THESE CONTENDERS CHAMPS FAITH BAPTIST AIMING FOR ANOTHER TITLE.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Their nickname, the Contenders, says it all.

Faith Baptist High of Canoga Park has been the most successful eight-man football program in the region the past 15 years, reaching the title game seven times and walking away with three championships - including last season's Southern Section large-division trophy.

``Continuity, stability and hard work has kept this program going over the years,'' said coach Greg Weiss, who is entering his 14th season. ``The kids know what's expected of them. That's the beauty of eight-man football here.''

The team will miss the section's MVP, Johnny Case, who is attending Cal State Northridge after totaling 2,165 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior last season.

However, the Contenders should be solid. Despite being somewhat undersized at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, Henry Chung is the Contenders' featured back. Case, and Chung worked closely over the summer on a number of different skills, including footwork, pass catching and blocking.

Ryan Wong assumes the quarterbacking duties after spending three seasons as an all-league shortstop for the baseball team.

``He's a bright kid,'' Weiss said of Wong, who carries a 3.9 grade-point average in the classroom. ``He's our quickest player. He's a natural. He'll get the job done.''

Wong will have to if the Contenders hope to repeat. Their chances to do so did significantly increased over the summer, as longtime Heritage League nemesis Grace Brethren of Simi Valley moved into 11-man football.

After proving to be a capable backup in each of the past two seasons, Geoffrey Chizever gets his opportunity to run the Viewpoint of Calabasas offense this year.

In four games as a freshman, he threw for 707 yards, nine touchdowns and completed 64 percent of his passes. Furthermore, he played well in the final two games of last season, leading the Patriots into the playoffs before losing in the first round.

Chizever has a big target in senior wide receiver Mike McLaughlin (6-2, 170) and a steadying presence in the backfield in running back Daniel Wasser (5-11, 225), who's an intriguing prospect after running for 665 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore.

``He's a bull in a china shop,'' coach Derek McIntyre said of Wasser, who bench presses 275 pounds and recently broke the school squatting record (465 pounds). ``He's a big strong kid and at this level, he's just a load to bring down. He won't make anyone miss, he's a straight-ahead runner. There's nothing fancy about him. He's a battering ram.''

Antelope Valley Christian figures to contend for the Agape League title with a healthy and more experienced Jeremiah Nurse behind center.

Nurse, a 6-0, 185-pound junior quarterback, struggled through an injury plagued freshman year but recovered to emerge as the team's leader a season ago. He has the size to fight off would be tacklers, the ability to make the first person miss and the arm strength to get the ball downfield.

``Out of all the players on the team, he's improved the most,'' coach Mark Ligons said. ``As far as we're concerned he's another running back in the backfield and we're going to let him loose. He's big and physical. He's the type of player that can deliver some punishment and he'll show everyone what he can do this year.''

As a junior, Kyle Kornbacher of L.A. Lutheran of Sylmar rushed for 1,338 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was equally dominant on the defensive side of the ball, finishing with 183 tackles and four interceptions - two returned for scores.

The consensus among the region's coaches was Kornbacher was the best player eight-man football had to offer. But those same coaches need not worry about the 5-9, 205-pounder, who partially tore his ACL and meniscus in his right leg over the course of six months and is most likely out for the entire season.

``When you lose a kid like him, that's a killer. With him in there, they're a different team,'' McIntyre said of Kornbacher, who's being recruited by Fresno St. ``He'll definitely play in college. Someone is going to get a pretty good football player. He's a stud.''

However, all is not lost for the Lions. Jesse Kern (5-9, 160) is more than capable of carrying the offensive load after rushing for more than 550 yards last year. Furthermore, he's added some weight by consistently benching 225 pounds and squatting 435.

Things figure to only improve for Bethel Christian of Lancaster, which went 0-9 a season ago, extending its losing streak to 16 games overall.

If the Eagles are to turn things around in the Agape League, they'll need a big year from senior captain Drew Newton (5-10, 160), who played offensive tackle in each of the past two seasons but makes the switch to running back this year.

A year after enduring the growing pains that come along with playing with a majority of underclassmen in the traditionally tough Heritage League, First Lutheran of Sylmar drops a division this year, instantly becoming the favorite to win the Omega League title.

Falcons coach Alex Plascencia is expecting big things, literally and figuratively. At 6-3, quarterback David Stark figures to have an advantage looking over the top of defenses at receivers Steven Bennett (6-1, 170), Andrew Voss (6-1, 164) and Josh McAssac (6-0, 180).

Sometimes a team's best offense can be its solid defense - at least that's the philosophy at Westmark of Encino this season.

Whatever the case, the Lions have reason to be optimistic after finishing just 2-7 last season in the Agape League.

They have perhaps their first legitimate collegiate prospect in sophomore Miles DiModica (6-1, 235), who's added 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. DiModica, who has attended UCLA's linebackers camp each of the past two summers, can't be expected to do it all, though he probably will.

Despite finishing 0-9 a year ago, coach Garrick Moss believes Santa Clarita Christian is ``heading in the right direction.''

If the Cardinals are to improve, it will be under the leadership of quarterback Caleb Sulham (5-11, 170).

The senior captain threw for more than 100 yards in each game last season without the benefit of a decent running game or much blocking. But given time, he should be able to find the sophomore receiving tandem of Stephen Mercier (6-0, 180) and Orlandi Pena (5-9, 160).

``Physically and athletically, we can compete with anyone in (the Heritage League),'' said Moss, a Camarillo High graduate and a Master's College alum. ``It's the mental mistakes that will keep us from beating teams. But we can move the ball against anyone, so it should be fun.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Faith Baptist running back Henry Chung, left, and quarterback Ryan Wong hope to lead the Contenders to another Southern Section Large Division title.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

(2) KORNBACHER

Box:

8-MAN FOOTBALL