Sleeper OL beginning to make waves

Wilmington (Calif.) Banning has had a long history of football excellence. The former Marine League power has come on hard times of late, but the man responsible for much of Banning's success was coach Chris Ferragamo.

Well Ferragamo decided to come out of retirement to take over the program and now Banning stands with a perfect 6-0 record that includes an upset victory Los Angeles (Calif.) Venice two weeks games ago 21-19.

Another reason that Banning has once again risen to be among the Los Angeles City Section's best is because they are dominating along the offensive front line due to the efforts of two players who are beginning to see legitimate D-I action.

One of them is true offensive center prospect Nick Garibay (6-2.5, 275, 5.25).

Garibay earned first-team all-league and all-city (HM) honors as a junior while playing tackle. He is back playing center for Banning his senior season

On the recruiting front Arizona assistant coach Mike Tuiasosopo came by the school to check Garibay out.

"Coach Tuiasosopo was on the campus last Friday," Banning assistant coach Rock Garibay (Nick's uncle) said. "He told us was going to keep checking them out.

Fresno State was on the Banning campus a couple of weeks ago and are showing interest in Garibay.

San Jose State is also giving Garibay some recruiting attention.

"Nick has good feet," Garibay said. "He's very smart and makes all the offensive line calls. He is also very good at pass protection and a solid run blocker.

"Nick is the complete package as an offensive center," Garibay said. " According to Coach Ferragamo, he compares to the best we have had in the past and includes Bob Whitfield who played for years in the NFL (Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants) and Courtney Hall who started for the San Diego Chargers when they played in the Super Bowl.

"Nick has had a growing spurt since last winter," Garibay said. "He has grown at least an inch and a half and has gained twenty-five pounds.

"Nick is versatile and can play any position on the offensive front for us," Garibay said. "He's a natural center, but we had to play him at tackle his junior season because we ran the veer and we needed a good offensive tackle who was pretty quick."