It’s Fontana, Bishop Amat Out of Blocks

In 1969, Mark Parades was an ambidextrous quarterback who played for St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. An assistant coach for the Swordsmen that season was Dick Bruich, who guided the team’s defense and running backs.

The two met again last November, but as opposing coaches in a Southern Section Division I quarterfinal matchup, with Bruich coaching Citrus Belt League power Fontana and Parades heading Bishop Amat of La Puente.

In arguably the best game of the playoffs, Bishop Amat survived a 28-27 overtime thriller on its way to the Division final. The Lancers won by stopping Fontana’s two-point try on the game’s last play.

Now, as the 1989 Southern Section high school football season opens this weekend, Bruich and Parades have the top two teams of the Times’ preseason Southern Section poll.

Bruich, who is beginning his 13th season, returns an experienced senior offensive backfield from last season’s 10-2 team.

Quarterback Nick Bennett, who directed the Steelers’ late charge into the playoffs last season, leads a talented backfield of running backs William Ephriam and Missouri transfer Samita Vaoifi, along with fullback Bobby Sylvester.

They will operate behind one of the top-rated lines in Southern California led by senior center Roman Guitterez and junior tackles, 6-foot-4, 260-pound Clay Hattabaugh and 6-4, 270 Robert Loya.

On defense, Fontana’s linebackers will be their strength, with Sylvester and his younger brother Bryan playing inside and Vaoifi and David Lundy playing outside.

“We ended last season on a positive note,” said Bruich, whose Steelers won the Southern Section major division championship in 1987. “We chose to go for two and didn’t make it. However, this season we have a lot of experience but we also have to rebuild our defensive line and secondary.”

What Bruich lacks in promotion of his team, Paredes willingly fills in.

“They (Fontana) are definitely the top team,” said Parades, who led the Lancers to their fourth consecutive Angelus League title last season. “If we had to play them to start the season, we’d be overpowered by them because we don’t compare.”

Last season, Bishop Amat did not seem to match up to many of its opponents. But, the Lancers went 11-3, losing to Fountain Valley, 31-24, in the Division I final. Along the way, they defeated such highly touted teams as City 4-A champion Carson and Loyola, the top-rated team in the state for most of the season.

Leading the way for the Lancers this season are receiver Jeremy Smith and 6-3 tight end Jason Green.

Smith, who is regarded as the area’s best receiver, also might play tailback, so he handles the ball more as the Lancers adjust to new junior quarterback Zach Zertuche, who has shown a strong but erratic passing arm.

The Lancers’ defense, which will be led by safety Paul Moetului, is an area of concern for Parades, who will have a smaller lineup than last season.

“We are not as quick as last season and at times, we will be manhandled,” Paredes said. “However, our overall speed is good.”

Paredes expects for Bishop Amat to take its lumps early, with a schedule that opens with Rubidoux of Riverside, Carson, Long Beach Poly and Pasadena Muir. But, he does not rule out a return playoff matchup against his former coach--Bruich.

“I try not to think about our schedule because if I do, it’ll drive me to drinking,” he said. “But, it would be fantastic for us (Bishop Amat vs. Fontana) to meet again in the playoffs.”

TIMES’ PREP POLL

Southern Section

PRESEASON POLL

No. School League 1. Fontana Citrus Belt 2. Bishop Amat Angelus 3. Loyola Del Rey 4. CC Canyon Golden 5. Paramount San Gabriel Valley 6. Los Alamitos Empire 7. Long Beach Poly Moore 8. Leuzinger Bay 9. Rubidoux Citrus Belt 10. Los Altos Sierra 11. Santa Monica Bay 12. Muir Pacific 13. Edison Sunset 14. Hart Foothill 15. Lynwood San Gabriel Valley

Note--City begins Sept. 14

With the first official games of the 1989 Southern Section season scheduled for Thursday night, here are several interesting questions:

--Can Loyola shake off its disappointing finish of last season?

The Cubs were perfect for 12 weeks and appeared headed to their first Southern Section championship since 1975 before losing, 16-0, to Bishop Amat in the Division I semifinals. With a weak Del Rey League schedule and the return of injured quarterback Brian Dennis and players Justin Yarro and Keven Dell’Amico, Coach Steve Grady and Loyola should rebound.

--Will this be a down year for LB Poly?

The highly-regarded Jackrabbits were hurt by injuries last season, which led to their first-round playoff loss. Co-coaches Thomas Whiting and Jerry Jaso will try to rebuild behind quarterback Eucharis Tupuola and speedy tailback Andre Green on offense, and linebacker Willie McGinest on defense. Poly will miss All-Division I defensive back Jason Jones, who currently is not enrolled in school.

--Who will be the next great back?

With the graduation of Russell White of Encino Crespi, Curtis Conway of Hawthorne and Derek Brown of Anaheim Servite, a void is left. One spectacular player returning is Lynwood quarterback Charles Levy. The 6-2 Levy proved to be a quadruple-threat last season, scoring touchdowns passing, rushing, catching and kick returning.

--Has there ever been a small-school with more talent than Montclair Prep has this season?

Coach George Giannini has to be smiling. Starting with tailback Michael Jones, who gained 1,514 yards last season as a junior in becoming one of the country’s leading recruits, the Mounties have junior fullback Derek Sparks, who transferred from City power Wilmington Banning after making first team All-City and being named the state sophomore of the year. Joining them will be another transfer in junior quarterback Leland Sparks (Derek’s cousin from Texas), who will direct the offense.

--Will Fountain Valley be one of the worst defending champions?

Coach Mike Milner has only three returning lettermen from last season’s Division I championship team. Behind the play of quarterback David Henigan, the Barons made it to the Division final two consecutive seasons, but with Henigan gone, Milner is faced with a major rebuilding task.