University High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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VARSITY GRIDDERS TAKE THIRD IN LEAGUE The close of the i962 football season found the Univer- sity varsity football team in third place in Western League standings. Under the inspirational coaching of john Trump and Duane La Rue, the Warriors ended with a record of 5 wins, 2 losses, and a tie, a great improvement over last year's record. Uni gridders were victorious over such teams as Taft, Cleveland, Hollywood, and first-place Fairfax. They also stopped second-place Westchester in a hard fought tie. The Uni line was unusually small in l962, being out weighed as much as forty pounds per man in some games. But despite the weight disadvantage, outstanding individ- ual play by the Uni linemen contributed greatly to this year's success. Another key to success was the fine catching of ends Bob Franklin and Don Peterson, both choices for All League teams. Franklin gathered in ISO yards of passes as well as leading the blocking on tight end. Peterson caught ZOO yards of passes, proving to be one of the best ends in Uni's history. Pete Vassel also assisted as an end, catching a total of 90 yards of passes. Still another vital reason for success was the Warrior backfield. Quarterback Steve Durbin, chosen Western League Player of the Year, as well as given a spot on the All City team, carried the ball for 5 touchdowns during the year. He carried the ball a total of 78 times for BIO yards, and passed 49 completions for 536 yards, the latter being the best record in the league. Also outstanding in defense, Durbin seemed to be all over the field and in on the majority of the tackles of opposing ball carriers. Full- back po-sition was filled by Mike Tozzi, a junior, who was also chosen for the All League teams. Tozzi carried the ball 135 times for a total of 427 yards. He also plunged over the line for four touchdowns during the season. Dan Hoffman and Gary Sherwin shared halfback position, and both proved good ball handlers as well as excellent defen- sive backs. The last key to Warrior success was team defense. Be- cause this team did not score heavily, the team defense took on great importance. Defensive tactics were tailored for each opposing team by Head Coach Trump. Outstand- ing members of the defensive team were right guard, Steve Giacomig left corner, Manuel Talamentezg right tackle, George Seminoffg left back, Chuck Evans, and left end, Dave Lyday. VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM Bottom row: C. Haynes, I. Bronner, P. Maas, H. Hiyoshida, 1. johnson. Second row: R. Escarcega, N. Covert, G, Gillingham, S. O'Bryant, D. Peterson, S. Giacomi, I. Dimsdale, B. Powers. Third row: G. Seminoff, G, Sherwin, D. lourey, B. Burns, S. Harris, M. Weiss, B. Franklin, G. Pierce. Fourth row: I. jones, K. Kendall, S. Lewis, M. Talamentez, P. Vassel, M. Tozzi, D. Spence, K. Knutzen, D. Lyday. Fifth row: I. Kuhn, 1. Lockwood, D. Lyday, L. Robbins, R. Tachiki, L. Prince, 1. Shorr, D. Elison, D. Hoffman. ll

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Getting fine protection, Durbin rolls out to pass. Line-Left to right: D. Peterson, S. Harris, H. Hiyoshida, S. O'Bryan1', 1. Lockwood, R. Escarcega, B. Franklin. S. Durbin P. Vassel Quarterback Flankerback M. Tozzi D. Hoffman Fullback Halfback 13