GROSSMONT 2-A LEAGUE PREVIEW : Can El Capitan Stay on a Roll?

SAN DIEGO —  Popular opinion says El Capitan will repeat as Grossmont 2-A League champion.

And it’s tough to argue.

El Capitan, the defending league champion and a 2-A semifinalist, lost a few key players from a team that, with any luck at all, could have finished 12-1 in 1991.

After going 2-17-1 as a Grossmont 3-A League member the previous two years, El Capitan began 1991 by losing to Kearny by a touchdown, tying Helix and falling to Grossmont by one before embarking on a nine-game winning streak that captivated Lakeside residents.

“Because of what they did last year and with what they have coming back, El Capitan would have to be the favorite,” said Santana Coach Doug Coffin, whose team probably has the next best shot at the title.

“I think there are three tiers in our 2-A league,” El Cajon Valley Coach Mark Noble said. “Tier one is El Capitan. Then a couple of notches below that is Santana. And some notches below that are us, Valhalla and West Hills.”

Though El Capitan, which lost to El Camino in the 2-A semifinals, will miss all-county linemen Eric Thaler and Erik Stuhr, its biggest loss might be line coach Al Feil, who was appointed El Capitan’s vice principal in May.

“He was as much responsible for molding that team as anybody last year,” El Capitan Coach Dave Waasted said. “He did a heck of a job getting that line in shape, and that was the strength of our team.”

Feil will try to help whenever his schedule allows, but that does not include being on the sidelines during games.

Said Waasted, “We’ll take his expertise for 20 minutes a day if that’s all we can get.”

EL CAPITAN VAQUEROS

Coach: Dave Waasted, 3rd year

1991 Record: 9-3-1, 4-0

Starters Returning: 14

Aside from linemen Eric Thaler and Erik Stuhr, the Vaqueros have starters returning at nine other offensive positions, including three three-year starters in tailback Eric Rockhold, wingback Greg Ryan and quarterback Bobby Vickery. That offense--El Capitan switched to the wing-T last season--finished fourth in the county in points (31.5 points per game) and produced nearly 3,600 rushing yards.

Rockhold gained nearly 1,400 yards last year and 600 as a sophomore. Ryan gained over 700 yards and averaged about 11 yards per carry. Vickery, though lacking stellar statistics, was chosen all-league.

In addition, fullback James Hopkins averaged 8.5 yards per carry, and El Capitan returns four quality linemen in tackle Jesus Renteria (6-4, 260), guard Pat Trampus (6-3, 245), center Dave Reilly (6-3, 220) and tight end Damian Hembree (6-2, 220).

There are more holes to fill on defense, but the secondary is strong with Ryan, perhaps the team’s best athlete, junior Cody Weis and senior Kevin Martinez. Hembree and Brady McLean are returners at linebacker, and Joe Magdaleno (5-10, 230) anchors the defensive line.

SANTANA SULTANS

Coach: Doug Coffin, 6th year

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

Starters Returning: 12

Based on practice and a scrimmage last week, Coach Doug Coffin likens this year’s squad to his 7-3-1 1989 team.

“(After the scrimmage), I went and looked at films from last year, and we looked night and day better this year. We looked faster. We hit better. I think we’re better in all facets of the game.”

Senior defensive end Leon Bender (6-5 1/2, 227) is considered a top prospect. Linebacker Ryan Hallahan (6-3 1/2, 217), defensive back Brian Lauer (5-11, 184) and defensive tackle Arnold Santoyo (5-9, 208) provide further senior leadership.

Quarterbacks Cameron Saska or Doug Schultz figure to throw more this year in the Sultans’ wing-T offense. Schultz, a three-sport standout, split time at quarterback last season.

The running backs--Lauer, Brian Setzer, Willie Fox, Santoyo and Hallahan--will follow a talented line led by all-league guard Jason Braun (6-2, 240). The other lineman are Dan Prowse (6-1, 215), Jason Drively (6-2, 270), Robert Salaz (5-11, 204) and Dan DelaCruz (6-1, 192). Tight end Danny Clauss (6-4, 192) also is a good one.

VALHALLA NORSEMEN

Coach: Randy Reid, 1st year

1991 Record: 3-7, 1-3

Starters Returning: 10

Last season was one the Norsemen would just as soon not repeat in 1992. A popular player died in a one-car accident. The team was cited for preseason practice violations and had to forfeit a victory. Also because of that, their playoff eligibility status was batted around from one committee hearing to another, but it proved to be meaningless as Valhalla lost its last four games. Subsequently, the coach resigned, another turned down the new opening, and, finally, Randy Reid, the baseball coach, accepted the job.

“The kids handled all that pretty well,” Reid said. “But they’re ready to get on with this season. They really believe in themselves. They’re really, really hungry.”

The defense, which allowed only 161 points last year (second in the East County), once again should be Valhalla’s strength. There are eight returning starters in the group: linebackers--Paul Murphy, Loren Roundy and Harry Munds, defensive backs Jeff Daly, Courtney Arrollado and Trevor Rodriguez and linemen Jason Fleury and Mike Pietrzak. Sophomore Lance Roundy, Loren’s brother, gives Valhalla four quality linebackers.

Arrollado (receiver), Murphy (fullback), Rodriguez (tailback), Fleury (tackle) and Pietrzak (guard) are also key players on offense. Quarterback duties could go to either junior Derek Hable or senior Ian Barron.

Valhalla opens its season Saturday against Las Vegas Cimmarron.

WEST HILLS WOLF PACK

Coach: Steve Sutton, 1st year

1991 Record: 2-8, 2-2

Starters Returning: 8

Steve Sutton returns after a one-year hiatus. He began the program in 1989 and led the Wolf Pack to a league title and 9-3 record in 1990.

The prognosis: “We’ll be young and kind of thin,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of starters back.”

Senior linebacker Cory Reynolds and junior cornerback Dustin Meltzer lead the defense, but they will need help. West Hills yielded more points (326) than all but three county schools last season.

Barry Fitzgerald, who platooned with H.K. Caldwell at quarterback in ‘91, is back for his senior year. Three two-way performers will also help the cause--linemen Brendan Bracken and Joe Fiortino and defensive back/wide receiver Brandon Snyder.

EL CAJON VALLEY BRAVES

Coach: Mark Noble, 2nd year

1991 Record: 2-7, 1-3

Starters Returning: 4

El Cajon Valley has five returning lettermen--three of which are juniors--but given its record in 1991, that might not be bad.

“I think the adjective rebuilding is appropriate here,” said Coach Marty Noble, who played for ECV during the mid-1970s.

All of the returners are defensive players--safeties Matt Conner and Chris Bakkendahl, twin linebackers Aaron and Zach Renner and nose guard Hai To.

Of the three quarterbacks, seniors Travis Perkins and James Vaughn have never played high school football and sophomore Tim Baker was a receiver on the junior varsity last year. How inexperienced are the Braves on offense? Ten of the 11 projected starters have never played varsity football and seven have never played football in high school.

22 to Watch

Tops in Grossmont 2-A League

Pos Name School Yr. WR Courtney Arrollado Valhalla Sr. DE Leon Bender Santana Sr. OL Brendan Bracken West Hills Jr. OG Jason Braun Santana Sr. SS Matt Connor El Cajon Valley Jr. CB Jeff Daly Valhalla Sr. QB Barry Fitzgerald West Hills Sr. OT Jason Fleury Valhalla Jr. LB Ryan Hallahan Santana Sr. FB James Hopkins El Capitan Sr. RB Brian Lauer Santana Sr. CB Dustin Meltzer West Hills Jr. LB Paul Murphy Valhalla Jr. OG Mike Pietrzak Valhalla Sr. LB Aaron Renner El Cajon Valley Jr. LB Zach Renner El Cajon Valley Jr. OT Jesus Renteria El Capitan Sr. LB Cory Reynolds West Hills Sr. RB Eric Rockhold El Capitan Sr. WB Greg Ryan El Capitan Sr. OG Pat Trampus El Capitan Sr. QB Bobby Vickery El Capitan Sr.