ROUNDUP: PARITY: A GOLDEN LEAGUE STANDARD.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer As local teams head into the Golden League football season this weekend, two things are apparent: There is neither a clear favorite, nor a predictable patsy. Like last season, when Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley , Highland and Palmdale all tied for first place, there is a lot of parity. Even seniorless Lancaster (3-2), making its maiden varsity voyage, poses a threat; the Eagles have won three of their last four, and their straight-ahead, conservative attack should fit right in. Highland (3-2) advanced to the Division II semifinals last season, but has been up and down this year. Perhaps the Bulldogs, coming off consecutive wins over Bakersfield Stockdale and Burroughs-Ridgecrest, are on track. Playing a challenging nonleague schedule, Antelope Valley is 2-2; the losses came to Nevada state-champion Western and defending Division II titlist ti·tlist n. The holder of a competitive title; a champion: a chess titlist. titlist a champion or one who holds a title. See also: Athletics Dominguez. The Antelopes graduated most of their top skill-position players but have regrouped nicely under Newcomb, who is recovering from a heart attack suffered last spring. Palmdale (3-2), expected to be very good, has been inconsistent. Sometimes the Falcons are explosive, sometimes sloppy and mistake-prone. But Palmdale probably has more top athletes than anyone. Littlerock (4-1) gets better every year. The Lobos are playing terrific defense, and their grind-it-out offensive philosophy is working. Quartz Hill (3-2), strongly favored by several league coaches, had won three straight before a lackluster 21-7 loss at Valencia last weekend. A Golden League capsule: Antelope Valley Coach: Brent Newcomb Strengths: Quarterback/safety Justin Mobley, one of the region's top athletes, has yet to break out but figures to beef up his numbers after completing just 25 passes for 360 yards through four games. Mobley is the Antelopes leading rusher with 158 yards (4.4 avg.). Wide receiver/cornerback Joe Manning has excelled, catching 13 passes for 187 yards (two TDs) and returning one interception 75 yards for a score. Punter Russell Griffith (37.3 avg.) is among the best. Weaknesses: The defense yields 232 rushing yards per game, and that's too much. Lacking a go-to tailback tail·back n. Football The back on an offensive team who lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage. tailback Noun Brit a queue of traffic stretching back from an obstruction , AV is yet to untrack offensively. Highland Coach: Lin Parker Strengths: Explosiveness. There are plenty of home-run hitters, specifically receivers Jerome Wright Jerome Wright (born 29 October 1985) is an English footballer. He palys as a Midfielder. He is currently playing for Northern Premier League First Division team F.C. United of Manchester. Trivia (14 catches, 263 yards) and Brian Floyd (eight catches, 180 yards, four TDs). Quarterback Camy Smith (63 of 135, 801 yards, five TDs) keys the offense. He is the league's premier passer. Tight end Michael DeLeon (15 catches, 166 yards) is a dependable third-down receiver. Kicker Derek Brown (six field goals, three from 40-plus yards) is one of the state's best. Brandon McElvaine, a 6-1, 215-pound power back, has 282 yards (5.9 avg.) but was expected to do more. Weaknesses: Inconsistency. So far, no one can predict which Bulldog bulldog, breed of thick-set nonsporting dog developed in the British Isles many centuries ago. It stands from 13 to 15 in. (33–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 40 to 50 lb (18.1–22.7 kg). team will show up - the one that dominates with long touchdowns and loud defensive hits, or the pathetic squad that lacked in all facets in losing to Division VII Victor Valley 42-9. The Bulldogs need to cut down on penalties. Lancaster Coach: Ray DeShane Strengths: Stingy stin·gy adj. stin·gi·er, stin·gi·est 1. Giving or spending reluctantly. 2. Scanty or meager: a stingy meal; stingy with details about the past. defense, especially against the pass (89 yards avg.). Mike Brown, a shifty shift·y adj. shift·i·er, shift·i·est 1. Having, displaying, or suggestive of deceitful character; evasive or untrustworthy. 2. punt-return specialist and defensive back, looks like an all-leaguer. Danny Pagnella, a tough 5-8, 155-pound running back, has emerged as Lancaster's main weapon with 427 yards (5.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Robert LaPlante has three field goals. The squad features big linemen that don't get pushed around. Weaknesses: Inexperience. Without seniors, Lancaster faces a cold, windy, hard-hitting league campaign with its eyes wide open This article contains links, text or other information that has been inserted due to a business arrangement by the Wikimedia Foundation rather than the usual Wikipedia editing process. It may or may not comply with all of Wikipedia's normal editorial standards. . Quarterback Kyle Henderson has just 11 pass completions (for 130 yards), platooning with Vernon Smith (9 for 24, 101 yards), who hasn't fared so well either. Littlerock Coach: Jim Bauer Strengths: Michael Woods Michael Woods could refer to:
n. One that slashes. adj. Characterized by gory violence: slasher movies. slasher Noun Austral & NZ David Newton (401 yards, 6.0) does a fine job relieving Woods. The Lobos are playing the best defense in the region, giving up fewer than 200 yards per game. Noseguard Jimmy Combs is the man. Weaknesses: Not much big-play passing potential. Myles Meeden is just 24 for 52 (226 yards, five interceptions) with no touchdowns. The way to beat the Lobos is to jump on 'em early. Kicker Andre Ramos has yet to score a field goal. Palmdale Coach: Jeff Williams For the poker player, see . For the physician, see . For the astronaut, see . Jeff Williams (born June 6, 1972 in Canberra) is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. Strengths: Athleticism. Jason Anderson
The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position (or a touchdown if possible) by returning it. and linebacker Mark Hendricks likes to eat quarterbacks. Weaknesses: Execution. Palmdale has not played to its potential, especially lately, and needs to show some discipline. Too many fumbles and penalties. Quartz Hill Coach: John Albee Strengths: Plenty of upfront size with Chris Bishop (6-7, 290), Clint Mayer (6-3, 290), and Cliff Watkins (6-3, 250). Running back/linebacker David Fetters fet·ter n. 1. A chain or shackle for the ankles or feet. 2. Something that serves to restrict; a restraint. tr.v. fet·tered, fet·ter·ing, fet·ters 1. To put fetters on; shackle. (514 yards total offense, four TDs) and quarterback/defensive back Eric Holtfreter (460 yards passing, three touchdowns) are leaders on both sides. Holtfreter has three interceptions in the last two games. Bryan Hilterbran is a solid linebacker. Running back/safety Hiram Johnson Hiram Warren Johnson (September 2, 1866 – August 6, 1945) was a leading American progressive and later isolationist politician from California; he served as Governor from 1911 to 1917, and as a United States Senator from 1917 to 1945. is a gutsy guts·y adj. guts·i·er, guts·i·est Slang 1. Marked by courage or daring; plucky. 2. Robust and uninhibited; lusty: "the gutsy . . . all-purpose player. Weaknesses: Not much firepower. Quartz Hill doesn't play catch-up very well. Like Palmdale and Highland, Quartz Hill is on and off. If the Rebels avoid mistakes and spring some big plays, they can hang with anyone. Golden League, Week 1: (All games Friday, 7:30) Littlerock at Highland; Antelope Valley at Quartz Hill; Lancaster at Palmdale. |
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