SIDELINED CANYON STAFFERS RETURN FOR WIN.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

It was touch and go last week for Canyon High football support staff members Cecil Hammock and Ric Bailey, both hospitalized with serious injuries before making a comeback just in time for Canyon's 49-32 victory Friday over Chaminade of West Hills.

Hammock, 53, was taken by ambulance to the hospital because of severe chest pains, though it turned out he did not have a heart attack as originally feared.

Bailey, 42, temporarily lost 75 percent of his sight and his blood-sugar plummeted because of symptoms related to diabetes. But, like Hammock, he bounced back just in time for Friday's kickoff.

``I had three episodes of chest pains and spent two days in the hospital, and believe me I was happy when I left,'' said Hammock, who works as a team photographer and press-box assistant. ``I just praise God that everything came back to normal. I'm good because of the prayers that people were praying for me.''

Hammock isn't through with doctors and hospitals. He's scheduled to undergo back surgery next week for the second time, but he's hoping to be back on his feet as soon as possible.

Bailey, a former Saugus running back who helps manage Canyon's sideline during games and also performs various team duties, said he feels like a new man.

``I just wasn't taking good care of myself, but it's all good now,'' Bailey said. ``I was scared because I couldn't see a thing for a week. I was blind.''

While Canyon running back J.J. DiLuigi enjoyed another breakout performance with 279 yards rushing and four touchdowns Friday against Chaminade, it's quickly becoming apparent who the school's next star running back will be.

Look no further than freshman phenom Antonio Bray, a blazing 5-foot-7, 150-pounder who has scored nine touchdowns in four JV games -- including four against Chaminade -- while playing with sophomore teammates a year older than him.

``He's marvelous,'' varsity coach Harry Welch said. ``Antonio Bray is not just going to be a good running back, he's going to be great.''

Bray earned quite a reputation in youth-football circles through the years, rushing for 1,500 yards with 20 touchdowns as an eighth-grader.

In more Canyon news, keep an eye on prized basketball prospect Cody Anderson, a 6-foot-8 junior who has grown three inches from last season, when he averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds for the JV team.

Anderson, who wears size 15 shoes, said he's still growing. He could eventually be 7 feet tall like some of his relatives, he said.

``I didn't play varsity last year because I was still developing my skills, but I'm doing a lot better,'' Anderson said.

Down in the dumps after losing three of its first four football games, Hart got just what it needed Friday in a 55-6 rout over visiting Antelope Valley, jumping to a 49-point halftime lead to allow the reserves to play the entire second half.

``Everybody was happy because this brought up our team morale,'' said Brandon Arndt, a starting receiver and defensive back who called it a night after two quarters.

``For everyone to play, it's fantastic even if it's just two plays. They love that compared to standing on the sideline.''

Daniel Jose, a 15-year-old from West Ranch High, is quickly making a name for himself in the paintball world, competing with teammates Jason Belling, 15, from West Ranch, and Matt Thompson, 15, from Hart, in a large-scale, 150-team tournament in Acton through today.

``Paintball is fun. It's really something I like to do,'' Jose said. ``We play seven-on-seven, and it's challenging because you've got to move around a lot and communicate with each other.''