THE HIGH SCHOOLS: CITY SECTION : NORTHWEST VALLEY CONFERENCE : NORTH VALLEY LEAGUE

Cleveland

COACH: Steve Landress, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 2nd in West Valley League, 3-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Canoga Park transfer Dave Erhardt gives Landress a pure passer at quarterback for the first time in years. In a conference stocked with marquee skill-position players, Landress said he “wouldn’t trade him right now for anybody.” Erhardt (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) was a two-year starter at Canoga Park and Landress said he expects to maximize the senior’s talents by employing multiple offensive sets. The running backs, dubbed the Bash Brothers, are untested juniors Manny Valenzuela (5-11, 205) and Ray Haney (5-10, 200). Returning linemen Mike Wamsganz (6-2, 235), Justin Hladky (6-2, 230) and John Palacio (5-10, 205) will protect the backfield trio. Erhardt’s targets include returning lettermen Lance Johnson (6-2, 215) and Brian Griggs (6-1, 220) at tight end and Robert Holquin (5-11, 170) at receiver. Johnson and Griggs also will start at linebacker. Nicknames abound in Landress’ defense, which includes linemen Talon (The Viking) Sorensen and Min Tran (5-5, 185), who bench-presses 370 pounds and has been tabbed “Baby Arnold” by teammates. Lettermen John McDonald (5-8, 165) and Delvon McDaniels (6-0, 190) will start in the secondary.

OUTLOOK: Landress said that if Erhardt has the kind of year of which he is capable, Cleveland will turn some heads. “I think he can probably roll up a combined 2,000 yards with his running and passing,” Landress said.

Kennedy

COACH: Bob Francola, 5th season

LAST SEASON: 5-7; 3rd in North Valley League, 3-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: A quarterback battle seems likely between pocket passer Mike McMullen (6-5, 185) and scrambler Tavarus Logi (5-9, 170). Whoever earns the starting nod--and Francola says he might alternate the two--will spend most of his time trying to get the ball to senior tailback Ontiwaun Carter. A three-year starter, the cat-quick Carter (5-10, 175) rushed for 1,563 yards in 1989, best among area City players. Eight starters return on defense, which improved toward the end of the season. Returning in the secondary are Billy Sanders (6-0, 160), Anthony Jones (6-1, 180) and Frank Conley (5-7, 155). Damon Tice (6-0, 215) and Alex Sawatzke (6-0, 200) return at linebacker. Jess Rodriguez (6-1, 245), the team leader in sacks, starts at defensive tackle. The offensive line is young and is led by returning starting guards Craig Gardner (6-1 1/2, 255) and Troy Bregel (6-1 1/2, 210), both juniors. Juniors Danny Milliken (6-3, 225) and Brian Meza (5-10, 245) will start at tackle. Three-year starter and All-City soccer player Keith West (6-0, 175) will be the lone two-way starter and then some; he plays at receiver, safety, punter and kicker.

OUTLOOK: If the young offensive line holds, Carter again should lead area City players in rushing. But that might be only half the story; Francola also plans to throw more often to Carter out of the backfield. Francola believes that last season’s youth movement--he started six sophomores--could give Kennedy an edge. “I think it should be between (San) Fernando and us, with Cleveland deserving a good look.”

Reseda

COACH: Joel Schaeffer, 13th season

LAST SEASON: 5-3-2; 2nd in Mid-Valley League, 4-2-1

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Forgive Schaeffer if he feels singled out, but for the first time in memory, he believes he does not have an NCAA Division I prospect on the team. Not exactly a good time to be moved from the 3-A Division to 4-A. Reseda might field one of its smallest teams in several years. As many as eight starters might play both ways. Maurice Stepter (5-9, 165), who played fullback last season and opened the way for 1990 graduate Joe Tushnet, moves to tailback and also will start in the secondary. Juniors Dion Edwards (5-9, 170) and Jeff Kent (6-3, 190) are battling for the nod at quarterback. Reseda’s strength is its offensive line with three-year starters Edgar Fernandez (5-10, 195) and Mike Green (5-10, 195), both of whom also start at linebacker. Alex Mekari (6-0, 200) and Mike Johnston (5-11, 200) are returning starters at defensive tackle. Tim Schaeffer (5-10, 175), son of the coach, will play tight end and outside linebacker. Ricky Ray (5-10, 185), who will play at fullback and in the secondary, is considered one of the team’s best defensive players. Sophomore Gerald Cohl (5-8, 165) made 21 of 22 point-after touchdowns and six field goals last season on the B team.

OUTLOOK: Schaeffer pulls no punches in regard to his chances in the 4-A Division. He simply is not sure if he has the horses. “I feel like the cowboy riding into the canyon,” he said. “You don’t know if you’re going to get ambushed or not.” Then again, coaches in the conference have not gone up against Schaeffer, either. He says they won’t see anything that is too startling. “I haven’t done anything different for 20 years,” he said. “I may have a few little surprises, but what we’ve been using seems to work pretty well, so why not stick with it?”

San Fernando

COACH: Tom Hernandez, 9th season

LAST SEASON: 5-6; 2nd in North Valley League, 5-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Call it a study in relativity. Included in San Fernando’s reinstituted wishbone backfield are brothers Leonice and Johnny Brown, the uncles of former Crespi standout Russell White. Leonice (6-2, 185) rushed for 1,097 yards as a junior at Crespi last season before transferring. Johnny, a sophomore, is 5-10, 160. Mighty-mite tailback LaKarlos Townsend (5-8, 165) rushed for 464 yards and averaged 7.1 yards a carry as a sophomore last year and will start in the secondary. Senior Cruz Trevino (5-10, 170) will start at quarterback. Tony Brown (5-11, 170) is a sophomore who also will play cornerback. Only one starter returns at the same position on defense, safety Keith Woods (5-11, 175). Keith’s brother, James Woods (5-11, 185), will start at linebacker. Will Taylor (5-11, 180) moves from safety to linebacker and also will play running back. Mike Garcia (5-11, 190) moves from outside to inside linebacker. Sophomore Ernie Salazar (6-1, 200), a fourth cousin of the late Ritchie Valens, will start at linebacker.

OUTLOOK: San Fernando was bombed in nonleague losses to Fontana, Crespi and St. Paul to open the 1989 season before rallying in conference play. Things should go smoother this time, with Fremont, Van Nuys and Dorsey on the nonleague schedule. The best news? Granada Hills, which has won or shared four consecutive North Valley titles, has moved to the West Valley League.

WEST VALLEY LEAGUE

Chatsworth

COACH: Myron Gibford, 11th season

LAST SEASON: 3-5-1; 4th in North Valley League, 2-5

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The offensive backfield is stocked with talented senior running backs, but a key to Chatsworth’s success might be in how well its untested offensive line performs. A trio of potential game-breakers will split time at running back and also will play in the secondary. Rayna Stewart (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) rushed for 159 yards in 21 carries last season, Mukasa Crowe (5-10, 160) gained 123 in 18 attempts and Joynier Lockett (5-10, 175) has regained his academic eligibility. All are seniors. “They are all very, very good,” Gibford said. “Each is an outstanding football player.” Senior Brandon Reudy (6-0, 190) returns at quarterback but is being pressed by Brian Comer (5-10, 150), who led the B team to a league title as a junior last year. Offensive tackle Rob Lurie (5-10, 215) is the only returning starter on the offensive line, however. Delvon Hardaway (6-0, 165), a three-year starter, will play at receiver and cornerback. Montay Hardison (5-9, 180) returns at inside linebacker. Chatsworth allowed just 120 points in nine games last year, and defense again will be a strength. “With the guys we have in the secondary, we should be as good or better defensively,” Gibford said.

OUTLOOK: The defense allowed an average of 211 yards a game in 1989, but the offense averaged just 143. With increased offensive production, the Chancellors could shadow the leaders of the pack. “I think it’s the best football team we’ve had in the last three years,” Gibford said. “I don’t know if we’re ready to play with the big boys yet, but it’s a good group.”

El Camino Real

COACH: Mike Maio and Ralph Stam, 3rd season

LAST SEASON: 6-6; 2nd in West Valley League, 3-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Last season’s playoff upset of unbeaten and top-seeded Granada Hills might have marked the return of the Conquistadores, a team that was the pride of the Valley in the late 1970s but hit the skids from 1986-88. The Conquistadores beat the Highlanders up front with superior defensive linemen and linebackers, and although there are several holes to fill, this area again will be a team strength. “We don’t have that kind of quickness and size,” Maio said. “But we have some experience there.” Troy Snider, an all-league selection last year as a junior, returns. Snyder (6-1, 215) and Chris Griggs (5-10, 170), another starter last season, anchor the linebacking corps. The secondary will be patrolled by hard-hitting safeties Sean Boldt (6-2, 175) and Ryan Marine (5-10, 170). Boldt is one of three candidates for the quarterback position, a group that includes Evan Howland and Terry Morrow. All three will play baseball for Maio in the spring. Marine is a likely starter at running back. Jeff Sardell (6-3, 240) and Juan Hernandez (5-10, 185) will play on the offensive and defensive lines. Kicker Joe La Firenza returns.

OUTLOOK: The Conquistadores admittedly were a one-dimensional team last season, with running back Jamal Anderson--who rushed for a school-record 1,153 yards--accounting for more than half of the team’s total of 2,006 yards. El Camino Real passed for a mere 257 yards. “We’re planning on opening it up a little bit more,” Maio said. “At least, we’d like to pass the ball more often.” While El Camino Real might not duplicate last season’s success, the Conquistadores are again competitive, something that could not be said a few years ago.

Granada Hills

COACH: Darryl Stroh and Tom Harp, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 10-1; 1st in North Valley League, 7-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The nucleus returns, forming the Valley’s most atomic offensive threat. Brett Washington, The Times’ Valley lineman of the year as a junior, is ready to again dish it out and take it as a linebacker and running back. Washington (5-11, 225) rushed for 1,156 yards and 12 touchdowns in ’89. Senior quarterback Bryan Martin (6-2, 180) passed for 1,414 yards and 15 touchdowns and ranked among the area’s best punters last year. Senior safety Derrick Stewart (5-11, 185) will play at tailback as well as strong safety. All three are considered NCAA Division I prospects. Senior Robert Haywood (6-0, 190), another three-year starter, will play tight end and defensive back. Granada Hills’ offensive line, a problem area at times last year, is more mature. Starting linemen David Villa (5-11, 205) and Jordan Fisher (5-11, 200) return and reserves Greg King (6-2, 230) and Ralph Courtney (6-2, 215) also lettered last season. “It’s one of our biggest lines ever,” Harp said. Eric Moss (5-10, 170) and Alonzo Finney (6-0, 175) will start at receiver, with Moss also scheduled to play at his all-league position in the secondary. Returning starter Rob Kalinowski (6-0, 225) will anchor the defensive line. Washington, Finney and Curt Hulshizer (5-11, 185) will start at linebacker.

OUTLOOK: Granada Hills, which last season raced to a school-record 10-0 start before dropping its first-round playoff game to El Camino Real, was 24-2 in recent summer passing-league competition. Expect the Highlanders to come out firing, especially Martin, who won’t be distracted by splitting time at quarterback, as he did in 1989. “The whole team is ahead of where we were last year,” Harp said. “We have experience. Everyone started at a higher level.”

Taft

COACH: Tom Stevenson, 6th season

LAST SEASON: 5-5; 1st in West Valley League, 4-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Long a run-oriented team, the Toreadors might finally have the tools to open up the offense. “We’ve got great skill people,” Stevenson said. “This is probably the best group we’ve had.” Behind junior quarterback Karlon Mack (6-3, 190), Taft will have the ability to successfully try the airwaves, Stevenson believes. “He’s got a very good (arm) and he can really run,” Stevenson said of Mack, who was ineligible last season. Returning starters Vance Swendell (5-9, 175) and Darnell Hendricks (6-3, 190) will play at running back. Hendricks played last year at tight end and safety, a position at which some consider him a can’t-miss NCAA Division I prospect. Daryl (Happy) Cash (5-11, 180) returns at linebacker and receiver, and Tekro Blade (6-3, 205) is back at tight end and linebacker. Other returning starters include defensive lineman Willie Jackson (6-3, 225), two-way lineman Mario Alvarado (6-1, 245) and offensive guard Greg Levy (6-0, 175). Jackson reportedly bench-presses 450 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. Sam Hardy (6-4, 245) will start at middle linebacker and is “potentially the best player we’ve ever had there,” Stevenson said. Receiver-safety Ruben Benitez (5-10, 165) can cover some ground--he was seventh in the state in the 400 meters last season in 47.89.

OUTLOOK: The Toreadors will be entertaining to watch and could pose some problems for league favorite Granada Hills. Avoiding injuries could be a key. “This is a very good first group of kids,” Stevenson said. “But after that, we’re bad. I guess our best are better and our worse are worser.”