Leach Keeps Fast Company in West’s 28-7 Win

It was one of those innocuous public-service announcements, imploring those in attendance at Friday night’s Daily News All-Star Football Game to partake in summertime activity, in this case, to check out the “all-star rabbits� currently on display at the San Fernando Valley Fair at Cal State Northridge.

The public-address announcer, Collier Landress, could just as easily have been referring to some of the players on the field, including a few who were playing for his son, West co-Coach Steve Landress of Cleveland High.

The West all-stars, supposedly bigger and slower than their East counterparts, were quick enough after all, taking a 28-7 win at Birmingham High in front of a crowd of 5,500.

West quarterback Jeremy Leach, supposedly one of the biggest and slowest, found the groove in the third quarter after throwing two interceptions in a first half that ended with the West leading, 14-7.

“I promised myself that I wouldn’t have a game like last year, when the quarterbacks didn’t do real well,� Leach said, referring to the 1987 game, during which quarterbacks Ken Sollom and Jim Bonds misfired all night. “I didn’t want that to happen to me.�

One of the most unlikely of speedsters, tight end Sean Brown of Granada Hills, caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from former teammate Leach that gave the West a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter and turned a close game into a rout.

Brown, hardly known for his quick feet, cruised past East defensive back Roy Talavera of Alemany at the 20.

“You never know in an all-star game, you never know how you’re going to click,� Steve Landress said. “I got kind of scared when we threw a couple of interceptions early, but Leach just had to get warmed up.�

Leach, who completed 5 of 14 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns, connected for a touchdown again in the third quarter, this time with receiver Walter Brooks of Monroe from 35 yards out to give the West a 28-7 margin.

“I played with Walter in Pop Warner,� Leach said. “I’ve known him for a while.�

In the first half, however, nothing clicked offensively for either team. There were as many interceptions as completed passes--five. It also was highlighted by nearly as many fights, one of which resulted in the ejection of West defensive back Chris Gann of Thousand Oaks and East receiver Craig Whitten of Hart.

The game also featured 19 penalties for 128 yards.

Leach, who led Granada Hills to the 1987 City Section 4-A Division championship in December, looked like a player who spent the past few months playing baseball--which he did.

Leach was intercepted twice in his first eight attempts, once by Tommy Howard and once by Eric Lee, both of San Fernando. In the first half, Leach completed 3 of 10 passes for 12 yards.

East quarterback Joe Mauldin of San Fernando fared no better, completing 1 of 5 for 15 yards and throwing 2 interceptions. East reserve quarterback Jeff Barrett of Burroughs was 0 for 2 with an interception in the half.

“The defensive ends were coming pretty hard,� Mauldin said. “I didn’t have a chance to set up and throw the whole night.�

The East took a 7-0 lead after Leach, attempting to throw over the middle to Brown, badly underthrew the receiver and the pass was intercepted by Howard at the 29. Howard raced up the left sideline to the 3 before being knocked out of bounds.

After a procedure penalty, Mauldin scored on a roll-out from the 8 with 7:31 left in the first quarter.

West scored its first touchdown with Leach and crew watching on the sideline. A West drive on its ensuing possession stalled on the East 1-yard line when running back Jamal Farmer of Granada Hills was tackled by Howard on fourth and goal from the 2.

East running back Wes Bender of Burroughs fumbled on his first carry, however, and West lineman Jon Tattersall of Agoura recovered in the end zone to tie the score, 7-7, with 4:41 to play in the first quarter.

The West took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter after Tony Brown of Kennedy intercepted a Barrett pass at the East 25-yard line and returned the ball to the 36. Leach moved the team 64 yards in 7 plays, capped by a one-yard blast up the middle by Tim Lavin of Chaminade.

“If you give him time he’s going to find something,� Mauldin said of Leach. “That’s how good he is.�

Mauldin completed 2 of 7 passes for 26 yards. The East had only 139 yards in total offense.

Leach was not the only Granada Hills standout. Farmer rushed for 58 yards in 14 carries.