CHATTER: MOORPARK TO APPEAL FORFEIT DECISION.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

Moorpark College athletic director John Keever said Monday the school will appeal a decision by Western State Conference commissioner Aviva Kamin forfeiting the Raiders' victory over Ventura on Oct. 27 for using an ineligible player.

Moorpark routed Ventura 40-0 - holding the Pirates to 1 yard in the first half - but had the victory overturned because reserve defensive back Jason Spratt played in the game after being ejected the previous week.

Conference rules stipulate ejected players must be suspended from their team's next game.

But Keever said the Moorpark coaches never received a game report concerning Spratt's ejection until after the Ventura game - a tumultuous week on campus because of the nearby wildfires. Spratt was ejected from the Raiders' loss Oct. 18 to Harbor for hitting a punt returner early.

The school then held Spratt (Montclair Prep of Panorama City) out of Moorpark's victory over Santa Barbara on Nov. 1. Keever said Spratt played in fewer than 10 plays against Ventura.

``There was a lot of confusion about the game report and we sat him out the next game,'' Keever said. ``We don't feel like we deliberately tried to cheat or anything.

``(Spratt) was a backup in the game and played on some special teams. He didn't affect the outcome of the contest.''

Moorpark fell to 4-5 overall and 4-2 in the WSC as a result of the forfeit plus Saturday night's 42-14 loss at Hancock. The Raiders will host top-ranked College of the Canyons at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Keever said he was uncertain about the timetable for filing an appeal, given the Veterans Day holiday today. Moorpark had been in contention for a spot in the Southern California regional playoffs before the events of this weekend.

``I don't know the process yet, but we will appeal,'' Keever said. ``We just feel that because of a communication problem we weren't able to take proper action.'' ...

Tony Ker of Valencia High has committed to a UCLA volleyball scholarship.

Pepperdine men's volleyball coach Marv Dunphy was selected to assist the USA men's volleyball team at the upcoming World Cup in Japan, where the top three teams earn a berth in the Olympics next summer. Dunphy, who guided the U.S. to a gold medal as coach during the 1988 Olympics, will serve in a scouting and advisory capacity. ...

Bryan Cantwell has been hired as boys' golf coach at Chaminade of West Hills. Cantwell, who started Chaminade's middle school golf program in 1997, has been the high school's co-coach for the girls' team and was an assistant for the boys' team in 2002. ...

The La Canada boys' water polo team credits senior Tom Dodson as being the pivotal player in a season that has the Spartans ranked No. 1 entering the Southern Section Div. III playoffs. Dodson, one of the team's few returnees, began the season anchoring the offense as a starting 2-meter player. However, as sophomore Jordan Thompson emerged as a consistent scorer, Dodson switched to a defensive role.

``That's been the key to our team, his willingness and ability to take on that role for the team'' La Canada coach Larry Naeve said. ``To be the guy who says he'll go from scoring all the goals to trying to stop them, which isn't a glamorous job, was huge. ... Tom would do anything possible to help the team.''...

The Los Angeles City College men's basketball team, ranked No. 5 in the nation, has a strong Valley connection. James Spencer, from Stoneridge Prep of Tarzana, Daryl Harris, from Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, and Nashid Beard, from Reseda, are part of a roster that also features Anthony Davis, who attended Cleveland of Reseda as a junior. ...

Staff Writers Gerry Gittelson, Heather Gripp and Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Brandon Clayton

Senior

Notre Dame

Clayton rushed for 236 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a 35-6 victory Friday over Chaminade of West Hills. Clayton was especially effective in the second half, scoring his three touchdowns to help put the game away.

Jada Walker

Senior

Littlerock

Walker helped the Lobos win the Golden League girls' volleyball title with a victory Tuesday over Highland of Palmdale. Walker had 16 assists to set up Carolyn Gorny (12 kills) and Tia Horner (10 kills). Walker has been a key for the Lobos, who won the school's first league title for a girls' team.

UP AND COMER

Nick Delio

Saugus

The 14-year-old freshman golfer looks to establish himself as a Foothill League contender in the spring but already is used to earning titles in junior events. By winning two of his past three tournaments and placing second in the other, Delio qualified to be invited to the California Juniors tournament in December.

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

The Southern Section volleyball playoffs open today with several local teams meeting each other in the first round. Things have changed, though, from the days when teams from the same leagues routinely were paired against each other in the early playoff rounds. Here's a look back:

The law of averages finally caught up with the Hart High School girls' volleyball team. Rival Saugus made sure of that.

Hart had defeated Saugus twice in five games on the way to its first Foothill League title in school history. Saugus responded Thursday night with a 15-12, 15-8, 15-12 victory in the second round of the Southern Section I-A playoffs at Valencia High School.

``This makes up for (previous losses) 200 percent,'' Saugus setter Erika Lilley said of knocking out the division's third-seeded team. ``When does a team beat another team three times in a row? All the pressure was on them. We had nothing to lose.''

With the victory, the Centurions (12-4) will host Thousand Oaks in the quarterfinals Saturday. Hart finished 15-2.

Saugus' method of winning was simple: More players needed to contribute against Hart. Outside hitter Lauren McCartin registered 29 and 27 kills in the previous Hart matches, with the next-highest hitter getting fewer than 10.

On Thursday, McCartin twisted her ankle in warm-ups and still managed to lead the team with 15 kills, two stuff blocks and two service aces. Everyone else made up the difference.

- Originally published in the Daily News Nov. 16, 1996.

STATILICIOUS

The final week of football's regular season means two things: rivalry games and teams with nothing to lose trying to pull upsets. Here's a look at the key upsets in Week 10 of last season:

Crescenta Valley 49, Arcadia 28

Arcadia had been undefeated.

Palmdale 20, Antelope Valley 15

A.V. had won 19 Golden League games in a row.

Taft 30, Birmingham 6

Birmingham had won previous three meetings.

Quartz Hill 22, Highland 12

Cost Highland (7-3, 3-2) share of league title. Quartz Hill (3-7, 2-3) finished fourth.

Valley Christian 47, Paraclete 14

Paraclete had won six consecutive league titles.

Chatsworth 41, Granada Hills 38

Cost G.H. third place in West Valley League.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 5 boxes

Photo:

(1) Brandon Clayton

(2) Jada Walker

(3) Nick Delio

Box:

(1) ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (see text)

(2) UP AND COMER (see text)

(3) THEN AND NOW (see text)

(4) STATILICIOUS (see text)

(5) ON DECK: Highlights of the coming week