2002 PREVIEW FOOTBALL: STREAKS ON THE LINE HART LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN FOOTBALL.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer NEWHALL - Lineman Chris Piligian knows all about pressure, and not just the kind that defensive ends give him while trying to rush Hart High's quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound blocker is a key member of the region's most high-profile football school. The last thing Piligian and his teammates want is to lose a game - Hart (13-0 last year) has a winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" of four section titles, 22 games and 53 Foothill League matchups in a row - but another undefeated performance won't be easy this season. The Indians open Friday against Los Alamitos Los Alamitos (lôs ăləmē`təs, lŏs), city (1990 pop. 11,676), Orange co., NE of Long Beach, S Calif., in a suburban area; inc. 1960. Los Alamitos Racetrack and U.S. military installations are nearby. , ranked 10th in the country by USA Today USA Today National U.S. daily general-interest newspaper, the first of its kind. Launched in 1982 by Allen Neuharth, head of the Gannett newspaper chain, it reached a circulation of one million within a year and surpassed two million in the 1990s. , in a televised matchup at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach. That game is merely the first in a series of early nonleague challenges. Next comes visiting St. Bonaventure of Ventura, which has won 43 games in a row and features receiver Whitney Lewis Whitney Lewis (born August 13, 1985, in Corpus Christi, Texas and raised in Oxnard, California) is an American football wide receiver. He is entering his senior season at the University of Northern Iowa. , perhaps the nation's No. 1 college recruit. Then it's consecutive road games against Westlake and Birmingham of Lake Balboa, both of whom have won at least 10 games in each of the past two seasons. And of course, there's the Foothill League, which appears to be more competitive and balanced than it's been in a long time. League rival Valencia has advanced to the Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. final twice over the past three years, losing both times to Hart. Finally, there figures to be much more resistance than usual during the playoffs because Hart has moved up from Division III to Division II. Now the Indians eventually must contend with state powers Chino Chino (chē`nō), city (1990 pop. 59,682), San Bernardino co., S Calif.; founded 1887, inc. 1910. It is the business and processing center of a diversified farming (notably dairying) area. , Upland, Mission Viejo Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. and Ayala of Chino Hills, among others. ``Yes, there's a lot of pressure on us,'' Piligian said. ``Nobody wants to be the first one to lose, but I think we'll be all right.'' Piligian will provide crucial blocking, and he figures to be a stabilizing force on a young, rebuilding offensive line. There isn't the usual cast of Division I-bound starters. Last year's star quarterback, Matt Moore, is at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , lineman Chris Frome is at Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame and receiver/defensive back Keith Howell is at Harvard. ``All of the championships and the winning streaks are in the past,'' coach Mike Herrington said. ``We've got a very tough schedule, and we're inexperienced. It's the worst year to move up, but we're confident if our kids play like they can play, we'll be OK.'' This Hart team is a gutty group. You won't see junior quarterback Sean Norton's name on recruiting lists and preseason all-state teams, as Hart's preceding passers were. But Norton was a terrific JV player last season, and he also looked sharp during Hart's scrimmage Friday at Moorpark. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 63 yards in three series, and his 54-yard run was the biggest play of the night. ``Everyone wants to get the games going,'' Norton said. ``We've got a lot of guys on this team that are willing to give their all no matter what.'' One good thing for Hart is experience at receiver. Todd Wilson Todd Wilson is a notable American organist. He is the chairman of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and is organ curator of the Cleveland Orchestra. returns after catching 37 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. Kevin Ciccone, who was promoted for Hart's final game of the regular season last year and eventually caught eight passes and scored a touchdown in five games, is among the area's most promising juniors. And Hart is looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a big season from sophomore receiver Ryan Wolfe Ryan Wolfe is a fictional character in the show , portrayed by American actor Jonathan Togo. Characterization As portrayed by Togo, Ryan Wolfe is a man driven to succeed. He displays a desire a to impress his superiors coupled with ambition (c.f. , a converted running back who also has won a starting spot at cornerback. Running back Paxton Howard was effective in the scrimmage, scoring Hart's first touchdown, and he should be primed for a typical season for Hart's starting running back: 1,000 yards rushing, 30-plus receptions and 20 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Cody Kase ``is one of the best around,'' according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Herrington. Kevin Elledge and Eric Lafferty also have experience at linebacker. Finally, kicker Will Simons is superb. He kicked four field goals, converted 62 PATs and averaged 42.0 yards as a backup punter last year. He also booms kickoffs into the end zone. HART Coach: Mike Herrington, 14th year 2001 record: 13-0 League finish: First Playoffs: Won Div. III championship for fourth consecutive year Key returnees: OL Chris Piligian, Sr.; WR Todd Wilson, Sr.; WR Kevin Ciccone, Sr.; RB Paxton Howard, Sr.; LB Cody Kase, Sr.; LB Kevin Elledge, Sr.; LB Eric Lafferty, Sr.; PK Will Simons, Sr. Top newcomers: QB Sean Norton, Jr.; WR/DB Ryan Wolfe, So. 2002 SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 13 Los Alamitos at Vets Stadium 7 p.m. Sept. 20 St. Bonaventure 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Westlake 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Birmingham 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Lakewood 7:30 p.m. *Oct. 18 at Burbank 7 p.m. *Oct. 25 Canyon 7 p.m. *Nov. 1 Burroughs 7 p.m. *Nov. 8 at Saugus 7 p.m. *Nov. 14 Valencia 7 p.m. Home games at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. *-League contest CAPTION(S): 5 photos, box Photo: (1 -- color) Hart offensive lineman Chris Piligian is expected to be a key player in keeping the pressure off quarterback Sean Norton. (2) Hart QB Sean Norton played well for the junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. last season and now starts for the varsity. (3) Hart running back Paxton Howard is expected to lead Hart's rushing attack and also handle some receiving duties. (4) Hart wide receiver Todd Wilson should put up big numbers this season if the Indians continue their history of successful passing games. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer (5) Mike Herrington: Hart coach Box: HART (see text) |
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