Football: Looking at the top City Section quarterbacks
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City Section teams officially began football practice on Monday, so it’s a good time to start taking a look at players to watch for the 2012 season, beginning at the quarterback position.
No. 1 is Troy Williams of Narbonne, the returning City Section player of the year who’s committed to Washington. Williams is the standard for the new breed of quarterbacks, being able to run or pass. He passed for 3,247 yards and 34 touchdowns and ran for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Reginald Bell of Dorsey is committed to Tulane. He appears to be faster and stronger after winning the City Section hurdles championship. He had outstanding receivers last season, so it will be interesting to see who develops to catch balls for the Dons.
Jonathan Santos of South East is a true gunslinger, having passed for 2,967 yards and 35 touchdowns. And he has a talented receiver coming back in Ramone Smith.
Alexander Diamont of Venice passed for more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore. There’s no Gabe Marks to catch his passes, though. Trae Smith of Birmingham, a former receiver, is 6-foot-3, athletic and rapidly learning the position.
Gilbert Herrera of Roosevelt will be a three-year starter. That kind of varsity experience is invaluable. Sylmar has high hopes for the versatile James Austin. Alhambra transfer Joshua Mendoza could help Garfield. Ajene Harris, a transfer from Animo South Los Angeles, will take over at Crenshaw. Mark Powell of Verdugo Hills passed for 1,356 yards as a sophomore.
-- Eric Sondheimer