GOING FROM GREEN TO GOLD TISDALE AND NICHOLS DON'T LET INEXPERIENCE STOP THEM.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Geoff Tisdale and Brandon Nichols of Valencia High were rookies in the truest form last year, both playing football for the first time in their lives.

At least, that's what they said. You sure couldn't tell by the way they played, as Tisdale established himself as a game-breaking multipurpose back and Nichols as an All-Daily News defensive back who led the region with eight interceptions.

Now they're back for their senior year - and supposedly they actually know what they're doing this season. That's a scary thought for Valencia opponents.

Tisdale is a 6-foot-2, 175-pounder who won the 100 and 200 meter championships at the Foothill League track finals last spring. Nichols, a 5-10, 170-pounder, kept improving as last season progressed. Six of his interceptions came during league competition, and he finished the regular season by intercepting two Sean Norton passes in the finale against Hart - especially impressive considering Norton hadn't been intercepted through the previous nine weeks.

This season, Tisdale and Nichols will line up opposite one another as the team's starting receivers - giving Valencia the Foothill League's fastest wideouts - and they'll also start in the secondary.

``I just came out last year because all my friends were on the team, and they said to try out because I had some speed,'' Nichols said. ``I'd never played before, but I really liked it.

``This year, I'm a lot more comfortable. I'm used to it and not constantly worried that I'm going to mess up. It's going to be a pretty fun season.''

The two standouts have their own personal rivalry, too. Tisdale kept beating Nichols in the sprints during tracks season - ``I was always a step behind,'' Nichols said - then Tisdale tried to keep up with Nichols as the team's interception leader during the summer passing season.

``I think I got as many as he did,'' Tisdale said.

But the important thing is teamwork and togetherness, especially after off-the-field problems contributed to last year's disappointing 6-5 finish. The team was eliminated in the first round of the Southern Section Div. II playoffs.

``We're working hard as a unit. It's all about team unity,'' quarterback Michael Herrick said.

Nichols agrees.

``I think the difference this year is we're all one team,'' Nichols said. ``We all play together. That can make a big difference.''

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

THE FACTS

Names: Geoff Tisdale and Brandon Nichols

Team: Valencia Vikings

Position: Defensive back, wide receiver

The scoop: In just their second year of organized play, the two will provide Valencia with one of the fastest pair of receivers, and defensive backs, in the area.

The numbers: Tisdale led region with eight interceptions

TODAY'S GAMES

NO. 2 CANYON at LANCASTER

7:30 p.m.

Player to watch: Nate Longshore, Canyon, QB

Longshore (6-foot-5, 228 pounds), coming off a 2,000-yard season, is considered the area's top college QB prospect.

Key stat: 59

Number of receptions by Canyon's Sean Coen even though he was bothered by illness the first month of the season. He should be significantly more productive this season.

Why Canyon will win: After going 10-2 and advancing to the Div. II quarterfinals last year - the only losses were to finalists Mission Viejo and Hart - Canyon has returned most of its best players, and the team is considered among the state's best. Lancaster is in over its head.

Why Lancaster will win: The team's only chance is if Canyon is overconfident and the Eagles force turnovers and avoid mistakes. One positive figures to be the presence of new coach Jeff Cortez, formerly of Paraclete of Lancaster. Cortez took over at Paraclete in 2000 and won two section titles in three seasons, finishing 34-5 overall, including 9-4 last year.

Perspective: Since its first year at the varsity level in 1997, Lancaster has had just one winning season (9-3 in 1998). The team is 3-17 over the past two seasons. During the same span, Canyon has been above .500 four times, going 10-2 last year - its best season since 1990.

Outlook: Canyon wasn't as sharp as expected during an opening scrimmage vs. Simi Valley last week even though the team scored six touchdowns. With its combination of passing, running and effective defense - combined with Lancaster's lack of star power - Canyon should roll fairly easily.

VALENCIA at BISHOP AMAT 

7:30 p.m.

Player to watch: Michael Herrick, QB, Valencia

It should be interesting to see how Herrick, a sophomore, responds to the pressure of facing a big-time opponent in his first high school game.

Key stat: 5

Consecutive seasons Valencia's starting running back has gained at least 1,500 yards. This season, however, Valencia will look to pass more than ever.

Why Valencia will win: Valencia has plenty of team speed, particularly outside WRs Geoff Tisdale and Brandon Nichols. If they can break free for two or three touchdowns between them, Valencia should be in good shape.

Why Bishop Amat will win: The team has a lot of size and speed, particularly on defense. LBs Lamar Robinson and Jamel Greer are major prospects. Robinson (6-2, 220) runs the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. Greer (6-2, 225) nearly is as fast.

Perspective: Based on past seasons, Valencia is due for a big year. The team was 6-5 in 2002 but previously had won eight games or more from 1997 through 2001, achieving a 47-17 overall record (.734 winning percentage).

Outlook: This matchup should be interesting because of the contrast in styles. Valencia runs a four-wide offense and is expected to pass about 60 percent of the time this season. Bishop Amat of La Puente is a conservative team which will try to force its running game. Whichever team controls the pace should come out on top. Valencia's run defense should be the key, and the defense looked tough in an opening scrimmage vs. St. Francis of La Canada on Friday.

SAUGUS at HILL TOP of Chula Vista 

7 p.m.

Player to watch: Alex Dekok, Saugus, OL

Dekok, one of the league's strongest players, probably will go head-to-head against big-time recruit Chet Teofilo, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash.

Key stat: 20

Veteran players cut last season by Hilltop coach Brian Hay, a former Cal State Northridge lineman. ``It was for discipline. We ended up being mostly a JV team last year,'' he said. ``But if I didn't do something like that we'd keep going 1-9 or 2-8 every season.''

Why Saugus will win: The team has renewed energy under new coach Jason Bornn, a 32-year-old who should relate well to teenagers. And two of the team's top offensive players from last season, QB Travis Babin and RB Drew DeRousseau, are back, so Saugus shouldn't have to worry about jitters.

Why Hilltop will win: After going 1-9 last season, the team is much better. B.J. Roberson, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season, is back, and the oversized OL averages 300 pounds.

Perspective: It would be nice for Saugus to win this one because much tougher opponents are waiting - at least based on last year's records. The team's next four opponents all had records of better than .500 in 2002, including Div. IV champion St. Bonaventure of Ventura (Week 4).

Outlook: It's somewhat of a mystery how Saugus will look because the team has been forced to learn new systems during the five weeks since Bornn's arrival. Defense should be the team's strength, so for Saugus to win some games this season, it's best to keep the contests low scoring.

GAME OF THE WEEK

NO. 1 HART vs. LOS ALAMITOS (1-0)

at College of the Canyons, 7 p.m.

Player to watch: Dan Howell, RB/DB, Hart

He's a critical two-way starter. On offense, he'll be expected to carry more of the load than recent RBs after dominating Friday's scrimmage at Moorpark (92 yards on eight carries). On defense, he's one of just two experienced returnees.

Key stat: 11-1

Hart's record in season openers the past 12 years. Last year's 21-21 tie with Los Alamitos later was forfeited by Los Alamitos because of an ineligible player. Hart's one opening loss was actually a win on the field against Quartz Hill in 1998, but the victory later was forfeited because of an ineligible player.

Why Hart will win: A prolific passing attack works wonders in high school, and Hart QB Sean Norton and WR Kevin Ciccone are among the state's best. Last year, Norton passed for 4,014 yards and 35 TDs, and Ciccone caught 79 passes for 1,329 yards and 15 TDs.

Why Los Alamitos will win: Because the team is loaded with more experienced players, particularly on defense. All four members of the secondary, led by big-time recruit Randy Estes, have been offered Division I college scholarships. The team isn't ranked No. 3 in the nation by USA Today for nothing.

Last week: Los Alamitos defeated Culver City 49-0; Hart did not play.

Perspective: If this game is anything like last year's 21-21 thriller, fans are in for a treat. On that night, Norton connected on a 68-yard pass play in the waning seconds and Hart came back from a 13-point, second-half deficit. Fox Sports Net will be televising live for the second year in a row.

Outlook: The key issue is how much of an advantage Los Alamitos will have after already playing an early game - a 49-0 victory over respectable Culver City. Hart, meanwhile, didn't look particularly sharp during a scrimmage Friday at Moorpark, as Norton completed just 5 of 13 passes for 30 yards and an INT with no TDs. Herrington said his team hasn't been such a substantial underdog since a 1995 section playoff victory over heavily favored Antelope Valley of Lancaster.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Despite only one year of football, Valencia High defensive backs Geoff Tisdale, left, and Brandon Nichols have developed into standouts.

Box:

(1) THE FACTS (see text)

(2) TODAY'S GAMES (see text)

(3) GAME OF THE WEEK (see text)

(4) GAME DAY

(5) STANDINGS

(6) LOGS