FOOTBALL ’89 : CHANNEL LEAGUE

Rio Mesa

COACH: John Reardon, 22nd year

LAST SEASON: 4-6; 5th place in league, 3-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rio Mesa has not had a winning record since 1985, when it last advanced to the playoffs, and the once-mighty Spartans have won just seven league games since. Reardon sees only one solution: “We need a game-breaker, a kid who can rush for a hundred yards-plus a game or someone like that. I think you need one to be a championship team. And I don’t know if we have one.” His best bet appears to be tight end and defensive end Zelmer Lee (6-3 1/2, 210), who Reardon says has attracted Division I attention. Along the offensive line, Eric Paulson (6-2, 225), John Manachio (5-10, 185), Marco Cadena (5-11, 195) and Matt McHale (6-2, 215) are the favorites to start. Scott O’Neil (5-9, 185) will start at fullback and either Sal Balsano (5-8, 180), Gody Abelera (5-8, 170) or J.R. Nunnery (5-10, 170) will go at tailback. Senior Henry Wilson (5-11, 170), a part-time starter last season, appears to have an edge over junior Angel Lopez (5-9, 165) at quarterback. Fred Kim (5-6, 140) or Charlie Thompson (6-1, 175) will be the split end. On defense, junior cornerback Sam Garcia (6-1 1/2, 207) and senior free safety Myron Hart (5-10, 175) could be among Ventura County’s best at their positions. Darren Mitchell (6-0, 300), Lance Roberts (6-2, 247), Gadiel Plazza (5-11, 200) and Lee will man the front, Eric Lopez (5-10, 190) and Gilbert Gutierrez (5-8, 180) are the linebackers and Carlos Cendejas (5-9, 170), Jamie Lidel (5-7, 160) and Abelera will join Hart in the backfield.

OUTLOOK: Reardon, despite nearly resigning his position last spring, is glad to be back, if that can be an indication of the Spartans’ chances in the league. “I’m happy I decided to stay,” he said. “Otherwise I’d end up being a sports writer or something.” That horror aside, Reardon expects to compete along with the likes of Santa Barbara, Oxnard and Buena for a playoff spot. “That’s our goal,” he said.