DEFENSE : First-Team Profiles

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 17, 1996 12 AM PT

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David Coates

SERVITE

SR.

It was darn-near impossible for opposing running backs to get around this big defensive end, who made 77 tackles and caused three fumbles. Quarterbacks hated to see him too. He recorded a school-record 18 1/2 sacks and anchored the defensive line like a sledgehammer.

Alfred Giles

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

SR.

The Sunset League’s defensive lineman of the year had 17 unassisted tackles, 26 assisted tackles, six tackles for losses, one pass deflection, 4 1/2 sacks, and forced two fumbles. “He handled every lineman he played over,” Fountain Valley Coach George Berg said.

Brian Sepulveda

MISSION VIEJO

SR.

Sepulveda (6-2, 260), a team captain, had 26 unassisted tackles, 19 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, one sack and one blocked kick. “With his stature and size and strength, along with his leadership abilities, he played a [key] role,” Mission Viejo Coach Bill Denny said.

Stephen Sua

TUSTIN

SR.

Tustin Coach Myron Miller says he sees a player of Sua’s ability once every 10 years. While being double-teamed much of the season, Sua recorded 91 tackles, 16 sacks and returned an interception for a score. Sua (6-2, 255) is being recruited by Arizona State and Arizona.

Nu Atuatasi

RANCHO ALAMITOS

JR.

In his first year of varsity football, Atuatasi was an impact player on the Vaqueros’ stingy defense and he averaged 31 yards per catch at tight end. He had 105 tackles, 60 unassisted, 6 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, one he returned for a score.

Charlie Landrigan

CAPISTRANO VALLEY

SR.

The Cougars’ leader in tackles the past two seasons, Landrigan had 112 tackles--10 for losses--recovered two fumbles, caused one fumble, four sacks and broke up three passes. “This season he was the heart of our team, and a warrior every game,” Coach Dave Brown said.

Andrew Medley

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

SR.

A mainstay in the Barons’ defense, Medley recorded 24 unassisted tackles, 36 assisted tackles, four tackles for losses, two pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and one recovered fumble. “He made some of the best one-on-one tackles we had this season,” Coach George Berg said.

Derald Deason

ORANGE

JR.

So controlling is Deason that opposing quarterbacks avoided his side of the field. In a 24-20 nonleague victory over Anaheim, he caught two touchdown passes, ran for a score and intercepted a pass. He had six interceptions and caught 51 passes for 874 yards.

John Hefty

ALISO NIGUEL

SR.

Hefty (6-0, 185) was in on 63 tackles, including 25 solos, and did some terrific work in the secondary, intercepting eight passes, recovering two fumbles and scoring two defensive touchdowns. Also a receiver, he helped Aliso Niguel to its first Southern Section title.

Ife Ohalete

LOS ALAMITOS

SR.

Despite missing three games because of a deep thigh bruise, Ohalete was the county co-leader in interceptions with nine. He finished with 15 career interceptions, and is the school’s all-time leader. “The dominant defensive back in the county,” Coach John Barnes said.

Jose Rodriguez

ANAHEIM

SR.

Rodriguez was Anaheim’s backbone this season. He rarely left the field while leading the team to its first Orange League title and its first playoff appearance since 1992. His nine interceptions tied for the county best and he also caught 30 passes for 549 yards and returned kicks.

Matt McRae

EL DORADO

JR.

In his first season kicking for El Dorado, not one of McRae’s 40 punts this season was blocked. His 42.2 yards per kick average rose to 46.7 yards in league play, and those prodigious boots were integral to the Golden Hawks winning the Empire League championship.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Second Team

* Derek Fox

DL, Newport Harbor

6-2, 270, Jr.

* David Seale

DL, Aliso Niguel

5-11, 210, Sr.

* Mike McNair

DL, Mater Dei

6-1, 220, Jr.

* Jayson Hayward