HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: LIVING UP TO HIS PAST GLORY EAGLE ROCK'S JOVANELLY BUILDS ON LAST YEAR'S TITLE CATCH.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

EAGLE ROCK - Josh Jovanelly doesn't like to dwell on it, but the Eagle Rock High receiver will never forget hauling in the winning touchdown pass that gave the Eagles the City Section Invitational championship last year.

``It's probably the defining moment of my career,'' Jovanelly said with a smile. ``That doesn't mean I can't do something better this year to improve myself. I was lucky to be put in that position to make that play.''

Jovanelly caught a 9-yard pass from Jeremy Camacho with time expiring last December to lift Eagle Rock past Northern League rival Marshall of Los Feliz at the Coliseum.

The senior slot receiver sees that moment as an opportunistic event, a milestone, but more importantly as motivation.

``It was a great experience just being in that setting,'' Jovanelly said. ``This year is about just trying to put it behind us and focusing on the things we did to get there, not just the fact that we made it. I want to go out with a bigger bang.''

Jovanelly, an All-City selection last season who led the section with 76 receptions, will lead the Eagles (3-1 overall, 1-0 Northern) against visiting Marshall (3-1, 0-1) Friday in a rematch of last year's title game.

Jovanelly (12 catches, 281 yards, 3 TDs) needs three catches and 162 yards to become the school's all-time receptions and receiving-yardage leader. And the 5-foot-8, 140-pounder won't be the only Jovanelly with a school record. His older brother David holds the school's rushing record, with 1,562 yards (and 19 touchdowns) in 1997. His other brother, Steven, won All-Northern League honors in 1999.

Jovanelly is hoping to be accepted by an Ivy League school -- Princeton or Columbia would be perfect for the potential journalism major -- and he's working to maintain a 4.0 grade-point average while tackling three Advanced Placement courses.

On the field, Jovanelly doesn't tower over cornerbacks, nor is he the fastest receiver, but he's quick off the line and can find open spots and break on into the end zone, making him quarterback Aaron Frescas' favorite target.

As a defensive back, Jovanelly has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this season.

``I am out there on defense because I make the calls and kind of get the defense oriented,'' Jovanelly said. ``Offensively, I don't have a goal, such as how many catches I want to make or how many touchdowns, because most of the time that's not in my control.

``The biggest goal I set as an individual is not to drop any passes. Everything that I can get my hands on I need to catch, because that's what I control. I can't control how many times the ball is thrown to me.''

No drops this season equals a steak dinner for Jovanelly, courtesy of an assistant coach. After four games: no drops.

Marshall coach Andy Moran is very familiar with Jovanelly.

``He is a blue-collar kid,'' Moran said. ``He plays hard, never takes a play off.''

That work ethic is noticed by teammates such as defensive back Damien Fuentes during practice.

``Out all the receivers I've faced this year, Josh runs the tightest routes,'' Fuentes said. ``He runs every play at 100 percent. That makes you think the ball is coming his way on every play. That makes me want to do the same. He's just an explosive player.''

Said Eagles coach Jerry Chou: ``(Jovanelly) is the liaison between the players and our coaches. Only every 10 years do I get a player like him. His selflessness and respect for his teammates will take him far.

``He made more than one big play in that game against Marshall. All he did with that touchdown was gain more confidence.''

Alex Valladares contributed

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Eagle Rock receiver Josh Jovanelly has 12 receptions for 281 yards and three touchdowns this season.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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