FOOTBALL ’92 : THE HIGH SCHOOLS: CITY SECTION : NORTHERN CONFERENCE : TEAM CAPSULES

NORTHEASTERN LEAGUE (3-A)

Verdugo Hills COACH: Buzz Johnson and Bo Beauvais, 1st season LAST SEASON: 1-9; 3rd in league, 1-6 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Verdugo Hills promises to have a new look under the guidance of its new co-coaches. Johnson, who has coached for 35 years, was an assistant at City Section 3-A Division champion Crenshaw last season. Beauvais coached Cleveland’s B team. The Dons have 14 returning lettermen but lost standout running back Donald Coulter (99 carries, 675 yards), who transferred to Carson for his senior year. Running duties will be assumed by senior fullback George Garcia (5-foot-7, 180 pounds), junior tailback Greg Martin (6-0, 175) and sophomore fullback Ishmael Dukes (5-8, 170). Junior quarterback David Bryant (5-9, 165), an option-type, is a medium-to-short range passer. The backs will be working behind an experienced, decent-sized line: senior guards Josh Lukaszewski (5-11, 240) and Gabriel Subia (5-10, 260), and tackles Chris Peterson (6-2, 250), a senior, and Don Stewart (6-3, 260), a junior. Senior center Armando Gonzalez (6-2, 230) is a transfer from St. Francis. Senior Eric Bailey (6-1, 175) is the top wide receiver. A senior linebacker corps consists of Jake Hartman (5-10, 185), James Hinton (5-11, 175), Alex Miller (6-4, 190) and Gonzalez. Stepping off the basketball court for his first season of football is senior Eddie Powell (6-0, 155), who will start at free safety. OUTLOOK: So far, Johnson and Beauvais like the way the team is developing. With 46 players on the varsity and 63 on the B team, Verdugo Hills might turn a corner this season. “This team is shaping up to be something really special,” Beauvais said. “We’re going to be very competitive. Without injuries, we might challenge Wilson for the league title.”