PERHAPS MOORE SHOULD HAVE STUCK IT OUT.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Community Sports

I'm a bit torn about Matt Moore's decision to leave UCLA's football team, but I didn't think it was fair to write about it until I talked to him.

As most in the local sporting horizon know by now, Moore, the former Hart High standout, quit the team last week after deciding he no longer wanted to compete for playing time with Drew Olson.

Although many of America's core values are based on freedom of choice, I thought Moore needed to explain the timing of his decision - and the issue of team loyalty - since UCLA has one game remaining, against Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 30 in San Jose.

``I did struggle with the decision because I really had nothing against UCLA. But personally I need to accomplish my goals,'' said Moore, who has made no secret of his desire eventually to be an NFL quarterback. ``No, it wasn't perfect timing, and I do feel bad about that. My teammates have shown me love, and I've had a good time at UCLA. But this is just something I have to do.''

So just like that, Moore, a sophomore who obviously is willing to sit out one year as a transfer, plans to try his luck at another Division I university. Among those left behind is UCLA reserve receiver Chris Steck, a longtime friend and teammate from Hart.

I would bet plenty of other college football players, even at UCLA, have been beaten out for a starting job and, like Moore, still plan on making it to the NFL one day. Yet perhaps they weren't willing to take such drastic measures and leave.

I mean, it's not the end of the world to be a sophomore backup, and, frankly, if Matt Moore isn't good enough to supplant Olson - who isn't exactly the next John Elway - then that says a lot about Moore's NFL aspirations whether or not he remains at UCLA.

I wonder what another former Hart quarterback, Jim Bonds, would think. A generation ago, he, too, was a UCLA starter who lost his job - to Tommy Maddox, who eventually made it to the NFL - but Bonds stuck it out, helped his teammates get better and earned a degree.

Today, Bonds is a high school teacher and football coach at St. Francis of La Canada - which, if I'm not crazy for thinking so, might be as important a role in society as an NFL football player.

I'll leave it at that.

--The world of high school sports sure can use more parents like Gail Rocco, mother of former Valencia softball standout Tori, now at Arkansas Tech.

At her own expense over the past four years, Gail Rocco has produced a remarkable 200-page memory book of color photos, press clippings, etc., which she gave to all the Valencia players, coaches and parents for free.

I can only imagine how much time and expense Rocco endures to produce such a thorough, professional presentation. Certainly, it would be quite a project for even a newspaper staff to put together.

``It's such an incredible keepsake. My gosh, it's a great accomplishment,'' coach Donna Lee said. ``Gail Rocco is an incredible lady. She's definitely going to be missed.''

--Speaking of Lee, she promises to switch alliances temporarily so she can cheer for rival Hart's football team - which includes her nephew, starting linebacker Bubba Hetman - in the Southern Section Div. II championship game against Mission Viejo on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Home Depot Center in Carson.

``Of course I'll be there rooting for my nephew,'' Lee said. ``I'll bleed Hart red - but only for one night.''

--And now that we're on the subject of Hart's football final, the game within the game on both sides of ball figures to be the head-to-head matchup between Hart's Kevin Ciccone and Mission Viejo's Marty Tadman, both of whom are standout receivers and defensive backs.

Tadman, who prides himself as perhaps California top coverage person, said he'll make every effort to shut down Ciccone, who has 75 receptions for 1,280 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.

``Kevin Ciccone is who I'm focusing on. My job is to shut him down,'' Tadman said. ``Actually, it gets me kind of pumped up knowing that Hart is going to pass so many times Saturday.''

The heavily recruited Tadman, who has narrowed his college choices to USC and Arizona, held highly regarded San Clemente receiver Steve Melton to one reception for minus-3 yards this season.

Tadman also is an excellent receiver, with 46 receptions for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ciccone, a starting cornerback, probably will defend him Saturday.

--Canyon High quarterback Nate Longshore, also among the basketball team's top returning starters, is taking a break from basketball, probably through the New Year.

Nursing hamstring and shoulder injuries, Longshore might rejoin the basketball team in time for Foothill League competition beginning Jan. 9, according to basketball coach Chad Phillips.

``Nate deserves a month off,'' Phillips said.

--College of the Canyons defensive back Kevin Jones has committed to Utah State.

In other College of the Canyons recruiting news, softball players Carly Caldaronello and Jen McLarty have committed to NAIA scholarships in Oklahoma. Caldaronello, an infielder from Hart, is going to Northwestern Oklahoma State University. McLarty, a pitcher from Saugus, is headed to St. Gregory's University.

``They're going to be archrivals,'' College of the Canyons sports-information director Bruce Battle said.

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Former Hart quarterback Matt Moore (7) has chosen to leave UCLA, a decision former Bruins and UCLA quarterback Jim Bonds also could have made but did not.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer