VALLEY PREVIEW : FOOTBALL ’88 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS : TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

Oak Park

COACH: Ron Veres, 2nd year

LAST SEASON: 7-4; 3rd in league, 4-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Veres believes this team is similar to last year’s. That’s understandable because the offense returns in All-Inland Conference running back Jason Stein (6-1, 175). Stein, a senior, rushed for 864 yards, caught 18 passes for 309 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season. “He’s among the best athletes we’ve had,” Veres said. “But I’d like to see him a little heavier because everyone will be keying on him.” Fullback Jess Garner (6-1, 185), who rushed for 314 yards, returns and Veres hopes quarterback Gary Silverman (5-11, 175) will be able to take some of the pressure off the running attack. Silverman’s primary receivers are all-league selection Todd Creason, Brian Kane and Kevin Kokanis. The defense is led by all-league linebackers Mike Wooton (5-10, 190) and Garner and backs Creason and Stein.

OUTLOOK: With Stein returning, Veres is confident that the team can be as successful as last year. But with only 17 varsity players, Veres hopes that the Eagles will avoid the injury bug for the second consecutive season. “I would compare this team to last year, providing we don’t get any injuries,” Veres said.

Moorpark

COACH: Rob Dearborn, 1st year

LAST SEASON: 3-7; 3rd in league, 3-3

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dearborn, who coached Newbury Park’s junior varsity to an 18-2 record over the past two years, inherits an offense whose shelves are stocked. Junior quarterback Robert Hernandez started the final three games last season and the Musketeers won all three. “He could be a big key for us, this year and next,” Dearborn said. Hernandez will have four able receivers--Matt Cummings, Jeff Cox, Tony Upshaw and tight end Tom Uphoff. With junior Victor Magdaleno (6-0, 180) moving from tight end to fullback, Moorpark has four players vying for the starting tailback position. Steve Killionski (6-1, 170) a transfer from Simi Valley, Phillip Spizale (5-10, 185) a transfer from Louisiana, Chuck Silverest and Paul Valenzuela, last year’s starters. “We have all the specialty positions. The only thing we don’t know about is the linemen,” Dearborn said. Seniors Brian Mele (6-4, 230) and Mark Velador (6-0, 210) and juniors Tom Emslie (282 pounds) and Jake Sepulveda (278 pounds) anchor both lines.

OUTLOOK: The good news for Dearborn is that 22 lettermen return, including nine starters. The bad news is that those players managed only three wins last season. Santa Ynez, which finished second in the league, has moved to the Frontier League, but Carpinteria, which has beaten Moorpark 47 consecutive times, remains. “There’s a lot of talent here. This looks like a 4-A school,” Dearborn said.