FITS THE MOLD WHEATON HAS EXCELLED AS LINEMAN.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer NEWHALL - All his life, Matt Wheaton has wanted to play linebacker for Hart High's football team. A part-time starter a year ago, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior was primed and ready to fulfill his dream this season. But prior to the opener, Hart's coaches approached Wheaton about switching to the less-glamorous defensive line because there was a need there for someone of Wheaton's size and toughness. Wheaton didn't blink. Above all else, he's a team player, and he promised to do his best as Hart's new defensive end. ``I really respected Matt for that. He took one for the team,'' quarterback Sean Norton said. As things have turned out, Wheaton blossomed as a lineman. He's been a consistent, solid force for one of the region's most successful defenses this season, and he'll be counted on to deliver another solid performance against visiting San Clemente San Clemente (săn klĭmĕn`tē), city (1990 pop. 41,100), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast; inc. 1928. Camp Pendleton, a large U.S. marine base, adjoins the city, which is chiefly residential. (9-3) in the Southern Section Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. semifinal at 7:30 tonight at College of Canyons. Wheaton has 37 tackles and three sacks despite missing two games because of a deep thigh bruise bruise or contusion Visible bluish or purplish mark beneath the surface of unbroken skin, indicating burst blood vessels in deeper tissue layers. Bruises are usually caused by a blow or pressure, but they may occur spontaneously in elderly persons. . ``I thought I'd be better at linebacker than defensive line, but I have to admit it's been a good year,'' Wheaton said. ``There really isn't that much difference between the two positions - both have lots of reads, you just don't have to worry about pass coverage like I did at linebacker.'' Wheaton has helped Hart (11-0-1) win all of its 11 games by at least 13 points. Since an opening 21-21 tie at Los Alamitos Los Alamitos (lôs ăləmē`təs, lŏs), city (1990 pop. 11,676), Orange co., NE of Long Beach, S Calif., in a suburban area; inc. 1960. Los Alamitos Racetrack and U.S. military installations are nearby. . no opponent has scored more than two touchdowns in a game. ``We take a lot of pride in our defense,'' Wheaton said. ``I think the fans who come to our games know that, even though the newspapers always write about the offense. That's OK. Our offense does really well, and that's what people come to see. But defense wins championships.'' Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head Rick Herrington believes Wheaton is a natural football player who probably could dominate at just about any position. ``But we needed a big, tough defensive linemen, and Matt was there to help out,'' Herrington said. ``He really gets after it every play, and he's been a big contributor for us.'' Head coach Mike Herrington added: ``Matt wasn't thinking about himself. He was thinking of what was best for the team.'' Wheaton fits the mold of a prototypical Hart defensive lineman. He's got a similar build as Chris Frome, a three-year standout who graduated last year and is at Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame . Wheaton also has an outgoing, fun-loving personality, which makes him one of the team's most popular players. The future? ``I just want to get some ladies. I don't have any other plans,'' he said, smiling. ``Actually, he's doing pretty well in that area - he's got a cute girlfriend,'' Norton said. WHEATON FILE Team: Hart football Position: Defensive end Year: Senior Ht/Wt: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds Stats: 37 tackles, three sacks in 10 games Wheaton quote: ``We take a lot of pride in our defense. I think the fans who come to our games know that, even though the newspapers always write about the offense. That's OK. Our offense does really well, and that's what people come to see. But defense wins championships.'' TODAY'S GAMES HART (11-0-1) vs. SAN CLEMENTE (9-3) at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. --Player to watch: Paxton Howard, RB, Hart Howard, a senior, is coming off the best rushing performance of his career: 108 yards on 14 carries, including touchdowns of 31 and 3 yards, in a muddy 48-16 victory at Ayala in Chino Chino (chē`nō), city (1990 pop. 59,682), San Bernardino co., S Calif.; founded 1887, inc. 1910. It is the business and processing center of a diversified farming (notably dairying) area. Hills. --Key stat:34.3 The average number of points by which Hart has defeated its past eight opponents --Why Hart will win: No one, including Mother Nature, has been able to stop the Indians, especially over the past two months. Despite a heavy storm at Ayala in Chino Hills last week, Hart amassed 542 yards to win 48-16, avenging a 1996 playoff loss to Ayala in the only other time the teams met. San Clemente should find difficulty containing Hart QB Sean Norton and his coterie of efficient WRs. --Why San Clemente will win: San Clemente could catch Hart looking forward to next weekend's championship game - everyone is talking about the excitement of a Hart-Mission Viejo final because both are nationally ranked - and San Clemente certainly is no slouch slouch v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es v.intr. 1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture. 2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat. v. . One of its three losses was by forfeit, and the team is 6-0 on the field under QB Beau Budde, who returned three weeks ago after missing six weeks because of an injury. --Last week: Hart defeated Ayala 48-16; San Clemente defeated Chino 13-9. --Perspective: Hart is 33-0-1 over the past 34 games and has won 14 playoff games Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship in a row and five consecutive Division III championships. Since an opening 21-21 tie at Los Alamitos, Hart has defeated all of its opponents by at least 13 points, the last eight by 24 or more. San Clemente has never won a Southern Section football title. The closest was 1979, when San Clemente lost to Esperanza in the Central Conference championship at the Santa Ana Santa Ana, city, El Salvador Santa Ana (sän'tä ä`nä), city (1993 pop. 129,873), W El Salvador. It is the second largest city in the country and the commercial and processing center for a sugarcane, coffee, and cattle region. Bowl. Since coach Eric Patton arrived four years ago, San Clemente has won eight games or more every season, advancing to the Division II semifinals last year. --Outlook: This should be a great game from a fan's perspective because two excellent QBs, Hart's Sean Norton and San Clemente's Beau Budde, go head-to-head. Second-seeded Hart is the favorite, especially at home, but don't expect another rout like Hart's previous two playoff victories. San Clemente coach Patton is just as concerned about stopping Norton and Co. as he is about Hart's defense stopping his own team. ``Their offense gets all the ink, and it's what everybody talks about,'' Patton said. ``But Hart's defense is very solid, too. They're just a solid team all the way across. This game is going to be a ball.'' OTHER SEMIFINAL CLAREMONT (9-2) at MISSION VIEJO Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. (12-0), 7:30 tonight Outlook: Top-seeded Mission Viejo, coming off a 48-14 victory over Canyon in the quarterfinals, is explosive on offense and tough on defense. ... Reserve QB Marty Tadmar, starting in place of injured Josh Rodarmel, threw three second-half TD passes against Canyon, and linebacker Justin Williams For the basketball player, see . Justin Williams (born 4 October, 1981 in Cobourg, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. had three sacks. ... Defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre Mission Viejo, which has won 26 games in a row, held Canyon to 237 yards, including just 57 rushing. The Diablos The Diablos is a motorcycle club in the United States with chapters in several cities. On September 24, 1998, Diablo gang member Raymond "Stoney" Stone and seven other members were charged with various crimes (including Stone's confession in his involvement in the 1992 , averaging 35 points a game, are ranked 16th in the nation by USA Today USA Today National U.S. daily general-interest newspaper, the first of its kind. Launched in 1982 by Allen Neuharth, head of the Gannett newspaper chain, it reached a circulation of one million within a year and surpassed two million in the 1990s. . ... Quarterback Matt McDonald leads Claremont (9-2). He completed 11 of 16 passes for 164 yards in a muddy 35-27 victory over Damien of La Verne La Verne (lə vûrn), city (1990 pop. 30,897), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1906. La Verne, which began as a citrus-processing center, now has varied manufacturing, including electronic components, apparel, hand in the quarterfinals. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 7 boxes Photo: (1) Hart's Matt Wheaton proved he's a team player by moving from linebacker to defensive line. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer (2) Hart's Mike Herrington has an .864 winning percentage over 14 years. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer Box: (1) WHEATON FILE (see text) (2) TODAY'S GAMES (see text) (3) SEASON BY SEASON (4) HART ROSTER (5) STANDINGS (6) LOGS (7) GAME DAY |
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