ALL-VENTURA COUNTY TEAM : OFFENSIVE BACKS

Newbury Park junior quarterback Keith Smith, who passed for 2,409 yards as a sophomore, shattered that mark while finishing second in the state in passing and becoming the first player in Ventura County history to pass for more than 3,000 yards. Smith finished with 3,318 yards and 30 touchdown passes and led the Panthers to their first Marmonte League title since 1981. Smith completed 235 of 394 passes and rushed for a team-high 334 yards.

Close behind Smith all season was Simi Valley senior Eric Bennett, the state’s fourth-leading passer. He threw for 3,094 yards and 34 touchdowns while guiding the Pioneers to a third-place finish in the Marmonte League and a second consecutive playoff appearance for the first time in school history. Bennett passed for a county-record 423 yards in a 42-32 win over Camarillo.

Buena running back George Keiaho, a junior with a punishing style, began the season with a bang. Keiaho, a native of Fiji who was the first freshman in state history to top 1,000 yards in a season, rushed for a county-record 415 yards in the Bulldogs’ opener against Westlake. Keiaho was slowed by a sprained ankle in midseason, yet still finished with 1,760 yards and 22 touchdowns in 242 carries. In three years, Keiaho has rushed for 4,337 yards.

RECEIVERS

For the first time in county history, two receivers from the same team each gained 1,000 yards. Not only was Newbury Park’s Jason Toohey a part of that tandem, he finished with 80 catches to tie George Sagen of Los Alamitos for the state lead.

Toohey, a senior possession receiver who runs precise patterns, played with a bruised collarbone that progressively worsened during the season. Still, he finished with 1,162 yards and seven touchdowns.

Simi Valley’s Bryan Kalbfus ranked third on his team in receptions, but his 39 did the most damage. Kalbfus led county receivers in yards per catch (23.4) and led Simi Valley in reception yardage (914) and touchdowns (15).

Kalbfus also was the Pioneers’ kick-return specialist.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Ventura tackle Blake Johnson stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 310 pounds. His nickname is “Earthquake,” and he lists eating among his hobbies. Johnson, exceptionally mobile for his size, was touted by coaches even before the season began as one of the Channel League’s best linemen. Johnson is being recruited by Washington, Colorado and UNLV.

Senior Eric Benson, a two-year starter at right tackle for Thousand Oaks, earned his team a measure of pride in a largely disappointing season by being selected the Marmonte League’s lineman of the year. Benson, who excels is all phases of blocking, has received interest from several major colleges, including California, Notre Dame, UNLV and Utah.

Royal’s Stuart Ae, whose Samoan surname is pronounced as the first letter of the alphabet, started every game at right tackle for the Highlanders the past two seasons. A first-team all-league selection, Ae was the lone returnee this season from an outstanding offensive line that led Royal to the Marmonte League title in 1991. Ae is being recruited by Nevada, San Jose State, UNLV and Weber State.

St. Bonaventure senior tackle Ray Gacasan was selected Small School lineman of the year in a poll of county coaches, providing a bright spot in an otherwise poor season for the Seraphs. The 6-4, 256-pound Gacasan was a dominating drive blocker who also shut down the Tri-Valley League’s best pass rushers. Gacasan is being recruited by San Diego State and UCLA, but might instead accept an appointment to West Point.

KICKER

Camarillo senior Lee Ciuffitelli had numbers far superior to any other area kicker. He ranked second to Fahali Campbell in team scoring with 65 points and made 26 of 28 PATs and 13 of 19 field-goal attempts. His kickoffs routinely sailed through the end zone and he dazzled teammates and coaches during practice by making field goals from distances greater than 60 yards. Ciuffitelli’s longest field goal during a game was a 50-yard kick against Agoura.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Camarillo seniors John Freedman and Jason Sandel made running against the Scorpions a difficult task. Freedman moved quickly from the left outside linebacker position to points all over the field. Freedman, among the area’s fastest defensive players, was selected the Marmonte League’s defensive player of the year.

Sandel anchored the line from his nose guard position. He was quick enough to outmaneuver the best centers and strong enough to cause serious problems when he reached the backfield.

Nordhoff senior defensive lineman and co-captain Ryan Cuthbert made a season of upsetting quarterbacks. The senior was the Rangers’ most dominant pass rusher, finishing with a team-high 16 sacks. Cuthbert’s leadership was also instrumental in the Rangers’ most successful season in school history.

LINEBACKERS

Getting past the Camarillo line meant having to deal with senior Colby Keener, not a pleasant prospect. The inside linebacker delighted in stopping rushers with punishing hits. Keener, also the catcher on the baseball team, was a key part of a defense that shut out three opponents and yielded an average of only 15.3 points.

Thousand Oaks senior Manfred Wagner took on rushers at every opportunity--winning most of the encounters. Wagner’s mind-set did not allow for fatigue. Despite playing extensively both ways, he led the Lancers in tackles.

Simi Valley’s Tim Bruce was the focus of attention when the Pioneers were on defense. The senior was a team leader who had a knack for making plays at the right time. He was strong against the run and pass.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Junior Rommel Butler and senior Derek Newcomb of Royal might have been known to receivers as “Blanket” and “Quilt.” Together they helped form the best defensive backfield in the county.

Butler, who intercepted four passes, was selected the Large School defensive back of the year in a poll of county coaches. Newcomb, who had two interceptions, was not far behind in the balloting.

Playing in his third varsity season, Oxnard’s Larry Bumpus showed why he is considered one of the most versatile and talented athletes in the county. Splitting time between running back and quarterback, Bumpus led the Yellowjackets in rushing (887 yards, 10 touchdowns) and passing (316 yards, five touchdowns). As a junior, he rushed for 1,594 yards and passed for 422. Starting in the secondary this season, he had one interception, which he returned 60 yards for a touchdown.

Where would Ventura have been without versatile seniors Derek Swafford and Devon Passno? Whether in the defensive or offensive backfields, both were standouts.

Swafford rushed for 1,193 yards in 124 carries, (a 9.6-yard average), caught 22 passes for 507 yards (a 23-yard average), scored 24 touchdowns and played well on defense. Passno also made a solid contribution on defense and gained 1,471 yards in 153 carries (a 9.6-yard average) and scored 11 touchdowns.

Swafford is being recruited by USC and UCLA. Stanford and the service academies are interested in Passno.

All-Ventura County Second Team

OFFENSE

Player School Pos Yr. Ht. Wt. Steve Saum Nordhoff QB Sr. 5-10 180 Don DiDomizio Rio Mesa RB Jr. 5-10 167 Jevon Markarian Simi Valley RB Jr. 5-11 180 Fred Polito Thousand Oaks RB Jr. 5-10 180 Aaron Whitley Simi Valley WR Sr. 5-6 155 Lance Caldwell Buena WR Sr. 6-1 181 Mike York Nordhoff TE Sr. 6-2 190 Jim Starr Rio Mesa OL Sr. 6-1 215 Brad Rubin Camarillo OL Sr. 6-1 260 Rob Kaller Westlake OL Sr. 6-2 270 Tony Weak Newbury Park OL Jr. 6-0 205 Mike Ellis Ventura K Sr. 6-1 180

Player: Comment Steve Saum: School record with 22 TD passes. Don DiDomizio: Led team in rushing, scoring. Jevon Markarian: A key part of a powerful offense. Fred Polito: Emerged as 1,000-yard rusher. Aaron Whitley: Top pass catcher of talented group. Lance Caldwell: Often caught what was thrown his way. Mike York: On other end of many Saum passes. Jim Starr: Agility a big part of success. Brad Rubin: Blocking helped set VC rushing record. Rob Kaller: Too large for defenders to move. Tony Weak: Kept defenders away from QB. Mike Ellis: Stood out as kicker and quarterback. DEFENSE

Player School Pos Yr. Ht. Wt. Sheldon Griffith Royal DL Jr. 6-3 200 Tony Maximo St. Bonaventure DL Sr. 5-9 205 Kris Hebert Buena DL Sr. 6-0 215 David Ventura Channel Islands DL Sr. 5-11 207 Andrew Crisp Westlake LB Sr. 5-10 200 Erik Givens Ventura LB Sr. 6-1 205 Demetrius Henderson Rio Mesa LB Sr. 5-7 180 Justin Monical Nordhoff LB Sr. 5-10 210 Rich Billingsley Oak Park DB Sr. 6-0 160 Jason Tucker Newbury Park DB Jr. 5-10 180 Sal Lopez Channel Islands DB Sr. 6-2 172

Player: Comment Sheldon Griffith: Swift and physical pass rusher. Tony Maximo: Seraphs will miss his play. Kris Hebert: Enjoyed taking on bigger linemen. David Ventura: Adept at eluding blocks. Andrew Crisp: Always gave solid effort. Erik Givens: Revels in shutting down rushers. Demetrius Henderson: Led defense by example. Justin Monical: Love for the game shows every play. Rich Billingsley: Played several roles for Eagles. Jason Tucker: Among team’s many gifted skill players. Sal Lopez: Excellent in man-to-man pass defense.

All-Valley First Team

OFFENSE

Player School Pos Yr. Ht. Wt. Deriek Charles Hart B Sr. 5-9 165 Davis Delmatoff Hart B Sr. 6-0 200 Scott Mitchell Agoura B Sr. 6-0 175 Jerry Brown Taft B So. 5-11 175 Eliel Swinton Montclair Prep B Sr. 5-10 185 Jared Halverson Hart WR Sr. 6-1 180 Shawn Stuart Saugus OL Sr. 6-4 280 Jason Rempel Calabasas OL Jr. 6-4 245 David Pratchard Canyon OL Jr. 6-5 260 Jabarha Henry Monroe OL Sr. 6-7 268 Lonny Neuhaus Poly OL Sr. 6-6 290 Tim Cronk Hart K Sr. 6-0 165

Player: Comment Deriek Charles: Times Valley back of the year. Davis Delmatoff: Threw a state-high 36 touchdowns. Scott Mitchell: Tailback rushed for 1,717 yards. Jerry Brown: City 3-A player of the year. Eliel Swinton: Rushed for Valley-record 2,384 yards. Jared Halverson: Caught 43 passes for 10 touchdowns. Shawn Stuart: Times Valley lineman of the year. Jason Rempel: Big-time prospect at a small school. David Pratchard: The next standout Canyon lineman. Jabarha Henry: All-City 3-A pick didn’t allow a sack. Lonny Neuhaus: Ground attack built around his talents. Tim Cronk: Converted 46 of 48 PATs, 5 of 6 FGs. DEFENSE

Player School Pos Yr. Ht. Wt. Art Larrea Sylmar DL Sr. 6-4 305 Paul Sauter Alemany DL Sr. 6-0 245 Faio Emelio Granada Hills DL Sr. 6-3 250 Heath Renfro Antelope Valley LB Sr. 6-1 195 Tyrone Pierce Sylmar LB Sr. 6-3 225 George Brazil Sylmar LB Sr. 6-3 225 Brian Powers Chaminade LB Sr. 6-0 210 Tyrone Crenshaw Sylmar DB Jr. 5-11 180 John McLaughlin Hart DB Jr. 6-4 215 Jibri Hodge Saugus DB Sr. 5-10 150 Bobby Cowan Saugus DB Sr. 6-1 185

Player: Comment Art Larrea: All-City 4-A pick was a team standout. Paul Sauter: Two-way All-Del Rey League selection. Faio Emelio: Northwest Valley’s defensive MVP. Heath Renfro: A Golden League impact player. Tyrone Pierce: Perhaps area’s top college prospect. George Brazil: Outside blitz was always troublesome. Brian Powers: Mission League lineman of the year. Tyrone Crenshaw: City 4-A MVP rushed for 1,875 yards. John McLaughlin: Promising cornerback has size, speed. Jibri Hodge: 44 receptions, four interceptions. Bobby Cowan: Two-way star threw for 2,201 yards. Coach of the year: Jeff Engilman (Sylmar)