SIZE NOT AN ISSUE FOR LINEMAN COC'S MIULLI HAS BIG TALENT.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Undersized linemen aren't supposed to keep playing football after high school. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Joey Miulli.

After a solid career at Valencia High, Miulli, a 6-foot, 240-pound freshman, who's surrounded by 300-pound teammates at College of the Canyons, is making an impact.

``Joey's our starting center, and he's probably our best lineman,'' said COC coach Chuck Lyon, whose team finished 14-0 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year. ``In fact, not even probably - he is our best lineman. He's been the surprise of camp.''

Miulli simply couldn't resist another shot after Valencia advanced to the Southern Section Div. II final last season.

``I talked it over with my parents and decided I wanted to keep playing as long as I can,'' Miulli said. ``Yes, I feel pretty small standing next to a lot of these guys out here, but it's no big deal. I've been doing it all summer, and by now, I'm used to it.''

One benefit is Miulli gets a chance to continue playing with a group of former Valencia teammates who have been close friends for years. Receiver Shane Morales and linebackers Gary Cox and Anthony DiFilippo joined the Canyons team.

Morales, the Foothill League co-MVP as a senior last season, is competing for a starting spot after surprisingly failing to receive an NCAA Division I scholarship offer.

``It was a little upsetting, but you've got to get over it,'' Morales said. ``I'm loving it here. It's a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can get an offer (after one season), but I wouldn't mind being here two years.''

In other Canyons football news, unheralded Marcel Marquez has beaten out former national prospect/Cal transfer Cary Dove for the starting quarterback job. Both figure to play in Saturday's season opener at Chaffey. Game time is 5 p.m.

In a scrimmage against Division III Occidental last week, Marquez connected with highly touted freshman Terrance Scott on two 70-yard touchdown passes, and Dove threw a scoring pass to Billy Omahen, Canyons' leading returning receiver.

--Chris Gonzalez, a legless amputee who joined Valencia's football team as a defensive lineman, is hanging tough. He made it through summer conditioning drills and has kept pace now that full-contact practices have begun.

Gonzalez continues to receive lots of publicity. In the past week, two TV news stations visited practice to produce features on Gonzalez.

--Canyon High football coach Harry Welch has revamped his staff, adding five new assistants: John DiLuigi Sr., Dan Leggett, Tim Hollinger, Charlie Kusamento and Monterio Witherspoon.

Former junior-varsity assistant DiLuigi, the father of varsity running back John DiLuigi, oversees tight ends and defensive linemen. Leggett, a longtime associate of Welch's, is coaching the safeties. Hollinger, who played for Welch 20 years ago at L.A. Valley College, is helping with the cornerbacks. Kusamento will work with the receivers. Witherspoon, a former assistant at Dorsey of Los Angeles, won a job after cold-calling Welch following a move to Santa Clarita. He'll work with the offensive and defensive linemen.

Scott Blade, Welch's No. 1 assistant, returns, along with fellow veteran Dave Ends.

``I'm real pleased with the staff,'' Welch said.

--In other Foothill League football-coaching news, Chris Varner is Canyon's new JV coach, replacing Gary Lindberg, who retired. Don Marziani has taken over as Valencia's frosh coach. He's the father of varsity linebacker Travis Marziani.

--Hart's football program could have a future star in Demitri Diamond, a running back on the freshman team expected to make quite an impact.

``He's a big, strong, fast kid who's going to be tough to bring down,'' frosh coach Dan Cota said.

--Ronnie Holt, a senior who transferred two years ago from Burbank to Saugus, has worked his way into the Centurions' starting lineup as a defensive tackle.

``He's doing great for us,'' Saugus coach Jason Bornn said.

--John Torres, one of the area's most respected youth-football coaches before moving to Northern California four years ago, has returned and is coaching the 10-under Castaic Cougars.

This is Torres' 21st season. As a head coach for nine seasons, he has 63 career victories.

``I really love coaching and strive to be a positive role model for these youngsters,'' he said. ``I've had several opportunities to coach in high school, but this is really football in its purest form. Youngsters that want to learn want to please you by doing it the way you coach them. No attitudes. No major distractions like girls.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Although undersized, at 6-foot, 240 pounds, center Joey Miulli has emerged as College of the Canyons' best lineman.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer