OFFENSE : First-Team Profiles

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 17, 1996 12 AM PT

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Greg Cicero

SERVITE

SR.

This Friar had good off-season training and didn’t disappoint. Playing despite an injured passing hand most of the season, he completed 174 of 288 passes for 3,078 yards, tops in the county. His 30 touchdowns also led the county and he threw only eight interceptions.

Michael Jones

LAGUNA HILLS

JR.

Blessed with strength, speed and stamina, Jones cracked the 2,000-yard barrier for the second consecutive season (2,131) and also scored 29 touchdowns. Jones will need only 917 yards next season to break the county career rushing record set by Valencia’s Ray Pallares (5,397).

Leo Kosi

RANCHO ALAMITOS

SR.

Kosi, known for his quickness, strength and elusiveness, had a record-setting season in leading his team to the Division VIII semifinals. While leading the county in rushing, he finished as the Vaqueros’ career-rushing leader and the county’s fourth best all-time rusher.

Jim Adams

EL TORO

SR.

Adams (6-5, 275) has the size recruiters love and the skill to make them salivate. An excellent run-and pass-blocker, he didn’t give up a sack in 12 games; in each, he graded out 90% or higher. Colorado, Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona have offered recruiting trips.

Brian Hart

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

SR.

In playing the “open side” tackle, which protects the quarterback, Berg allowed only 1 1/2 sacks in more than 300 passing plays this season. He also led the Fountain Valley linemen in “flatbacks” (putting the rusher on his back without help) with 18.

Zack LaMonda

SERVITE

SR.

A preseason pick as one of the county’s top linemen, LaMonda lived up to the advanced billing, opening gaping holes in opposing defensive lines time and again. He also anchored the pass blocking, which enabled quarterback Greg Cicero to complete 60.4% of his passes.

Vince Shinnefield

MATER DEI

SR.

The Times Orange County lineman of the year worked so hard that sometimes it frightened his teammates. When the Monarchs needed a few tough yards, they let this pulling guard clear the hole and then sent in the running back for an easy gain. Started at defensive end too.

Blake Worley

CAPISTRANO VALLEY

JR.

Injuries cost Worley the last two regular season games, but in the eight he played he was voted the team’s best blocker in six of them. “As a sophomore he was one of our best linemen,” Coach Dave Brown said. “He will get scholarship offers as a senior.”

Rod Perry

MATER DEI

SR.

Perry found a way to get open when the Monarchs needed a big play, another dimension in an offensive scheme that included two running backs who gained more than a thousand yards each. Perry had 72 receptions, 17 touchdowns and averaged 17.3 yards per catch.

Murle Sango

EL TORO

SR.

A two-time selection, Sango was again one of the county’s most versatile and dangerous offensive threats, catching 59 passes for 771 yards and nine TDs, and rushing for 954 yards and 12 TDs. His 183 receptions is second in county history to Los Alamitos’ Tony Hartley (185).

Steve Ward

SERVITE

SR.

This guy came out of nowhere to be one of the county’s big-play receivers. He averaged 21.8 yards per catch and scored 21 touchdowns, often in dramatic fashion. He tied a national record with seven touchdown receptions in a 76-0 victory over Santa Ana in November.

Mike Phillips

LOS ALAMITOS

SR.

A pure kicker, Phillips’ strong leg delivered nine field goals (in 13 attempts) and 44 extra points in 11 games for the Griffins. In addition, 62% of his kickoffs went into the end zone. Phillips also punted, averaging 39.5 yards, with a long of 65. Considering Washington.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

The Second Team

* Josiah Fredriksen

QB, Newport Harbor

5-11, 170, Sr.

* Billy Newman

RB, Santa Margarita

5-10, 180, Sr.

* DeShaun Foster

RB, Tustin

6-1, 195, Jr.

* Jesus Acevedo