READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? IT'S KICKOFF TIME PLAYERS, COACHES, FAMILIES FRENZIED AS SEASON OPENS.Byline: GERRY GITTELSON SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - High school football returned in grand style Thursday as thousands packed Canyon High's stadium for a much-anticipated season opener between the host Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. and fellow annual power Moorpark. Both were coming off terrific seasons last year -- Canyon won the Southern Section Div. II championship and Moorpark was the Div. IV runner-up -- and the players, coaches, cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
``A bunch of the players have been at my house all week watching `Remember The Titans' every day to get them pumped up,'' said Moorpark freshman Amanda Murry, sister of running back Ryan Murry. Perhaps no player had more family support than Canyon's star running back, J.J. DiLuigi, who was coming off a record-breaking season that saw him score 43 touchdowns last year. His father, John, is an assistant coach, his mother, Meribeth, designed and published the game programs and official team posters, and sisters Melissa, 20, and Sheay, 23, were among the first arrivals. ``The anticipation is killing us,'' said Sheay, who like her sister and mom, wore DiLuigi's No. 10 jersey. ``I just couldn't wait. That's why we're here so early,'' Melissa said. ``We've been waiting for months and counting down the days.'' You could feel the excitement in the air as the teams lined up for the opening kickoff. ``Now it's all about football. Everything else fades away,'' said Kurt Jurado, father of Canyon linebacker Nic Jurado. The Moorpark parents felt the same way. ``School started yesterday, and all we can talk about in our house is football,'' said Michelle McAteer, whose son Greg plays defensive end for the Musketeers. ``Our son is really excited. The first game is always tough, and everyone has been saying we're the underdog, but we think we have a good chance because the boys have worked as hard as anyone.'' Perhaps no one was more excited to embrace a new season than Canyon's veteran coach, Harry Welch Welch , William Henry 1850-1934. American pathologist and bacteriologist who discovered the bacteria that causes gas gangrene. , a 61-year-old taskmaster task·mas·ter n. 1. One who imposes tasks, especially burdensome or laborious ones. 2. A source of burden or responsibility: The profession of medicine is a stern taskmaster. who has dedicated his life to high school football since his days as a quarterback at Crespi High of Encino in the 1960s. ``I'm just as excited and nervous as I was before the championship game last year,'' Welch said during warm-ups. ``It's just amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. . I've been counting the minutes, and my players are very anxious -- and by that, I mean the full spectrum of anxiety and eagerness altogether. We're just glad the season is finally starting.'' Both teams were a bit jittery in the early going. Canyon's first drive ended with an interception near the goal line, and Moorpark fumbled away a punt on the next possession. After a scoreless first quarter, Chris Chapman's 22-yard field goal gave Canyon its first points, and the crowd went wild as fans rose to their feet and cheered mightily might·i·ly adv. 1. In a mighty manner; powerfully. 2. To a great degree; greatly. Adv. 1. mightily - powerfully or vigorously; "he strove mightily to achieve a better position in life" 2. , confetti streamed down, and the school band broke into the Cowboy fight song. The pressure to win wasn't lost on the cheerleaders, who were especially antsy ant·sy adj. ant·si·er, ant·si·est Slang 1. Restless or impatient; fidgety: The long wait made the children antsy. 2. on the Canyon side after the cancellation of a pregame spirit rally because of a schedule conflict. ``I'm just hoping we can keep the tradition alive and make it back to the CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). championship again,'' said Katie Kline, a junior. ``It's been insane INSANE. One deprived of the use of reason, after he has arrived at the age when he ought to have it, either by a natural defect or by accident. Domat, Lois Civ. Lib. prel. tit. 2, s. 1, n. 11. because the whole school is so excited for the first game. ``There's a lot of school spirit here.'' gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com (661) 257-5218 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Canyon High School Canyon High School can refer to:
(2) Canyon High School cheerleaders perform for the crowd during the season opener Thursday night against Moorpark. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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