BACK FOR MORE CICCONE HAS EYES SET ON THE PRIZE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer NEWHALL - A week's vacation - from the last day of school until the first day of football practice, which begins Monday - was too long for Hart High standout Kevin Ciccone. The senior receiver would have preferred getting to business the next day. That's how much he loves the game. ``I can't wait. A week is too long,'' he said. And Ciccone should love football because he sure is a good player. After leading the team with 79 catches for 1,329 yards and a team-leading 15 touchdowns last year, he's come back bigger, stronger and faster this season. His best friend, quarterback Sean Norton, also returns for Hart, which went 13-1 last December. The return of such a potent passing combination - Norton passed for 4,014 yards and 35 touchdowns - coupled with an urgent desire to avenge a·venge tr.v. a·venged, a·veng·ing, a·veng·es 1. To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder. 2. last year's 10-6 loss to Mission Viejo Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. in the Southern Section Div. II championship - has Ciccone and his teammates as eager and optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op as ever. ``I think by this time Sean and I kind of have an understanding about each other, and where we're going to be at all times,'' Ciccone said. During spring workouts over the past month, Ciccone was among Hart's most impressive players. Even more impressive than usual because of his increased sized and speed. Most believe Ciccone is ready for a breakout season - 100 receptions isn't out of the question - and perhaps a football scholarship to an elite university such as 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 or USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. . Such an offer would certainly please Ciccone. Above all, he wants to remain in California during college, he said. Yet the first order of business is bringing back the Southern Section championship. Hart had won four in a row before last season. Ciccone got a taste of such success during his sophomore season, when he was brought up as a sophomore to the varsity for the final game of the regular season. He played a key role, catching several key passes in a comeback victory over Saugus in the regular-season finale For the music notation program, see . A finale (italian word) is a closing part, act or movement of a dramatic or musical composition, or more generally any event or procedure with a dramatically concluding effect. , then continuing to make his mark during the four-game playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. run. But Ciccone said he didn't feel a part of the team because he wasn't there from the beginning. Now a senior, this is his only chance to win a real title, as far as he's concerned. ``I didn't accept a ring two years ago. I want a championship for myself,'' he said. ``I was so mad when we lost last year. That's all we've been talking about, remembering that day.'' Ciccone will be a marked man this season. Every opponent will know exactly who he is, what he can do, and what he shouldn't be able to do. That's only natural, 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. Canyon linebacker Andrew Schantz, like Ciccone a top college prospect. ``Someone like Kevin Ciccone, you always need to be aware of where he is,'' Schantz said. ``You just can't let someone like him take you out of your game plan. That's the kind of presence he has.'' So athletic is Ciccone that football is just one of the sports he dominates. He's also among Hart's top soccer players - his father, Robert, is Hart's head soccer coach - and Ciccone is also a fledging daredevil as a snowboarder snow·board n. A board resembling a small surfboard and equipped with bindings, used for descending snow-covered slopes on one's feet but without ski poles. intr.v. . But football is Ciccone's ticket, and he knows it. He has spent the offseason working out on a constant basis. He's two ticks faster in the 40-yard dash, and he can squat 400 pounds in the weight room. Plus, he's slated to be Hart's starting kicker Kicker A right, warrant, or some other feature added to a debt instrument to make it more desirable to potential investors. Notes: The ability to trade a bond or other debt instrument in for stock may entice investors, if they feel the stock will appreciate. this season. Yes, Ciccone can do it all. But can he help Hart win it all? That's among the pressing issues this football season. Stay tuned. Gerry Gittelson, (661) 257-5218 gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Hart High wide receiver Kevin Ciccone has dedicated his offseason to helping the Indians recapture recapture n. in income tax, the requirement that the taxpayer pay the amount of tax savings from past years due to accelerated depreciation or deferred capital gains upon sale of property. (See: income tax) RECAPTURE, war. a Southern Section football championship. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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