonga 6-3 185 Sr. RB Raheem Lambert Norte Vista 5-11 200 Sr. RB Alan Taylor Yucaipa 5-8 180 Sr. K Marcos Hernandez Cathedral City 5-7 153 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

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Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Mike Kelly Redlands 5-10 195 Sr. DL Abraham Trevino J.W. North 6-0 225 Sr. DL Jermaine Brooks R.Cucamonga 6-4 270 Sr. LB Brandon Bell Eisenhower 6-1 190 Sr. LB Daniel Berry Rubidoux 5-10 215 Sr. LB Cody Beck Redlands 6-1 220 Sr. LB Doug Edmunson Alta Loma 6-0 190 Sr. DB Kurt Rubin Brawley 6-1 185 Sr. DB Andrae Perry Fontana 6-0 180 Sr. DB Montise Mallory Bloomington 5-9 165 Sr. DB Jay Thomas Notre Dame 6-4 180 Jr. P Shawn Kelly West Valley 6-3 225 Sr.

*--*

* Back of the year: Alan Taylor, Yucaipa.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Jermaine Brooks, Rancho Cucamonga.

* Coach of the year: Jim Taylor, Yucaipa.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Michael Ainsworth Monrovia 6-2 180 Sr. TE Anthony Kelley Muir 6-3 215 Sr. OL Jesus Hernandez Bishop Amat 6-1 255 Sr. OL Scott Wiegand Arcadia 6-7 280 Sr. OL Jeff Wright Covina 6-6 285 Sr. OL Mark Christensen Damien 6-4 280 Sr. OL Jason Heilman West Covina 6-4 245 Sr. QB Mike Frost Ayala 6-2 190 Sr. RB Sultan McCullough Muir 6-0 185 Sr. RB Michael Wagner Bishop Amat 5-9 184 Jr. RB Josh Levi Chino 5-9 175 Sr. K Brian Biang Los Altos 6-0 180 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Anthony Fletcher San Dimas 6-5 265 Sr. DL Paul Le’au Wilson 6-2 285 Sr. DL Dontae’ Jones Gladstone 6-2 230 Jr. LB Tom Coburn Ayala 5-9 195 Sr. LB Ron Cooper Rowland 5-11 200 Sr. LB Wes Greenwood Diamond Bar 6-1 220 Sr. LB Jeremy Drake Wilson 6-1 195 Sr. DB Darnell Parhms Damien 6-0 180 Sr. DB Nick Covarrubias Covina 6-2 190 Sr. DB Dennis Wyrick Bishop Amat 6-1 208 Jr. DB Audie Attar Claremont 6-1 185 Sr. AP James Nesson San Marino 5-8 180 Sr.

*--*

* Back of the year: Sultan McCullough, Muir.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Scott Wiegand, Arcadia.

* Coach of the year: Steve Garrison, Monrovia.

SOUTH BAY / WESTSIDE

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Omar Bennett Beverly Hills 6-0 175 Sr. WR Eugene Childs Westchester 6-1 185 Sr. WR Shamon Jamerson Palisades 6-0 170 Sr. OL Scott Huber Peninusla 6-4 250 Sr. OL John Zepeda Venice 6-1 270 Sr. OL Chase Turner Torrance 6-0 240 Sr. OL Mike Jenson Mira Costa 6-5 255 Sr. OL Fabian Garcia Palisades 5-11 265 Sr. B Adam Kennybrew Beverly Hills 6-1 205 Sr. B Robert Hodge Mira Costa 6-0 170 Sr. B Scipio Stubbs El Segundo 5-9 165 Sr. K Brad Durbin Peninsula 5-9 175 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Jason Hove Mira Costa 6-3 250 Sr. DL John Butler South Torrance 6-1 240 Sr. DL Sioeli Tuipolutu Hawthorne 6-1 200 Sr. LB Jashon Sykes Serra 6-3 215 Sr. LB Shad McLachlan Torrance 6-0 205 Jr. LB Joby Zamarripa Redondo Union 6-2 230 Sr. LB Hiram Travis North Torrance 6-2 220 Sr. DB Terrel Golden Westchester 5-11 195 Sr. DB Andrew Peeke Peninsula 6-0 195 Sr. DB Alex Merino Brentwood 6-3 195 Sr. DB Mike Enos Mira Costa 6-4 200 Sr. AP James Dunn St. Monica 5-10 165 Jr.

*--*

* Back of the year: Andrew Peeke, Peninsula.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Jason Hove, Mira Costa.

* Back of the year: Gary Kimbrell, Peninsula.

SOUTH COAST / SOUTHEAST

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR David Relf Dominguez 6-0 180 Sr. WR Tim Lemon La Mirada 6-2 175 Sr. TE John Park Warren 6-2 230 Sr. OL Aaron Candelas St. Paul 6-1 255 Sr. OL Luis Trujillo Long Beach Poly 6-2 300 Sr. OL Dustin Helvey La Serna 6-4 255 Sr. OL Jason Roberts Santa Fe 6-3 245 Sr. OL Stephen Kendrick St. Anthony 6-2 300 Sr. QB Robert Herndon La Mirada 5-11 170 Sr. RB Herman Ho-Ching Long Beach Poly 6-0 205 Sr. RB Willie Hurst Dominguez 5-9 195 Sr. K Jim Zurn La Mirada 5-9 155 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Jason Camilleri St. John Bosco 6-4 250 Sr. DL Ryan Ita Long Beach Poly 6-5 215 Sr. DL Gabriel Vargas El Rancho 6-2 240 Sr. DL Yancey Faatoalia Lynwood 6-2 310 Sr. LB Shane Minton St. John Bosco 5-9 175 Sr. LB Charlie Green Paramount 6-2 225 Sr. LB Eric Manning Dominguez 6-2 270 Sr. DB Darrell Rideaux Long Beach Poly 5-9 165 Jr. DB Eric Bracken Centennial 6-3 205 Sr. DB Douglas Brumfield Dominguez 6-3 180 Sr. DB Tim Leuscher California 6-3 180 Sr. P Joe Nadalsky St. John Bosco 5-8 165 Sr.

*--*

* Back of the year: Herman Ho-Ching, Long Beach Poly.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Yancey Faatoalia, Lynwood.

* Coach of the year: Jerry Jaso, Long Beach Poly.

ORANGE COUNTY

OFFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR John Minardi Santa Margarita 6-3 190 Sr. WR Keenan Howry Los Alamitos 5-10 165 Jr. TE Saia Makakaufaki Laguna Hills 6-4 240 Sr. OL Jake Ashabraner Esperanza 6-3 302 Sr. OL C.Chambers-Alston Tustin 6-4 305 Sr. OL Jeff Hick Laguna Hills 6-1 230 Sr. OL Robert Richardson San Clemente 6-3 240 Sr. OL Lenny Vandermade Mater Dei 6-3 250 Jr. QB Carson Palmer Santa Margarita 6-5 220 Sr. RB DeShaun Foster Tustin 6-1 205 Sr. RB Mike McNair Mater Dei 6-2 220 Sr. K Nick Gilliam Mission Viejo 5-9 170 Sr.

*--*

DEFENSE

*--*

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. DL Dylan Bird San Clemente 6-4 215 Sr. DL Jason Hayward Sunny Hills 6-2 255 Sr. DL Jared Ritter Mission Viejo 6-4 252 Sr. DL Jarom Fano Fountain Valley 6-1 240 Jr. LB Nick Cappelletti Santa Margarita 5-11 175 Sr. LB Kevin Mitchell Mater Dei 6-0 215 Sr. LB David Vickers Rancho Alamitos 6-0 200 Sr. DB Brett Baker Newport Harbor 5-11 184 Sr. DB Joey Boese Mater Dei 5-10 175 Sr. DB Mike Chavis Mission Viejo 6-0 192 Sr. DB Rasuli Webster Brea Olinda 6-2 202 Sr. P David Waltzman Aliso Niguel 6-1 197 Sr.

*--*

* Back of the year: DeShaun Foster, Tustin.

* Lineman/linebacker of the year: Robert Richardson, San Clemente.

* Coach of the year: Rick Gibson, Woodbridge.

All-area teams for Valley and Ventura regions will be announced in January.