Olympic League Outlook
Depth will be telling story in Heralds' title quest
The Olympic League football race in 1989 should be a case of something old and something new.
For the old, Whittier Christian (9-3, 4-1, second place) has come up with a mix of experience and new players that might propel them to a league title after falling one game behind Valley Christian.
All-league running back Ron Papazian, who also plays linebacker, will be leading the Heralds' offense. Papazian, a senior who has already been the subject of heavy recruiting, rushed for 1,162 yards on 176 carries last season. Also in the backfield is tailback Scott Jordon, who rushed for 610 yards last season.
But the buzz words for Whittier Christian this season will be experience and inexperience. Under experience, check off dual position starters like Papazian (running back and linebackers), Jordon (tailback and safety), Derek Franco (guard and defensive end) and Dave Zamorano (tight-end and inside linebacker). Under inexperience, mark off a good portion of the rest of the roster.
“I know it's going to be a struggle with depth," coach Phil Bravo said. “I think the experience in certain areas will overcome the inexperience in others. The inexperience of our younger kids will be our weakest spot. Our job is to get the kids experience as quickly as possible."
Orange Lutheran (7-3, 3-2), which finished third last season, is missing the cornerstone to its normal offense – a running quarterback.
With Jason Neben, who completed 42 of 85 passes for 637 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for a team-high 1,530 yards in 1988, lost to graduation, the position has been thrown wide open to competition. Leading the possibilities is sophomore Lenny Gavin and senior Mark Carrillo.
“Our quarterback situation is a weakness, no doubt about it," coach Bob Dowding said. "We have to fill that spot. We had Neben back there for two years. That's definitely our big hole to fill."
But with starting tailback Gil Greene, who rushed for 888 yards last season, and most of its offensive line returning, the Lancers shouldn't be hurting too bad in their running game.
“We still should be pretty good in the running game," Dowding said. “We usually have a strong running game. We've never been known as a team to throw the ball. Being as we have our tailback back and our big boys up front, our running game should still be our strength.”
If Santa Margarita were to have a buzz word for 1989 it might be survival. After playing 1988 mainly as a sophomore team, with a 35-0 loss to Ontario Christian representing its only varsity game, the Eagles are venturing into completely unfamiliar waters.
"We're going to be in over our heads," coach Jim Hartigan said. “Our goal this year is to be competitive and gain experience. We open up our season with (defending CIF-champion) Trabuco Hills, and we're really in over our heads with that game. But we'll just try to gain experience and make it to league.”
1988 STANDINGS
| TEAM | LEAGUE | RECORD |
| Valley Christian * | 5-0-0 | 10-2-0 |
| Whittier Christian * | 4-1-0 | 9-3-0 |
| Orange Lutheran | 3-2-0 | 7-3-0 |
| Ontario Christian | 2-3-0 | 6-4-0 |
| Miraleste | 1-4-0 | 3-5-0 |
| Brethren | 0-5-0 | 2-8-0 |
* Qualified for playoffs |
By Lowell Bennink
Wednesday, September 6, 1989
The Orange County Register - Prep 12
