BERNARDIS ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN ARIZONA.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Community Sports

When the Bernardi family moved to Arizona this past summer, the news hit hard in Hart High circles. Gary Bernardi, a longtime UCLA football assistant and former Foothill League coach at Burroughs High in Burbank, was fired, helping to cause a temporary rift between UCLA coach Karl Dorrell (a Stevenson Ranch resident) and Hart football coach Mike Herrington.

And Bernardi's children, Hart twins Joe and Briana, were among the league's top returning senior football and softball players, respectively.

But the kids are doing well at Flagstaff High, particularly Joe. A starting offensive and defensive lineman and team captain, he's helped Flagstaff to an 8-0 start - its best in 14 years - and there's hope Flagstaff can return to the state finals for the first time since 1984.

The team was ranked No. 4 in the state before a 38-7 victory Friday. All of the team's wins have been by 23 points or more, and as expected Bernardi (an All-Southern Section selection as a Hart junior) has impressed as a blocker and he has six sacks as a pass rusher.

``I've gotten a little bit homesick, but I'm having a really good time here,'' Joe said. ``Depending on how far we make it in the playoffs, I might make it back to Hart to watch a game or two. But for now, we've got a pretty hot streak going here.''

Briana's softball season hasn't started yet. But after emerging as one of the best power hitters in Hart history as a junior last season, she should make quite an impact.

``It's been quite an adjustment for the kids, and it's a lot different for them here, but they're doing well,'' Gary said. ``Both have made some friends. Of course, it's been a little easier for Joe because of his personality, but Briana's doing fine, too. The Arizona Sun just did a nice story on Joe.''

Gary said he remains unclear why he was fired from UCLA.

``It was pretty discouraging at the time, but it's part of the job,'' he said. ``You've got to take the good with the bad. At the time, I felt extremely bad for the family.''

Joe, always a popular figure on Hart's campus, sounds like he is happy. He said he's planning to take one of the prettiest girls in school to Flagstaff's homecoming dance, and about the only problem he's encountered in his new surroundings is the thin air.

``It's like 7,000 or 7,500 feet up here. It was really tough at first doing two-a-day practices, believe me,'' he said. ``But I've gotten used to it. I've got no complaints at all.

--Two of Saugus High's key football players, quarterback Travis Babin and offensive lineman Ramsen Golpashin, are lost for the season because of injuries.

Babin, a three-year starter, twisted his knee a month ago but was hoping it would heal without surgery. However, the knee hasn't regained full strength, and Babin is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery this week to repair a small tear in his anterior cruciate ligament.

Golpashin, a 300-pound sophomore starter who is the biggest player on the team, went down with a dislocated shoulder nine days ago against Hart. He said he's not coming back this season.

Babin said Friday he plans to make a full recovery in time for baseball season. He is among the Foothill League's top returning baseball players, a hard-throwing reliever and power hitter who can play third baseman and outfield.

Meanwhile, Golpashin's replacement, freshman Shane Watterson, already has enjoyed what most lineman would term a dream come true: In his first game against Canyon on Friday, he caught a deflected pass.

``We promoted Shane from the freshman team and put him right into the starting lineup because he's that good,'' coach Jason Bornn said.

--Valencia resident Jerry Sorrentino, one of the top racers on the powerboat circuit, goes for his fourth world offshore title Nov. 14-21 in Key West, Fla. He's the leading U.S. contestant in points after winning five races this past year.