CASE FOR DEFENSE; EL CAMINO REAL DELIVERS SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT : ECR 15 CHAMINADE 0.

Byline: Eric Sondheimer Daily News Deputy Sports Editor 

There's speed at outside linebacker. There's quickness in the secondary. There's size and athleticism at inside linebacker. There's strength on the defensive line.

Yes, El Camino Real High School's defense is the real deal. Two games, two shutouts.

``It's the No. 1 defense out here in the Valley,'' outside linebacker Demond Daniels said.

In Friday night's 15-0 win over Chaminade in West Hills, the Conquistadores (2-0) held the Eagles (0-2) to 22 total yards and just four first downs. The two teams could have played four more quarters - hey, maybe eight more quarters - and Chaminade probably wouldn't have scored.

The Eagles' new veer option attack looked in total disarray. Six times Chaminade lost the ball on fumbles. Throughout, quarterbacks Ray Rodriguez and Lyle Everett had no idea when to pitch the ball or when to keep it themselves.

``We're just not used to (the offense),'' fullback John Perry said. ``That's the only thing I can say.''

Feel sympathy for Chaminade's defense, which held Crespi to just six points last week and caused all kinds of trouble for El Camino Real. Tailback Quincy Wright struggled to get 94 yards rushing in 21 carries. He and quarterback Aaron Fredette were pounded by Chaminade's James Webber (linebacker) and Clayton Johnson (defensive back).

``They were bringing guys in from all over,'' El Camino Real offensive tackle Blane Kezirian said. ``There aren't many guys who can catch Quincy from behind, but they did it.''

But El Camino Real's defense simply dominated. Daniels, a cornerback last season, kept penetrating into the backfield from his new outside-linebacker position. He returned a fumble 36 yards in the second quarter for a 6-0 ECR lead, stripping Rodriguez of the ball, then picking it up and running untouched for the score. He also blocked a punt and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass.

Another big performance was turned in by Kezirian, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior who's the son of former UCLA offensive lineman Ed Kezirian. He recovered two fumbles at inside linebacker and kicked a 28-yard field goal. Kezirian might be the Conquistadores' most improved player. He was on the frosh-sophomore team last season and now has become a major varsity contributor.

``I think everyone on defense did their responsibility. Everybody picked up their guy,'' Kezirian said.

The Conquistadores' defense is filled with all-around athletes. Inside linebacker Alex Perez (6-4, 205) is a wrestler. Defensive back Jared Maiden is the second baseman on ECR's City 4-A champion baseball team. And get this - he throws a baseball right-handed but he completed a pass Friday throwing left-handed.

``We knew that our defense would be pretty good,'' first-year Conquistadores coach Rick Hayashida said. ``They're all veterans. We're running things we weren't running until the ninth or 10th game last year.''

Chaminade must find a way to turn things around on offense, and it won't be easy. The Eagles lost one of their best players, receiver Justin Stewart, in the second quarter with an ankle injury. After two weeks, the Eagles' varsity, sophomore and freshman teams are a combined 0-6.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) Chaminade's Justin Stewart, who later left the game with an ankle injury, is sandwiched between ECR's Adebola Jimoh, left, and Blane Kezirian.

(2) El Camino Real runner Quincy Wright tries to get past the diving tackle of Chaminade defender Marc Merrill during ECR's 15-0 victory.

Gene Blevins / Special to the Daily News