HERRINGTON TAKES OFFENSE THE DEAN OF ALEMANY FIRST-YEAR COACH HAS REVITALIZED WARRIORS' FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer

MISSION HILLS - Give Dean Herrington credit for living up to his name.

Much was expected when Herrington, a former offensive coordinator at Hart High of Newhall, followed by a successful run at College of the Canyons, was hired as head coach at Alemany of Mission Hills, a beleaguered program that had won just 15 games in six seasons prior to his arrival.

Sure enough, Alemany is 3-0 -- its best start in many years -- heading into tonight's nonleague game against visiting Golden Valley of Santa Clarita (0-3).

Herrington, 42, is a head coach for the first time after helping Hart win 10 league titles in 11 years, followed by a successful five-year run at Canyons, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the final JC Grid-Wire poll in 2004.

``The stands have been packed, our numbers in the football program have more than doubled, and, obviously, kids are looking at Alemany again for both athletics and academics,'' principal Frank Ferry said. ``There's a lot of excitement since Dean got here, and you can definitely see a change on campus. We believe that having a winning football program increases school pride. It's a very public sport and very important to the school community.''

It may appear easy for Herrington, but it's not. In a shaky opening scrimmage, Alemany didn't exactly remind people of De La Salle of Concord. Then, after falling behind by two touchdowns against San Fernando in the opener, there were more than a few ``here-we-go-again'' whispers.

``It was 13-0 against San Fernando, and I was thinking, `Oh gosh, what have I got myself into?''' Herrington said. ``Ijust wanted my kids to compete.''

Alemany rallied for a late 30-26 victory over San Fernando, followed by decisive wins over Desert Hot Springs and Littlerock, pushing Alemany to No.9 in the Southern Section's Western Division poll.

The Warriors are heavily favored tonight against Golden Valley, which has allowed an average of more than 52 points per game, but the road figures to get much tougher once Mission League competition begins.

For the time being, Alemany is loving football again, no surprise from a school with a once-proud program that hasn't been a contender since star quarterback Casey Clausen graduated and coach Jim Bonds left to take charge of St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge in 1999.

``So far, so good. Coming here was the best decision I've ever made in my life,'' Herrington said. ``It's been a little tough to get the attitude changed here, but the players have been great, and they've done what we've told them to do. They're really buying into what we're doing.''

Herrington, who in 1981 was the first in Hart's string of All-Southern Section quarterbacks, said the only drawback is he can no longer spend Friday nights helping Hart as an eye-in-the-sky adviser. Except for the 1988 season, when he left Hart to coach at Bellflower High, Herrington had missed just two Hart games since 1976. His brothers, Mike and Rick, have been Hart's head coach and defensive coordinator for 18 seasons.

``I almost didn't take the Alemany job because I still wanted to help my brothers,'' Herrington said. ``We've always had a great time coaching together. It's been a bit of an adjustment this year, but the three of us are still together whenever we can. Mike and Rick were in the press box helping out during the Littlerock game.''

Known for his wide-open passing offenses at Hart and Canyons, Herrington -- still close friends with favorite prodigy Kyle Boller -- has sought more balance at Alemany. Quarterback Billy Rojas has been effective as a passer and a runner, and other standouts include two-way lineman Brooks Porter, receiver/safety Trevor Kilroy and running back Isaac Figueroa.

The Warriors still must prove itself against elite competition, but nobody at Alemany has any complaints. They're too busy enjoying success for the first time in too long.

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Q&A

...WITH PETER SELLER

Peter Seller is one of the most feared hitters in the area. The Verdugo Hills High of Tujunga linebacker has a team-high 57 tackes in four games, including 20 in last week's 18-17 victory over Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta. The senior also has four touchdowns as a tight end for the 4-0 Dons.

In the second quarter of a game against Los Angeles High earlier this season, the public address announcer said you'd be signing copies of your latest rap album at halftime. What's that all about?

He's my history teacher. Sadly, I'm not a rapper, and I will not be signing copies of my album at halftime. He and I joke with each other a lot, and that was his way of joking with me.

So, do you even like rap?

Rap is fine, but I'm more of a rock type of guy. System of a Down is a good band.

Let's talk football. You're also considered a standout tight end. Do you see yourself as more of an offensive or defensive guy?

Definitely a defensive guy. There's no question. I play tight end because my team needs me there. My mentality is best suited for taking the ball away from the other team.

You guys are off to a 4-0 start and are the defending Sunset Six League champion, but some would suggest that you're not a City Section contender. Do you feel you guys are overlooked?

No doubt about it. Last year, we were undefeated in league and didn't even make the City Section Championship (bracket). People may doubt us, but our goal is to win it all. We want to be the ones playing on the final night at the Coliseum.

You guys had a scare last week in a last-minute 18-17 victory over Crescenta Valley. Will that game serve as a wake-up call?

Of course. We practiced poorly that week, so that scare was the best thing that could have happened to us. Practice this week has improved big time, that's for sure.

You're not the only standout player in your league. Who will get the best of the matchup when you and Grant of Van Nuys running back Fred Winborn meet up in Week Six?

Winborn is an exceptional running back. You look at his stats over the past few weeks, and it's hard to argue anything else. But we're not too shabby, either. I think we'll be able to contain him.

-- Kevin Connelly 

UNDER THE HELMET

The state's longest winning and losing streaks in high school football were both extended last week and have the potential to survive until the end of the season.

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, which moved up to No. 8 this week in USA Today's Super 25 national rankings, increased its run to 35 consecutive victories following Thursday night's win over Venice.

The Lions' run moved into a tie for fifth all-time in Southern Section history, joining Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (2003-05) and Loyola of Los Angeles (1962-64), and a tie for 21st on the state list, which includes Alameda (1966-70).

Oaks Christian, which snapped St. Bonaventure of Ventura's 27-game winning streak Sept. 22 with a 59-13 victory, also moved into a tie for 13th nationally among the list of active winning streaks.

Lakeland, Fla. -- ranked third by USA Today -- and No. 6 Southlake Carroll, Texas, have also won 35 in a row. Oaks Christian -- which hasn't lost since a 27-24 setback to Oak Park on Nov. 14, 2003 -- would tie Maryville, Tenn., winner of 36 straight, with a victory Oct. 6 against visiting Diamond Ranch of Pomona.

The Lions also have their sights set on the all-time Southern Section winning streak of 46, held by Canyon of Canyon Country (1983-86) and Temple City (1969-73). Should Oaks Christian run the table and win the Northwest Division title, combined with a victory in the inaugural Div. III state bowl game in December, it would tie the Southern Section mark and move into fourth all-time on the state list.

Oaks Christian's celebration last week was tempered by Calabasas' losing streak reaching 35 games, also tied for fifth-longest in Southern Section history. Calabasas, winless since a 28-21 triumph over Newbury Park on Nov. 1, 2002, has the 14th-longest run of futility in state history, tied with Central Valley (1987-91) and San Gabriel (1989-93).

The news only becomes more grim for the Coyotes, who open Marmonte League play tonight against Thousand Oaks. Calabasas has lost 23 straight league games, with the closest margin in any of those contests being a 13-point setback last year against Simi Valley.

Should the Coyotes go winless in league play for a fourth consecutive year, their losing streak would reach 42 games, tying Hollywood (2000-04) for fourth all-time in state history.

CAPTION(S):

6 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1) First-year coach Dean Herrington has the Alemany High football team off to 3-0 start this season.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer

(2) Dean Herrington, in a photo taken in 1992, helped lead Hart to 10 league titles in 11 seasons.

Daily News file photo

(3) no caption (Peter Seller)

(4) OAKS CHRISTIAN RB MARC TYLER 

(5) J.J. DILUIGI

Canyon, RB, Sr.

(6) AUBREY SMITH

Chaminade, WR/DB, Sr.

Box:

(1) SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL RANKING

(2) THE BIG MATCHUP

J.J. DILUIGI vs. AUBREY SMITH

- Sean Ceglinsky

(3) LEAGUE UPDATES

(4) PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATION

(5) QUESTION OF THE WEEK

(6) THEY SAID IT