Big Men on Campus

As the waitress approaches with a full tray of icy chocolate cappuccinos, the supercharged high school football players sitting at a long table at Mimi’s Cafe in Tustin fix their eyes on the frosty treats.

When served, Dave Liti, a 6-foot, 290-pound guard for Foothill High in North Tustin, immediately dips a dinner roll into the whipped cream topping and takes a bite.

Liti and a dozen of his teammates have gathered for a much-honored weekly ritual: the Linemen’s Dinner. The big meal for the largest players on the field is consumed the day before the varsity game. It’s usually held at a team member’s house or a local restaurant.

Eating next to Liti is another senior, Dave Torres, a 5-11 tackle who tips the scales at 275 pounds. His nickname--most linemen have one--is “Chunky Butta.”

You think you eat big on Thanksgiving? In less than two hours, Liti and Torres will each polish off:

* a one-third-pound lean ground beef patty with avocado, Swiss cheese, bacon and Thousand Island dressing sandwiched between grilled garlic and Parmesan sourdough bread, and fries ($7.25);

* 12 pieces of breaded and fried chicken breast with ranch dressing and fruit garnish ($6.25);

* one 12-ounce iced cappuccino blended with white and dark Ghirardelli chocolate and topped with chocolate powder and whipped cream ($2.95);

* soft drinks ($1.50)

Liti tops off his dinner with a thick piece of vanilla ice cream wrapped in two layers of chocolate brownies and crowned with hot fudge and a tennis ball-size dollop of whipped cream ($3.95).

Total for both: $39.85

“If we didn’t do anything [athletic], we wouldn’t be able to walk,” Liti said.

Liti’s confidence is as rock-solid as his physique. Asked if breaking the 300-pound barrier might put him in the overweight category, he quickly replies, “Can you squat 600 pounds? Can you bench [press] 405?”

Some may think size matters most in football, but Torres says, “Strength is the factor.” Monday through Friday weightlifting sessions add the muscle he needs to compete.

Dr. Richard W. Parlee of Villa Park, who has worked with athletes for 30 years, says Liti’s and Torres’ eating habits aren’t unusual among today’s jumbo-size players.

“There are so many big guys in sports,” he says.

Weight training, improved nutrition and generational growth result in high school players who make the lines of 20 years ago--which averaged 200 pounds--look puny. Several county players tip the scales at 340 pounds or more.

Parlee said successful athletes concern themselves with getting the proper amount of nutrients and staying in good physical condition; those who don’t risk injuries.

“I’ve seen a lot of heavy athletes in good shape, muscle-wise,” said Parlee, who stressed that an occasional eating binge shouldn’t be cause for concern. Long-term eating habits are more important.

OK, but who’s going to try to intercept dessert from these guys?

CHEW ON THIS

What’s a lineman’s favorite meal? We asked some of Orange County’s biggest players what was on their plates:

Aliso Niguel High Wolverine No. 69 Rob (“Twinkle Toes”) Schwartz, 6-2, 320 pounds, senior: Ted’s Place in Laguna Niguel--”humongous” avocado cheeseburger, fries,. Pepsi.

Capistrano Valley High Cougar No. 71 Matthew Cantu, 6-3, 270 pounds, junior: El Molino de Oro in San Juan Capistrano--a couple of bean-and-cheese burritos, chicken quesadilla, “everything else” on the menu.

Capistrano Valley High Cougar No. 72 Anthony Garrio, 5-10, 290 pounds, junior: Buffy’s Family Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano--teriyaki steak, garlic bread, baked potato with butter and sour cream, apple pie, iced tea.

Corona del Mar High Sea King No. 73 Zack Wald, 6-3, 330 pounds, senior: Gina’s Pizza in Corona del Mar--large Maui Mamma pizza (bacon, Canadian bacon, pineapple); Charo Chicken in Costa Mesa--Papa Charo (half of a chicken with lemon garlic butter, tortillas, bean and rice); Taco Bell--lots of items on the menu.

Costa Mesa High Mustang No. 54 Eric Connaty, 6-2, 290 pounds, senior: Outback Steakhouse in Costa Mesa--16-ounce prime rib, baked potato with “mounds” of butter and sour cream, Coke or water.

Costa Mesa High Mustang No. 74 Luther (“Biggie”) Mitchell, 5-9, 300 pounds, junior: That’s Aroma in Costa Mesa--meat-and-cheese lasagna, “all the good stuff,” bread, Shirley Temple.

Cypress High Centurion No. 62 Joe (“Fifth Wheel”) Long, 6-3, 280 pounds, senior: Shogun Restaurant in Cypress--75 pieces of all-you-can-eat sushi, including six shogun rolls (seaweed wrapped around tempura, rice and crab with a teriyaki glaze) and assorted fish-and-rice rolls.

Dana Hills High Dolphin No. 76 Travis Wannlund, 6-3, 290 pounds, junior: Fuddruckers in Lake Forest--bacon burgers with “the works,” onion rings, customized drink (a mix of Surge and fruit punch); for dessert, Toppings in Laguna Niguel--frozen yogurt.

Estancia High Eagle No. 75 Kyle (“Baby Hughey”) Westman, 6-3, 290 pounds, senior: Country Harvest Buffet in Westminster--”little of everything,” including all-you-can-eat steak, turkey, chicken, frozen yogurt and water during the week--”so you don’t cramp up”--and soda on the weekends.

Fullerton Union High Indian No. 70 Daniel Rosca, 6-2, 290 pounds, senior: Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus Restaurant in Fullerton--T-bone steak, baked potato with sour cream and butter, salad, Coke.

Huntington Beach High Oiler No. 51 Johnny (“Big John”) Niutapuai, 6-1, 315 pounds, junior: Ruby’s Surf City Diner on Huntington Beach Pier--hamburger, fries, Coke.

Irvine High Vaquero No. 77 Nick Gasper, 6-5, 285 pounds, junior: In-N-Out Burgers--4x4 (four hamburger patties, four slices cheese, lettuce, tomato and spread), fries; Philly’s Best in Irvine--Philly cheese steak, fries; Carl’s Jr.--double Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

Irvine High Vaquero No. 75 Benjo (“No Neck”) Tan, 5-9, 275 pounds, senior: Chili’s Grill & Bar in Irvine--Chinese chicken salad, medium-rare steak, fries, Sprite.

Laguna Beach High Artist No. 75 Ryan (“Moose”) Dossett, 6-3, 270 pounds, junior: In-N-Out Burgers in Mission Viejo--three Double Doubles (two hamburger patties, two slices of cheese), fries, large Dr Pepper.

La Habra High Highlander No. 73 Clint (“Whale”) Dato, 6-5, 332 pounds, senior: Claim Jumper Restaurant in Buena Park--ribs, big baked potato; eats at home--barbecued steak, baked potato, Mom’s lasagna casserole, boysenberry pie.

La Habra High Highlander No. 71 Juan (“Panchito”) Muniz, 6 feet, 290 pounds, senior: Round Table Pizza in La Habra--large, thin-crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage; Hometown Buffet in La Habra--ham, chicken and “whatever they have,” brownies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies.

La Habra High Highlander No. 77 Jesse (“Uncle Jesse”) Schroeder, 6 feet, 273 pounds, senior: Clearman’s Northwoods Inn in La Mirada--big steak or steak-kebab, baked potato with butter, salt and pepper, “awesome” cheese bread, Roy Rogers.

Loara High Saxon No. 78 Alex (“Kojo”) Khojikian, 6-4, 280 pounds, junior: Mangia-Mangia in Huntington Beach--chicken Marsala, garlic bread; the Crab Cooker Restaurant in Newport Beach--quarter-pound Killer Crab Claws, bread.

Magnolia High Sentinel No. 83 Scott (“Big Show”) Henry, 6-6, 270 pounds, senior: Chili’s Grill & Bar in Cypress--Chicken Crispers (five deep-fried chicken fingers), nachos; Tony Roma’s--ribs, salad.

Marina High Viking No. 78 Mike Murolo, 5-10, 275 pounds, senior: King’s Pizza in Huntington Beach--the Supreme pizza (sausage, mushrooms, pepperoni, green peppers, onions, black olives, pineapples, jalapen~o, Canadian bacon, fresh tomato).

Mission Viejo High Diablo No. 75, Greg Jensen, 6-3, 290 pounds, senior: Claim Jumper Restaurant in Mission Viejo--big sampler appetizer plate (four fried zucchini, four buffalo wings, full order of thin onion rings, three loaded potato skins, three mozzarella sticks, Southwest eggroll with sauces), medium-well top sirloin steak, fries, deep dish apple pie.

San Clemente High Triton No. 71 Joey Samperi, 5-11, 285 pounds, sophomore: Peppino’s Italian Family Restaurant in San Clemente--pregame meal of meat lasagna, mostaccioli pasta with meat sauce, salad, bread.

Santa Ana High Saint No. 73 Rickey Berry, 6-4, 325 pounds, junior: Maggiano’s Little Italy in Costa Mesa--large chopped salad (iceberg lettuce, avocado, chicken, green onions, tomatoes, crispy prosciutto, creamy vinaigrette).

Santa Ana High Saint No. 65 John (“Big Daddy Cool”) Takapu, 6-2 1/2, 347 pounds, junior: eats at home--Dad’s medium-size roast pig, taro root, Mom’s trifle; Norm’s Restaurant in Santa Ana--T-bone steak; Marie Callender’s Restaurant in Santa Ana--peach pie.

Santiago High Cavalier No. 61 Johnny Leuta, 6-2, 290 pounds, junior: Taco Bell--Seven-Layer burrito.

Savanna High Rebel No. 73 Shawn (“Big Red”) Miller, 6-1, 340 pounds, junior: Spire’s Restaurant in Anaheim--hamburger with everything, fries, rice pudding, Dr Pepper.

Servite High Friar No. 75 Joe (“Big Joe”) McGuire, 6-6, 280 pounds, senior: Flame Broiler in Anaheim--skinless, white-meat teriyaki chicken and rice bowls; on Saturday, In-N-Out burgers splurge.

Sonora High Raider No. 50 Derek (“Big D”) Douglas, 6-2, 292 pounds, senior: Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers--two or three quarter-pound double stacks, fries, Coke.

Troy High Warrior No. 72 Troy Germain, 6-4, 275 pounds, senior: Hungry Bear Restaurant in Fullerton--bacon-wrapped filet, baked potato with everything.

Valencia High Tiger No. 77 Joe (“Big Joe”) Eddleman, 6-4, 290 pounds, senior: El Farolito in Placentia--two or three cheese-carnitas, bean-guacamole quesadillas, large Coke.

Western High Pioneer No. 76 William (“Big Will”) Thomas, 6-5, 320 pounds, senior: Cypress Family Pizza--postgame feast; Sizzler Family Steak House in Cypress--chicken and steaks.

Westminster High Lion No. 75 Soli Letuli, 6-7, 365 pounds, senior: Hometown Buffet in Garden Grove--refills plate four to six times with “a little of everything”; Jack-in-the-Box--three big burgers.

Woodbridge High Warrior No. 51 Graham (“Pun”) Lubinsky, 5-7, 270 pounds, senior: Il Fornaio in Irvine--pasta, bread, water.