Swinton Tops Area Picks on All-State Team

Running back Eliel Swinton of Montclair Prep, center Shawn Stuart of Saugus High and linebacker Tyrone Pierce of Sylmar have been selected as first-team members of Cal-Hi Sports magazine’s all-state football team.

Each of the players is a Times All-Valley selection, and Swinton also was named state Small Schools player of the year.

Running back Deriek Charles of Hart and kicker Lee Ciuffitelli of Camarillo were second-team picks.

Two players from the region were selected to the magazine’s divisional teams. Defensive back-quarterback Kimo Atkins of Montclair Prep and lineman Ray Gasacan of St. Bonaventure were Small Schools first-team selections.

Six area juniors were named to the all-underclassman team, led by Sylmar running back Tyrone Crenshaw, the City Section 4-A Division player of the year. Newbury Park was represented by quarterback Keith Smith and receiver Leodes Van Buren.

Lineman Jason Remple of Calabasas, quarterback-punter David Fielder of Crescenta Valley and quarterback Leon Blunt of San Fernando also made the team.

Cal-Hi picked Crescenta Valley’s 13-7 victory over Hart in the Southern Section Division II playoff quarterfinals as the state’s upset of the year.