MR. DEPENDABLE SPANN CANYON COUNTRY TEAM'S ROCK.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - Nothing has come easy for Chachi Spann, the only experienced starter on the Canyon High football team's injury-depleted defensive line.

But that's OK. Spann is just the kind of responsible teenager who can handle the pressure.

He had 4 1/2 sacks in an opening victory over Lancaster, followed by another solid outing Friday against Saddleback, as Canyon allowed just 160 yards in a 48-7 victory in Santa Ana to improve to 2-0.

But Spann is much more than just a high school football player. His is a remarkable story about a poor, only child who grew up fatherless in South L.A. before moving to Santa Clarita immediately after the L.A. riots 11 years ago.

He's blossomed not just as one of the team's key seniors - he also is the team's starting tight end on offense - but as a student and citizen.

``It's been rough sometimes,'' Spann said. ``I never knew my father. He was Columbian, and my mom said he had drug issues, so it's for the best that he hasn't been around. My mom has lupus, so she can't work. We all live in the same house with my grandma and my uncle.''

Spann goes to church every Sunday and says God has replaced the missing father figure in his life.

``I've always been really involved in my church. I look to God for encouragement,'' he said.

Spann needs no extra encouragement on the football field. He's a natural. At 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 210 pounds, he's more agile than most blockers and too quick for the average offensive lineman. Offensively, he proved himself one of Canyon's key receivers during passing league, but hasn't been thrown to through the first two weeks this season, as Canyon has coasted to two one-sided victories.

This past summer, while most of his football teammates headed to Zuma Beach in Malibu or cruised the Valencia Town Center mall, Spann worked full-time laboring behind the grill at In-N-Out Burger, saving enough money to buy a truck.

``I worked my butt off to make the down payment but it was worth it,'' he said.

Canyon is without injured defensive lineman Kevin Barto (leg), Jake Armbruster (knee) and Derek Smith (hand). But thanks to Spann, the team is ranked among the best in the state heading into Week 3 against visiting Etiwanda at 7 p.m. Friday.

Star quarterback Nate Longshore gets most of the credit, but Spann is equally crucial because he's not just doing a fine job, but helping others around him learn as they go.

``I'm the senior leader because everyone else on the line is juniors,'' Spann said.

Longshore says it's a pleasure to have Spann as a teammate.

``He's very important because he's really holding the line together,'' Longshore said. ``Plus, he's just a real good example for everyone else, a good role model on how to live your life - and that's important. He just fits in really well, and he definitely works hard.''

Linebacker Andrew Schantz agrees.

``Chachi definitely brings something extra, an extra spark,'' Schantz said. ``I think he's taken it upon himself to help the other guys and kind of take them under his wing. And he's the right kind of person to do that because everyone really likes him.''

Naturally, coach Harry Welch is happy to have at least one experienced player at such a key position, as converted linebackers Mike Reeves and Justin Williams are among the fill-ins up front.

``Chachi is definitely the leader. It's not even close,'' Welch said. ``He's the most gifted player we've got there because of his maturity and the way he moves his feet.''

Like Spann's teammates, Welch also appreciates Spann as a person, and as a shining example that it's possible to overcome obstacles in life, no matter how difficult.

``He's got a wonderful mom who really cares and holds him accountable,'' Welch said. ``He's just a happy-go-lucky kid.''

An honor student, Spann eventually wants to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, perhaps majoring in archaeology or engineering.

Longshore believes in him 100 percent.

``I really think whatever Chachi puts his mind to, he can do it,'' Longshore said.

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(color) Canyon High School defensive lineman Chachi Spann has come on strong after other teammates were injured.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer