DIVISION VIII : Pass-Happy Offenses Are Shoving Aside Power Games

This is the new and improved Southern Section Division VIII playoffs. Modern, sophisticated--in short, a place where the forward pass is no longer a desperate heave.

Call it Division VIII Mach I.

“I think people in this division have realized that to win the Big One, you’re going to have to throw the ball,” said Santa Clara High School Coach Larry Lawrence, whose Saints are the third-seeded team in the playoffs.

Recent history, it seems, has changed a few coaching philosophies.

The past two Division VIII titles have been won by Pacific Coast League teams that threw the ball. And threw it a lot.

Two years ago, Woodbridge won the title behind the play of quarterback Fred Schweer. Last season, Trabuco Hills won the championship and set a Southern Section postseason record for total points, mainly because of David Lowery’s passing abilities.

So it comes as no surprise that teams devoted to smash-mouth football in the past have become pass-happy. Even teams deeply rooted in power football, such as Temecula Valley and Atascadero, have taken to the air this season.

In fact, the three top-seeded teams are avowed throwing teams--Yucaipa (10-0), Trabuco Hills (9-1) and Santa Clara (9-1).

Those three teams, along with Santa Ynez (8-2), are considered the favorites to win the title in this wide-open division. Even unseeded teams such as Temecula Valley (8-2) and Atascadero (8-2) could walk off with the championship.

But most coaches say that whoever wins the title will win it through the air.

“I think the success that Woodbridge and Trabuco Hills have had influenced this division,” Atascadero Coach Larry Welsh said. “You sometimes adapt to your competition. Coaches saw Woodbridge and Trabuco Hills win titles by throwing the ball, so now everyone thinks they have to throw to win.”

Trabuco Hills scored 167 points in its four playoff games last season. The only team to hold the Mustangs under 40 points was Woodbridge, which “held” them to 34 in a 34-14 loss in the championship game.

“There are areas in this division that just didn’t throw the ball much,” Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. “I mean, their idea of pass defense was to line nine guys on the line of scrimmage and try to kill the quarterback before he could get the ball in the air.

“The Atascadero game last season is a good example. They had 17 kids who were 200 pounds or bigger. If we had tried to play hard-nosed football with them, our season would have been over.”

Lowery is gone, but the Mustangs, the second-seeded team, again throw the ball well. Quarterback Tim Manning has passed for 1,560 yards and 11 touchdowns.

But by no means is he the only talented quarterback in the division.

Others include:

--Bob Taylor (Yucaipa), who has completed 61% of his passes for 1,350 yards and 17 touchdowns.

--Tim Gutierrez (Santa Clara), who has thrown for 2,100 yards.

--Scott McLain (Atascadero), who has thrown for 2,000 yards.

--Mike Maxwell (Temecula Valley), who has completed 60% of his passes for 1,868 yards.

Of course, there are some die-hards. Santa Ynez, the fourth-seeded team, still sticks to the philosophy of defense and ball control.

The Pirates run the ball effectively, especially tailback Matt Halme, who gained more than 1,000 yards in only seven games. And the Santa Ynez defense, led by linebacker Rod Smalley, has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing the entire season.

The Pirates, though, did not win the Frontier League title. They finished second after losing to Santa Clara, 24-20, two weeks ago. Gutierrez had three touchdown passes in that game.

“We’ve tried to have a balanced offense every year, but the last two (division) champions have thrown a lot more than they have run,” Yucaipa Coach Jim Taylor said. “I think that’s the trend in the division this year. Everyone is throwing more.”

Not everyone.

Trabuco Hills is actually throwing less. Manning, who was a wide receiver and running back last season, doesn’t have the passing skills of Lowery. However, he is a better athlete.

Last week, Manning ran 66 yards for a touchdown, passed nine yards for another and returned a punt 66 yards for another.

Such versatility can be hard to contain.

“I think you have to favor the defending champions,” Welsh said. “Trabuco Hills taught us a lesson last year.”

A lesson that everyone has seemed to learn in Division VIII.

DIVISION VIII IN A BOXDefending Champion: Trabuco Hills

Top Teams: Yucaipa (10-0) and Trabuco Hills (9-1)

Dark Horse: Banning (4-6)

Best Draw: Yucaipa. The Thunderbirds open against Laguna Hills (5-5), which is making only its second playoff appearance. If Yucaipa wins, it plays the winner of St. Monica (8-1) and Agoura (7-3).

Worst Draw: Atascadero (8-2). The Greyhounds open the playoffs on the road for only the second time in 12 years, playing a strong Orange (7-2-1)team at Santa Ana Stadium. If Atascadero wins, it will probably face Santa Ynez (9-1), the fourth-seeded team.

Key Players: Quarterback Tim Gutierrez (Santa Clara), running back Ronnie Long (Temecula Valley), quarterback Tim Manning (Trabuco Hills), quarterback Scott McLain (Atascadero), quarterback Bob Taylor (Yucaipa) and linebacker Rod Smalley (Santa Ynez).

Noteworthy: Pacific Coast League teams have won the past two division titles, Woodbridge in 1987 and Trabuco Hills in 1988. Last season, both finalists were from the Pacific Coast League, as Trabuco Hills beat Woodbridge for the title.