It’s Bound to Be a Better Year for Gridders : Hoover Could Be the Bright Spot as Area Prep Teams Try to Rebound

One thing is for sure when looking at the Glendale area’s 11 City and CIF teams before they open the 1985 high school football season: There’s plenty of room for improvement as the seven CIF schools kick off prep play this weekend and the four City schools prepare for next week’s opening practice games.

Judging from last year’s performances, every team could use a few changes. Some could use more.

Although St. Francis and Hoover in the CIF and City’s Marshall qualified for the playoffs, none advanced past the first round. The rest sank like stones, including Glendale, which has a 20-game losing streak.

In other words, there weren’t many victory chants last year.

The coaches, seven of them new last year, hope this season will be different. Things could hardly get worse.

The new season has brought change to Crescenta Valley. Jim Beckenhauer replaces Gordon Warnock, who left after a 1-9 season, worst in the school’s history. At Hoover, which qualified for the playoffs for a history-making second-straight year in 1984, Coach Fred Cuccia’s Tornadoes should turn some heads with 17 starters returning.

Hoover quarterback John Alaimo heads players to watch in 1985, according to Dick Lascola, director of the Fallbrook-based Scouting Evaluation Assn. Other players to watch are La Canada kicker/running back Rob Myers and Franklin’s Rene Williams.

Here’s a look at the Glendale-area CIF and City teams:

Crescenta Valley (Pacific League, Coastal Conference)--Beckenhauer replaces Warnock, who after 18 seasons at the Falcon helm left to coach defense at Pasadena City College. Warnock didn’t leave much for Beckenhauer, who coached the sophomore squad for two years. Seven starters return from last year’s 1-9 team.

But Beckenhauer is optimistic. He doesn’t predict a better season for Crescenta Valley, he guarantees it.

“I can guarantee that we’ll be a better football team than last year. It’s no fun to be 1-9. I just want to bring a winning reputation back to this program. It’s lost a little bit.”

Beckenhauer plans to rebuild via the air. This summer he revamped the passing attack, relying on the arm of junior quarterback Carl Lomas (5-9, 170) who passed for about 800 yards in 1984. Although summer passing league results weren’t spectacular, Beckenhauer said the Falcons will throw more in 1985.

Eleven juniors will start, five on offense and six on defense. Much like last year, Beckenhauer said about five players are expected to start both ways, including senior running back/linebacker Jim Lobianco (6-0, 170), senior running back/defensive end Jose LaPorte (6-2, 205), who makes his debut in the offensive backfield after playing offensive tackle in 1984; senior offensive guard/nose guard Jeff Lewallen, junior center/linebacker Jerry Harris (6-2, 200) and receiver/defensive back Mike Muhlethaler.

Crescenta Valley opens against visiting La Canada tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Eagle Rock (Northern League, City 2-A)--Coach Dennis Shaw returns for his second year after a 3-6 season. Thirteen lettermen and six starters are returning for Shaw, who believes things are starting to come around for the Eagles.

“I feel like things are looking up,” Shaw said. “We have more people out for the team and our offense should be much more balanced.”

Much of Eagle Rock’s success depends on its ability to throw the football. Shaw said junior quarterback Mitch Gravino (6-1, 160), who threw for three touchdowns in limited action in 1984, will lead a restructured passing attack.

“He shows signs that he can be a real good quarterback for us. We’ve built our offense around the ability to throw,” Shaw said.

Protection for Gravino will center around junior tackle Jose Nunez (5-7, 210) and second-team All-Northern League center/defensive guard Mario Provenzano (5-8, 195). Other returnees include All-Northern League tailback/linebacker Mike Acosta (5-4, 160), flanker/cornerback Mark Soto (5-8, 175) and senior running back/defensive tackle Steve Tracy (5-9, 175), an offensive guard in 1984.

Eagle Rock travels to Glendale on Sept. 19 to open its practice round.

Flintridge Prep (Prep League, (Large) Eight-Man Conference--There are only a few definites and a list of unanswered questions as Coach Brady Lock begins his second year as the Flintridge skipper. The Rebels have only six lettermen, three defensive starters and no offensive starters from last year’s 4-5 squad that finished 2-2 in league. Lock might as well get the plaster ready because he has a lot of holes to fill.

“I guess you’d call this a rebuilding year,” Lock said. “It’s gonna take us a while.”

But the Rebels don’t have that long to wait, as they open the practice season at Buckley High on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Only second-team all-league senior linebacker Jeff Blanchard (5-11, 185) and juniors Joe Bachand, a 5-10, 150-pound lineman, and Colin Cambell, a 6-0, 190-pound linebacker, remain on defense.

Sophomore quarterback Gerrick Aschenbrenner (5-10, 140) and junior running backs Tim Takeuchi (5-6, 150) and Jung Cho (5-3, 180) highlight the young, small Rebel backfield. Flintridge will add a new veer-type offense to capitalize on the backfield’s speed.

“I’d like to be .500. That’s about all we’ll work for and expect,” Lock said. “But even that might be too much. Our players are young and don’t have much experience.”

Franklin (Freeway League, City 3-A)--What a difference a year has made for Coach Rick Gamboa, who enters his second-year at Franklin. In 1984, the lost of 24 ineligible players crippled the Panthers as they moved from Northeast League, where they won the 1983 2-A championship, to the 3-A Freeway League, where they floundered to 2-7. This year, ineligibility claimed only two players from Gamboa’s roster, which includes 12 returning starters and 24 lettermen.

“This year, there’s no fooling around,” said Gamboa. “It took them a while until they understood how I did things. Now they know me better and know what my programs are about.”

Not only are there more eligible players, they are bigger also. In 1984, the average size for the offensive line was 5-10, 175 pounds. This year it’s 6-2, 240. Returning starters Rene Williams (6-5, 285), who was an All-Glendale tackle last year; senior guard/defensive tackle Anthony Navarro (6-3, 245) and senior guard/middle linebacker Jose Guerrero (6-2, 225) highlight the offensive wall.

Other returners are All-City outside linebacker Sergio Lopez (6-0, 200), senior middle linebacker Danny Long (5-9, 175), receiver/defensive back Eric York (5-9, 155), defensive back Toraz Ragland (5-7, 145) and defensive tackle David Espinosa (5-10, 210). Running back Doug Amador (5-11, 235), who was an All-Northeast League nose guard in 1983, and junior quarterback Rick Lopez (6-2, 175) lead the list of previously ineligible players returning to action.

Franklin opens the practice season at Verdugo Hills on Sept. 19.

Glendale (Pacific League, Coastal Conference)--Coach John Brennan has his hands full this year as he tries to end the Dynamiters’ 20-game losing streak, longest in the Southland. Glendale has had back-to-back 0-10 seasons. The last victory was a 7-0 decision over Hoover in 1982.

“We’re going to be an improved football team. How good? It’s hard to tell,” Brennan said. “If we won a game, we would surprise some people.”

Not Brennan, however. He considers this year’s Dynamiter squad, with eight returnees, one of his best. There’s no doubt it’s one of his youngest. Eleven starters are juniors, six on offense and five on defense. Most were on the Glendale sophomore squad that tied for the league title with an 8-2 record last fall.

“If things fall into place, I believe we’ll make the playoffs. It’s a realistic goal,” said the ever-optimistic Brennan.

Much of the hope for success (or just a win) depends on the backfield of senior quarterback Berj Markarian (6-3, 190), who passed for about 800 yards in 1984, and a host of running backs. Fullbacks Jon Marson (5-7, 170) and John Yang (5-10, 170), junior wingbacks Mike DelaCruse (5-10, 170) and Mark Scott (5-10, 160) and senior halfbacks Robert White (5-10, 160) and Ryan Berreas (5-11, 160) are battling to start. The defense features seniors Noeh Prada, a 6-0, 205-pound lineman; end Tony Estrada (6-1, 185) and linebacker Steve Whitesell (5-7, 160) and juniors Jose Corral, a 6-0, 200-pound lineman, and strong safety Peter Escalante (5-7, 160).

Glendale puts its winless streak on the line against visiting Alhambra Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Hoover (Pacific League, Coastal Conference)--With 17 returning starters and consecutive playoff berths in 1983 and ‘84, everyone is pointing to the Tornadoes and Coach Fred Cuccia to challenge for the perenially competitive Pacific crown, which has been dominated by Muir in the 1980s.

With that much returning talent, Cuccia’s expectations are understandably high.

“This team could go as far as they want to,” said Cuccia, in his third year at Hoover. “We have high expectations. We are aware that everyone is looking and pointing at us, and we’re confident.”

Hoover, 5-4-1 in 1984, has every right to be a little confident with All-Glendale quarterback/defensive back John Alaimo (6-2, 175) spearheading the long list of Hoover returnees. Alaimo passed for 728 yards and rushed for 528 as a junior in 1984. He also had 10 interceptions.

“We have so many starters back both offensively and defensively that it’s not a matter of one group stabilizing the team. Both groups will do it,” Cuccia said.

Name players abound: All-Glendale linebackers Steve Hieber (6-2, 205) and Cody Swenson (5-9, 185), All-Glendale receiver Tom Konjoyan, second-team All-Glendale defensive tackle Max Ventura (6-2, 220) and second-team All-Glendale offensive guard Todd Nessen (6-0, 200). Other returnees include offensive lineman Jeff Vigil (5-11, 205), defensive tackle Mike Porras (5-11, 205), linebacker Jerrid Tiatano (5-9, 180) and cornerback Zareh Kouyoumjian (5-11, 170).

Hoover will have its first test Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Saugus High.

La Canada (Rio Hondo League, Coastal Conference)--The first thing Coach Steve Silberman did when he came to La Canada was introduce his players to the weight room and “that’s where they’ve been since,” Silberman said.

And it’s starting to pay off for Silberman and the Spartans. This year players are 10 pounds heavier across the team roster, which features nine returning starters. Silberman believes the added weight could mean more wins. Last year the Spartans finished 4-6.

“We’ve got a chance to be real good,” Silberman said. “I feel we can give any of them (other Pacific League teams) a good run for the money.”

La Canada has the area’s top kicker, senior Rob Myers, who averaged 44.6 yards on 35 punts last year. Myers, an All-Glendale selection, rushed for 780 yards on 136 attempts as the Spartan fullback.

The offensive line has three returning starters protecting senior quarterback J. J. Gish (6-1, 170), who threw for 220 yards in limited action in 1984. All-Pacific League center Chris Plummer (6-0, 195) heads senior returners tackle Jim Johnston (6-3, 205) and guard/defensive tackle Eric Puttler (6-1, 200). Tight end/outside linebacker Ken Golouko (6-0, 185) and receiver Mike Smith (6-3, 185), who caught passes for 355 yards in 1984, will be Gish’s primary receivers.

La Canada’s defense includes a number of newcomers, including guard Harold Alegria (5-10, 190) and offensive lineman/outside linebacker Eric Lobo (6-0, 205). Both are seniors who have not played a down since their sophomore year. Junior tackle Arthur Martinez (5-10, 175) and sophomore cornerback Eric Jacobson (5-9, 155) will also start.

La Canada opens against Crescenta Valley on Friday.

Marshall (Northern League, City 2-A)--It’s wait-and-see time for second-year Coach Ken Gerard, whose squad finished 5-3-1 record, including a 4-1 showing in league. Just a week before the practice season opener against visiting Huntington Park on Sept. 19, Gerard is trying to complete his team roster, with ony three starters returning from last year’s squad.

Gerard: “If the team shapes up, we could be competing for the league title. It it doesn’t, it’s going to be a long season.”

Only seniors Mike Knisley, a 5-10, 195-pound All-Glendale offensive/defensive guard last year; tight end/defensive end Axel Hernandez (6-1, 180) and running back/linebacker Eddie Fernandez (5-11, 180), a converted offensive guard, are returning starters. Scrambling senior quarterback Victor Juarez (5-7, 140) heads an inexperienced offense.

Pater Noster (Santa Fe League, Desert-Mountain Conference)--The biggest challenge facing Coach Dave Lucker is just keeping his roster full. He has only 22 players, with 10 lettermen and six starters from last year’s 4-6 squad. The Eagles lost six players to ineligibility.

“It’s very disappointing,” Lucker said. “It’s hard to keep continuity in the program when you lose people like that.”

To compensate for the small squad, the Eagles will start seven players both ways.

Returners include All-Santa Fe League center/defensive end Cesar Chavez (5-9, 215), linebacker Adrian Morales (6-1, 200) and running backs Patrick Chee (5-11, 160), who is also a cornerback, and Alex Oyarbide (5-8, 180), who rushed for 487 yards in 1984. Junior Edgar Espinosa (5-11, 175) will play quarterback.

“The guys are going to have to be in very good condition because when you play 48 minutes, you get very tired. Then injuries become a factor,” said Lucker, in his ninth year at Pater Noster.

Pater Noster plays at Big Bear on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

St. Francis (Del Rey League, Big Five Conference)--Coach Terry Terrazone’s 13th year at the helm could be one of his most demanding, with only six players from 1984’s 6-4 squad. St. Francis has no returning offensive starters.

But Terrazone offers no complaints.

“We’re very, very green, but we have good players that just have to learn to play as a unit. But we aren’t waiting around until next year. We’ll win this year. We have the kids that can win, but they need experience. Maybe they’ll come around sooner or later.”

But inexperience is not the only thing plaguing Terrazone’s squad. Five of the six Golden Knight starting offensive linemen have been sidelined this summer with injuries.

So St. Francis will depend on a defense anchored by All-Glendale linebacker Vince Moss (6-2, 215). Returners joining Moss are All-Del Rey League defensive end Mike Betance (6-3, 190), who could also start at quarterback; defensive end Damon Miller (6-0, 180, cornerback Brian Miller (5-8, 175), who will also be the starting running back; linebacker Mike Saunders (6-0, 210) and nose guard Jeff Arrobio (6-0, 215).

“We have a lot of holes to fill,” said Terrazone, whose Golden Knights open at San Gorgonio on Friday at 7:30 p.m. “But it’s early. We haven’t lost any games, yet.”

Verdugo Hills (Northern League, City 2-A)--They have some strange goals at Verdugo Hills. This year the goal for Coach Greg Gentry isn’t to win more games, it’s to give players more rest. After that, Gentry figures that victories should quickly follow.

Case in point: Last year, nine players started both offensively and defensively for the squad that finished 3-6 overall and 3-2 in league. As the game went on, the physical strain began to show on the field and on the statistics sheet, Gentry said. In the first quarter, with players fresh, Verdugo Hills outscored opponents 53-26. In the fourth, with players obviously fatigued from playing both ways, opponents outscored Verdugo Hills 45-26.

This year Gentry will give his players a rest--at least some of them. Gentry hopes to cut the number of players pulling double-duty down to six. Fourteen lettermen and six starters return. Most of the better players are expected to play both offense and defense, including tailback/free safety Arn Preheim (6-1, 175), fullback/cornerback Mark Shaffer (5-10, 180), receiver/strong safety Mike Maher (5-10, 180), offensive tackle/defensive end Jeff Graham (6-1, 210), center/defensive tackle Joe Marty (5-11, 240) and offensive/defensive guards Phillip Hendren (5-10, 185) and James Reardon (5-10, 185).

Gentry hopes sophomore quarterback Darrin Fitzgerald (5-11, 170) will bring life to a dormant passing attack. Last year the Verdugo Hills rushing game nearly tripled the air-attack yardage, 1,589 yards to 557. Gentry hopes it will be more balanced.

“He (Fitzgerald) looks like a polished quarterback,” Gentry said. “That’s pretty good considering he’s only a sophomore.”

Verdugo Hills hosts Franklin on Sept. 19.