ATHLETES MAKE PLAY FOR THEIR FUTURES : FOOTBALL STARS FROM CONEJO SCHOOLS SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

They spent countless hours conditioning in dingy weight rooms while their friends were sunning themselves at the beach. They ran stadium steps under a blazing sun and wind sprints on cold winter nights.

At times, the hard work and sweat probably didn't seem worth it. But on Friday nights, when the lights came on at a packed stadium and the adrenaline flowed, it was clear that no price was too steep for the chance to play high school football.

And, for the very fortunate, the effort and sacrifice could lead to a college scholarship - extending the joy of playing four more years while also paying for a college education.

For many very talented football players across the country, the years of struggle paid off as prep stars signed their national letters of intent. Fifteen Ventura County players were among that group, officially designating their choice of schools at a luncheon in Newbury Park.

``As a kid growing up playing Pop Warner football, I dreamed of the chance to play at a big-time college,'' said Royal High School defensive lineman Ryan Nielsen, who will play next year for the University of Southern California. ``Now I'm going to get that chance.''

For Newbury Park High School wide receiver Pat Reddick, his decision to attend the University of Washington is the culmination of years of hard work. He also gets the chance to play with his cousin, former Newbury Park receiver DaJuan Hawkins. And the education part isn't bad, either.

``I get to go to college for free,'' Reddick said. ``You can't beat that.''

Nielsen was the most highly recruited athlete in the area. The 6-foot-4-inch, 230-pounder combines excellent speed, athletic ability and strength. He chose the Trojans over the University of Miami, among other top schools.

``USC was the perfect combination for me,'' Nielsen said. ``The education, athletics and social aspects are all outstanding.''

Although there has been some consideration given to red-shirting Nielsen next year, he hopes to earn a backup role on the defensive line. He dropped to 220 pounds for the basketball season, but now needs to gain about 30 pounds to get in the 250-range where USC wants him.

``As soon as basketball season ends I'll just hit the weight room and get bigger,'' said Nielsen, one of the top forwards in the Marmonte League. ``I should be fine.''

He anticipates a quick transition to college.

``In three or four months I get to switch gears and experience the college life at USC,'' he said. ``I'm looking forward to it.''

Reddick is expected to play slot back as a freshman at Washington. But over the next four years he figures to play quite a bit of wide receiver, as well.

``It's a good situation for me,'' Reddick said. ``The program, the coaches and the education were the big factors.''

Reddick also considered Brigham Young University, San Diego State University and the University of California at Berkeley.

For Newbury Park quarterback Chris Czernek, signing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo was a huge relief. Although the only quarterback in California history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in consecutive years, many top schools were worried that his 5-foot-11 frame world prevent him from developing into a top college quarterback and thus shied away from offering him a scholarship.

Czernek was stung by the lack of interest, but he's happy that Cal Poly had enough faith in him.

``They would not have given me the scholarship if they didn't think I was good enough,'' Czernek said. ``I've proven myself everywhere I've played. Now I'll just have to prove myself on the college level.''

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The following Ventura County athletes signed official letters of intent Wednesday:

Joe Borchard, Camarillo quarterback, Stanford University; Chris Czernek, Newbury Park quarterback, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Bobby DeMars, Westlake defensive end, USC; John Gonzalez, Simi Valley punter, Boise State; Scott McEwan, Thousand Oaks quarterback, UCLA; Guillermo Lopez, Moorpark College lineman, Sacramento State; DeWayne Mathis, Moorpark College cornerback, Hawaii; Chris Mykelby, Camarillo lineman, Augustina; Brian Nelson, Newbury Park lineman, Brown University; Ryan Nielsen, Royal High defensive lineman, USC; Courtney Palmore, Oxnard High defensive back, Arizona State; Pat Reddick, Newbury Park wide receiver, Washington; Joe Sarcinella, Simi Valley lineman, Boise State; Mike Turk, Moorpark College lineman, Sacramento State; and Tim Wolleck, Moorpark College kicker, California.

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Photo

Photo: (Ran in Conejo and Simi--color) Student athletes from Ventura County gathered in Newbury Park on Wednesday to celebrate their acceptance of football scholarships.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News

Box: SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS (see text)