Prep football: Manderino tops local All-CIF choices

Barry Faulkner

CERRITOS - Newport Harbor High senior Chris Manderino, the

Newport-Mesa District Most Valuable Player, tops a list of five locals

recognized on the All-CIF Southern Section football selections.

Manderino, who rushed for 2,141 yards and set a district single-season

record with 31 touchdowns, was named second-team All-Southern Section on

offense. This team is chosen among players from all 13 divisions. The

6-foot-1, 205-pounder, who also starred at outside linebacker, shared

Division VI Offensive Player of the Year laurels.

Newport Harbor senior middle linebacker Alan Saenz was a repeat

All-CIF Division VI choice, while junior offensive tackle Robert Chai was

also named to the 38-player team.

In Division IX, Corona del Mar senior defensive back Charlie Alshuler,

as well as Costa Mesa senior defensive lineman Antony Grubisich, were

recognized.

Manderino, who quarterbacked the 1999 Sailors to the Division VI

title, was recognized for his work at tailback. He shifted from

quarterback to tailback at halftime of the Tars’ second game and spent

the rest of the season terrorizing opposing defenses with his battering

running style.

Manderino’s 692 rushing yards in four playoff games helped Harbor

reach the championship game, where it was defeated, 14-0, by unbeaten Sea

View League rival Irvine.

Saenz, a two-time District Defensive Player of the Year who has

committed to accept a scholarship from Montana, led the Sailors in

tackles (79) for the second straight season. The 6-1, 260-pounder also

shared Sea View Defensive Player of the Year laurels this season.

Chai, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound left tackle, was the most consistent

performer on an offensive line that helped pave the way for Manderino’s

standout campaign. A first-year varsity starter, Chai leads a nucleus of

returners who figure to make the Sailors extremely competitive next fall.

Alshuler, who played cornerback and safety for the Sea Kings, tied for

the Orange County lead with nine interceptions. He also saw spot duty at

receiver and tight end, helping lead CdM (5-6) to the playoffs.

Grubisich, a 5-10, 245-pounder, started both ways in the trenches for

the Mustangs, who finished 6-4, but missed the playoffs for the first

time since 1995.

La Mirada quarterback Erik Meyer was the other Co-Offensive Player of

the Year in Division VI, where Irvine senior safety Joe Bollard earned

top defensive honors and Vaqueros head man Terry Henigan was Coach of the

Year.

South Hills, which won the Division IX title, dominated the individual

honors. Chris Eadie was Offensive Player of the Year, Jason Murray was

Defensive Player of the Year and Steve Bogan was Coach of the Year.