FOOTBALL ’92 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: SOUTHERN SECTION : TEAM CAPSULES

DEL REY LEAGUE

Alemany COACH: Pat Degnan, 1st season LAST SEASON: 6-4; tied for 3rd in Mission League, 3-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior offensive linemen Dewey Reed (6-foot-1, 265 pounds) and Paul Sauter (6-1, 270) are the strength of the team. “I wish those guys were 6-4, then they could write their own ticket,” Degnan said. The rest of the linemen are young, but Degnan is confident in their ability. He plans to use a grinding, ball-control offense. The line will get support from senior tight end Pete Rios (6-3, 250). The quarterback will be senior Chris Tashima (5-11, 185), who is being pushed hard by senior Brian Plasky (5-10, 175). Plasky might draw recruiters’ attention as a punter. The tailback will be junior David Eastham (6-0, 170) or junior Brian Van Holten (5-9, 170), who is actually a better linebacker. Eastham is a speed and finesse back and Van Holten is a power runner, Degnan said. An up-and-coming player on defense is sophomore nose guard Joe Langi (5-11, 215). “His natural strength is just incredible,” Degnan said. Junior defensive end Marcelo Quinonez (6-3, 210), Rios and Sauter will play beside Langi. Van Holten and senior Brian Shaw (5-10, 180) will be the top linebackers. The only defensive back Degnan was sure would start as practice began was senior cornerback Brian Cooney (5-9, 165). OUTLOOK: The Indians will not be an exciting team, if Degnan gets his way. “If we win every game, 7-0, that would be fine with me,” he said. Alemany will have to play well week after week because of its switch to the Del Rey League, which is tougher than the Mission. Degnan also wants to concentrate on producing a superior kicking game.

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Crespi COACH: Tim Lins, 4th season LAST SEASON: 7-4; 1st in Mission League, 5-1 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The best offensive player for the Celts is senior tailback Torie Lee (5-8, 180), who gained 1,167 yards in 187 carries last year. One of the players vying for the quarterback position is senior Matt Walker (6-3, 195), who was a defensive tackle last year. “He bugged me all year (about playing quarterback),” Lins said. He will compete against sophomore Dave Lins (5-11, 165), no relation to the coach. As practice began, Tim Lins said Walker was likely to get the nod. Receivers to watch are senior Anthony Cavalluzzi (5-7, 170), senior Eric Cuaresma (5-7, 160) and sophomore Wayne Emerson (5-8, 165). Cuaresma, who had one reception for 20 yards, is the only one of the trio to have made a catch in 1991. The defensive line is a question mark. The top defensive player is junior safety Shaun Williams (6-2, 175). Senior Rich Hewko (6-2, 180) and Dave Lins will battle for the other safety position. Mike Gonzaga (5-7, 165) will be a cornerback. The only linebacker with a sure place in the lineup is junior Mike Zele (5-10, 180). OUTLOOK: Although Crespi won the Mission League last season, the Celts are in a new league this year and they are playing with a new team--all 11 starters on defense graduated. “We’re kind of the weak sister of the league, I think,” Lins said. The Celts’ first string might be good enough to compete in the Del Rey, especially on the line, but there is not much beyond that.