VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : 1999 PREVIEW: DIVISION I, VII, XI, XII, XIII AND 8-MAN CAPSULES

Del Rey League

Alemany

COACH: Jim Bonds, third season

LAST SEASON: 9-4, 3-0 in league

COMING BACK: QB Casey Clausen, bound for Tennessee, and junior RB De’Andre Scott are two of the most exciting offensive players in the region. Add WRs Derek Goodman and Lanard Heath, and the Indians have the skill players to score often. K Garret Marxen is much improved.

CHECKING IN: WR Bryan Wilson was a star RB on the freshman team. DL John Emelio (6-4, 235) transferred from Montclair Prep.

OUTLOOK: Moving up to Division I is a formidable challenge. The Indians should stay competitive as long as Clausen, Scott and Goodman avoid injury. Winning nonleague games is crucial for the Indians’ playoff hopes.

Angelus League

Harvard-Westlake

COACH: Dave Bennett, seventh season

LAST SEASON: 10-4, 1-2 in league

COMING BACK: RB-DB Lerato Simelane should be the next top Wolverine ballcarrier. He has the speed and punishing style to rush for more than 1,000 yards. OLB Alex Scott and OT-DT Spencer Torgan were key contributors on last season’s Division VII runner-up.

CHECKING IN: QB Bryan Carlson has a strong arm and good instincts but little experience. If he has a big season, there’s no reason the Wolverines shouldn’t challenge Serra for the Angelus League title.

OUTLOOK: A year ago, Bennett started with 32 players and finished with 32, with not one player switching positions. He starts out with 26 players and several injuries. If his starters hang tough, the Wolverines can surprise teams.

Frontier League

Calabasas

COACH: Larry Edwards, 20th season

LAST SEASON: 9-3-1, 3-1 in league

COMING BACK: Senior T Kent Sherman (6-7, 270) is one of the region’s largest linemen and one of three returning starters. Other returnees include RB-LB Mike Armacost and TE Dan Palmeri.

CHECKING IN: Players from the junior varsity expected to make an impact are sophomore QB Justin Fenchel, junior WR-DB David Wolfe and junior LBs Ben Stroll and John Lakatos.

OUTLOOK: A year after reaching the Division XI semifinals, the Coyotes are young and inexperienced. Less than a quarter of the team are seniors, but Calabasas has the talent to reload and upset league-favorite Nordhoff in Week 9.

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Nordhoff

COACH: Cliff Farrar, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 7-5, 4-0 in league

COMING BACK: RB-LB Jessie Hawkins could be the league most valuable player. WR-SS Scott Drew, the leading receiver last season, and QB-LB John Hill, another three-year starter, are poised to have big years. LB Brian and DB Bret Ferrante, twins, are among two sets of brothers on the roster.

CHECKING IN: Players from the junior varsity include sophomore TE-LB Jordan Hawkins, sophomore LB Nick Kaiser and junior DB Benny Borchard. WR John Hall and FS Chris Thomas each won two league track titles last spring.

OUTLOOK: Experience, size, speed and depth. The Rangers, ranked No. 4 in Division XI, have it all. Anything less than a sixth league title in the 1990s would be a disappointment. A section championship is possible.

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Santa Clara

COACH: Mike Martinez and Eliseo Miguel, second season

LAST SEASON: 4-6, 1-3 in league

COMING BACK: Eight starters return from the team that gave Nordhoff its toughest league game last year. TB-SS Danny Chaparro rushed for 549 yards and eight touchdowns before missing the second half of the season because of an elbow injury. FS Paul Macen will start at QB and throw to veteran WRs Ricky Gayton and Willie Burse.

CHECKING IN: RB-LB Bebop Lopez and FB-DE Donald Pinedo, transfers from St. Bonaventure, will help the Saints on both sides of the ball. Lopez will share time with Chaparro.

OUTLOOK: The Saints continue to improve under co-coaches Martinez and Miguel and have the talent to compete for a playoff spot.

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Santa Paula

COACH: Hoppy Mumford, fourth season

LAST SEASON: 4-7, 2-2 in league

COMING BACK: FB-LB Morgan Montoya, an all-county and all-league selection, leads eight returning starters. QB Chad Metelak is a mobile passer who threw for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. WR Johnny Mata is his favorite target and one of six returning starters on offense. Senior Rene Delgadillo will anchor both lines.

CHECKING IN: Junior RBs Jacob Macias and Xavier Ramirez, both from the junior varsity, are speedsters who will share time in the backfield.

OUTLOOK: After demanding more from his players in the off-season, Mumford watched his roster swell to 41 players, an improvement from the usual 25. With more depth, the Cardinals should contend for a playoff spot.

Tri-Valley League

Fillmore

COACH: Matt Suttle, second season

LAST SEASON: 3-7, 1-3 in league

COMING BACK: FB Ted Chewning (5-7, 210) led the Flashes with 777 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season. RB Johnny Uribe and QB Kyle McDowell are third-year players. MLB Henry Velasco (5-9, 220) and OLB Isaac Flores (5-9, 175) lead the defense.

CHECKING IN: Junior FS Kenny Spiker is from the junior varsity and the only newcomer in the secondary, which includes CBs Hernandez and McDowell and SS Uribe. Junior RB Jesse Avila junior OG-OLB Kiel Perkins add much-needed depth.

OUTLOOK: What Fillmore lacks in size and depth, the Flashes hope to make up in experience with 16 seniors. “I think we’re improved from last year,” Suttle said. “We just can’t afford any injuries.”

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Oak Park

COACH: Dick Billingsley, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 5-6, 1-3 in league

COMING BACK: QB Nate Elder (6-1, 210) returns after passing for 1,167 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior QB Josh Walker will share time. RB Adam Messinger is expected to return in midseason from a broken left wrist. Anthony Giangregorio (6-2, 200) has moved from OLB to ILB.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore WR-DB Monte McNair, QB on an 8-2 junior varsity, will kick and return punts. OT Brian Custer (6-0, 243), who bench-presses 315 pounds, and OG-DT Adam Bushore (6-0, 225) are juniors who give the Eagles size and depth on the lines.

OUTLOOK: Billingsley is aiming for second place after the Eagles finished in a three-way tie for third with Fillmore and Bishop Diego last season.

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St. Bonaventure

COACH: Jon Mack, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 8-4, 4-0 in league

COMING BACK: OT Adrian Ayala (6-6, 300) anchors an experienced line. QB Michael Spargo (6-3, 188) moves from WR to replace Chris Lombardo, who transferred to Newbury Park. WR Adam Gray-Hayward (6-2, 205) led St. Bonaventure with 60 catches for 853 yards and 10 TDs last season. CB Josh Ford had three interceptions, returning two for TDs. DE Tucker Bennett (6-3, 235) and junior LB David Garza also return.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore RB Brandon Mascorro was junior varsity most valuable player. RB Lorenzo Booker adds speed. TE Chris Fourtner (6-4, 225) gives Spargo another big target. LBs Bobby Otani (6-1, 205), a junior, and Matt White (5-11, 188), a sophomore, are expected to make an impact.

OUTLOOK: Despite the loss of Lombardo and 1,000-yard rusher Jesse Kirk, who graduated, the Seraphs are favored to win a fourth consecutive league title. “This team could be the best we’ve ever had,” Mack said.

Rio Hondo League

La Canada

COACH: Rich Wheeler, third season

LAST YEAR: 5-6, 3-2 in league play

COMING BACK: Among La Canada’s six returning starters on offense are all five members of a massive OL of third-year players: Tim Reynolds (5-11, 240), Orlando Sanchez (5-11, 280), Chris Sweetnam (6-3, 295), John Baldwin (6-5, 300) and Glenn Riddlesberg (6-4, 310). RB Chet Johnson-Blasucci rushed for 584 yards last season and TE Danny Olson averaged nearly 18 yards per catch.

CHECKING IN: Junior RB Chase McKibben should see ample playing time. Junior Drew Larson and sophomore Eric Young are battling for the QB job.

OUTLOOK: Wheeler loves the team’s size and depth and believes the Spartans may take opponents by surprise.

Freelance

Montclair Prep

COACH: George Giannini, 21st season

LAST SEASON: 8-3.

COMING BACK: RB Gary Sonkur averaged 8.5 yards per carry as a sophomore, rushing for 1,271 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns. DB Ron Adams is the latest potential college recruit. He’s fast and a dependable tackler. OT Ben Johnson is 6-4, 315 pounds.

CHECKING IN: OG Eric Malin is up from the junior varsity and is effective as a pulling blocker.

OUTLOOK: Sonkur is going to get the chance to run the 24 power pitch again and again, following in the tradition Mike Jones, Eliel Swinton and Wilbert Smith.

Alpha League

Kilpatrick

COACH: Sid Ware, third season

LAST SEASON: 8-6, 3-1 in league

COMING BACK: RB Jermaine Marshall (5-11, 215) rushed for 1,405 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Mustangs as a sophomore in 1997. He was at Antelope Valley last season.

CHECKING IN: RB Secel Montgomery will probably start. Wingback Chris Lewis is the younger brother of UCLA RB Jermaine Lewis. DB-CB Jason McDowell was a track standout last year at Cerritos High. QB Enrique Mendoza will engineer the Mustangs’ double-wing offense. OG Jorice Jackson (6-1, 190) is the top lineman.

OUTLOOK: The Mustangs always start slow and jell at the end of the season. Last season, they were 5-5 during regular season, then advanced to the Division XII final.

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L.A. Baptist

COACH: Mark Bates, 10th season

LAST SEASON: 7-4, 2-2 in league

COMING BACK: QB Scott Swenson completed 60% of his passes for 1,779 yards and 18 touchdowns to earn all-league honors in 1998. WR-DE Daniel Acuna averaged 22.6 yards per catch. WR Jason French caught 15 passes and completed all six attempts as a backup QB. Junior Lord Cole played regularly as a sophomore and is much improved. Junior tackle Kevin Campbell (6-0, 205) is a top lineman.

CHECKING IN: Brandon Keene and sophomore Otha Cole will start at LB. WR-DE Peter Harabedian, junior WR Adam Weiss and sophomore TE-DE Steven Graham (6-3, 190) give Swenson three more talented targets.

OUTLOOK: Swenson is a quality QB. If the Knights can put together a balanced attack, they should battle Kilpatrick for second place.

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Paraclete

COACH: Steve Hagerty, eighth season

LAST SEASON: 13-1, 4-0 in league

COMING BACK: Junior all-purpose back Michael Washington (6-2, 195) was the Division XII offensive co-player of the year. QB Rob Fockaert (6-2, 185) passed for 1,869 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 61.3% of his passes as a junior. Sophomore RB Curtis Brown (6-0, 170) ran for 1,109 yards and 12 touchdowns. Robert Watts (6-4, 210) is the most punishing LB in the league. Lineman Blake Gaskins (6-4, 305) was All-Southern Section.

CHECKING IN: Junior Jason Joyce (6-4, 185) and sophomore Joe Martin (6-2, 165) will see extensive time at WR, and Joyce will back up Fockaert at QB. Junior Mike Moore (6-2, 220) starts on both lines.

OUTLOOK: The Spirits are ranked No. 1 in Division XII and can beat most larger schools. They’ve already defeated one of the best teams in Minnesota and are on schedule to become the first team from the region since 1985 to win three consecutive section titles.

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Village Christian

COACH: Mike Plaisance, 20th season

LAST SEASON: 2-8, 0-4 in league

COMING BACK: RB-DB Jason Stauffer rushed for a team-high 556 yards and intercepted seven passes during an all-league junior season. Junior RB-LB Joshua Martin (5-11, 195) also earned all-league honors. Junior QB Neil Gunn passed for 1,026 yards. Junior Ples Aguilar (6-2, 215) is the top lineman. Bryan Galdos and junior David Rodriguez will lend experience at DB and WR.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore Ian Martin will share QB duties with Gunn and play DB. Junior WR-DB Derek Wilde will play a big role. Jonathan Anderson and sophomore Jimmy Hall will see quality time at RB-DB.

OUTLOOK: With inexperienced lines, the Crusaders could have their work cut out for them in a league that features division finalists Paraclete and Kilpatrick and traditional power L.A. Baptist.

Santa Fe League

St. Genevieve

COACH: Phil Avalos, first season

LAST SEASON: 0-10, 0-6

COMING BACK: QB Mike Pisano passed for 607 yards last season and picked up invaluable experience. He’ll be directing a new wing-T offense. CB-WR Sonny Sundal is another important player.

CHECKING IN: Sophomore RB Jamey Iaccino is the fifth Iaccino brother to play for the Valiants. Like all of them, he’s athletic and a hard worker.

OUTLOOK: Avalos, who did three years of fitness research for the Marines, takes over a program that has struggled throughout the 1990s, but he’ll have more than 30 players on the team and has brought renewed enthusiasm.

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Bell-Jeff

COACH: Rolando Aguirre, first season

LAST SEASON: 2-8, 1-6 in league

COMING BACK: Carlos Trujillo moves from FB to TB, and OG David Centrone moves to FB. The Guards plan to throw the ball, relying on WR Fadel Abdulhi.

CHECKING IN: QB Rene Garcia, a 6-1 junior who moves up from the junior varsity, is expected to ignite the offense.

OUTLOOK: Aguirre, a former Mary Star coach, wants to add fun and victories to the program.

Academy League

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Campbell Hall

COACH: Adrian Harris, second season

LAST SEASON: 2-6, 1-4 in league

COMING BACK: WR-SS Aaron Kerr is fast, versatile and a possible college prospect. OL-DL Eric Bright (6-3, 205) is another promising player. Sophomore QB Matt Kaplan is also a top baseball player.

CHECKING IN: Freshman WR-DB Derrick Williams, a top basketball player, can make an impact in football for the Vikings.

OUTLOOK: Last season was the Vikings’ first in 11-man football. They lost only four players. If Kaplan can get the ball to Kerr and Williams, beware.