Offense

Offense

-- Times Staff

*--* Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. QUARTERBACK Sean Norton, Hart 6-0 180 Sr. Passed for 4,067 yards and 44 touchdowns. In the Division II final against Mission Viejo, he completed 20 of 24 passes, including 14 in a row, for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 25-7 upset victory. RUNNING BACKS Toby Gerhart, Norco 6-0 202 So. Rushed for 3,035 yards, a state record for sophomores, and scored 35 touchdowns. Gained at least 285 yards in six consecutive games while leading Norco to the Mountain View League title and Division V final. Terrell Jackson, Corona Centennial 5-9 190 Sr. Ran for 2,664 yards and scored 43 touchdowns for the defending Division V champions. Totaled 4,998 yards and 93 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Centennial. RECEIVERS Anthony Celestine, Ridgecrest Burroughs 5-10 180 Sr. His 2,053 yards receiving were a state record and helped the Burros to a 12-2 record and Division VII finals. Finished with 100 catches and 24 touchdowns. Damon Morton, Riverside North 5-11 175 Sr. Caught 64 passes for 1,563 yards -- a 24.4 average -- and 18 touchdowns in leading North to the Division V title. Also scored four touchdowns rushing and four on returns. TIGHT END Jimmy Miller, Westlake 6-5 240 Sr. Future USC Trojan caught 37 passes for 739 yards -- a 20.0 average -- and nine touchdowns. Also had 11 1/2 sacks as a defensive end. LINEMEN Thomas Herring, Fremont 6-6 295 Sr. A gifted athlete who also played on the defensive line and at tight end, opposing defenders found the prototypical left tackle was almost impenetrable. Brandon Nicolas, Mater Dei 6-4 270 Sr. Quick-side tackle and dominant run-blocker graded in 90% bracket. Two-way lineman takes to Notre Dame a surprising honor: Serra League MVP. Matt Streid, Granada Hills 6-3 300 Sr. Granada Hills’ coaches consider him the school’s best blocker in the last 20 years. Voted the top lineman in the West Valley League and chosen All-City. Leo Talavou, Fountain Valley 6-4 325 Sr. Arizona State-bound tackle had great footwork and great size -- that led to his being named the Sunset League offensive lineman of the year. Ryan Wendell, Diamond Bar 6-3 265 Sr. Fresno State-bound center was so dominant he was named Sierra League most valuable player -- a rare feat for a lineman. KICKER Brooks Rossman, Los Alamitos 5-11 152 Sr. Transfer from Torrey Pines brought a huge leg that accounted for 11 field goals, with a long of 43, and a perfect 47 PATs. Defense LINEMEN Brigham Harwell, Los Altos 6-2 250 Sr. Among the top recruits in the nation, he tallied 22 sacks and 112 tackles for the Division VI champions. Chris Jauregui, Loyola 6-2 238 Sr. The co-most valuable lineman in the Serra League was one of the leaders of a defense that helped the Cubs gain the Southern Section Division I title. Lawrence Miles, La Quinta 6-3 270 Sr. Two-time Desert/Mountain honoree, headed to USC, had 107 tackles, 21 1/2 sacks and knocked down 21 passes. Michael Stuart, Westlake 6-5 230 Sr. As a defensive end, finished with 11 1/2 sacks. In the Division IV final against Ventura St. Bonaventure, his three sacks helped Westlake to a 28-6 victory. LINEBACKERS Jed Collins, Mission Viejo 6-2 240 Sr. Washington State-bound anchor of impressive defense had 111 tackles, six sacks, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions -- two returned for touchdowns. Eugene Germany, Pomona 6-3 250 Sr. Three-time all-state selection had 143 tackles and five sacks for Valle Vista League champions. Anthony Vernaglia, Orange Lutheran 6-4 220 Sr. Empire League MVP, who also played wide receiver, committed to Notre Dame and was key element in Lancers’ drive to Division VI title game. DEFENSIVE BACKS Terrail Lambert, St. Bonaventure 5-11 185 Sr. Defensive standout known for his speed and hard-hitting tackles, was superb at covering receivers and charging up to drag down running backs. Bryan Payton, South Hills 6-0 200 Sr. UCLA-bound cornerback had 14 interceptions over last two years. Also shined on offense this season with 966 receiving yards. Chet Sanders, Carson 6-1 190 Sr. Upon return from an injury in Week 6, he helped the Colts go 9-0 with eight interceptions en route to the City Section title. Marty Tadman, Mission Viejo 6-0 185 Sr. Perhaps better known for his offensive skills -- he had success running, passing, receiving and returning -- most teams tried to avoid him on defense. PUNTER Aaron Perez, Charter Oak 6-4 210 Sr. Considered the top prospect at his position in the nation, UCLA-bound punter averaged nearly 43 yards. Also put 90% of his kickoffs in the end zone.

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