PREP FOOTBALL: FIRST PAIN, THEN GAIN HIGHLAND'S KEITH OVERCOMES.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

PALMDALE - John Keith's face lights up when he talks about football.

His desire to play the sport he loves has driven him to strive for excellence. It's helped him achieve success in the classroom, and it's helped him overcome adversity.

And Keith has certainly had a lot to overcome the past year.

Keith, a hard-hitting Highland High junior linebacker, had emerged as one of the region's best at his position as a sophomore last season. He was doing just as well in the classroom, carrying a grade-point average of better than 3.5 that earned him an award for academic excellence at his school.

But then in the last two minutes of the last game of the season, he shattered his right hand, an injury that required surgery and set him back physically, leading to academic problems. Complicating the recovery was the development of a blood clot.

For several months, he experienced pain so excruciating he was prescribed powerful pain medication that prevented him from attending class. He tried to keep up with his schoolwork at home on an independent study program, but struggled in that endeavor.

Then after a challenging rehabilitation program, Keith suffered another major setback in June, when he broke his right ankle during a hitting drill.

Keith couldn't participate in summer practices, and wasn't even expected to be ready to play until league play began Oct. 18.

Keith's rehab went quicker than expected, though, and he was back for Highland's season opener Sept. 13 against Mayfair of Lakewood, and despite all the setbacks, Keith hasn't missed a beat. The first-team All-Golden League selection last season went back to being a defensive dynamo this year.

His presence has been a key factor in his team's success. The resurgent Bulldogs (7-2, 3-1) clinched their first playoff berth in five years Friday, and with some help - they need Palmdale to upset Antelope Valley on Friday night - they can claim a share of a possible three-way tie for first place.

``There were times when I couldn't even ball up my fist,'' Keith said, ``and then even after I got my cast off (my ankle) it was still painful to run.''

But these days he's been running right with - and catching - area running backs, making plays where at first it appears as if there are no plays to be made.

``It's weird because in track I can keep up with him, but his speed on the (football) field is way different,'' teammate Brandon Glover said. ``It's amazing how he can catch somebody from the opposite side of the field. He'll play weakside linebacker and he'll make a tackle on the other side of the field. The way he does it just amazes everybody.''

At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Keith's unique combination of strength, speed, and quickness suit him for his position as a weakside outside linebacker.

``That's where guys like to attack and if he doesn't step up and fill we're in trouble,'' Highland coach Sam Vaiana said. ``He's got to be able to cover guys in the flat and he's got to be able to step up on the run. For that position he has to be one of the best athletes on our team and he is.''

In recent weeks, Keith also has been used at running back in short-yardage situations, and is likely to see more action in the backfield next season, Vaiana said.

Keith admits the injuries exacted a toll on him emotionally. There were times when the pain was so intense from the hand injury that he didn't even want to get out of bed.

And he felt lost trying to keep up with his schoolwork away from an academic setting.

``I don't know what it did to me but it set me back,'' Keith said. ``I knew I couldn't play football for a while and when I came back from independent study my grades were down. I couldn't lift anymore, my arms got real small and my chest got real small. I just thought I wasn't going to be the same.''

But Keith knew he'd be back this year, even if he wasn't the same, and that's what helped him through the difficult times.

``I started getting letters from colleges, and that made me push forward,'' he said.

Keith wants to play for a Pacific-10 Conference program, and already has received recruiting letters from UCLA and Oregon.

Vaiana admits he was surprised at how fast Keith was able to return to the team after his ankle injury, and how quickly he got back up to speed. But that Keith was able to overcome as much adversity as he did came as no surprise.

``Being the type of kid that he is, he accepted the challenge and he rose to it.''

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Highland linebacker John Keith has returned with a vengeance after suffering two major injuries in a short period of time.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer