PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988 : Big Plays and Big Players : Carson and Banning Dominate Times Prep All-Star Football Team

With an accent on explosiveness, The Times South Bay All-Star High School Football Team features 23 players who built reputations for routinely making big plays.

For example:

* The four offensive backs, headed by Hawthorne’s dynamic Curtis Conway and Carson’s shifty Errol Sapp, averaged nearly nine yards per carry and combined for 64 touchdowns.

* Together, receivers John Morton of South Torrance and Shannon Thompson of Morningside scored touchdowns on every fourth catch.

* The offensive line, including all-star repeaters Bob Whitfield of Banning and Morris Unutoa of Carson, averages 6-4 and 245 pounds and paved the way for productive running games.

* The five linebackers have speed, agility and strength.

* The defensive backs, including three physical safeties, earned high marks for bone-jarring hits as well as for superior pass coverage.

In short, the all-star team is filled with big, fast athletes, and nowhere were they more abundant than at Carson and Banning.

The archrivals, who meet at 8 p.m. Friday in the L.A. City 4-A championship game at the Coliseum, each placed four players on the first team, the most of any school. Ocean League champion Morningside was next with three selections, followed by Serra, El Segundo, Bishop Montgomery and Leuzinger with two each.

Carson is represented by Sapp, Unutoa, defensive lineman Nkosi Littleton and defensive back Howard McCowan, while Banning placed Whitfield, offensive lineman Andy Gonzalez, defensive lineman Sonny Fuavai and defensive back Paul Montgomery on the first team.

Rounding out the offense are Conway, a repeater at quarterback; wide receivers Morton and Thompson, running backs Erik Evans of El Segundo and Deshon Mosley of Morningside, linemen Curtis Bray of Serra and John Lee of Rolling Hills and kicker Scott Altenberg of Bishop Montgomery.

The rest of the defense is made up of linebackers Henry Bens of Leuzinger, Terrell Edwards of Morningside, Pete Ortiz of Bishop Montgomery, Erik Simien of Serra and Rob White of El Segundo, plus defensive backs Anthony Cole of North Torrance and Tyrone Scott of Leuzinger.

The all-star team members, their coaches and parents will be guests of The Times at 9 a.m. Sunday at the annual Times High School Football Awards Brunch at the Anaheim Hilton, where winners of back, lineman and coach of the year will be announced. UC Berkeley Coach Bruce Snyder is the guest speaker.

Conway, the 1987 South Bay Back of the Year, guided Hawthorne to the CIF quarterfinals for the second straight year. The versatile quarterback carried the ball 86 times for 813 yards and 11 touchdowns, completed 77 of 156 passes for 1,159 yards and 10 TDs and returned a punt and an interception for TDs.

He either ran or passed for 23 of Hawthorne’s 40 touchdowns this year, and he accounted for 62 of the team’s 82 TDs over the last two seasons. Conway was named the Bay League Most Valuable Player.

“He’s the heart and soul of our football team,” said Hawthorne Coach Goy Casillas. “He’s the best pure athlete I’ve ever coached.”

Conway used his sprinter’s speed to shred defenses throughout a 3-year varsity career. In the playoffs, he scored on a 61-yard run in a 13-0 win over Pasadena and had touchdowns on a 50-yard run and a 38-yard interception return in a 29-14 loss to Canyon of Canyon Country.

Sapp, another big-play performer, is one of the main reasons Carson will make its eighth straight appearance in the L.A. City final. The running back leads the Colts in rushing (750 yards and 10 TDs on 78 carries) and receiving (29 catches, 385 yards, 8 TDs). Including kickoff and punt returns, he has 1,610 all-purpose yards.

Sapp has scored 5 touchdowns in two playoff games, including both of the Colts’ TDs in a 14-13 semifinal victory over Dorsey last week.

El Segundo’s Evans, the Santa Fe League Offensive Player of the Year, ended the regular season as the second-leading scorer in the state with 171 points. He finished with a South Bay-leading 172 points after kicking a PAT in the Eagles’ 30-7 first-round playoff loss to Agoura.

Evans led the Eagles to a 10-1 record and their first league title since 1974 by rushing for 1,133 yards on 155 carries and scoring 23 TDs. He kicked 23 PATs and 3 field goals and played defensive back.

Mosley was one of the leaders of a Morningside team that rebounded from last year’s 0-4-1 finish in the Pioneer League to win the Ocean League title with a 7-0 record. The rugged fullback rushed for 631 yards and 10 TDs on 61 carries and also was one of the Monarchs’ top tacklers at inside linebacker. He was named the Ocean League Back of the Year.

Thompson also played a big role in Morningside’s comeback season. The 5-8 receiver was regarded as one of the South Bay’s most dangerous deep threats, catching 25 passes for 603 yards and 8 touchdowns.

South Torrance’s Morton was named the Ocean League Most Valuable Player, although the Spartans finished fourth. The elusive receiver caught 51 passes for 850 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, including 3 in a 28-19 playoff loss to San Marino.

Altenberg was a triple-threat player for Bishop Montgomery, earning All-Angelus League honors as a kicker and quarterback. The senior led the Knights in rushing (569 yards, 8 TDs) and passing (1,061 yards, 8 TDs) and was among the most accurate kickers in the area. He converted all 8 of his PAT attempts and made 6 of 7 field goals, including two 41-yarders against Servite.

Whitfield, the all-star squad’s biggest player at 6-7 and 275 pounds, teams with Gonzalez on the right side of Banning’s offensive line. They have helped pave the way for a running attack that has netted 3,164 yards and produced two 1,000-yard rushers (Derek Sparks and Keith Mims).

Unutoa anchors the Carson offensive line at left guard where he leads the Colts with 33 decleaters. “That’s when an offensive lineman totally flattens an opponent,” explained Coach Gene Vollnogle.

Aside from serving as Serra’s student body president, Bray helped the Cavs’ win their second straight Camino Real League title with his play at offensive tackle. He was named to the All-Angelus League first team.

Rolling Hills’ Lee was selected as a first-team All-Bay League lineman on offense and defense. His blocking was instrumental for the run-oriented Titans, who won has many games (five) as in three previous years combined.

The defensive unit includes the only non-senior selected to the all-star squad--Carson’s Littleton. The junior, lauded for his quickness and lateral movement, leads the Colts’ defensive linemen with 69 tackles. He has two sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Joining Littleton on the defensive line is Banning’s Fuavai, a returning All-City selection. Fuavai has 47 tackles and five sacks and was chosen to the All-Pacific League first team.

It was a good year for linebackers in the South Bay, and the all-star team reflects it. Five linebackers were selected, led by Serra’s Simien, who made the squad last year as a defensive lineman. Simien made a smooth transition to linebacker, earning All-Camino Real League honors for the second straight year and leading a Cavalier defense that held opponents to under 10 points in six games.

Bens, an inside linebacker for Leuzinger, was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Bay League. Coach Steve Carnes said Bens was valuable because of his ability to play the run or cover the pass with equal skill.

Edwards was a big-play defender for Morningside. The outside linebacker led the team with 83 tackles and 19 sacks. He also started at tight end and earned Ocean League Lineman of the Year honors.

Ortiz, an All-Angelus League linebacker who played with reckless abandon, was the leading tackler for Bishop Montgomery and ranked second on the team with four interceptions. He returned two for touchdowns.

Linebacker White used his speed and aggressiveness to anchor an El Segundo defense that recorded six shutouts, including the team’s first five Santa Fe League games. He led the Eagles in tackles and sacks and also was important to the offense as tight end.

Cole did a little bit of everything to help North Torrance take second place in the Ocean League. The rangy cornerback led the Saxons with five interceptions, including a 98-yard touchdown return against Bishop Montgomery. He caught 39 passes for 860 yards and carried the ball 40 times for 485 yards. He led North with 10 TDs, including an 80-yard run in a 35-14 playoff loss to Chaminade.

Carson’s McCowan is considered one of the area’s hardest hitters in the secondary. The free safety ranks third on the Colts with 118 tackles. He has 3 interceptions, 11 deflections and 2 fumble recoveries. “He’s a hit man,” says Coach Vollnogle.

Not to be outdone by its rival, Banning also has a top-notch safety in Montgomery. He leads the Pilots with seven interceptions and ranks third on the team in tackles. Montgomery was named to the All-Pacific League first team.

Scott was among the most aggressive players on a tough Leuzinger defense. “He’s a dynamo,” said Coach Steve Carnes. “When we played Arcadia (in the CIF playoffs), they were saying they had not seen a safety who hits like that.” Scott had two interceptions and was among the team leaders in tackles.

PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

OFFENSE Name: John Morton Position: Wide Receiver School: South Torrance Height: 5-11 Weight: 185 Year: Senior Name: Shannon Thompson Position: Wide Receiver School: Morningside Height: 5-8 Weight: 160 Year: Senior Name: Curtis Bray Position: Lineman School: Serra Height: 6-2 Weight: 235 Year: Senior Name: Andy Gonzalez Position: Lineman School: Banning Height: 6-4 Weight: 245 Year: Senior Name: John Lee Position: Lineman School: Rolling Hills Height: 6-4 Weight: 225 Year: Senior Name: Morris Unutoa Position: Lineman School: Carson Height: 6-3 Weight: 245 Year: Senior Name: Bob Whitfield Position: Lineman School: Banning Height: 6-7 Weight: 275 Year: Senior Name: Curtis Conway Position: Quarterback School: Hawthorne Height: 6-2 Weight: 175 Year: Senior Name: Erik Evans Position: Running-back School: El Segundo Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Year: Senior Name: Deshon Mosley Position: Running-back School: Morningside Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Year: Senior Name: Errol Sapp Position: Running-back School: Carson Height: 5-10 Weight: 170 Year: Senior Name: Scott Altenberg Position: Kicker School: Bishop Montgomery Height: 6-2 Weight: 185 Year: Senior PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS 1988: First Team

DEFENSE Name: Sonny Fuavai Position: Lineman School: Banning Height: 6-0 Weight: 210 Year: Senior Name: Nkosi Littleton Position: Lineman School: Carson Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Year: Junior Name: Henry Bens Position: Linebacker School: Leuzinger Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 Year: Senior Name: Terrell Edwards Position: Linebacker School: Morningside Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 Year: Senior Name: Pete Ortiz Position: Linebacker School: Bishop Montgomery Height: 6-0 Weight: 195 Year: Senior Name: Erik Simien Position: Linebacker School: Serra Height: 6-3 Weight: 225 Year: Senior Name: Rob White Position: Linebacker School: El Segundo Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 Year: Senior Name: Anthony Cole Position: Back School: North Torrance Height: 5-11 Weight: 155 Year: Senior Name: Howard McCowan Position: Back School: Carson Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Year: Senior Name: Paul Montgomery Position: Back School: Banning Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Year: Senior Name: Tyrone Scott Position: Back School: Leuzinger Height: 6-2 Weight: 170 Year: Senior SECOND TEAMS

OFFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Christian Capper Palos Verdes WR 6-2 175 12 Lamont Shedrick Banning WR 6-0 175 12 David Samperio San Pedro OL 6-3 250 12 Aaron Elliott Morningside OL 6-5 300 12 Iona Leulu Gardena OL 6-0 225 12 Alex Padilla North Torrance OL 6-0 195 12 Moheni Toilolo Carson OL 6-3 230 12 Perry Klein Carson QB 6-3 180 12 Khybdeed Hairston Gardena RB 5-11 165 12 Earl Rhodes Coast Christian RB 6-1 205 11 Derek Sparks Banning RB 6-0 195 10 Brian Davison Redondo K 5-7 160 11

DEFENSE

Name School Position Height Weight Year Steve Barker Mary Star DL 6-3 205 11 Tim Camilo Leuzinger DL 5-10 165 12 Shawn Jackson Bishop Montgomery DL 6-2 225 12 Ron Hanze North Torrance LB 6-3 230 12 Andre Howard Serra LB 6-2 190 12 Peter Hunt Carson LB 6-0 205 12 Sione Mahe Hawthorne LB 6-2 200 11 David Walsh Palos Verdes LB 6-4 210 12 Greg Lindsey Carson DB 6-2 180 12 Rick Judge Rolling Hills DB 6-1 185 12 Jerry Stephens Coast Christian DB 5-10 160 12