FIRST-TEAM PROFILES

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 15, 1998 12 AM PT

Rael Berkowitz

WOODBRIDGE

SR.

Berkowitz (6-0, 185) was a key to the Warriors’ flex defense, a lineman whose mobility enabled him to drop back into coverage as necessary. He had 11 sacks and three fumble recoveries for the Warriors (13-0-1), who gave up two touchdowns or fewer in 13 of their 14 games.

Ben Fredrickson

LA QUINTA

SR.

He’s being recruited as a tight end, where he caught 37 passes, but Fredrickson was also the Garden Grove League’s defensive MVP. “He had some of the most outrageous hits you’ve seen,” La Quinta Coach Jeff Veeder said. “He knocked two guys out of one game.”

Nick Heinle

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

SR.

The Sunset League’s defensive lineman of the year recorded 66 tackles (15 for losses), 10 sacks, caused one fumble and had nine quarterback hurries. “Extremely competitive,” Coach George Berg said. “You could count on him to come up with a big play at a key time.”

Bernard Riley

LOS ALAMITOS

SR.

The mountainous Riley (6-4, 305) who has committed to USC, thrived despite constantly being double- and triple-teamed by opponents. He recorded 49 unassisted tackles (19 for losses), nine sacks, broke up six passes, forced three fumbles, and recovered two fumbles.

Tyler Kruse

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

JR.

Few players could disrupt an offense as well as the ultra-aggressive Kruse. Along with 64 tackles (eight for losses), Kruse had five sacks, forced four fumbles and two quarterback hurries. “He has that great sense of knowing where the ball was,” Coach George Berg said.

Dustin Pratt

TRABUCO HILLS

SR.

Pratt, a three-year starter, was all over the field for the Mustangs. He recorded 82 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and knocked down five passes. “For a guy his size [5-9, 190] he hit with quite a wallop,” Coach Bill Crow said.

Dustin Davis

MATER DEI

SR.

Davis’ 14 sacks are only one reason he is a first-team selection. Also add 62 lead tackles (eight for losses), six batted balls, one caused fumble and one recovered fumble. “He brought another speed to an already fast defense,” Coach Bruce Rollinson said.

Shane Harris

WOODBRIDGE

JR.

A central figure in Woodbridge’s run to the section championship, Harris (5-10, 175) is the team’s workhorse. A devastating tackler, he had seven interceptions as Woodbridge gave up more than 14 points only twice. He rushed for 984 yards (7.9 per carry).

Brandon Heaney

TRABUCO HILLS

SR.

Heaney was an effective quarterback, passing for 962 yards and nine touchdowns. But he was an even better pass defender. Just ask Fountain Valley, which saw Heaney hold standout receiver Aaron Carter to 49 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

Richard Herrera

CYPRESS

SR.

Extremely tough despite his stature (5-9, 175) and willing to sacrifice his body, Herrera caught everything in sight. He had eight interceptions, and also excelled on offense (57 catches, nine touchdowns, fewer than 10 drops) as Cypress won its first league title since 1978.

Matt Grootegoed

MATER DEI

JR.

The 6-0, 190-pound Grootegoed was among the county’s most feared hitters. His 244 yards rushing led Mater Dei to its fourth Division I title since 1991. He was also the Monarchs’ leading tackler with 90. “The complete athletic package,” Coach Bruce Rollinson said.

Eddie Johnson

NEWPORT HARBOR

SR.

Johnson averaged 42.2 yards with seven punts inside the 20-yard line and a long of 71. He averaged 40.7 as a junior, and 38.1 as a sophomore. “There’s really no limits on this guy,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “It was a luxury having him three years.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE SECOND TEAM

* Sagan Atuatasi

DL, Los Alamitos

6-3, 301, Sr.

* Marko Cavka

DL, Cypress

6-7, 255, Sr.

* Bryan Save

DL, Santa Ana Valley

6-3, 250, Sr.

* Will Watson