2002 PREVIEW PREP FOOTBALL: COOLER HEAD QB'S EXPERIENCE HAS CANYON HOPEFUL.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer CANYON COUNTRY - It's another scorching scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. hot practice day for the Canyon High football team, but quarterback Nathan Longshore long·shore adj. Occurring, living, or working along a seacoast. [Short for alongshore.] is feeling cooler than ever. After spending his sophomore year learning the position last season, Longshore now knows exactly what he's doing. That's bad news for Foothill League opponents, because if the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Longshore indeed catches up with his potential, he could carry the Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. all the way to the top. Past neighborhood rival Saugus. Past powerful Valencia. Maybe even past mighty Hart, which has won 53 consecutive league games and four Southern Section titles in a row. Canyon proved one of the region's most prolific teams during summer passing competition - with Longshore right in the thick of things, of course - and if the linemen develop, Canyon could go from last year's 3-7 to 7-3. ``I definitely think we're improved. We look a lot sharper,'' said Longshore, who passed for 1,230 yards and nine TDs in 2001. The improvement has come from an obvious source: hard work. ``Since last year the wide receivers have worked very hard and they're much better at catching the football,'' Longshore said. ``I mean, we really do have the guys this year. It's just a matter of getting it done. Time will tell, though, because the league is very strong,'' And Longshore has some added incentive for his blockers. He vows to buy the linemen a bucket of chicken on Saturdays if all goes the well the night before. Longshore's top receiver, Sean Coen, is back after catching 37 passes for 419 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore. The team is also expecting production from newcomer Chris Butler There is also Chris Butler (musician) (The Waitresses). Christopher John Butler, known as Chris Butler (born 12 August 1950), was a British Conservative Party politician. , a 6-3 basketball convert with superb raw skills, along with Billy Maria, who was the Foothill League track and field sprint champion last spring. ``I definitely think that if we play to our potential, we can play with Hart,'' Coen said. ``During Nate's first year, sometimes I was worried about finding the ball. But this year the ball is perfect every time. That makes my job a lot easier.'' Actually, Canyon's turnaround was expected last year because legendary coach Harry Welch Welch , William Henry 1850-1934. American pathologist and bacteriologist who discovered the bacteria that causes gas gangrene. had rejoined "Rejoined" is an episode of , the sixth episode of the fourth season. Quick Overview: Jadzia Dax is reunited with the mate of a former host and the two struggle with their feelings for one another. the program. But frankly, Canyon simply didn't have enough experienced players - Longshore included - and a slew of season-ending injuries buried the team. ``The truth is, everyone thought that having Harry Welch back would automatically make us an amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. team,'' Coen said. ``But sometimes it takes awhile a·while adv. For a short time. Usage Note: Awhile, an adverb, is never preceded by a preposition such as for, but the two-word form a while may be preceded by a preposition. for everyone on a team to buy into a new system. Now it's a year later and Harry has gotten to know us and we've gotten to know him. That makes a big difference.'' Defensively, a key figure is junior linebacker Andrew Shantz, one of the league's brightest young talents. But Shantz has been slowed by a broken ankle and is out indefinitely in·def·i·nite adj. Not definite, especially: a. Unclear; vague. b. Lacking precise limits: an indefinite leave of absence. c. . He's scheduled to be examined in about two weeks, and there's no way he'll be ready to play for at least the first two games, 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. Welch. ``I'm real eager to get back out there, but I have to play the cards I've been dealt,'' Shantz said. ``I'm hoping to get back to full speed as soon as possible.'' Canyon's defensive line, led by seniors Justin Vaughn and Wes Scott, should be strong. And the team has solid defensive backs in Maria and Butler. ``Justin Vaughn is very good,'' Welch said. At any rate, Canyon must be ready to play every week once league competition begins because there aren't many easy opponents. In fact, Welch believes the Foothill League might be the Southland's most competitive from top to bottom. ``I'm not saying our best team can beat Long Beach Poly, but the Foothill League is the premier league,'' Welch said. ``I'll take our fourth- or fifth-place team and put them against any other fourth- or fifth-place team around.'' AT A GLANCE Team: Canyon football Coach: Harry Welch (second year) 2001 record: 3-7 League finish: Fourth Playoffs: None Key returnees: Nathan Longshore (Jr., QB); Sean Coen (Jr., WR); Mac May (Sr., OL); Andrew Schantz (Jr., LB) 2002 SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 12 Lancaster 7 p.m. Sept. 20 Saddleback Saddleback see Wessex saddleback. 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. 7 p.m. Oct. 4 Highland 7 p.m. Oct. 11 Alemany 7 p.m. *Oct. 18 Valencia 7 p.m. *Oct. 25 Hart 7 p.m. *Nov. 1 Burbank 7 p.m. *Nov. 8 at Burroughs 7 p.m. *Nov. 15 Saugus at COC See chip on chip. 7 p.m. *League contest CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) As quarterback Nathan Longshore's top receiver last season, Sean Coen caught 37 passes for 419 yards and four TDs. Evan Yee/Staff Photographer Box: AT A GLANCE (see text) |
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