Prep Football Games to Watch : Workman’s 100th May Not Be as Easy as the First 99 Wins

Coach Bill Workman of Huntington Beach Edison will shoot for his 100th victory Friday night at 7:30 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach against L.A. Banning.

History is on the side of Banning, which has never lost to the Orange County school, but Edison made it close last year, losing 10-9. Banning, however, will need a more precise offense than it showed last week in a 13-9 victory at Santa Maria.

The Pilots (1-0), with an entirely new backfield under the guidance of quarterback Eddie Kapu, fumbled eight times, losing six of the bobbles, as they struggled to grasp Banning’s tricky veer offense. Even so, Damon (Spud) Culver managed to rush for more than 100 yards.

Banning’s defense appeared sound, led by All-City linebacker Earl Saunders, lineman Javier Muela and cornerback Noel Hodges, who broke up two potential touchdown passes.

Edison (1-1) sputtered its first time out, losing to Orange El Modena, 14-0, but looked sharp last week in a 35-14 victory over Colton.

Quarterback Mike Angelovic, who had had a poor first game, passed for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns against Colton. Sophomore running back Kaleaph Carter had 136 yards rushing and leads the ground game. Wide receiver Rick Justice had six receptions last week.

Carson (1-0) at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul (2-0), Friday night--This will be a major test for Rick Ready, St. Paul’s rookie coach. He came to Southern California from Miami University in Ohio to rebuild what was once a traditional playoff contender, but has had two straight seasons at or below the .500 mark. Quarterback John Scott, who has completed 31 of 48 passes for 568 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, leads St. Paul, the Southern Section’s 10th-ranked team. Junior Alvin Goree, who led Carson in rushing as a sophomore, scored two touchdowns last week as Carson erased a 14-point deficit in beating Lynwood.

Westlake (2-0) at Palos Verdes (0-2), Friday afternoon--After compiling a surprising 7-3 record last season, Palos Verdes Coach Bill Judy figured his team wouldn’t sneak up on anybody this year, and it hasn’t. The Sea Kings have lost twice in the closing minutes. Quarterback Dean Decker suffered a broken bone in his passing hand before the season but is back in the lineup. Fullback Brian Connors, who has scored three touchdowns, is the focus of the offense. Westlake, which had a 2-8 season last year, has blasted its first two opponents, scoring 75 points. Running back Gary Wellman has 258 yards and 5 touchdowns, and quarterback Brad Gossen has passed for 325 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Cleveland (1-0) at Canoga Park (1-0), Friday night--Both teams opened the season last week with shutouts. Cleveland beat Chatsworth, 20-0, and Canoga Park blanked El Camino Real, 21-0. Junior Delgado, Canoga Park safety, sparked the Hunters with two interceptions, and Coach Ed McCarthy said he was surprised by the good showing of his inexperienced defense, which has three sophomores and three juniors. Cleveland, under Coach Steve Landress, held Chatsworth to 185 yards. On offense, the Cavaliers are led by running back Elliot Franks, who gained 122 yards in 8 carries.

Pasadena (1-1) at Diamond Bar (2-0), Saturday afternoon--Diamond Bar’s 16-game winning streak is in jeopardy against Pasadena, a perennial Coastal Conference power. Diamond Bar has looked strong on defense in wins over Nogales, 14-9, and La Serna, 10-0. The offense, however, has yet to resemble the one that scored a state-record 639 points last year. Still, the Brahmas are solid at the skill positions with All-Southern Section running back Kraig Washington, wide receiver Larry Vladic and quarterback Craig Ledesma. Pasadena’s offense has also been slow getting started this season. Running back W.C. Morrison and quarterback Ray Murphy lead the Lancers’ option offense. Pasadena beat La Verne Damien, 14-0, before losing to La Canada St. Francis, 24-6.

San Bernardino San Gorgonio (2-0) vs. Rowland (2-0) at Nogales, Saturday night--It will be a well-balanced offense against an outstanding rushing attack when these undefeated teams meet. San Gorgonio has the well-balanced offense, featuring quarterback Tony Kounas, running back Joe Abrau and wide receiver Mark Ally, and a defense that has allowed only 13 points in the first two games. Rowland has relied on its rushing attack, provided by Tom Choi and Russ Goo. Choi has rushed for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Goo has 143 yards and a touchdown. Other leaders for the Raiders, who have beaten Sunny Hills and Upland are quarterback Dave Hansen, lineman Ryan McReynolds and linebacker Mike Villagran.

Bellflower St. John Bosco (2-0) at Lakewood (1-0), Friday night--Lakewood snapped an eight-game losing streak last week against Pico Rivera El Rancho, but will be hard-pressed against its usually powerful neighbor. St. John Bosco, No. 10 in the Big Five Conference poll, has only four starters from last year’s 8-3-1 team, but that hasn’t hurt the Braves’ performances so far. Junior tailback Oscar Meza gained 220 yards and scored four touchdowns last week in a 34-20 rout of Serra.

Oxnard Santa Clara (2-0) at Oxnard Rio Mesa (1-0-1), Friday night--These former Frontier League rivals will meet in a nonleague game that still will determine local bragging rights. Santa Clara, the favorite in the Frontier League, has lived up to Coach Steve Dann’s expectations with an explosive offensive that has produced 68 points in two games and a defense that has yet to be scored on. Tailback Tom Petrucci had three touchdowns last week in a 26-0 win over St. Bonaventure. Free safety Frank Madrid added two interceptions. Rio Mesa is coming off a 20-19 win over Camarillo, the defending Coastal Conference champion. Quarterback Steve Carolan threw for only 86 yards, but two of his nine completions went for touchdowns, including a last-second, game-winning strike to Todd Gamboa.