PROMISING RUNNING BACK RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

Well, look who's making a comeback. In yet another chapter in an ongoing football saga, Charles Burnley has joined the Pierce College team under new coach Kevin Moore.

Burnley, you'll remember, was among California's top recruits as a running back at Valencia High in 2002. He rushed for more than 3,500 yards in two seasons but also had his share of problems, including a juvenile battery conviction, a midseason football suspension and academic issues.

After failing to meet NCAA Division I academic requirements -- costing him a scholarship to Oregon State -- Burnley practiced briefly with College of the Canyons' team before deciding to concentrate on academics at Canyons, a plan that eventually led to Burnley meeting the requirements and accepting the Oregon State deal.

After one college season as a promising reserve, Burnley was primed to earn a starting job at OSU before academic problems plagued him again, and he returned home before last year's season opener.

The last we heard, Burnley, a talented rap artist with family connections in the record industry, was planning a music career.

With his incredible speed and natural instincts for the game, perhaps Burnley is making the right move by returning to football. If he keeps his focus, there's no reason to believe he can't land another scholarship.

``Charles looks good. He's committed,'' Pierce assistant coach Ken Shaw said.

Lots more news to report on former area football standouts, starting with the ex-Hart foursome at Fresno State: Sean Norton, Kevin Ciccone, Chris Piligian and now Joe Bernardi.

Norton, a former Cal-Hi Sports State Player of the Year, is competing to be the starting quarterback, and Ciccone (receiver) and Piligian (offensive line) also have a shot. Bernardi, coming off knee surgery for the second time in four years, is a freshman center who probably will red-shirt because two senior centers are ahead of him.

``We have a good time all hanging out together,'' Bernardi said. ``We do a lot of things together, and it's just fun to have your high school teammates up here.''

Chris Frome, another former Hart standout who's a starting defensive lineman at Notre Dame, is back in town this week before returning to South Bend next Tuesday. Frome is coming off knee surgery.

``His injury has healed. Chris is fine now,'' said his mother, Peggy. ``He's good to go.''

At UNLV, former Hart receiver Ryan Wolfe has a good chance to make the starting lineup as a freshman. He gray-shirted last year, along with UNLV teammate Chris Butler, a tight end who played at Canyon High and College of the Canyons.

Former Hart linebacker Bubba Hetman, who joined the Navy in December, is training in Florida to be an airborne medic.

``He doesn't play sports anymore. He's just jumping out helicopters,'' said his mother, Peggy.

Hetman graduates training on Friday. Of the 13 members who started in Hetman's group, only five remain.

And finally, ex-Hart quarterback Tyler Lyon leaves Monday to begin his football career at Arizona.

``It's going to be strange around here without Tyler running around,'' said his father, Chuck, who's hosting a going-away party Sunday.

Perhaps it was a wise decision by Valencia High baseball standout Casey Mulligan to sign Sunday with the St. Louis Cardinals as a 22nd round draft choice instead of honoring a Cal State Fullerton scholarship.

Terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, but Mulligan, who left Monday for rookie ball in Johnson City, Tenn., should have no regrets, according to Valencia coach Jared Snyder, a former minor leaguer who helped guide Mulligan through the process.

``It was a very good deal, and his college is paid for as part of the package,'' Snyder said. ``I think it was worth it to him because he'll be financially secure for a while.

``I absolutely think he's got a shot because he's a great baseball player with a lot of heart, and he doesn't do drugs or drink, and he has a great arm and he wants to make it.''

After totaling more than 400 strikeouts as junior this season, Valencia softball ace Jordan Taylor isn't taking a break. She was in Las Vegas a couple of weekends ago for a high-profile tournament with her travel team, the Anaheim Batbusters, an ASA 18-under gold competitor. She pitched a four-inning no-hitter with nine strikeouts in a victory over a team from Minnesota.

``It was a really big tournament, and it was good because there's a lot of college exposure there,'' said Taylor, who remains firmly committed to Michigan.

Among Taylor's teammates on the Batbusters is Hart sophomore Caitlyn Stiglich, who plays catcher and third base.

Saugus football coach Jason Bornn was in Atlanta on Monday for a symposium on ``winning with character.''

The Centurions went 0-4 at the Hart passing tournament at College of the Canyons last weekend. It appears Bornn plans to stick with quarterback Nick Gauthier over sophomore Desi Rodriguez, who could start at cornerback.

Receiver Kyle Monson was among the top players at the Hart tournament, along with running backs Dave Alpert, a first-year senior, and Ryan Zirbel, a promising sophomore.

Johnny Hay, who hit a Canyon-record 12 home runs as a senior this season, erased any doubt about his ability to use a wood bat by hitting two home runs -- including a grand slam -- and a triple during a summer-league game Sunday at The Master's College.

Hay, who went undrafted last week, plans to play at Cypress Community College.

Local softball standouts Danielle Duhart of Hart, Roni La Val of Valencia and Sarah Hooper and Tiffany Huff of Saugus have been selected to participate in the first San Fernando Valley Classic all-star game at 4:30 p.m. today at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa. There's a preceding home run contest beginning at 3:30.