Newspaper

Koalas hope to finish atop conference in '82

by Chris Harrington
Koala staff

Coach Phil Carrera and QB Joe Golf look on as the Koalas slog out a 20-6 mud victory in El Centro.

After sputtering to an early 1-4 record in 1981 the UCSD football program fired head coach Harry Crocker, replacing him with Defensive Backfield Coach Phil Carrera. The Koalas came on strong in the end to finish at 4-5-1, good enough for 5th place in the newly formed Southern California Small Schools Conference. Last year's roaring finish clearly establishes UCSD as a strong candidate to finish atop the SCSSC.

OFFENSE: The Koalas led the entire nation in yards gained passing last year (during night games on Astro-turf) largely clue to the efforts of returning back Joe Golf. "With Golf calling the signals, anything can happen," stated Carrera. Golf tossed 13 touchdown passes in 1982 with his deadly accurate arm and has been working lately on his mobility. "Now I can move around a little before I get sacked,” he kidded. Mark Haffey and Bob Fouts (no relation to Charger QB Dan) should be on hand to spell Golf when necessary.

The UCSD receiving core is basically untested. Freshmen Jim LeeJay and David Lontine both possess blazing speed and young Florian Weigand is said to have a great pair of hands. The scouting report on the other Koala flanker, Felipe Batista, reads "…not fast, below average hands, runs poor patterns, but he'll beat you..."

The team even managed to strengthen their most productive area from a year ago, their running backs. In addition to stars Ian Winkel (837 yards, 7 T.D.'s) and Alonzo "Scooter" Pie (799 yards, 37 receptions) they have added high school standouts Hans Shermer and Ricky Hertz. It doesn't appear the option or wishbone will be employed this season with the vastly immobile Golf at the helm. But the Koala backs have been practicing a great deal of pass receiving during workouts.

Such anonymous strongmen as Al Aguilar (6'1", 255), Murray Callan (6'2", 250), Ron "Sock" Rettig (5'10", 240) and, Jerry Hobbs (6'0", 205) will anchor an improving offensive line.

DEFENSE: A reckless, brutal crew that led the conference in quarterback sacks, boasts seven returning starters Linemen Bob Bianca, Carmine Duke and Cal Brixton all share a common motto: "Meet you at the quarterback." High school superstar brothers Thomas and Abraham Black will also see some playing time in the trenches

Most of the defensive talk around camp has focused on new Linebacker Scott Markell. I He is called "Mean Markell" because he once threw a quarterback through a metal fence. Markell should patrol the middle, while Fran Caligula and Barry Johnson, both coming off excellent years, will be at the outside spots.

Julius Limbarney, who intercepted five passes as a freshman, could be the leader of the young Koala secondary. Rowland Johns is another capable cornerback, while Thomas Hitt and Rand Snyder seem to have a bead on the starting safety spots. Defensive Coordinator Howard Napier says the backfield will be a little different this season.

“In passing situations we'll probably go to a nickel back, which is new to us." This may open a door for freshmen DB's Ollie Brown and Murphy White.

Overall: Coach Phil Carrera is optimistic, yet not over confident, "We're a great football team. I sincerely think we’ll win the league."