Ron Papazian

Ron Papazian, a former All-Orange County football player from Whittier Christian, has left the University of the Pacific football team for personal reasons, Tiger Coach Chuck Shelton said. Shelton said Papazian was still attending class. Papazian, who completed his sophomore season last fall, was a second-team, All-Big West Conference selection at linebacker.

Ron Papazian's goatee is gone, a small sacrifice to keep up with razor-happy teammates. No one made him do it. Fact was Fresno State football Coach Jim Sweeney liked Papazian's goatee. Sweeney called the junior linebacker the Armenian assassin because the facial hair made him look mean. But when quarterback Trent Dilfer and others showed off their newly shaved heads before the Bulldogs' game against Oregon State Sept. 11, Papazian felt the least he could do was trim his goatee.

Shortly before kickoff of the Orange County high school all-star football game tonight, Ron Papazian will pull a set of stereo headphones over his ears, crank up the heavy-metal sound of Metallica and let the negative thoughts run wild. It has become a pregame ritual for the Whittier Christian linebacker/running back, who will finish a record-setting prep career at 7:30 tonight at LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa.

Ron Papazian, a former All-Orange County football player from Whittier Christian, has left the University of the Pacific football team for personal reasons, Tiger Coach Chuck Shelton said. Shelton said Papazian was still attending class. Papazian, who completed his sophomore season last fall, was a second-team, All-Big West Conference selection at linebacker.

Ron Papazian, a football player, wrestler and kickboxer, thrives on contact sports. As a fullback/linebacker for Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, Papazian says the best part of playing football is the fact that "you get to make some incredible hits. You get to inflict pain." But Papazian also is a soft-spoken 17-year-old senior seeking a less troublesome, more virtuous life style. "I've really been struggling lately in my attitude and the way I act," he said.

Ron Papazian's goatee is gone, a small sacrifice to keep up with razor-happy teammates. No one made him do it. Fact was Fresno State football Coach Jim Sweeney liked Papazian's goatee. Sweeney called the junior linebacker the Armenian assassin because the facial hair made him look mean. But when quarterback Trent Dilfer and others showed off their newly shaved heads before the Bulldogs' game against Oregon State Sept. 11, Papazian felt the least he could do was trim his goatee.

As the star football player at Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, Ron Papazian lives the life of a typical, zealously athletic 17-year-old. On the wall of his bedroom is a photograph of his favorite football player, Gaston Green. On the family's refrigerator is a picture of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. "That's to give him incentive to build a bigger body," said Papazian's mother, Maxine. "He thinks Mike Tyson has an awesome body."

Ron Papazian of Whittier Christian scored a touchdown to increase his county-leading total to 34 touchdowns for the season in a 23-13 loss Friday night to Bishop in a Division IX quarterfinal football game. Bishop (11-1) scored in every quarter against Whittier Christian (11-1). Bishop will meet Carpinteria (11-1) in the semifinals.

Tailback Tony Anneler rushed for 3 touchdowns and halfback Ron Papazian scored twice to pace Whittier Christian to a 42-28 victory over visiting Orange Lutheran in an Olympic League game Friday night. Whittier Christian (5-1, 1-0) built a 35-0 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Lancers (4-2, 0-1) scored their first points on a 72-yard run by tailback Gil Greene. Greene also scored later on a 5-yard run.

Mississippi officials admitted to more than half of the 15 NCAA allegations of wrongdoing in the school's football program. Ole Miss faces its second NCAA probation in seven years after the school's internal investigation confirmed in Oxford, Miss., that all or part of nine of the 15 allegations were "substantially correct." Theft charges are being sought against two starting Fresno State football players.

Shortly before kickoff of the Orange County high school all-star football game tonight, Ron Papazian will pull a set of stereo headphones over his ears, crank up the heavy-metal sound of Metallica and let the negative thoughts run wild. It has become a pregame ritual for the Whittier Christian linebacker/running back, who will finish a record-setting prep career at 7:30 tonight at LeBard Stadium in Costa Mesa.

As the star football player at Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, Ron Papazian lives the life of a typical, zealously athletic 17-year-old. On the wall of his bedroom is a photograph of his favorite football player, Gaston Green. On the family's refrigerator is a picture of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. "That's to give him incentive to build a bigger body," said Papazian's mother, Maxine. "He thinks Mike Tyson has an awesome body."

Ron Papazian, a football player, wrestler and kickboxer, thrives on contact sports. As a fullback/linebacker for Whittier Christian High School in La Habra, Papazian says the best part of playing football is the fact that "you get to make some incredible hits. You get to inflict pain." But Papazian also is a soft-spoken 17-year-old senior seeking a less troublesome, more virtuous life style. "I've really been struggling lately in my attitude and the way I act," he said.

Four great runners--Ivan Wilson of South Gate, Charles Levy of Lynwood, Ron Papazian of Whittier Christian and Rudy Ramirez of Bell Gardens--head The Times' Southeast All-Star High School Football Team. The defensive backfield is also impressive, with Chuck Stafford of Norwalk, Travis Carter of Glenn, Miguel Cortez of Montebello and Carlos Martinez of South Gate.

Whittier Christian High School did more than seal a 10-0 regular season with its 41-21 Olympic League victory Saturday at Miraleste. It also served notice to Division IX playoff opponents that there is more to Whittier Christian's offense than fullback Ron Papazian. Tailback Scott Jordan rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns in 31 carries. Alex Davila caught five passes from Nick Sanchez for 109 yards and three touchdowns.