`BIG 3' RUNNING BACKS PUT UP BIG NUMBERS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- When two of The Big 3 local football powers lose in their season openers, it's never a good start.

But there were some impressive performances in the wake of Hart's 34-0 loss to St. Bonaventure of Ventura, and Valencia's 46-35 loss to Centennial of Corona on Friday. One night after Canyon's J.J. DiLuigi lit it up in Thursday's 33-14 victory over Moorpark, fellow high-profile running backs Shane Vereen of Valencia and Hart's Delano Howell also put up big numbers.

It will be fun to chart all of their success through the season, but for now you've got to give DiLuigi -- who rushed for 143 yards with a touchdown and three receptions for 79 yards in the opener -- the nod because he led Canyon to a victory, and the other two lost. That's the most important thing.

DiLuigi admitted he sees Vereen and Howell out of the corner of his eye. Who wouldn't?

``I don't try to do it too much but I do catch myself here and there checking out how they're doing,'' DiLuigi said. ``Actually, I wasn't too happy because our team is still a ways away from where it needs to be.''

DiLuigi, like Vereen, is a senior who has made an early Division I college commitment. He's going to BYU, and Vereen is headed to Cal. DiLuigi said it's nice to have his college choice out of the way, and he proved it Thursday.

``I'm completely focused on Cowboy football in a good way. Now I can focus on just what I need to do -- here,'' DiLuigi said.

As expected, Canyon's veteran offensive line did a good job blocking for DiLuigi, a quick back with excellent tackle-breaking skills. His numbers might have been bigger had he not been responsible for so much blocking in the backfield, as Moorpark's defense used a relentless rush.

``The offensive line did a great job even though we fell short a couple of times,'' DiLuigi said. ``Moorpark had some blitz packages where guys were just coming out of nowhere. They were bringing more guys than we had blockers. My blocking is very important to me this year because that's what everybody thinks I can't do. I've been working on it and taking a lot of pride in my blocking because it's important.''

Vereen rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, and he also scored on a 50-yard reception. But he lost a key fumble with just over three minutes left that led to Centennial's go-ahead touchdown. Howell rushed for 125 yards on 17 carries with five receptions for 78 yards and an average of 31 yards on three kickoff returns in an otherwise forgettable evening, as eight-time section champion Hart was shut out for the first time in 21 years.

It won't get much easier for any of the three this Friday, as Canyon plays host to traditional power Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, Hart plays at Moorpark and Valencia plays host to Bishop Amat of La Puente. Also, Saugus is set to unleash promising sophomore running back Ryan Zirbel, who makes his debut against visiting Antelope Valley at College of the Canyons.

For Howell and Co., any opponent compared to St. Bonaventure should leave the Indians breathing easier. And Vereen tore up Bishop Amat last year, though the Lancers generally are a very strong program. Notre Dame hasn't played a game yet, so Canyon could have an advantage. On the other hand, Notre Dame can study video of the Canyon-Moorpark game, while Canyon must settle for footage of Notre Dame's scrimmage against St. Francis of La Canada.

For what it's worth, according to the reports Notre Dame looked good against St. Francis, though St. Francis was able to move the ball well on the ground.

A vulnerable defense could prove to be good news for DiLuigi. We shall see.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Hart's Delano Howell, left, rushes for a gain in the second quarter against St. Bonaventure on Friday. At right, Canyon's J.J. DiLuigi finished with 143 yards in the Cowboys' win Thursday.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News

David Crane/Staff Photographer