FACING DEFEAT HART FANS SEE GAME AS SPECIAL DESPITE LOSS.

Byline: Amy Raisen Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The bases had been swapped for goal posts, but the fans at Edison Field, the site of the Anaheim Angels' first World Series championship just two months before, were equally pumped as Hart High's football team went for its fifth-straight title Saturday.

Fans of the Indians - alumni, parents, students and teachers - came prepared, waving Hart flags, banners, caps and an estimated 2,000 red paper hearts, each affixed to a tongue depressor.

``When I grew up, high school football wasn't anything like this. You never dreamed of going to play in a big stadium like this,' said Joe Shenberger, whose wife is an administrator at Hart. ``I've watched the Hart program for 20 years. This is a big deal on so many levels.''

While Hart's 10-6 loss to undefeated Mission Viejo High in the Southern Section, Division II Championship was disappointing for the thousands of people who came to support the Indians, many fans said they were proud of the players for earning a chance to play at Edison Field.

Joyce Mendelzon, whose daughter, Elizabeth, is a cheerleader for Hart, said she has watched the team take the championship title the last four years in a row. Playing on the same field where baseball's World Series champs recently celebrated, however, set Saturday's game apart.

``This one's a little different, yeah, because we're at Edison Field,' Mendelzon said. ``This whole arena makes it that much more special. The (cheerleaders) were calling us on their cell phones from the Angels' dugout. They couldn't believe how exciting it was.''

Despite the often intense rivalries between Santa Clarita Valley high schools during football season, some fans insisted that Hart's appearance in the championships was a feather in the cap of the entire area.

Saugus resident Von Love attended the game and said he avidly follows the sports programs of all the big Santa Clarita high schools. His true loyalty, however, was revealed on the shoulders of his girlfriend, who wore Love's Hart High jacket, circa 1977.

``Being here, this is like the pros to them,'' Love said of the players. ``I knew they'd get here. I think everyone knows that Hart's good. Everyone wants to compete against Hart. I played baseball, but there's no question I'm rooting for this football team.''

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Paxton Howard of Hart High School is upended during his team's loss to Mission Viejo in the championship in Anaheim.

(2 -- 3 -- color) At right, Hart High School coach John Ahart consoles player Kyle Hetman after the team's loss to Mission Viejo. Above, Hart cheerleaders Chelsea Lewe and Tiffany Baker hold back tears.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer