COLLEGE FOOTBALL ’88 : Southland College Division Preview : Names Have Changed, Powers Haven’t

It’s a new season for college division football teams in Southern California, but it may seem a lot like last year.

At least in the Western Football Conference and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

That’s because teams such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal State Northridge still figure to chase Portland State for the WFC championship, and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Occidental appear to be the class of the SCIAC once again.

UC Santa Barbara appears to be the best of the Southland independents, although Azusa Pacific should be in line for noticeable improvement.

In the WFC, it would be a major surprise if any team other than defending champion Portland State won the title this season, but Cal Poly SLO--with 16 starters returning from a 7-3 team--could cause a few problems for the Vikings.

San Luis Obispo’s passing attack is particularly strong with quarterback Tom Sullivan, who threw for 1,705 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and wide receiver Terry Cole, who caught 37 passes for 444 yards. The Mustangs also have two other excellent receivers in Damon Shows and tight end Travis White, a transfer from Utah State.

The Mustangs are even more experienced on defense, which is led by all-conference cornerback Rene Oliver, who had four interceptions last year, and defensive end Tom Carey.

In its 27-year football history, Cal State Northridge has never produced more than two winning seasons in a row. But in their third year under Coach Bob Burt, the Matadors could be headed for new heights.

Northridge, which was 8-3 in Burt’s first season and 7-4 last year, figures to succeed behind a solid defensive line and secondary, and an offense that is talent-heavy in the skilled positions. Leading the way on offense is sophomore tailback Albert Fann, who rushed for 822 yards and topped Division II in kick return average last year.

Fann should also find plenty of offensive support from players such as quarterback Rob Huffman and running back Lance Harper. The defense should also flourish behind nose tackle Dennis McConnaughy and tackle Anthony Birts and cornerback Reggie Williams.

With most of its top offensive players having graduated from last year’s team, Cal Lutheran may have to rely heavily on its defense if the Kingsmen hope to improve upon their 5-6 record.

The leaders are linebacker Torii Lehr, defensive end Richard Toll and safety Denny Blackburn. The Kingsmen can also turn to their outstanding punter, Kent Sullivan, for help.

Much of the burden on offense will fall on quarterback Jim Bees, who will be asked to replace a top passer in Tom Bonds. Other key figures are center Pat Wolcott, wide receiver Shane Hawkins and fullback Noel Chesnut.

In the SCIAC, perennial conference power Occidental tied Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for the title last season and--with 13 starters returning from a 6-2-1 squad--the Tigers should be in the hunt for first again.

Occidental’s success usually begins with its defense, which ranked ninth in Division III last season. The Tigers figure to be difficult to score upon again with the return of eight defensive starters.

The Tigers are especially strong at linebacker with David Hodges, an All-SCIAC player, and Pete Tucker. Other leaders are nose tackle Curt Page and defensive back Ron Cunningham. The offense will emphasize a potent rushing attack that features running backs Mike Sandlin and George Conahey and quarterback Tony Werbelow.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps may have difficulty replacing Chris Dabrow, a Division III All-American running back who rushed for 1,486 yards last season, but the Stags still have more than enough of his supporting cast returning to challenge for the conference title again.

The Stags have 15 starters back, 9 in an experienced defense that features linebackers Rory Wilson, Matt Hobbs and Forrest Nabors, tackles Jonathan Linscott and Joel Reynolds and defensive back Geoff Bagatelos.

The offense figures to revolve around junior quarterback Mike Pembroke, who rushed for 545 yards and passed for 682 more last season, and running back Reed Panborn. The Stags also should have a steady line headed by center Greg Jordan.

With eight starters returning from a defense that was ranked No. 2 in the SCIAC last season, there is little question about Whittier’s strength this season.

The Poets, who finished at 4-6 last season, expect to be strongest on the defensive line with Dave Pelletier and Doi Johnson, and in the secondary with Michael Harris and Charles Castille, who intercepted four passes as a junior.

The offense, which emphasized passing last year, should be more balanced with the return of running backs Mario Garcielita and Gaylan Sweet. The biggest problem will be replacing quarterback Ramon Juarez, who passed for 1,331 yards last season.

Pomona-Pitzer Coach Motts Thomas isn’t usually one to boast but admits to being excited about this year’s team. “We’re further along than any other team I’ve had here,� he said.

The Sagehens, who were 3-6 last season, will have one of the premier passing attacks in the conference with the return of wide receiver Dan Daley. The senior caught 62 passes for 778 yards last season and needs 45 receptions to become the all-time leader in Division III.

Daley should also benefit from having a solid passer in quarterback Greg Silver, who was a receiver last season. The Sagehens also have an experienced offensive line headed by Chris McReynolds and John Cregan. Pomona’s defense features an excellent linebacker corps that includes Pete Spinetta, Dan Laster and Scott Patten.

In a well-balanced conference, assistant coach Rex Huigens says La Verne could finish anywhere from first to last. Only, considering that the Leopards were third in the SCIAC last season--3-6 overall--and have key players returning, it would not be a surprise to see La Verne finish closer to the top.

The Leopards have the top returning passer in the conference in junior quarterback Mark Brown, who threw for 1,274 yards last season. La Verne also has tight end John Kusleika and guard Charlie Arviso, both veterans.

La Verne could be even stronger on defense with the return of linemen Brian Ortell and Kunane Burns, nose guard Mike McKernan and defensive backs Dion Powell and Anthony Grove, the team’s fastest player.

It has not been the best of times for Redlands, which has won only two games in the last two seasons after going 1-8 a year ago, but first-year Coach Mike Maynard thinks the program is on the upgrade. “It takes a lot of ingredients to make (a successful program), and we think we have those ingredients,� he said.

The Bulldogs will have plenty of strength at running back, at least, with seniors Eric Carlson and Ruffin Patterson. Carlson rushed for 1,200 yards as a sophomore before missing last season with a hamstring injury.

Other top offensive players include punter and tight end Rick Bennett, who was second in Division III in punting last season, and wide receiver Rob Summers. The defense is led by linemen Bart Groninger and Tom Bain.

In only its second season since returning to football, UC Santa Barbara posted an 8-2 record last year as an NCAA Division III independent. The Gauchos will face a tougher schedule this season, with seven Division II opponents, but with 14 starters returning, the results could be the same.

Santa Barbara’s passing game figures to excel behind quarterback Mike Curtius and a deep corps of receivers led by Scott Brewster, who caught 33 passes last season, and tight end Wade Wallace, who caught 23.

The Gauchos should be even stronger on defense, where eight starters are back, among them linebacker Lance Neal and lineman Charles Brown. Two other standouts are safety Marc Nicoechea, who had five interceptions last year, and linebacker Vincent Moss.

It was a rarity when independent Azusa Pacific struggled to a 2-8 record last season in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics. In fact, it was the first time the Cougars have posted a losing record this decade. But with 30 lettermen returning, along with several top transfers, the Cougars should get back on the winning track.

The defense is particularly strong with nine starters returning, including honorable mention NAIA All-American Jeff Gustin, McCann Utu and Steve Piro in an experienced corps of linebackers, and tackle Don Arter.

On offense, the Cougars will benefit from the return of running back Jay Johnson, their leading rusher last season, and two top transfers at quarterback in Brian Hunt from Brigham Young University and Fitzgerald Wilson. Not to mention a huge offensive line led by tackle Pat Earnest.