SO. SECTION DIVISION III: HART WINS; HEARTBREAK INDIANS CLAIM 4TH TITLE IN A ROW HART 42, VALENCIA 13.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - ``It was the perfect ending to a perfect season,'' Hart High receiver Chris Steck said. And who could argue?

The Indians of Newhall routed Valencia 42-13 to win their fourth consecutive Southern Section Division III football championship in front of a standing-room only crowd of about 9,000 Friday at College of the Canyons.

Hart (13-0) is the only large school in the region ever to win four titles in a row.

Hart's Matt Moore completed 14 of 18 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns, and he also ran for a 49-yard touchdown.

``Our kids played great,'' Hart coach Mike Herrington said. ``They had a good week of practice and were very businesslike all week. We did what we hoped we would do. The kids came to play tonight.''

The Indians have won 22 consecutive games, 33 in a row at College of the Canyons and 48 of their last 50 overall. Herrington has five titles in his 13 years, and Hart has seven since 1983.

``I can't explain what this feels like,'' said Steck, who had four receptions, including touchdowns of 15 and 23 yards. ``All the guys came through.''

Hart scored the first four touchdowns of the game. By the fourth quarter, the Indians cleared their bench. Even receiver Mike Directo, who had scored a perfect 1,600 on his SAT but never had caught a pass in two seasons, got into the action. His 13-yard reception gave Hart its final first down of the game.

Moore dominated from the start. He drove Hart 93 yards on 10 plays for a touchdown on the first possession, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Steck.

Moore completed 3 of 3 passes on the drive and rushed for 31 yards on three carries.

On Hart's next series, Moore executed a perfect 43-yard coffin-corner punt to the 1-yard line. Pinned deep in its own territory, Valencia (11-3) punted a short time later, and Moore responded with a 49-yard touchdown run to give the Indians a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Hart soon got the ball back, and Moore hit Keith Howell on a 79-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-0, and Valencia was cooked.

Moore, who has committed to UCLA, finished the season with 3,350 yards and 33 touchdown passes.

Valencia appeared ready to make a challenge - for the first two minutes. Charles Burnley ran 65 yards to the Hart 15 on the second play of the game. But Howell intercepted a pass by Colin Carey near the goal line three plays later, and Valencia didn't cross midfield again until late in the first half.

When Valencia finally did penetrate Hart territory to the 45 late in the first half, Carey's underthrew a pass to Desmond Blair, and Mickey Mercado intercepted at the 9.

After Burnley's 65-yard run, Valencia was held to 58 yards the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, Hart had 281 yards by intermission.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Chris Steck and Hart ran away from Valencia on Friday night to win their fourth consecutive Southern Section championship.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2) Hart quarterback Matt Moore (17) eludes Valencia defenders Mark Muinoz (45) and Brandon Fuselier during the Southern Section Division III championship game.

David Crane/Staff Photographer