Castaneda Named Division 3-A Player of Year : Prep football: Senior gained nearly 1,700 all-purpose yards in leading San Pedro to City title.

San Pedro High’s Bryan Castaneda, whose all-around play helped the Pirates win their second consecutive City Section football title, has been named 3-A Division player of the year by members of the media.

Castaneda is the third San Pedro football player so honored, following Jim Decker in 1950 and Ronnie Barber in 1962. Longtime boosters still talk about Barber, a dynamic single-wing tailback in high school.

But according to San Pedro Coach Mike Walsh, the Pirates never had a more complete player than Castaneda, who in his senior season gained nearly 1,700 all-purpose yards and led the South Bay in receiving and interceptions.

Only 5-foot-6 and 145 pounds, Castaneda made up for his lack of size with determination and the ability to make the big play. He played a number of positions, starting at wide receiver and cornerback, but also contributing as a return specialist, running back and backup quarterback.

He led the area with 62 receptions for 906 yards and six touchdowns, and tied for the lead in interceptions with eight, giving him 12 in two seasons. He averaged nearly 20 yards on kickoff and punt returns.

A few days before San Pedro (12-2) defeated Fremont, 31-7, in the 3-A final Dec. 10, a soft-spoken Castaneda said he was surprised by his success.

“I didn’t think I would be the head of South Bay receiving or anything like that,” he said. “But I wanted to win.”

In his two seasons on the varsity, Castaneda helped San Pedro to a 25-2-1 record, two Southern League titles and two section titles. He was player of the game in the Pirates’ 24-7 victory over Taft in the 1992 final, scoring two TDs and intercepting two passes, a performance that earned him a place on the 3-A team as a defensive back. This season he was selected as a wide receiver.

“I don’t think the kid ever gets down,” Walsh said. “He’s a team player. As long as the team wins, he’s OK.”

Castaneda was one of seven San Pedro players selected to the 3-A team. Other Pirates named to the offensive unit are quarterback Chris Pappas, who passed for 1,230 yards and six touchdowns this season and had a two-year record of 20-0 in games he started; offensive linemen Greg Cukrov and Phillip McIlvain, and kicker Mike DiMassa. Cukrov is a repeat selection.

Strong safety Willie Birl and linebacker Chris Asuega, San Pedro’s leading tacklers, were named to the defensive unit.

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Five players from division champion Carson topped the selections on the City 4-A football team.

The Colts (10-4), who won their ninth City title with a 26-0 victory over Dorsey in the 4-A final Dec. 11, are represented by wingback J.R. Redmond, offensive lineman Sterling Bowman, defensive end Michael Carey, linebacker Fa’avae Fa’avae and free safety Pa’a Pepe.

Banning (5-6) had three players selected--offensive lineman Andrew Lalau, defensive lineman John Toavalu and linebacker Charlie Phillips.

Sylmar running back Tyrone Crenshaw and Westchester quarterback Seka Edwards were named 4-A co-players of the year. Crenshaw, the 1992 player of the year, helped Sylmar reach the semifinals before it lost to Carson, 22-21. Edwards, who led Westchester to the semifinals, passed for 2,053 yards and 28 TDs.