BOYS' SOCCER NOTEBOOK: GRANT HAS TO GO ON WITHOUT SCORING STAR.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

With the City Section not prepared to rule on Johny Amaya's eligibility until March 11, the Grant High of Van Nuys boys' soccer team is prepared to play today's second-round playoff game against San Fernando - and possibly the rest of the postseason - without its senior star.

Grant coach Frank Ortiz said he would hold out Amaya today absent a City Section ruling on his eligibility. Amaya was accused by Birmingham of Lake Balboa coach E.B. Madha before the Lancers' first-round victory Friday of playing in a weekend league game Feb. 9, something forbidden by the section during the season.

But Ortiz also expressed dismay the City Section would not rule on the case sooner. Even with documents sent in from both sides, the section's assistant commissioner, Cheryl Barkovich, said Tuesday that Amaya's eligibility would not be taken up until the next meeting of the City rules committee.

That is not scheduled until March 11, three days after the City Section final at UCLA's Drake Stadium.

``What's there to wait for?'' Ortiz said. ``It's not really fair to Johny, it's not really fair to our team. They should just rule one way or another and make a decision.''

Amaya has scored 25 goals this season for Grant (18-1-5), which is seeded second in the playoffs and is bidding for its first City title in school history. Ortiz, however, said he could not afford to play Amaya and risk forfeiting potential victories if he later is ruled ineligible.

Madha said Friday he faxed a copy of a lineup card for the Feb. 9 game with Amaya's name on it to the City Section. Amaya has said he was in San Pedro with his father that day. Grant also has sent a copy of Amaya's signature, which Ortiz said was different from the signature on the lineup card.

--Comeback kid: Even when he was called up to the Grant varsity as a sophomore for the 2001 playoffs, Harry Aroyan knew something was wrong. The blisters on his feet grew worse every time he played, and Aroyan feared his soccer career was over before it ever really started.

``Most of the fields I played on were so rough, when I was in my cleats, it felt like I was running on asphalt,'' Aroyan said. ``My dad eventually said I had to stop playing or it wouldn't get better.''

That summer, Aroyan gave up soccer. For nearly 18 months he didn't so much as kick a ball.

But with the blister problem seemingly solved, Aroyan returned to the Lancers two games ago, just in time for the Sunset Six League finale and City Section playoffs. And Aroyan has returned in a big way.

The senior used his 6-foot-2 frame to outmuscle Birmingham's defenders throughout Friday's 5-1 first-round victory. Playing without Amaya, Aroyan also scored three goals for the first time in high school. He capped his day with a breakaway in the 74th minute.

--No reward: Royal of Simi Valley coach Kevin Corley was not enthused about the Highlanders' second-round Southern Section Division II opponent for today. He had good reason: Royal will play at Santa Barbara (23-2-2), which is ranked 12th nationally.

``We're excited that we're still in it,'' said Corley, whose team beat Hart of Newhall 1-0 in the first round. ``But of all the Division II teams, the one I don't want to play is Santa Barbara. We saw them in the Upland tournament, and they are good.''

Royal entered the postseason only able to count one player with any playoff experience. The Highlanders, however, rely on a strong defense - led by senior goalkeeper Logan Redlin - that Santa Barbara could have a tough time cracking.

--Desert shootout: Desert Christian of Lancaster coach Jon Spencer said his team likely would have a hard time keeping up its six-goals-a-game pace from the regular season in the playoffs.

Instead, the Knights scored 10 goals and shut out the Academy for Academic Excellence of Apple Valley in the first round of the Division VI playoffs.

--League strength: With its first-round victories Saturday, Calabasas and Crespi of Encino validated that the Marmonte and Mission Leagues were two of Southern California's toughest this season. Both schools finished third in their respective leagues and opened the playoffs on the road, and both advanced with one-goal victories.

Crespi now will host Marmonte League champion Thousand Oaks in th only Southern Section second-round matchup featuring two local teams. Calabasas, meanwhile, will host Northwood of Irvine.