SAN DIEGO — Morse High School is being called by many as the greatest team in San Diego Section history. The Times' 1990 All-County selections illustrate seven reasons why.
Five Tigers were named to the first team and two made the second team, making Morse one of the most represented schools in the 13 years The Times' has selected all-county teams.
Rancho Buena Vista had three players on the first team for the third year in a row (the Longhorns had four in 1988), including one of the running backs. An Aliipule from Rancho Buena Vista also has been on the first team three years in a row. Don Aliipule has made it the past two years, Al Aliipule in 1988.
Point Loma had brothers La'Roi and Darcel Glover at defensive ends. La Jolla Country Day, the 1-A eight-man champion, placed two juniors on the first team.
In all, there are six juniors on the first team, two more than the past two years combined.
Players are selected by the Times' high school football writers based on performances during the regular season and recommendations from coaches around the county.
A look at the 1990 first team: DEFENSE
Darnay Scott, Kearny, wide receiver--Scott, one of the county's top Division I recruits, had 23 receptions for 456 yards, a 19.6 per-catch average, despite being double- and triple-teamed all season. Scott (6-feet-3, 190 pounds) also had a county-high nine interceptions as a free safety. His 14 touchdowns came five different ways--on punt, kick and interception returns, on receptions and on runs.
Kris Plash, Orange Glen, wide receiver--A reliable possession receiver, Plash, a junior, can be elusive once he gets the ball. He's superb in Orange Glen's short passing game and has a knack for getting the necessary yardage for first downs. Coach Rob Gilster says Plash has dropped only one pass in two years. He was third in the county this season with 51 receptions for 758 yards.
Donnie Edwards, Chula Vista, tight end--As a leader and person, Edwards is a coach's delight. Add size (6-3, 195), quickness and skills, and Edwards, in Coach George Ohensorgen's words, "stuck out like a sore thumb." On offense, Edwards bolstered a line that enabled four Spartan backs to ahve big seasons. As a linebacker, Edwards keyed a defense that finished second in the county. Edwards lettered three years in football and baseball and two in basketball.
Don Aliipule, Rancho Buena Vista, offensive line--Aliipule comes right out of the mold of former section player of the year, Jack Harrington. The Longhorns do only one thing--run--and they do it behind the mobile Aliipule. He is as athletic as any player on the team, including Markeith Ross, except Aliipule is 240 pounds and delivers crunching blocks.
Salua Poutoa, Morse, offensive line--The leader of perhaps Morse's best offensive line ever, Poutoa (6-0, 295) helped open holes for a backfield that gained more than 3,500 yards in 10 games. "I think he's the real spark plug on our team," Coach John Shacklett said. "He's the leader. He has tremendous pride, and he set the standard for our offensive line."
John Moe, Morse, offensive line--Another outstanding member of a line that helped Morse average 48 points a game during the regular season, Moe (6-2, 270) ranks with some of the best blockers ever to play for the Tigers. He has great technique and mobility on pulls and traps, and has smarts to go with it. He carry's a 3.1 grade-point average in school and plans to attend the Naval Academy next year.
John Michels, La Jolla, offensive line--Coach Dick Huddleston called Michels, who is 6-7, 230, an intense player who learned schemes quickly and made good adjustments. Michels also played defense, where he displayed great quickness and lateral movement. A 3.8 student, Michels has orally committed to play at USC. "He's made good progress, and he's getting tougher all the time," Huddleston said.
Jason Abraham, San Marcos, offensive line--Described as a late bloomer by Coach Ken Broach, Abraham (6-3, 215) started only a couple games as a junior. But this year at left tackle, he was one of the main reasons junior fullback Mark Frazier rushed for more than 1,900 yards. "We usually ran behind him when we needed tough yards," Broach said. "He got better each week. I think he surprised himself more than anybody." Broach added that it was Abraham's athletic ability--he also plays basketball and baseball--that allowed him to dominate.
Teddy Lawrence, Morse, quarterback--Morse used to compare all its great athletes to former football/basketball standout Keith McGee. Lawrence (5-9, 175) now sets the standard. Coach John Shacklett said Lawrence is the best athlete he's ever coached. Shacklett said Lawrence was reluctant to play quarterback at first, but he flourished in Morse's option set, rushing for 1,158 yards during the regular season and a county-best 19 yards per carry. He also threw seven touchdown passes and just one interception in 48 attempts.
