Times’ Team Showcases Abundance of Talent in Area : Football: There’s plenty of brawn beyond Bishop Amat, the nation’s No. 1 team.

High school football in the San Gabriel Valley drew national attention this season because Bishop Amat spent every week atop at least one national poll.

But Bishop Amat, which will attempt to conclude an unbeaten season when it plays Mater Dei for the Southern Section Division I title on Saturday, wasn’t the only school to enjoy tremendous success. Outstanding players from schools throughout the area provided fans with many memorable moments and accomplishments.

The Times’ 1994 San Gabriel Valley all-star football team includes 23 of those players. Selections were based on ballots cast by area coaches, all of whom were asked to participate, and a poll of Times sportswriters.

Players named to the 23-player first team, along with their parents and coaches, will be guests of The Times at an awards brunch at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Pasadena. Winners of the San Gabriel Valley back, lineman and coach of the year awards will be announced at the brunch.

A look at the all-stars:

Matt Benavidez, Charter Oak--The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior wide receiver is an outstanding blocker as well as a talented pass-catcher. He helped the Chargers to the Division VI semifinals with more than 800 receiving yards and an average of 19.4 yards a catch.

Brad Bedell, Arcadia--The 6-6, 260-pound Bedell was part of an offensive line that paved the way for one of the area’s most potent rushing attacks. The Pacific League’s lineman of the year in 1993, Bedell played offensive tackle and defensive end. He also was a force on special teams.

Rex Haden, Bishop Amat--Lancer running backs got all of the headlines, but Haden, a 6-1, 245-pound senior offensive lineman, provided many of the holes that sprung the backs for long gains. He proved equally adept as a run and a pass blocker.

Louie Torres, Alhambra--Torres, a 6-4, 295-pound senior offensive lineman, ran interference on 85% of the Moors’ rushing plays. Torres’ play on offense and defense was instrumental in helping Alhambra achieve its best season in 30 years.

Albert Rodriguez, South Hills--Rodriguez, a 6-1, 200-pound senior center, anchored a line that protected multitalented quarterback Brett Pierce and helped the Huskies to the playoffs.

Richard Fineanganofo, Garey--At 6-1, 315 pounds, Fineanganofo provided an intimidating presence for the Vikings and was a force on offense and defense even when he was not involved directly in the play.

Daylon McCutcheon, Bishop Amat--Arguably the best player ever for a school that has produced some of the area’s best, the 5-10, 175-pound senior has rushed for a school-record 2,251 yards and is also a premiere defensive back and kick returner.

Chris McAlister, Pasadena--A multitalented quarterback, defensive back and return specialist, the 6-3, 177-pound senior rushed for more than 970 yards and 10 touchdowns, passed for more than 900 yards and 16 touchdowns, returned four punts for touchdowns and intercepted four passes.

Michael Graham, Charter Oak--The 5-10, 195-pound Graham, the only junior on the first team, scored 31 touchdowns and electrified the Chargers’ offense with long scoring runs in almost every game.

Jon Shepherd, Arcadia--The 5-9, 185-pound senior gained 1,432 yards and scored 16 touchdowns in the regular season and carried the Apaches to the Division II quarterfinals.

Scott Styles, Claremont--The 6-2, 180-pound senior quarterback passed for more than 2,300 yards and led the Wolfpack to one of its best seasons.

Aryn Hart, Alhambra--Hart, a 6-1, 175-pound senior, did it all for the Moors, passing for more than 1,800 yards, rushing for five touchdowns, kicking two field goals and intercepting three passes.

Hector Villigran, Los Altos--The 6-4, 265-pound senior dominated on the defensive line and also was a force on offense. In addition to more than 70 tackles, he blocked seven passes, had four sacks and forced three fumbles.

Waleed Ibrahim, West Covina--Ibrahim, a 6-2, 225-pound senior defensive lineman, picked up where he left off in 1993 when he was an all-league selection. Ibrahim was in on 96 tackles and had five sacks.

Glenn Ili, Bishop Amat--The 6-foot, 285-pound senior was a two-way player for the Lancers and gave opponents fits on both sides of the line. Ili helped the Lancers limit opponents to fewer than 150 yards a game.

Kory Minor, Bishop Amat--The 6-3, 240-pound senior defensive lineman entered last week’s Division I semifinal with 19 sacks and 31 1/2 in his career. He is the anchor of a Lancer defense that has manhandled opponents all year.

Lester Towns, Pasadena--A force at linebacker and running back for the Bulldogs, the 6-3, 230-pound senior is one of the area’s best all-around athletes. Towns was in on more than 100 tackles and had seven sacks in the regular season. He also rushed for more than 900 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

Ramogi Huma, Bishop Amat--He missed 2 1/2 games because of an injury, but the 6-2, 205-pound linebacker was otherwise dominating for a unit that forced more than 40 turnovers.

Aaron Wells, Ganesha--A three-year starter and two-time all-league player, the 6-2, 225-pound senior’s leadership and aggressive play at linebacker was instrumental in helping Ganesha reach the playoff quarterfinals.

Cory Shaw, Rowland--The 5-11, 180-pound senior defensive back, a key two-way player for the league champion Raiders, was as good at stopping the run as he was at making them as a running back.

Randy Guanko, Bishop Amat--The 6-1, 190-pound senior played both ways for the Lancers but excelled as a defensive back for a unit that has given up only 103 points in 13 games.

Brett Pierce, South Hills--Pierce, a 5-10, 170-pound senior, used all of his skills to lead South Hills to one of its best seasons. He passed for more than 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns, served as the team’s kicker and also played defensive back.

Joey Strycula, Charter Oak--Another multitalented player, Strycula, a 6-1, 195-pound senior, was a force on defense and offense. He passed for more than 1,300 yards, rushed for more than 500 and teamed with his brother, Chris, to give the Chargers one of the best defensive backfields in the area.

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1994 PREP FOOTBALL ALL-STARS Name: Matt Benavidez Position: Receiver School: Charter Oak Height: 6-2 Weight: 180 Year: Senior *Name: Brad Bedell Position: Lineman School: Arcadia Height: 6-6 Weight: 260 Year: Senior *Name: Rex Haden Position: Lineman School: Bishop Amat Height: 6-4 Weight: 230 Year: Senior *Name: Louie Torres Position: Lineman School: Alhambra Height: 6-4 Weight: 295 Year: Senior *Name: Albert Rodriguez Position: Lineman School: South Hills Height: 6-1 Weight: 225 Year: Senior *Name: Richard Fineanganofo Position: Lineman School: Garey Height: 6-1 Weight: 315 Year: Senior *Name: Daylon McCutcheon Position: Back School: Bishop Amat Height: 5-10 Weight: 175 Year: Senior *Name: Chris McAlister Position: Back School: Pasadena Height: 6-3 Weight: 177 Year: Senior *Name: Michael Graham Position: Back School: Charter Oak Height: 5-10 Weight: 195 Year: Junior *Name: Jon Sheperd Position: Back School: Arcadia Height: 5-9 Weight: 185 Year: Senior *Name: Scott Styles Position: Back School: Claremont Height: 6-2 Weight: 180 Year: Senior *Name: Aryn Hart Position: All-Purpose School: Alhambra Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 Year: Senior *

DEFENSE Name: Hector Villigran Position: Lineman School: Los Altos Height: 6-4 Weight: 265 Year: Senior *Name: Waleed Ibrahim Position: Lineman School: West Covina Height: 6-2 Weight: 225 Year: Senior *Name: Glenn Ili Position: Lineman School: Bishop Amat Height: 6-0 Weight: 285 Year: Senior *Name: Kory Minor Position: Lineman School: Bishop Amat Height: 6-3 Weight: 240 Year: Senior *Name: Lester Towns Position: Linebacker School: Pasadena Height: 6-3 Weight: 230 Year: Senior *Name: Ramogi Huma Position: Linebacker School: Bishop Amat Height: 6-2 Weight: 225 Year: Senior *Name: Aaron Wells Position: Linebacker School: Ganesha Height: 6-1 Weight: 225 Year: Senior *Name: Brett Pierce Position: Back School: South Hills Height: 5-10 Weight: 170 Year: Senior *Name: Joey Strycula Position: Back School: Charter Oak Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 Year: Senior *Name: Cory Shaw Position: Back School: Rowland Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 Year: Senior *Name: Randy Guanko Position: Back School: Bishop Amat Height: 6-1 Weight: 190 Year: Senior *

San Gabriel Second Team

OFFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. WR Colby Jackson Claremont 5-11 175 Sr. TE Tucker Sabo San Marino 6-1 185 Sr. L Jason Vasquez Covina 6-2 185 Sr. L Steve Tullius Bishop Amat 6-1 215 Sr. L David Saensock TempleCity 6-3 230 Sr. L Jeff Kohlberg Arcadia 6-5 225 Sr. L Robert Salcido Ganesha 6-3 255 Sr. B Eric Stidham Diamond Bar 6-3 205 Sr. B Dan Loyd San Marino 6-3 200 Sr. B Jeremy Bonwell Muir 6-0 175 Sr. B Demetrius Stampley Nogales 6-1 190 Sr. K Kevin Plotnick Damien 6-0 190 Jr.

* DEFENSE

Pos. Player School Ht. Wt. Yr. L Corie Thomas Bishop Amat 6-1 215 Sr. L Marius Greene Damien 6-1 215 Sr. L Gordon Hansen Rowland 6-3 225 Jr. LB Richard Gonzalez San Gabriel 6-5 195 Sr. LB Omar Garcia Bishop Amat 6-0 215 Sr. LB Darrell McGhee Duarte 5-10 200 Sr. LB Lucas LewAllen Glendora 5-11 185 Sr. B Ralph Brown Bishop Amat 5-11 170 Jr. B Jerry Urias El Monte 5-11 170 Sr. B Chris Strycula Charter Oak 5-11 185 Jr. B Jon Gallego Rowland 5-10 180 Sr.