PALOMAR LEAGUE PREVIEW : Orange Glen Should Scramble to the Top

SAN DIEGO — What was arguably the toughest football league in the county last year, could be even tougher this year.

How so?

“I’ve been in this league too long to say anyone is the team to beat,” Orange Glen Coach Rob Gilster said. “This is a mother of a league.”

Vista ran away with the league title last year behind the play of two-way standout Chato Jackson, but parity seems to be the buzzword in 1992.

Expect a fierce battle for the league title from Orange Glen, Rancho Buena Vista, Vista, Mt. Carmel and Fallbrook.

And those five teams, all of which could wind up in the playoffs, offer a little bit of everything.

Orange Glen will bring a solid offensive line to protect new quarterback Brady Batten.

Vista still has a good offensive line and masterful Coach Dick Haines.

RBV--league champs three years running until last year--could return to the top. Kujanga Jackson leads them on defense and sophomore Leon Hawes is a bullet in the backfield.

Mt. Carmel, which tied perennial power Carson on Friday, returns 16 starters and could stir up trouble for any team.

Fallbrook has probably the best quarterback in the county in John Dutton.

In all, it should be another exciting year for the league.

In the end, Orange Glen should be a little better than the rest of the pack.

ORANGE GLEN PATRIOTS

Coach: Rob Gilster, 4th year

1991 Record: 6-5-1, 2-4-1

Starters Returning: 13

Orange Glen had two of the most exciting players in the county last year in quarterback Omar Navarro and receiver Kris Plash, but the Patriots figure to be better this fall because of balance and a big offensive line.

Returning center Anthony Wilcox (5-10, 230) is joined on the line by guards Jeff Johnson (6-0, 230) and Brent Twedt (6-4, 295) and tackles Bob Williams (6-2, 290) and Don Fluegge (6-2, 250).

That size will come in handy protecting quarterback Brady Batten, a senior who transferred from Bakersfield East High, and blowing holes for running backs Earl Callander and Joaquin Randall.

Batten completed 11 of 16 passes for 166 yards in a 22-20 victory over Honolulu Punahou at Hawaii on Aug. 28.

“He’s got a lot of natural talent,” Coach Rob Gilster said. “With his quick release and strong arm, he’s going to give defenses problems.”

Gilster expects linebackers Shonta Chaloux and Tom Stehly and defensive linemen John Nicol, Jason Golec and Ted Perrea to lead his defense.

Most Palomar coaches say the Patriots have the most balance on both sides of the ball.

RANCHO BUENA VISTA LONGHORNS

Coach: Craig Bell, 6th year

1991 Record: 5-6, 4-3

Starters Returning: 9

Ask Coach Craig Bell how things are going at RBV, and he responds: “We’re having too much fun.”

Too much fun? Last year, the Longhorns failed to win a league title for the first time in three years and had some serious off-the-field problems. Why all the sunshine?

“This is the best crew attitude-wise we’ve had in a few years,” Bell said. “They’re all good kids, a real neat group.”

Don’t think for one second that’s the only reason Bell’s smiling. The Longhorns are two-deep at every position and, as usual, have a fleet of running backs to lean on, including Lee Johnson, Tony Madrid and sophomore speedster Leon Hawes. When they’re not running, junior quarterback Joe Walter will air things out.

On defense, RBV brings back its entire defensive line, including Mark Cude (6-4, 265), and Bell is anticipating big hits from linebackers Matt Rodgers and Gary Cababa and free safety Kujanga Jackson.

“The whole league looks a little stronger,” Bell said. “We plan on being up there.”

VISTA PANTHERS

Coach: Dick Haines, 22nd year

1991 Record: 13-1, 7-0

Starters Returning: 8

Vista won’t dominate like it did a year ago, but don’t count them out.

Center David Viger and guards Lee Carr and John Muir give the Panthers one of the best offensive lines in the league. Behind them, either Brian Cox or Nathan Thilie will settle in at quarterback.

Danny Sears and Matt Stone will try to fill the vacancy left when Chato Jackson graduated. Sears, like Jackson, will play both fullback and outside linebacker, and Stone, a guard last year, will try to use his size (6-4) and speed (4.8 in the 40-yard dash) to gain some big yards.

Vista had one of the best defenses in the county last year, but will be young there this year, particularly in the secondary.

“We’re not as fast as we were last year,” Haines said. “(But) we’re to be reckoned with. We’ll scramble and fight for the top spots.”

MT. CARMEL SUNDEVILS

Coach: Doug Kamon, 3rd year

1991 Record: 1-9, 1-6

Starters Returning: 16

If Friday’s 7-7 tie with Carson was any indication--and Coach Doug Kamon says it was--expect a much-improved Sundevil squad this season. Carson, a perennial power, was ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in the nation before Mt. Carmel dismantled it.

Of Mt. Carmel’s returning starters, 14 are juniors.

Its sweet 16 features tailback Marlin Carey and quarterback Damian Dolin. Carey rushed for 1,172 yards last year, 11th in the county, third best among underclassmen. Dolin led Mt. Carmel to the championship of a 64-team summer passing league.

Josh Eby (6-4, 237) is one of the best tight ends in the county.

On defense, the Sundevils have three seniors starting--noseguard Corey Crouch and linebackers Ken Pohl and Sam Herrick.

“We believe we’re going to be a good football team this year,” Kamon said. “How good depends on how much stronger, faster and more mature we are.”

FALLBROOK WARRIORS

Coach: Tom Pack, 15th year

1991 Record: 7-4, 5-2

Starters Returning: 6

John Dutton (6-4, 205) is a 16-year-old senior quarterback with legitimate Division I potential and 12 touchdowns and more than 1,500 yards to his credit.

The big question, however, is who is going to catch his passes? The Warriors have only one receiver with varsity experience. He’s a good one--Travis Case was sixth in the county with 47 receptions last year--but the lack of depth in the receiving corps worries Pack.

The running game will center on fullback Tim Pearson (6-2, 215), who played linebacker last year.

“We run a little of the old Washington Redskins stuff,” Pack said. “Pearson is our Riggins.”

Pack moved Bob Halter, who started at tight end last year, to outside linebacker to shore up the defense.

RANCHO BERNARDO BRONCOS

Coach: Bill Christopher, 3rd year

1991 Record: 4-6, 2-5

Starters Returning: 12

Switching with Torrey Pines, Rancho Bernardo moves from the Avocado League this season.

“This league is good from top to bottom,” Coach Bill Christopher said.

And the good news? “There is no El Camino,” he said.

The Broncos are also switching to a one-back offense with returning starter Germaine Rucker, a stocky, hard-hitting back with good speed, getting most of the handoffs.

He’ll be running behind Josh Mellow (6-3, 240), a tackle who belies his name.

Defensively, the Broncos will rally around linebacker Brent Sausan and lineman Brandon Whitek.

SAN DIEGUITO MUSTANGS

Coach: Trace Deneke, 1st year

1991 Record: 1-8-1, 0-6-1

Starters Returning: 5

Trace Deneke will bring both plays and philosophies from his mentor, El Camino Coach Herb Meyer. As a result, the Mustangs will run a new offense and defense this year.

An experienced defensive line--with noseguard Brian Brenner and tackles Dave Moor and Jay Burwell--may make the transition easier.

Returners on offense include center Brendan Leatham and quarterback Brian Goodbody. In addition, the Mustangs will rely on versatile junior Rylnad Wickman, who will play linebacker, defensive back and running back.

“I’m confident that we will improve each game,” Deneke said. “If we can do that we will win more games than last year.”

POWAY TITANS

Coach: John Self, 2nd year

1991 Record: 2-8, 2-5

Starters Returning: 5

Injuries hurt the Titans last year and they were outscored 165-115.

Offensively, they will rely on wide receiver Jeff Pattison to haul in passes from their inexperienced quarterback. Defensively, Poway will depend on strong safety Kelly McGuigan and lineman Bobby Dean to make the big plays.

22 to Watch

Tops in the Palomar League

Pos Name School Yr. QB Brady Batten Orange Glen Sr. RB Earl Callander Orange Glen Sr. WR Jordee Camp Fallbrook Sr. RB Marlin Carey Mt. Carmel Jr. WR Travis Case Fallbrook Sr. QB Brian Cox Vista Sr. NG Corey Crouch Mt. Carmel Sr. QB Damian Dolin Mt. Carmel Jr. QB John Dutton Fallbrook Sr. TE Josh Eby Mt. Carmel Sr. QB Brian Goodbody San Dieguito Sr. RB Leon Hawes RBV So. LB Sam Herrick Mt. Carmel Sr. FS Kujanga Jackson RBV Sr. QB Jeff Jones Rancho Bernardo Jr. OL Brendan Leathem San Dieguito Sr. DT John Nicol Orange Glen Sr. LB Tim Pearson Fallbrook Sr. DT Ted Perrea Orange Glen Sr. RB Germaine Rucker Rancho Bernardo Sr. RB Matt Stone Vista Sr. QB Joe Walter RBV Jr.