ALMOST TIME TO SAY GOODBYE HART FRIENDS, TEAMMATES NEARING END OF LENGTHY RUN.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Hart High's version of the Three Musketeers - longtime friends and multiple-sport teammates Todd Wilson, Paxton Howard and Keith Guerrero - soon will go their separate ways, as only a few weeks remain before graduation.

But they've got enough football and baseball memories to last a lifetime, as they've been together since they were 10-year-olds in the Santa Clarita Warriors' youth football program all the way through this baseball season at Hart.

``I don't think it's really sunk in yet, even though we've only got a few weeks of school left,'' Howard said. ``I guess the three of us all realize it's coming to an end, but it's something we just haven't talked about.''

They've won section football championships at Hart - Wilson was a standout receiver and defensive back, Howard a starting running back and Guerrero a starting offensive lineman last season - and they've always made the playoffs in baseball, too.

Wilson and Guerrero plan to remain in California, but Howard has decided to go to the University of Colorado, where he might try out for the football team as a walk-on.

``I suppose we'll always be lifelong friends, but it's kind of crazy that's it all over,'' Howard said.

Wilson and Howard, two of Hart's fastest athletes, won't admit who's faster between them, a friendly rivalry that supposedly never has been settled during the near-decade they've competed together.

``I really don't know. Paxton is quick, but I have no idea who's faster,'' Wilson said.

``Oh, come on,'' Howard chimes in. ``Todd knows I'm faster. ...''

Their careers mostly have been filled with success - certainly more combined success than most high school threesomes. But they've also supported one another through ups and downs, athletic and personal.

Wilson's father suffered serious health problems last year due to complications from back surgery, and for a while the father's condition was serious. Wilson's dad eventually recovered, and so did the son's emotional well-being, thanks in part to the support of his best friends and teammates.

While Wilson established himself as a three-year football standout and two-year starter for the baseball team, Howard's development was slower. Howard spent a lot of time on the bench in both sports before finally blossoming as a senior. He was among the area's top running backs, rushing for 788 yards with 35 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

Guerrero, who separated from the others when he began high school at Saugus, was reunited with his longtime buddies after transferring to Hart after ninth grade. Guerrero established himself as a star on Hart's JV football team but didn't find his way into the starting lineup on the varsity until midway through his senior season.

In baseball, all have been in the starting lineup together for much of the season to help Hart into the Southern Section playoffs, which began Friday.

Howard is batting .261 with one home run, 10 RBI and a team-high seven stolen bases. Guerrero is hitting .245 in 53 at-bats, and Wilson is the team's starting third baseman.

``It's been great to see them all together. All three have been major contributors,'' baseball coach Jim Ozella said.

Guerrero, a 6-foot, 220-pounder who is much bigger than the two others, is sort of the enforcer of the group - ``a tough kid,'' Wilson said - and now they can all laugh about the time when Guerrero, then at Saugus, got into a minor brawl with Hart's baseball team when all three were freshmen.

``If that ever happens again, I want to be standing next to Keith,'' Wilson said jokingly.

At any rate, the three won't be standing together much longer. Hart's graduation ceremony will be their goodbye.

``Personally, I've had some great times with Paxton and Keith. But, yes, it's winding down,'' Wilson said. ``I'm really going to miss going to high school together. We've had a great time.''