FOOTBALL ’92 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: CITY SECTION : VALLEY PAC-8 CONFERENCE : TEAM CAPSULES

EAST VALLEY LEAGUE (3-A)

Canoga Park COACH: Rudy Lugo, 7th season LAST SEASON: 3-7; 2nd in league, 3-4 PLAYERS TO WATCH: This could be the year Canoga Park climbs back on top. Nine returning starters and Van Nuys’ departure to the East Valley League help make Canoga Park a league contender. Senior returner David Kreider (5-foot-10, 165 pounds), an all-conference wide receiver, is Canoga Park’s multipurpose player. Kreider will play at receiver, running back and defensive back and also will handle the kicking duties. Senior Keith Jardine (6-1, 220), an All-City wrestler who led the team in tackles last season, returns at tackle and inside linebacker. Senior Ralph Palacios (5-10, 160) is a threat whenever he touches the ball, which is why Lugo will use him at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. “He is very potent when he gets the ball in his hands,” Lugo said. Senior Rashaud Vaughn (5-11, 155) will start at tailback. Working the offensive and defensive lines will be juniors Matt Groff (5-10, 190) and Phil Duffield (6-2, 185), and senior Marco Rodriguez (6-2, 205). Senior Luis Meza (5-11, 170) is a receiver and defensive back. Marcos Granados (5-10, 195) is a returning senior linebacker and fullback. OUTLOOK: Canoga Park showed marked improvement last season but suffered most from 20 turnovers, eight of which were converted into points. “I think we’ll be competitive, but we’re playing some tough teams too,” Lugo said. If the Hunters can survive their preseason (namely Chatsworth and Taft) and tough conference play, they should find it much easier against their league opponents.

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Grant COACH: Bill Foster, 8th season LAST SEASON: 3-8; 3rd in league, 2-5 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Grant won the East Valley League title in 1989, but the two years since have been another story. The Lancers have finished last and next to last in the past two seasons. Grant has 10 returning lettermen, but only three were starters. Senior Roy Rodriguez (5-11, 165) took over as quarterback after the second game last season. Last season, Rodriguez completed 48 of 123 passes for 604 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and nine interceptions. His most productive target also returns. Senior Sandro Perez (6-0, 165) caught 13 passes for 319 yards. Senior Raul Sahagun (6-2, 210), a third-year starter, is an outside linebacker and tight end. Senior Ilan Silverman (5-9, 180) and junior Alex Rose (5-8, 140) are defensive backs, and juniors Edwin Moreno (5-9, 210) and Jose Plancarte (6-1, 210) are linemen. Ray Singleton (5-10, 165), a sophomore, will play in the secondary. OUTLOOK: Foster would like to see the Lancers return to league-champion form, but with just three returning starters it isn’t likely to happen this season. “We have a young squad, but that doesn’t bother me,” Foster said.

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Monroe COACH: Dave Lertzman, 4th season LAST SEASON: 2-7; 4th in league, 1-6 PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Vikings have not had much success in the past three seasons (they have won just five of their past 27 games), but the tide could be turning. With 25 returning lettermen--including 12 starters--Monroe should challenge Canoga Park for the league title. Senior Jabarha Henry (6-7, 270), a two-way tackle, is the most noteworthy of the group. “He’s a lot stronger and faster than last year,” Lertzman said. Senior Andy Green (6-3, 250) will work alongside Henry at guard. Seniors James Owens (5-10, 160) and Danny Jabbaz (5-7, 150) are returning wide receivers. Defensive backs include seniors Andrew Rich (5-6, 160) and Isaiah Rojas (5-10, 165). Rich, who gained 210 yards in 46 carries last season, also will start at tailback. Senior Arthur Gharzarian (6-1, 165) has earned the start at quarterback, and junior Michael Johnson (5-8, 165) will punt and play free safety. Senior Maiko Espinoza (5-10, 175) is an inside linebacker and tight end with 4.5 speed. Newcomer Jeff Nadeau (6-1, 175), a senior, has impressed Lertzman and will start in the secondary. OUTLOOK: “On paper this is probably the most talented team I’ve ever had at Monroe,” Lertzman said. “The main problem is that the kids haven’t experienced winning. They haven’t learned what it takes to play hard all the time, every week.”

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North Hollywood COACH: Gary Gray, 1st season LAST SEASON: 0-10; 4th in E.V. League, 0-7 PLAYERS TO WATCH: North Hollywood’s move to the Mid-Valley League will help the Huskies get back on their feet after a dismal 1991 season. North Hollywood, playing with just 22 players at one point, was outscored, 348-11. Gray, in his first season, already has begun to turn things around. There are 50 players on the team and nine are returning starters. North Hollywood’s top returnee is senior Tai Takapu (6-1, 260), a nose guard and offensive tackle. Other returning linemen include senior tackle Martin Castellanos (6-0, 190) and senior center Ricardo Vazquez (6-0, 175). Perhaps the most interesting newcomer to the Valley Pac-8 Conference is junior Damon Ollie (6-5, 220), who averaged 16 points a game for the basketball team as a sophomore. Ollie, an NCAA Division I basketball prospect, will start at tight end. Senior Augie Nelson (6-2, 200) is also a tight end. Senior Jimmie Crist (5-11, 180) is the returning quarterback who completed 31 of 97 for 315 yards. Junior Damien Foster (6-0, 170) at fullback and senior Diego Lopez (5-9, 155) at tailback round out the backfield. Senior Danny Fuseleir (6-3, 180), one of the team’s hardest hitters last year at cornerback, will be the safety. OUTLOOK: North Hollywood’s preseason schedule (Narbonne and Verdugo Hills) is much easier than last year’s, and that will give the Huskies the opportunity to win before their tough conference schedule. Gray’s goal is to finish at .500. “There’s no pressure because no one expects anything from us,” Gray said.