A BATTLE OF JV UNBEATENS CANYON, HART SQUARE OFF FOR FOOTHILL LEAGUE TITLE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer If there's a day for high school football fans to consider arriving early for a junior-varsity game, today is it. Canyon (9-0) plays host to Hart (9-0) at 4 p.m., in a season finale between two undefeated teams, and the Foothill League title is on the line. ``It's going to be an all-out battle. It's definitely worth it for people to come out for this,'' said J.J. DiLuigi, Canyon's standout running back, who has rushed for 1,788 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. Hart counters with running back Delano Howell. He's doesn't have quite the eye-popping stats as DiLuigi, but he's close - 1,200 yards rushing, 23 receptions and 25 touchdowns, three of them on kick returns. Hart has faced more difficult competition - including a nonleague victory over St. Bonaventure of Ventura that broke St. Bonnie's 45-game 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" - and many consider Howell, just a freshman playing with sophomores, Hart's brightest prospect at running back since Ted Iacenda. ``Delano never played Pop Warner Pop Warner refers to
Canyon has posted six shutouts and hasn't given up more than one touchdown to an opponent since an opening 44-12 victory over Leuzinger of Lawndale. ``Delano looks good, but I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. anything about him except what I've seen on film,'' DiLuigi said. ``But I don't think people have really put a hit on him yet, so we'll see how he takes it when a team finally does.'' Canyon's defense is led by linebacker Nick Jurado, who helped Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Christian to the eight-man final a year ago but is forced to play at the JV level this season because of transfer restrictions. Jurado and fellow linebackers Michael Pyne and Jonathan Hammock hammock, suspended bed, usually of netting, canvas, or leather. The hammock and its name were introduced to Europeans by Christopher Columbus, who learned of them from Native Americans. are among several defenders who figure to key on Howell. ``We've got a great defense,'' Canyon coach Gary Lindberg said. Canyon can't focus too heavily on Howell because Hart quarterback Alex Pettee is a capable passer. He's thrown for 1,621 yards (55 pct.), 22 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Canyon also boasts a talented quarterback in Ben Longshore long·shore adj. Occurring, living, or working along a seacoast. [Short for alongshore.] , the brother of former Canyon standout Nate Longshore Nate Longshore (born June 30, 1986 in Canyon Country, California, U.S.) is an American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. Longshore was an Elite-11 quarterback in high school and a 4-star recruit rated by Rivals.com and Scout.com."How Far ... (now at Cal). Longshore has accounted for 15 touchdowns (nine passing, six rushing) but hasn't passed much because Canyon has been so far ahead during most of its games. Considering Hart has won four consecutive JV titles and has never finished worse than second since joining the Foothill League in 1982, the Indians are the favorites. That's fine with DiLuigi. ``Yes, we're the underdog, but I usually always go with the underdogs, anyway,'' he said. ``I like underdogs.'' Among Hart's strengths is its offensive line, led by tackles Jordan Rojas and Michael Graham Michael Graham is an American author, columnist, and conservative talk radio personality on Boston's WTKK-FM (96.9). He authors a twice-weekly column for the Boston Herald. Career Graham was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in South Carolina. . They've done a good job opening holes for Howell, and Pettee has been sacked just three times. Hart practiced Thursday although it was a school holiday. The team wants to be prepared, and there was no way the kids were going to cut corners during the final week of the season, Thurm said. ``They're definitely fired up. This should be one of those really classic battles,'' Thurm said. ``We've played great competition all year, and this is a great way to end. It's definitely a game between two very good football teams with contrasting styles.'' Gerry Gittelson, (661) 257-5218 gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com GAME OF THE WEEK No. 4 HART (6-3, 3-1) at No. 5 CANYON (8-1, 3-1) 7 p.m. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jeff Shalem, DB, Canyon. It figures to be a busy night for Canyon's secondary because Hart loves to pass. Shalem is among the unit's most experienced returnees after earning All-Foothill League honors last season. OUTLOOK: After losing to Valencia two weeks ago, Hart probably no longer has a chance to win its 14th successive Foothill League title. Hart would have to beat Canyon and see Saugus upset Valencia to extend its streak. Hart, league champion or not, will next week start its quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the a seventh consecutive appearance in a section championship. This regular-season finale could be a playoff gauge. Canyon hasn't measured up to Hart in recent seasons, but the Cowboys aren't pushovers. The team would love to upset Hart, especially after last year's 56-21 loss in a game many thought would be more competitive. Hart's key players are QB Tyler Lyon, who passed for 467 yards and six TDs last week, WRs 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. and Evan Surratt, OL Dusty Green, DLs Eric Herskovitz and Brock Arndt, LBs Bubba bub·ba n. Slang 1. Chiefly Southern U.S. Brother. 2. A white working-class man of the southern United States, stereotypically regarded as uneducated and gregarious with his peers. Hetman het·man n. pl. het·mans See ataman. [Ukrainian het'man, from Polish hetman, from German dialectal hötmann, hetmann, captain; akin to German Hauptmann and Patrick Sarkissian, and DB Ryan Wolfe. Canyon's top player is WR/DB Dejon Negron. He has 49 receptions and six TDs and is averaging nearly 40 yards per kick return. Canyon RB Justin Williams For the basketball player, see . Justin Williams (born 4 October, 1981 in Cobourg, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. is a strong runner but hasn't broken loose since injuring his ankle a month ago. He benefits from strong blocking from OLs Alex Shahin and Jake Marshall. Among Canyon's other key players are PK Chris Chalmers and LBs Ryan Colletta, Tyler Hawkins and Alonzo Menifield. TODAY'S GAMES SAUGUS (6-3, 2-2) at No. 2 VALENCIA (8-1, 4-0) 7 p.m. PLAYER TO WATCH: James Bennett
James Bennett or Jim Bennett may refer to:
Bennett, a pass-rushing specialist, must apply defensive pressure, especially now that sack leader Kody Kurowski (injured leg) isn't available. OUTLOOK: Valencia can clinch its first league title and a probable No. 2 seed in the Div. II playoffs, so the Vikings have plenty of incentive. Saugus is on the bubble, and an upset victory would guarantee a berth - and even a possible home seed. QB Michael Herrick and RB Shane Vereen are among Valencia's key players. Herrick has passed for more than 2,400 yards, and Vereen has scored 17 TDs. They were at their best during a 42-14 victory over Canyon last week. Herrick passed for 376 yards and four TDs, and Vereen scored four TDs, including a 66-yard reception on a double-reverse pass. Valencia plays tough defense. LBs Torrey O'Brien, Gary Cox and Anthony DeFilippo are all-league candidates, and DBs Shane Morales and Chris Wright Chris Wright may refer to:
Valencia owns a 7-2 series advantage, but Saugus is much improved this season under second-year coach Jason Bornn. QB Zach Summers, a junior who replaced injured three-year starter Travis Babin (knee), is steady and has shown a flair for the dramatic. His 10-yard TD pass with five seconds left lifted Saugus to a 21-17 victory at Burroughs last week. Saugus will be without Kurowski, a TE/DL who was Saugus' top player until breaking his leg against Burroughs. EIGHT-MAN PLAYOFFS (FIRST ROUND) SANTA CLARITA CHRISTIAN (6-2) at WINDWARD wind·ward adj. 1. Of or moving toward the quarter from which the wind blows. 2. Of or on the side exposed to the wind or to prevailing winds. adv. In a direction from which the wind blows; against the wind. (7-1) of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Saturday, noon OUTLOOK: There already is tension between the teams because Windward coach Scott Napier tried to force Santa Clarita Christian to play the game today at 2:30 p.m. Only after a Santa Clarita Christian's administrator pointed out a section rule requiring both teams to agree on a kickoff time did Napier relent re·lent v. re·lent·ed, re·lent·ing, re·lents v.intr. To become more lenient, compassionate, or forgiving. See Synonyms at yield. v.tr. Obsolete 1. . Santa Clarita Christian QB Stephen Mercier is among eight-man football's most dominant players. He has accounted for 34 TDs (17 passing, 16 rushing, one receiving), passing for 1,231 yards and rushing for 792. DL John Grayem leads the defense with 61 tackles and four sacks. Windward's top player is WR/LB Jamie Melas. He has 18 receptions for 509 yards (a 28.3 average) and five TDs. He also has 87 tackles. In last month's 33-26 victory over highly regarded Lighthouse Christian of Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , Melas caught eight passes for 239 yards, scored three TDs and recorded 18 tackles. The winner meets either Bloomington Christian of Rialto Rialto, city (1990 pop. 72,388), San Bernardino co., S Calif., a residential suburb of San Bernardino; inc. 1911. The city has greatly expanded as a result of the economic and demographic growth of the southern California area. or Laton. CAPTION(S): photo, 5 boxes Photo: HE'S READY TO RUN Canyon running back Justin Williams and his teammates oppose Hart in an important Foothill League game tonight. David Crane/Staff Photographer Box: (1) FIRST AND 10 (3) GAME OF THE WEEK (see text) (2) TODAY'S GAME (see text) (4) INSIDE THE NUMBERS (5) SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE |
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