PREP FOOTBALL ’94 / SMALL SCHOOLS : EIGHT-MAN PREVIEW

THE TEAMS

Capistrano Valley Christian (3-6); Heritage Christian (2-6); Huntington Beach Claremont (3-5-1); Liberty Christian (6-4); St. Margaret’s (10-1).

THE LEAGUES

Prep: St. Margaret’s, which reached the large division semifinals, leaves the Academy League for the Prep. The Tartans are ranked No. 3 in the preseason division poll averaged 45 points a game last season, but Coach Brady Lock must replace two all-division selections: running back Brian Askew and receiver Lupe Rodriguez. Palos Verdes Chadwick and La Canada Flintridge Prep should be the Tartans’ main competition.

Delphic: Division finalist Canoga Park Faith Baptist is the team to beat in this new league. Capistrano Valley Christian is the only county school.

Delta: This football-only league is composed of teams from the Academy and Express leagues. Harbor City Gateway Christian is the favorite. Liberty Christian should challenge for a playoff spot. Claremont and Heritage Christian are the county’s other schools in the league.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Capistrano Valley Christian: Cooper C’de Baca, OL/LB; Matt Davenport, WR/DB/K; David Hanks, QB/LB; David Larson, OL/LB.

Claremont: David Cluse, RB/OL-LB; Duston Fujiwara, WR-DB; Steve Kimble, QB-DT; Derek Simpson, RB-CB.

Heritage Christian: David Acheson, RB-CB; Kevin Coke, TE-LB; Ian Gill, K; Jeremy Swanson, OL-DL.

Liberty Christian: Bryan Avery, QB; Stephen Engelman, DE; Paul Malcom, FB-LB; Greg Rule, WR-K.

St. Margaret’s: Danny Gomes, TB-DB; Mike Heydenrych, K; Chico Jones, TE; Bobby Masters, QB; Michio Obrero, WR-DB; David Sire, OL-DL; Nick Vella, FB-LB.

TOP PERFORMANCES OF 1993

St. Margaret’s quarterback Bobby Masters had an outstanding season, completed 61.9% of his passes for 1,396 yards and 24 touchdowns with only four interceptions. His 190.0 efficiency rating would have ranked him No. 1 on the county 11-man list. . . . Liberty Christian quarterback Carl Warmack passed for 240 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-20 victory over Cal Lutheran. Liberty Christian’s Dave Vaccaro scored three touchdowns--on a 40-yard interception return, a 33-yard run and a 20-yard pass reception--in a 28-14 playoff victory over Bethel Christian.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

Rules in eight-man football are identical to those in the 11-man game, except: the field is 10 yards narrower and 20 yards shorter and five men are eligible instead of seven. Because high-scoring mismatches are common, games are ended when a team is 45 or more points ahead after halftime.