HART: BACK ON TOP VALENCIA WILL CHALLENGE FOR FOOTHILL TITLE.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer Can Hart High restore its football dynasty? That's the pivotal issue in Foothill League circles, as teams begin full-contact practice this week in preparation for the season openers Sept. 9. After winning five Southern Section titles in a six-year period, Hart (7-5 in 2004) finished third last season and was eliminated in the Div. II quarterfinals by rival Mission Viejo Mission Vi·e·jo A community of southern California southeast of Irvine. It is mainly residential. Population: 96,300. . The five losses were the most in coach Mike Herrington's 16-year tenure - and there was some serious finger-pointing going on. With a group of key starters returning, including quarterback Tyler Lyon (eight major-college scholarship offers), Hart appears primed for a comeback. Lyon, a 6-foot-6, 220- pounder who has a year of varsity football experience, never looked better while leading Hart to several summer-league passing tournament titles, including last month's prestigious Nike Passing Championships at USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. . Also returning is receiver Troy Yudin (45 catches, eight TDs), leading rusher Robbie Casselberry (who has switched to receiver), top kicker Paul Weinstein Paul Weinstein is chief operating officer and senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, a centrist think tank based in Washington, D.C. that is affiliated with the Democratic Leadership Council. and an experience defense led by defensive linemen Steve Burton Steve Burton may refer to:
Hart is expected to have one its biggest frontlines ever, led by Jackson Smith (6-4, 280), Ricky Vittallo (6-3, 270), Brandon Takata (6-3, 275), Wilfred Aka (6-0, 255) and Adam Best Adam Best (born 1983, Donaghadee, Co Down, Northern Ireland) is an Irish actor. He is probably most famous for his role as Matt Parker on the BBC One drama Holby City. (6-2, 265). Throw in perhaps the league's brightest prospects, sophomore tailback Delano Howell, 6-3 junior receiver Taylor Embree and sophomore linebacker Patrick Larrimore, and it appears clear none of Hart's league rivals can match its talent. Nonetheless, Valencia (12-2) will be difficult to beat. The Vikings reached the Div. II final last year and return quarterback Michael Herrick - who passed for more than 4,000 yards and is on pace to break the state career passing-yardage record - and Shane Vereen, the league's top returning running back. Valencia was severely hurt by the graduation of nine all-leaguers, and there are new faces at nearly every position on offense and defense. To keep pace under new coach Larry Muir, the Vikings need big seasons from its handful of experienced players, such as linemen Chris Vandepas and Matt Goetz, receiver Jason Engleberg and defensive back Michael Robotham. Much is expected from athletic junior Virgil Hill Virgil Eugene Hill (born January 18, 1964 Clinton, Missouri) is a Joplin, Missouri fighter partly of Native American heritage, who forged a solid connection between the state of North Dakota and the sport of boxing. , who figures to start at receiver and defensive back if he fully recovers from a summer knee injury. Valencia's new players must grow up in a hurry, because a difficult nonleague schedule awaits, beginning on the road against Div. I power Bishop Amat of La Puente La Puente (lä pwĕn`tē), city (1990 pop. 36,955), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb of Los Angeles; laid out 1841, inc. 1956. Primarily residential, the city manufactures hardware, electronics, and paper products. . Canyon (10-2) has won 10 or more games and advanced past the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. The Cowboys don't have as many big, muscular linemen and experienced skill-position players as usual, so there are question marks. Canyon first needs to choose a starting quarterback. Austin Civita, a returning backup, and junior Ben Longshore long·shore adj. Occurring, living, or working along a seacoast. [Short for alongshore.] , brother of former Canyon star quarterback Nate Longshore Nate Longshore (born June 30, 1986 in Canyon Country, California, U.S.) is an American football quarterback for the California Golden Bears. Longshore was an Elite-11 quarterback in high school and a 4-star recruit rated by Rivals.com and Scout.com."How Far ... , competed equally during the summer. Richie Wirthlin, a receiver and defensive back who was a JV standout two years ago before missing most of last season because of injuries, has developed nicely and could be a pivotal two-way starter. J.J. DiLuigi is a promising running back who hopes to follow in the footsteps of recent graduates 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. and Louis Montano, who were All-Southern Section selections. Canyon's other top players are linebacker Tyler Hawkins and lineman Nick Madia. J.P. Curvey, a promising defensive back who bench presses nearly twice his body weight, also could make an impact. Saugus (6-5) hopes to build on its must successful season in three years. Starting quarterback Zach Summers returns, and the offensive line - led by 6-3, 300-pound Ramsen Golpashin - is expected to be the strength of the Centurions, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. coach Jason Bornn. Other top players are running back/defensive back Ryan Purdy, defensive back/return specialist Juan Hamilton, receiver Alex Koval, defensive backs P.J. Sweigert and Casey Stevenson, and linebacker Justin Skinner Justin Skinner (born 30 January 1969 in Hounslow) is a former English footballer who played for Fulham, Bristol Rovers, Walsall, Hibernian, Dunfermline Athletic and Brechin City. Skinner began his career at Fulham and played over 150 games for the club. . Burbank (4-6) and Burroughs of Burbank (4-6) failed last year to make the playoffs, and a similar fate could await - neither appears to be significantly improved. Burbank graduated all-time leading passer Michael McDonald Michael McDonald may refer to:
Two second-year Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, schools, Golden Valley and West Ranch, play varsity football for the first time this season as freelance teams. Golden Valley (4-4 JV), with juniors, sophomores and freshmen, could be in for a difficult season after struggling during summer passing competition. Jeremy Carson, the team's top running back last year, has switched to quarterback. West Ranch (3-7 freshman), with sophomores and freshmen, has scheduled two varsity and seven JV games Jv Games is a video game developer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They have developed a number of titles including Nightfire. . It won its final three games after a 0-7 start last season. Gerry Gittelson, (661) 257-5218 gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 4 photos, 9 boxes Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Tyler Lyon, above, who guided Hart to several passing-league titles, has received eight NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I scholarship offers. Linebacker Tyler Hawkins, left, is one of Canyon's leaders. (3 -- 4 -- color) Saugus' Juan Hamilton, right, a defensive back and return specialist, is the fastest player in the Foothill League. Michael Herrick, below, who led Valencia to the Div. II semifinals, pace to break the state career passing-yardage record. Box: (1) TOP FIVE RETURNING PLAYERS (2) BIG GAMES (3) COACHES (4) DID YOU KNOW? (5) INSIDE THE NUMBERS (6) GRADING OUT (7) FOOTHILL LEAGUE STANDINGS 2004 (8) EXTREMES (9) 2005 SCHEDULES |
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