YBARRA A HIT AT SAUGUS; DEFENSIVE END'S PHYSICAL PLAY AND INTENSITY HAVE BEEN KEYS TO TEAM'S SUCCESS.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

At first glance, except for his solid build, you would never guess Brent Ybarra is a standout football player.

His relaxed speech and easygoing demeanor contrast sharply with what his teammates call the Saugus High defensive end: Caveman or Cro-Magnon man, among many other nicknames.

However, put some shoulder pads and a helmet on him and Ybarra becomes instant terror for opposing quarterbacks and running backs.

His relentless, all-out style of play has endeared him to coaches and teammates alike. And it's made him a focal point on the Centurions' scrappy, pursuit-happy defense.

``Tough individual, that's how I would describe him,'' said linebacker Jared DePaiva. ``Pure intensity. He has no quit.''

Said coach Ron Hilton: ``He sometimes gets too excited and doesn't do his assignments, but he is a rock and one of the reasons our defense has been playing so well.''

Ybarra calls himself aggressive and basically enjoys smacking people.

``I just like to go at it,'' Ybarra said. ``I go hard every time and like to deliver the hits.''

It's his specialty.

Watch any play when Saugus is on defense or on kickoff and punt coverage and you will see Ybarra laying his helmet on someone.

At a sturdy 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds and with good speed, Ybarra is a model high school defensive end.

Mix in his desire and he becomes a defensive coordinator's dream.

``He was really fired up in our last game (a victory over Valencia),'' said Hilton. ``He put on a clinic at his position. There were several times when he took on (Valencia fullback Ray) Cassaday and sent him back, making it possible for our other guys to get to (Manuel) White.

``We don't have to explain how to play that position any more. We're going to cut the game film and show our defensive ends in the future how it's done. It will become a teaching video.''

Ybarra said the coaches informed him of that, but took no pride. He plays for his teammates. If running full speed into wedges on kickoffs pumps up his teammates, then Ybarra is realizing his goal.

An example of Ybarra's sheer desire to make tackles came against Burbank a few weeks ago.

The Centurions had just scored and, on the ensuing kickoff, Ybarra raced down the field and took on several lines of blockers.

He fought through while continuing his pursuit toward the ball carrier. Near the sideline, he took another block and was parallel to the ball carrier when he stopped his momentum, dove to the side and somehow managed to pull down his opponent with his left hand.

Reminded of the play, Ybarra said: ``Oh yeah. I remember that. I saw it on film. It wasn't anything special.''

Said DePaiva: ``He's always making plays like that. He's a wild man on every play.''

Ybarra, who relishes every play since this is his one and only year of varsity football, hopes to make a few more of those.

``We're not really that big a team,'' he said. ``We're scrappy and since we've been doing so well, it makes you want to go that extra step to keep it going.''

The Centurions already have set a school record for victories with eight. The goal is to get past the second round of the playoffs. The ultimate objective is to get another chance to play Hart.

And, of course, Ybarra's play will be instrumental.

``We're thrilled that we've had Brent this year,'' Hilton said. ``He has been a tremendous asset to our defense.''

And a pain to opponents.

YBARRA FILE

Name: Brent Ybarra

School: Saugus High

Year: Senior

Position: Defensive end

Height/weight: 6-2/205

Born/place: March 9, 1982/Saugus

Notable: First year on varsity. . . . Played on the Centurions' lower-level teams as a freshman and sophomore. . . . Missed last season when he broke his ankle jumping BMX bikes.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, box

PHOTO Brent Ybarra has been a model of consistency for Saugus.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box: Ybarra File (see text)