The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 31

SOUTH BAY SPORTS Coo Anjjcleo (Timeo 1 6 Part I II Thursday, October 27, 1988 Quarterback and Defensive End Palos Verdes' David Walsh Is That Rare Two-Way Performer I i Leuzlnger's linebackers were the quickest the Sea Kings have faced all season. "We had trouble with Serra's linebackers coming up the middle, and Leuzlnger's guys were just too quick," Vredenburgh said. "They got through and beat us." The loss didn't diminish Walsh's accomplishments. In 7 games he has completed 68 of 144 passes for 901 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Leuzinger defense often forced Walsh to throw sooner than normal, and he says his biggest fear is losing his composure and turning the ball over.

But at 6 feet, 4 inches and 215 pounds, he isn't scared of taking a hit after waiting long enough for a receiver to free himself. "He is not afraid of the pressure," said Judy. "He can really stand tall, wait and look for the open man." His patience, which allows him to complete passes he probably shouldn't, could be a product of his aggressiveness. Offensive tackle Greg Kaltenbach said Walsh is one of the hardest hitters on the team. Yeah, he plays defensive end, too, and he's recorded 17 tackles.

And Kaltenbach, whose unit calls itself the "Pigs," said Walsh is an honorary hog. Adds Judy: "Some people think it is crazy for my quarterback to play defense, but if I don't let him, he has too much energy. Once he gets contact, that mellows him out somewhat. But on offense, he never says he can't do it. He thinks he can complete any pass he can throw." See QUARTERBACK, Page 17 By ADAM MARTIN There is a place where David Walsh knows he can be alone with his responsibilities, and he goes there often.

Every Friday, a few hours before kickoff. the Palos Verdes High School quarterback retreats to a rarely used shower stall in the Sea King locker room, plops down with his back to the wall and thinks about what he expects to accomplish a few hours later. "I have to go in there," Walsh said last week. "I have never not gone in there before a game." More often than not, Walsh accomplishes his goals. He has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the South Bay.

Sometimes, however, thoughts of blitzing linebackers cloud Walsh's pregame visions. And sometimes last week at Leuzin-ger, for instance a blitz and a swift secondary literally block Walsh's vision and force an interception. In a 26-22 loss Walsh brought Palos Verdes to within six points of Leuzinger with a 36-yard fourth-quarter aerial to Christian Capper that set up his own 2-yard scoring run. And in the waning minutes he converted a fourth down on what might have been PV's game-winning drive. But a few plays later, the lefthander threw his eighth interception of the season and Palos Verdes dropped to 5-2, 2-2 in the Bay League.

Sea King Coach Bill Judy accept- David Walsh 'He is not afraid of the pressure. He can really stand tall, wait and look for the open -Bill Judy ed blame for the turnover, explaining that he should have called for a shorter pass. But the real problem, said Palos Verdes offensive line coach John Vredenburgh, was that BRIAN VANDER BRUG Los Angeles Times Quarterbackdefensive end David Walsh has paced Palos Verdes to a 5-2 mark. Prep Notes Rob Fernas Serra Football Coach Blames the Press for Stories About Rough Play on Gridiron South Bay's Top 1 0 Selected by Times Sportswriters Nn? Rank, School, League Record 1 Leuzinger (Bay) 7-0 2 Carson (Southern) 6-1 3 Banning (Southern)) 6-1 4 Hawthorne (Bay) 5-2 5 Palos Verdes (Bay) 5-2 6 El Segundo (Santa Fe) 7-0 7 Morningside (Ocean). 4-2 8 Serra (Camino Real) 4-3 9 Westchester (Western) 5-2 10 North Torrance (Ocean) 4-3 of people.

They talk at him and try to do dirty things. When he tries to do it back, he gets caught." Griffin says the only time he felt Simien deserved to be kicked out of a game was Sept. 23 when he was caught kicking a Palos Verdes player. He also was ejected Oct. 7 against Bishop Montgomery and Friday night for committing flagrant fouls.

Zan Mason, a 6-7 forward for Westchester, was named to Street Smith's High School All-America basketball squad and the Comets were ranked sixth in the nation by the magazine in its collegeprep preseason issue. Mason, a second-team choice, was one of three Westchester players and six South Bay seniors honored by the publication. Selected high honorable mention were 5-8 point guard Sam Crawford of Westchester and 6-5 forward Harold Miner of Inglewood, last season's South Bay Player of the Year. Earning honorable mention recognition were 6-5 forward Renaud Gordon of Westchester, 6-4 forward John Hardy of Rolling Hills and 6-11 center Ed Stokes of St. Bernard.

In girls basketball, 6-5 junior Lisa Leslie of Morningside was selected a third-team Ail-American and 6-4 twins Heidi and Heather Burge of Palos Verdes Serra High, which likes to promote an image of athletic and academic excellence, lately has been trying to downplay a growing reputation for causing trouble on the football field. Coach Joe Griffin says it's an unfair rap. "We've been victimized twice in the press," he said. "It looks like Serra is a dangerous place. It's not." That may be true, but here are the facts: Twice this season games at Serra have been interrupted by incidents.

The Cavaliers' game on Sept. 16 against Gardena was stopped in the fourth quarter after a fight involving fans spilled onto the field. Friday night, a fight between Serra and Pius players temporarily halted play and resulted in four players, three from Serra, being ejected. Erik Simien, Serra's All-CIF linebacker, has been kicked out of three games for a variety of offenses. When asked about Simien, a South Bay prep coach replied: "I have nothing good to say about Erik Simien." Others say Serra players are guilty of late hits and taunting opponents.

One observer simply called the Cavaliers "dirty." Griffin takes exception to the allegations. He says Serra plays intense, aggressive football but does not go head-hunting, as some have charged. Still, Serra administrators may be a little apprehensive heading into Friday night's Camino Real League showdown with visiting Verbum Dei. Serra (4-3 overall, 2-0 in league play) is ranked No. 8 in the CIF Division II poll and Verbum Dei (5-2, 2-0) is ranked No.

6. The rivals have had their share of athletic incidents over the years. In last year's football game, won by Serra, players from both teams were ejected during an emotional contest, Griffin said. Has Serra taken any precautions for Friday's game? "From a football standout, we've told the kids they definitely have to be under control," Griffin said. "We don't want them getting into a talking game with Verbum Dei." The first-year coach claims both fights at Serra this season were exaggerated in newspaper accounts.

"The fight against Pius started as a pushing match between one of our defensive backs and one of their receivers," Griffin said. "A couple of other kids starting push- were named honorable mention by Street Smith. Few people will be happier than El Camino College football Coach John Featherstone if Palos Verdes quarterback David Walsh does not sign with a 4 -year school after the season. "He's one of the more impressive quarterbacks in the area, if not the most impressive," Featherstone said. "He could be another Danny Speltz for us." Speltz, a standout at Rolling Hills High, quarterbacked El Camino to the national championship last season and now starts for Cal State Fullerton.

One of the surprises for Morn-Please see PREPS, Page 17 Lisa Leslie of Morningside and Zan Mason of Westchester were named to Street Smith's High School All America teams. ing each other, and things kind of escalated. "In the Gardena game, two girls from Gardena started fighting near the track. None of our students were really inv6lved." Griffin says Simien, a 6-3, 225-pound senior who is expected to be among the area's most highly recruited players, has become a target for opposing players. "People have been coming after him," Griffin said.

"He really doesn't have a temper. He plays the game hard and physical. But, like I said, he's been singled out by a lot Big Games Who's Hot Who's Not Leuzinger quarterback Zak Odom, in his finest outing, completed 7 of 13 passes for 180 yards and 1 touchdown and ran for TDs of 62 and 2 yards in a 26-22 Bay League win over Palos Verdes. Dorsey vs. Banning After four weeks of tearing up the Southern-Pacific Conference's 3-A Division teams, Banning and Dorsey return to reality with a pivotal 4-A contest.

Dorsey (6-0) is off to its most dominating start ever. The Dons, coming off a 40-0 win over Gardena, have outscored opponents 272-6, the touchdown coming on an interception return. Versatile quarterback Roman Foster, a threat to run or pass, heads a Dorsey offense that also features running back Beano Bryant and wide receiver Kevin Cope-land. Banning (6-1) played a more demanding non-conference schedule than Dorsey, but Coach Joe Dominguez has complained of an inconsistent offense in recent weeks. Despite boasting the South Bay's leading rusher in tailback Keith Mims (1,009 yards, 14 TDs), the Pilots have had trouble scoring, averaging 22 points in their last three games.

Dominguez hopes a step up in competition will provide the impetus his team needs to break loose. There have been no complaints about Banning's defense, however. The Pilots have allowed only six points in the last three games. 8 p.m. Friday at Harbor College.

Crenshaw vs. Carson A sprained ankle might prevent Carson quarterback Perry Klein from playing in this Southern League opener, but Coach Gene Vollnogle hasn't given up hope that his leading passer will see action. "If I had to bet, I'd say he'll be playing Friday," he said. If not, Carson (6-1) will go exclusively with Fred Gatlin, who guided the Colts to a 51-0 win over Narbonne last week after Klein went down early in the game. "It's nice to have two first-string quarterbacks," Vollnogle said.

It's also nice to have a defense that has allowed only 14 points in the last three games and held Narbonne to minus 14 yards. Middle linebacker Peter Hunt leads Carson in tackles, while safeties Howard McCo- wan and Greg Lindsey head a tough secondary. Crenshaw 5-1 rolled past San Pedro, 33-8, last week as running backs Kevin Hicks, Shon Ellerbe and Jerry Majors combined for 225 yards on just 26 carries. Vollnogle also respects the Cougars' quarterback, junior Derrick Williams. 8 p.m.

Friday at Gardena High School. Verbum Dei vs. Serra Since shutting out Bishop Montgomery, 13-0, three weeks ago, Serra has been on a roll. The Cavaliers followed that with a 50-12 win over St. Anthony to surpass their point total in the first five games combined, and last week they erupted for a 44-6 victory over Pius as quarterback Glenn Baham passed for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The offensive emergence comes at a good time for Serra (4-3, 2-0 in league play) because this week's game with Verbum Dei (5-2, 2-0) could decide the Camino Real League championship. Although the Cavs have been scoring more points recently, they still rely on a quick, aggressive defense. Outside linebackers Erik Simien and Andre Howard lead a unit that expects to be tested by speedy Verbum Dei. Quarterback Rico Martin scored both of Verbum Dei's touchdowns last week in a 12-8 win over St. Bernard, including the game-winner on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter.

7:30 p.m. Friday at Serra. So. Torrance vs. W.

Torrance West's mission: Find a way to stop South wide receiver John Morton with its best defensive back sidelined. West cornerback Josh Moore is questionable with a separated shoulder, putting the Warriors at a disadvantage in this important Ocean League game. With Moore out, West (3-4, 2-2 in league play) gave up 139 yards passing last week in a 19-13 loss to Redondo. Morton caught 7 passes for 186 yards and 2 TDs to lead South over Centennial, 22-0, for its third straight win. Morton has scored 10 of the Spartans' 18 touchdowns.

South (4-3, 3-1) will be without starting tailback Chris McLellan (back injury) for the second week in a row. Both teams consider it a must-win, but fourth-place West feels the heat a little more. 7:30 p.m. Friday at West. Venice vs.

Westchester Westchester Coach Larry Wein says his team has been struggling to find its identity because of injuries. The situation began looking brighter last week as tailback Tim Holiday and quarterback Damion Smith started together for the first time this season in a 15-12 victory over Fairfax. It was the fourth straight win for the Comets (5-2), who open Western League play against much-improved Venice. The Gondoliers, 1-7 last season, improved to 6-1 with a 37-20 win over Palisades. They rely on quarterback Eddie Soto, tailback Erick McKinney and wide receiver Rafer Watts, brother of former Oklahoma and USC defensive back Elbert Watts.

Wein says Westchester's defense, led by nose guard Mario Coins, will have to play its best game. 7:30 p.m. Friday at Westchester. Beverly Hills vs. Hawthorne Beverly Hills wants to stop skidding while Hawthorne would like to keep driving toward the playoffs.

Beverly Hills (5-2, 2-2 in the league) has lost two straight Bay League games to Leuzinger and Santa Monica. Another loss will make it tough for the Normans to qualify for the CIF playoffs. Hawthorne (5-2, 3-1), tied for second place with Santa Monica, can strengthen its position with a win. The Cougars showcased a balanced offense in last week's 21-7 win over Rolling Hills, rushing for 212 yards behind fullback Brent Floyd (66 yards on 10 carries) and passing for 100 yards on the arm of quarterback Curtis Conway (6 of 11, 1 TD). 7:30 p.m.

Friday at Hawthorne. ROB FERNAS Bishop Montgomery, which scored a total of 135 points in winning its first four football games, has netted only 20 points in three consecutive losses to Serra, Servite and Mater Dei. Miraleste, which lobbied to get into the Olympic League, might be having second thoughts. The Marauders were blanked by Whittier Christian, 44-0, on Saturday and have been outscored 58-0 in two games. The four Pacific League teams San Pedro, Gardena, Washington and Narbonne were a collective 0-16 and were outscored 597-102 against their counterparts from the Southern League Banning, Carson, Crenshaw and Dorsey.

Inglewood committed five turnovers in dropping a 10-6 Bay League decision to Torrance, including a fumble at the Torrance 30-yard line late in the game that sealed the Sentinels' sixth straight loss. In one of the best performances by a sophomore this season, tailback Matt Redlew rushed for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries to lead Mary Star over Salesian, 28-Q. Redondo wide receiver Ronnie Brooks caught 5 passes for 7 1 yards, including touchdowns of 25 and 1 1 yards, in a 19-13 Ocean League win over West Torrance. Brooks has 35 receptions this season. Serra quarterback Glenn Baham completed 10 of 13 passes for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns, and receiver Jerone Williams had 5 catches for 95 yards and 1 TO in a 44-6 win over Pius X.

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