1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS : These 23 Prep Football Players Appear Destined for Stardom : All-Stars: With an abundance of talent on offense and aggressive players on defense, the 1992 squad may be one of the best ever.
Chances are The Times’ South Bay All-Star football team would be quite a unit if it was ever assembled for competition.
Imagine combining the passing of North Torrance’s Frank Ramirez, the only area quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, with the running ability of Hawthorne’s Corey McCoy and Peninsula’s James Durroh, tailbacks who combined for more than 2,700 yards rushing and 45 touchdowns.
Up front, an offensive line featuring 6-foot-5, 270-pound Mostafa Sobhi of Hawthorne and 6-3, 300-pound Jesse Misaalefua of Carson would measure up with any high school team.
And the defense, featuring aggressive linemen, a swift secondary and four linebackers who earned player-of-the-year honors in their respective leagues, would make life miserable for opposing offenses.
Call it a prep version of the Dream Team.
Players named to the 23-player first team, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards breakfast at 9 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Guest Quarters Suite Hotel in Santa Monica. Winners of the South Bay back, lineman and coach-of-the-year awards will be announced at the breakfast.
Hawthorne leads the all-star squad with four selections. The Cougars, who were 12-2 and won the Southern Section Division III title--the school’s first section championship in 38 years--are represented on the first team by McCoy, Sobhi, linebacker Tevita Moala and safety Ronnie Morrissette.
Four schools--San Pedro, Carson, North Torrance and South Torrance--each placed three players on the team.
Representing San Pedro (12-1-1), which won its first-ever City Section 3-A Division title, are offensive guard Greg Cukrov, defensive end Michael Spelich and defensive back Bryant Thomas.
Players chosen from City 4-A Division runner-up Carson (9-4-1) are Misaalefua, defensive lineman Sipo’u Mareko and linebacker James Pepe.
North (10-2), which was ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section Division IX poll most of the season, is represented by Ramirez, receiver Dean Halvorson and defensive back Lacy Watkins.
South (8-4), which beat North for the Pioneer League title and reached the Division IX quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Montclair Prep, placed guard Josh Waybright, defensive lineman Chad Sauter and kicker Steve Finley on the all-star squad.
Completing the offensive unit are Torrance wide receiver Antoris Coleman, West Torrance center Jim Omatsu and Morningside quarterback Stais Boseman, who was named as an all-purpose player. Boseman was the South Bay back of the year last season.
The remainder of the defensive unit is composed of linebackers Vaimagalo Faavi-Tua’au of Banning and Taso Papadakis of Peninsula, and defensive back Brandon Moore of Banning.
Here is a position-by-position look at The Times’ 1992 All-South Bay team:
WIDE RECEIVERS
Antoris Coleman (Torrance)--One Pioneer League coach called Coleman the best player in the league. The athletic senior caught 45 passes for 813 yards, an 18.1-yard average, and seven touchdowns. He also excelled at defensive back, leading the Tartars with three interceptions.
Dean Halvorson (North Torrance)--The leading receiver in the area, Halvorson caught 67 passes for 1,058 yards and eight touchdowns. In two years as North’s leading receiver, he had 96 receptions for 1,543 yards and 13 TDs. He also excelled as a cornerback and return specialist, and was named to the All-Pioneer League first team on offense and defense.
TACKLES
Jesse Misaalefua (Carson)--An All-City selection, Misaalefua used his size, strength and quickness to dominate most opponents. His blocking helped the Colts average 309 yards a game.
Mostafa Sobhi (Hawthorne)--One of the area’s top college prospects, Sobhi anchored a physical offensive line that opened holes for a Hawthorne running attack that averaged 180 yards a game.
GUARDS
Greg Cukrov (San Pedro)--An All-City pick, the quick-footed Cukrov was cited by Coach Mike Walsh as the team’s best blocker and a key contributor to the Pirates’ productive running game. He is one of three juniors on the senior-dominated all-star first team.
Josh Waybright (South Torrance)--A two-time All-Pioneer League selection on offense and defense, Waybright’s all-around play helped the Spartans to their second consecutive Pioneer League title. Known for his blocking on sweeps, he also contributed as a linebacker with 78 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
CENTER
Jim Omatsu (West Torrance)--A two-time All-Pioneer League pick, Omatsu switched from guard to center this season and helped the Warriors to a 9-4 record and semifinal-round appearance in the Southern Section playoffs. “A dominating blocker and very intelligent,” Coach Kerry Crabb said.
QUARTERBACK
Frank Ramirez (North Torrance)--The Pioneer League offensive player of the year, Ramirez finished an outstanding career by completing 159 of 237 attempts (an area-leading 67.1%) for 2,389 yards and 26 touchdowns. Only 10 of his passes were intercepted. His two-year passing totals stand at 4,460 yards and 47 TDs. An all-around athlete, he also starts for North’s basketball and baseball teams.
RUNNING BACKS
James Durroh (Peninsula)--One of the area’s top juniors, Durroh accounted for the bulk of Peninsula’s offense by rushing for 1,390 yards and 22 touchdowns in 207 carries, a 6.7-yard average. The shifty tailback was instrumental in helping the Panthers to a 10-2 record.
Corey McCoy (Hawthorne)--If there was a faster player in the area than McCoy, we didn’t see him. The Cougar tailback rushed for 1,335 yards and 17 touchdowns in 104 carries--an area-leading 12.8-yard average--before an ankle injury sidelined him in the ninth game. He led the area with 23 TDs and 143 points, and his 90-yard scoring run was the longest among South Bay backs. He was named Bay League offensive player of the year.
ALL-PURPOSE
Stais Boseman (Morningside)--The Ocean League most valuable player, Boseman rebounded from an early season ankle injury to lead the Monarchs to the Ocean title. The senior quarterback passed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, rushed for 626 yards and five TDs, and returned three kicks for scores. He also excelled at defensive back, leading Morningside with four interceptions.
KICKER
Steve Finley (South Torrance)--The area leader with 12 field goals in 15 attempts, Finley’s kicking was instrumental in South’s drive to the Pioneer League title. Five of his field goals were from beyond 30 yards, including a 45-yarder, and most of his kickoffs landed in the end zone. He also played free safety.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Sipo’u Mareko (Carson)--One of the area’s most dominant defensive players, Mareko led the Colts with 25 tackles for losses, including 12 sacks. He ranked second on the team with 136 tackles, and had three pass deflections, one interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Chad Sauter (South Torrance)--Named to the All-Pioneer League first team on offense and defense, Sauter was considered the most dominant lineman in the league by Spartan Coach Don Morrow. “Big and athletic,” said one scout of the two-way tackle. Sauter led South with three sacks in a 22-21 victory over North for the Pioneer title.
Michael Spelich (San Pedro)--An All-City selection, the rangy end led San Pedro with more than 100 tackles and 15 sacks, including five in the Pirates’ 24-7 victory over Taft in the 3-A Division championship game. The two-year varsity stater was named Southern League co-defensive player of the year.
LINEBACKERS
Vaimagalo Faavi-Tua’au (Banning)--The Pacific League co-player of the year, Faavi-Tua’au excelled at quarterback and linebacker in leading the Pilots to a 7-4 record and a 17-13 upset over Carson. He passed for 758 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 405 yards and four TDs, and started at linebacker in Banning’s big games. An All-City pick, he was named Banning’s most valuable player.
Tevita Moala (Hawthorne)--The Bay League most valuable player, Moala was perhaps the player most responsible for the Cougars winning their first Southern Section title since 1954. He broke his own school record with 165 tackles despite playing the last six games with a dislocated shoulder. As a running back, he rushed for 435 yards and five touchdowns, including scoring runs of 65 and 71 yards in Hawthorne’s 14-6 victory over Bell Gardens in the Division III final.
Taso Papadakis (Peninsula)--The Bay League defensive player of the year, Papadakis helped the Panthers tie for the Bay title and reach the Southern Section quarterfinals with his physical play. As a linebacker, he was among the team’s leading tacklers, heading a defense that stifled most opponents. As a fullback, his bruising blocking helped pave the way for a productive running attack.
James Pepe (Carson)--The Pacific League co-player of the year, Pepe led the Colts with 140 tackles and finished as the fourth-leading tackler in school history with 227. He anchored a defense that gave up 114 yards a game, the best mark in the area. In addition to linebacker, Pepe averaged 8.5 yards a carry as a running back and ranked among team leaders in receiving, scoring, kickoff and punt returns.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Brandon Moore (Banning)--A two-time All-City selection, Moore anchored Banning’s defense with his aggressive play at strong safety. After being named to several preseason All-America teams, he lived up to the hype by finishing with 72 tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Moore is one of two repeat selections on the All-Star team along with Morningside’s Boseman.
Ronnie Morrissette (Hawthorne)--One of the area’s most versatile players, Morrissette excelled at safety, linebacker, tight end and backup quarterback for the Cougars. He was named to the All-Bay League first team on offense and defense. After starting at quarterback last season, Morrissette was switched to other positions but still contributed at quarterback with three touchdown passes in the last six minutes of a quarterfinal victory over Simi Valley that kept Hawthorne’s championship hopes alive.
Bryant Thomas (San Pedro)--A highly recruited player--he has already visited Arizona State--Thomas excelled on both sides of the ball for the City 3-A champions. As an All-City defensive back, he had three interceptions and ranked among team leaders in tackles. As a wide receiver, he caught 24 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard score in the 3-A title game. He was named Southern League co-defensive player of the year.
Lacy Watkins (North Torrance)--A talented junior who is expected to be among the area’s most highly recruited players next season, Watkins was a big-play specialist for North. He ranked among team leaders with 165 tackles, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. His play at running back and receiver was equally impressive. He rushed for 552 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards a carry, and caught 29 passes for 545 yards, an 18.8-yard average, and two TDs.
1992 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS
OFFENSE
Name: Steve Finley Position: Kicker School: South Torrance Height: 6-0 Weight: 165 Year: Senior
Name: Antoris Coleman Position: Wide Receiver School: Torrance Height: 6-1 Weight: 185 Year: Senior
Name: Dean Halvorson Position: Wide Receiver School: North Torrance Height: 5-9 Weight: 155 Year: Senior
Name: Jesse Misaalefua Position: Tackle School: Carson Height: 6-3 Weight: 300 Year: Senior
Name: Mostafa Sobhi Position: Tackle School: Hawthorne Height: 6-5 Weight: 270 Year: Senior
Name: Greg Cukrov Position: Guard School: San Pedro Height: 6-4 Weight: 235 Year: Junior
Name: Josh Waybright Position: Guard School: South Torrance Height: 6-0 Weight: 225 Year: Senior
Name: Jim Omatsu Position: Center School: West Torrance Height: 6-1 Weight: 230 Year: Senior
Name: Frank Ramirez Position: Quarterback School: North Torrance Height: 6-0 Weight: 175 Year: Senior
Name: James Durroh Position: Running Back School: Peninsula Height: 5-8 Weight: 170 Year: Junior
Name: Corey McCoy Position: Running Back School: Hawthorne Height: 5-9 Weight: 160 Year: Senior
Name: Stais Boseman Position: All-Purpose School: Morningside Height: 6-4 Weight: 190 Year: Senior
DEFENSE
Name: Sipo’u Mareko Position: Lineman School: Carson Height: 6-1 Weight: 245 Year: Senior
Name: Chad Sauter Position: Lineman School: South Torrance Height: 6-6 Weight: 270 Year: Senior
Name: Michael Spelich Position: Lineman School: San Pedro Height: 6-3 Weight: 190 Year: Senior
Name: Vaimagalo Faavi-Tua’au Position: Linebacker School: Banning Height: 6-1 Weight: 215 Year: Senior
Name: Tevita Moala Position: Linebacker School: Hawthorne Height: 5-11 Weight: 185 Year: Senior
Name: Taso Papadakis Position: Linebacker School: Peninsula Height: 6-0 Weight: 235 Year: Senior
Name: James Pepe Position: Linebacker School: Carson Height: 6-3 Weight: 220 Year: Senior
Name: Brandon Moore Position: Back School: Banning Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Year: Senior
Name: Ronnie Morrissette Position: Back School: Hawthorne Height: 6-3 Weight: 225 Year: Senior
Name: Bryant Thomas Position: Back School: San Pedro Height: 6-2 Weight: 175 Year: Senior
Name: Lacy Watkins Position: Back School: North Torrance Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Year: Junior
All-South Bay Second Team
OFFENSE
Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Ernest Claxton Carson Sr. 6-0 160 WR Ryan Bustos West Torrance Sr. 6-0 170 WR J.R. Herring Torrance Sr. 6-4 285 T Tevete Usu Leuzinger Sr. 6-2 320 T Aaron Brice Banning Sr. 6-0 240 G Mike Fransz El Segundo Jr. 6-2 225 G Jerry Pilato Peninsula Sr. 5-10 220 C Ryan Marshall West Torrance Sr. 6-2 200 QB Kenny Fredieu Serra Sr. 5-8 160 RB Ambrose Russo San Pedro Sr. 5-10 185 RB Leandrew Childs Inglewood Sr. 5-9 175 AP Brian Belliveau West Torrance Sr. 6-2 210 K
DEFENSE
Player School Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos Mike Frias Redondo Sr. 6-1 215 L Bart Glusac Peninsula Sr. 6-4 225 L Keith Traylor North Torrance Sr. 6-0 215 L Doug Dossey South Torrance Sr. 6-1 190 L John Niko Leuzinger Sr. 6-1 215 LB Chi Lam North Torrance Sr. 6-2 215 LB Shawn Shamsid-Deen Morningside Sr. 6-3 190 LB Chris Vaimili Carson Sr. 6-1 220 LB Craig Zimmerman Mira Costa Sr. 6-5 220 LB Dion Brumfield Carson Sr. 6-2 180 DB Justin Stallings Hawthorne Jr. 6-2 180 DB
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