Southwest Is Hoping to Reload, Harbor Tries to Rebuild : Seahawks: Hopes may rest with freshman quarterback Sadi after 2-8 season in 1991.

The Harbor College football team would just as soon forget the 1991 season.

The Seahawks finished 2-8 and were 2-7 in Western State Conference play. They had the worst offense in the league and never settled on a starting quarterback. Harbor’s victories came against winless Compton College and 2-7 West Los Angeles.

The Seahawks, who play at East Los Angeles College on Saturday night, will start freshman Gabe Sadi at quarterback. The 6-foot, 205-pound Sadi is a converted tight end and linebacker who was a backup quarterback at Banning High in 1991.

“He’s learning,” said Don Weems, who begins his fourth year as Harbor coach with a 10-20 record. “He’s learning every day and he seems eager. He’s strong and he’s got an excellent arm.”

Kevin Fitzpatrick, a South Torrance High graduate and transfer from El Camino College, will be Sadi’s backup. The 5-11, 165-pound Fitzpatrick recently suffered an ankle injury that has limited his practice time.

Only one starting wide receiver--Nevin Elliot--is back from 1991 and Weems anticipates problems at that position.

Weems is also concerned about the offensive line. Only one player returns, 6-5, 290-pound guard/tackle Jared Tuione.

“This is the thinnest offensive line in terms of a large number of players,” Weems said. “Other places we’ll be fine barring major injuries. I think a lot depends on how our offensive line comes along. We have kids hurt and if they heal up it will make a difference.”

Weems believes the Seahawks’ strength is at running back. Harbor has three returning players, Ira Moreland, Damon Moore and Richard Guilfore. Anthony Griffin returns at tight end.

Harbor’s defense has only one experienced player in Brandon Johnson (6-3, 260), a transfer from the University of Kansas who played at Banning.

“He’s a big guy and a fine athlete,” Weems said. “Other than him, our line is really untested.”

Two other transfers are expected to help at linebacker. Jeff Keith (5-10, 220) is a Banning grad who spent a season at Grambling, and Rob Lyttle (6-1, 235) is a West Torrance grad who played at El Camino.

The secondary will feature Eric Williams (Banning), Chris Smith (Banning), Richard Kapu (Banning) and Mateo Urrita (Mira Costa).

Jon Williams, a Mira Costa grad and El Camino transfer, will be the kicker and freshman Josh Bendik (West Torrance) will punt.

The Seahawks’ home opener is Oct. 3 against West L.A.

1992 Schedule

Harbor

Date: Opponent, Time

Saturday: at E. Los Angeles, 7 p.m.Sept. 26: at Pierce, 7 p.m.Oct. 3: West Los Angeles, 7 p.m.Oct. 10: Los Angeles Valley, 7 p.m.Oct. 17: at Santa Monica, 7 p.m.Oct. 24: at Compton, 1 p.m.Oct. 31: Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.Nov. 7: Moorpark, 7 p.m.Nov. 14: Glendale, 7 p.m.Nov. 21: at Ventura, 7 p.m.