COWBOYS ARE RIDING HIGH EX-CANYON HIGH PLAYERS HOPE TO LEAD CLU TO PLAYOFFS.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - A photograph hanging in Jeff Briscoe's bedroom is not only a memento but serves for motivation.

The portrait, taken after the final Canyon High home game in 2003, symbolizes what was supposed to be the last time Briscoe stepped on a football field with his friends.

``That was probably one of the most defining moments with those guys,'' Briscoe said of the picture. ``I wouldn't trade it for anything.''

In the photograph, a smiling Briscoe is standing next to former Canyon teammates Sean Coen, Nate Longshore, Louis Montano and Andrew Shantz.

Someone gave each of the five players a copy of the picture as souvenirs. Longshore took his to play Division I football at Cal, where he is a redshirt sophomore quarterback. Shantz is a linebacker at San Diego State.

Little did Briscoe know he would continue playing football with Coen and Montano.

The three of them started their junior season at California Lutheran University this week.

``It's something special to have guys you've played with for several years on your team,'' Briscoe said. ``It's a pretty strong relationship.''

The relationship extends beyond the football field.

Briscoe now looks at the high school picture and sees a trio of Cal Lutheran players who will not only lead the Kingsmen's offense this season, but a set of good friends.

Earlier this week, they moved into the house they will share during the fall semester.

``They are both fun to live with,'' Briscoe said. ``We have a great time with Sean (Coen) always joking around. He's the loudest. He does as much as he can to get in your head and uses his sarcasm to try to irritate you. He uses the same method on the field.''

On the field, Coen is known for his hands. At Canyon, he set a school record with 108 receptions his senior year.

At Cal Lutheran, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound receiver played in all nine games last season. After gaining about 15pounds this summer, Coen is expected to be the team's top wideout.

Briscoe, who likely will start at center for the third straight year, takes responsibility at home. He makes sure everyone knows when it's their turn to wash dishes.

``Jeff is usually the stickler,'' Coen said about the 6-foot-1, 255-pound offensive lineman. ``He makes sure everything is clean. I get the feeling that Jeff (Briscoe) is my parent.''

Montano is the calm individual.

``Louis has such mental strength that can't be cracked,'' Coen said. ``He's such a strong person physically, mentally and emotionally.''

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder is in position to become the Kingsmen's premier running back this year.

``Louis is the most eccentric guy on the team,'' said Scott Squires, Cal Lutheran's 10th-year head coach. ``He and the rest of the Canyon guys bring a strong bond that permeates the rest of the team.''

Sophomore defensive back Jeff Shalem, also from Canyon joined the Kingsmen in 2005.

Shalem is working to earn a starting spot in the secondary but most likely will be used during nickel and dime situations when additional defensive backs are needed.

Squires credits the former Canyon player's talent and knowledge of the game to Canyon High coach Harry Welch.

Despite an 8-1 record in 2005 (the school's best under Squires), Cal Lutheran did not receive a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

But to Briscoe, a successful season depends on team chemistry and creating more memorable moments.

``We all still have that same picture (from Canyon) up in our rooms,'' Briscoe said. ``We are all on the same page with moments like those. Hopefully, we make more with a championship.''

ivan.orozco(at)dailynews.com

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