Tim Byrnes

If there was ever any doubt about which position Brett Johnson of El Modena High School should play once he gets to college, there shouldn't be now. At quarterback, Johnson led the North to a 30-16 victory in the 26th annual North-South all-star football game at Santa Ana Stadium Friday night and did it in a most convincing manner. For his efforts, Johnson was named the most outstanding offensive player of the game, even though he only played in the first half.

Handing Tim Byrnes a playbook this season was like handing him a pink slip. Byrnes put in his time at fullback for four years, redshirting his freshman year and dutifully playing his part the next three. He had an 84-yard game once during his junior season, but everything was building toward this, his senior season. Instead, Byrnes was out of a job. Cal State Fullerton was going to a one-back offense, and there was no question who the one back would be--Mike Pringle.

Handing Tim Byrnes a playbook this season was like handing him a pink slip. Byrnes put in his time at fullback for four years, redshirting his freshman year and dutifully playing his part the next three. He had an 84-yard game once during his junior season, but everything was building toward this, his senior season. Instead, Byrnes was out of a job. Cal State Fullerton was going to a one-back offense, and there was no question who the one back would be--Mike Pringle.

If there was ever any doubt about which position Brett Johnson of El Modena High School should play once he gets to college, there shouldn't be now. At quarterback, Johnson led the North to a 30-16 victory in the 26th annual North-South all-star football game at Santa Ana Stadium Friday night and did it in a most convincing manner. For his efforts, Johnson was named the most outstanding offensive player of the game, even though he only played in the first half.

Cal State Fullerton's three record-setting offensive players--running back Mike Pringle, quarterback Dan Speltz and receiver Rocky Palamara--shared the Titans' most valuable offensive back award, presented at the Fullerton football banquet Tuesday night. Other players voted most valuable by teammates were Reggie Redding (offensive lineman), Russ Oleyer (defensive back), John Bavaro (defensive lineman) and Todd Baird (special teams).

Buena Park High School took advantage of three Sunny Hills errors and scored six unearned runs Friday as the Coyotes upset the Lancers, 13-7, in a Freeway League game at Sunny Hills. The loss snapped a six-game Sunny Hills' win streak and was the first league defeat for the first-place Lancers against 10 wins. Buena Park, which began the day in last place, improved to 4-7 in league.

Cal State Fullerton will be trying to recreate a bit of glory from its 1984 season when it plays Colorado State today, and former Ohio State Coach Earle Bruce will be seeking his first victory as coach of the Rams. Fullerton won the only previous meeting between these teams, 34-22, with a team led by quarterback Damon Allen that finished the 1984 season 11-1. "We'll take the same scoreboard this time," Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said after practicing at Hughes Stadium Friday.

Justin Vedder, Saddleback's record-setting quarterback, Cypress softball pitcher Jamie Wilkes and Golden West volleyball player Mariah Marquis have been selected Orange County community college athletes of the year. Vedder, from Laguna Hills High, helped Saddleback to an 11-0 record and a co-national championship. Vedder, who has since transferred to California, threw for 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns. Wilkes, from Bolsa Grande High, was 39-4 for Cypress, which won the state title.

The most successful season in Cal State Fullerton's football history was reflected in its prep recruiting Wednesday as 25 high school players signed national letters of intent to join the Titans in the fall. Among the list of recruits were six Orange County players, including La Quinta's Tom Holler, The Times' Lineman of the Year.

Record-breaking tailback Jim Farrell of Esperanza High School and wide receiver David Sepulveda of Fullerton head the list of players selected to participate for the North team in the 26th Orange County all-star football game June 28 at Santa Ana Stadium. Farrell, a 6-foot 2-inch, 180-pound senior, scored 32 touchdowns last fall for Esperanza, breaking the county mark of 30 held by Kerwin Bell (Edison) and Eric Fox (Capistrano Valley).

USC and Cal State Fullerton appear to be the big winners as four Orange County football players are expected to sign with each school today, the first day preps can sign national letters of intent. The Rose Bowl-winning Trojans have verbal commitments from three top linemen--La Habra's Dan Owens, Fountain Valley's Brad Leggett and El Toro's Chuck Kunsaitis--and Esperanza's versatile fullback-linebacker Derrick Gachett.

Sunny Hills High School defeated Fullerton, 4-0, Monday in Freeway League play at Sunny Hills. Adrian Schicker went 2 for 3 and had an RBI for the Lancers (11-3, 5-0). His leadoff single in the fourth inning led to three runs. Tim Byrnes reached on an error that advanced Tim Imperiali, who was pinch-running for Schicker, to third. Troy Brown's sacrifice fly to center scored Imperiali. David Wackerman then singled and went to second on the throw when Byrnes advanced to third.