SOMETHING TO BUILD ON MONROE IS 3-1 AFTER JUST 4 WINS IN PAST TWO YEARS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

Staff Writer

NORTH HILLS - Sometimes you have to take your lumps when you're rebuilding a high school football program from the ground up.

That's what has happened at Monroe of North Hills, which entered this season with just four victories over coach Don Senegal's first two seasons.

Finally, in the third year of a reconstruction plan, the Vikings are turning things around. Idle this week, they're 3-1 and for the first time have realistic plans to make a bid for the Valley Mission League title, and perhaps find their way into the small, elite club of top San Fernando Valley-area City teams that includes Birmingham of Lake Balboa and Taft of Woodland Hills -- but not too many others.

"You can't worry about wins and losses when you're trying to build a program," Senegal said. "It's more about creating a culture, focusing on a plan, then sticking to that plan."

With three consecutive victories, Monroe has a bit of bounce in its stride. Now the Vikings must harness that momentum and keep moving forward.

With 25 seniors, the good news is they've got the players to do it: a confident quarterback in Rodrigo Loredo; capable, fast receivers Chris Abraham and Demetrius Perkins; a breakaway threat in running back Germi Morrison; strong blockers led by offensive lineman Amir Attai; and a hard-hitting defense sparked by linebackers Lazelle Allston and Chris Andrade.

With few outside Monroe's football family paying much respect, the team's core group of returning starters never stopped believing in themselves, and here they are right in the thick of things.

"This is my third year, and, yes, it's been hard, all the ups and downs," Andrade said. "But you know what? We've been expecting a great season this year. That's why we've worked so hard all summer. We have the necessary firepower."

Morrison has rushed for 469 yards while averaging 13.8 yards per carry -- all in the past three games -- and he's caught 13 passes and scored five touchdowns, most of them long breakaways, including an 85-yard run.

"Oh, man, Germi is like a human highlight film," Andrade said. "He's like Reggie Bush."

When you finish tied for last place, nobody knows who you are. You toil in the anonymity of losing, and the weeks begin to blend together. These days, Morrison and his teammates are making a name for themselves.

"Everything is flowing this year, and it's fun," Morrison said. "I think we can keep doing this, too, because our offensive line is blocking really well, and this year there are enough guys on this team who really understand the game. No more walking with our heads down at school Monday morning because we lost another game."

Senegal, 38, first taught the players to act respectfully, worrying more about keeping his players academically eligible and tracking down lost equipment than X's and O's.

"Let's just say the program wasn't in very good shape when I got here," Senegal said. "There were behavior problems and a general lack of understanding about what needed to be done if you want to be a competitive football team. We kind of had to start at rock bottom."

When Loredo injured his shoulder in a victory over Grant of Van Nuys in the second game of the season, Abraham switched to quarterback. In two games, Abraham has completed 25of34 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns.

"That's the difference this year -- when someone goes down, there's someone there to step in," Andrade said. "The toughest part of the season lies ahead, but we're going to keep on coming."

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Q&A WITH RESEDA RUNNING BACK GIOVANNIE DIXON

Reseda running back Giovannie Dixon has rushed for 669 yards (9.8 avg.) - tops in the entire City Section -- and scored five TDs, including a 70-yard run.

In three games, he has totaled 193 yards or more every week, including a 227-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 35-31 victory Thursday over Golden Valley. Dixon, a senior who's coming off a 1,300-yard season last year, also is averaging 31.3yards on kick returns, and has five tackles as a part-time safety. The 5-11, 195-pound Dixon has impressive power and terrific breakaway speed. Once he gets in the open field, he's nearly impossible to catch from behind, and he's the primary weapon for the Regents (3-0), who play host to Canoga Park tonight.

Daily News: You've rushed for a lot of yards so far.

Giovannie Dixon: Yeah, I've just been running hard, trying to break the 2,000-yard barrier. I don't know what the record is at Reseda, but I'd like to get 2,000 this year.

DN: You're off to a fast start at 3-0. But the same thing happened last year, when you started 5-0 but faded in the Valley Mission League. Are you concerned about keeping the momentum this year?

GD: Definitely. I don't want that to happen again. This is my senior year, my last year, so it means a lot more to me. This year we want to go all the way, so hopefully we can keep everything on track and try to accomplish something.

DN: I don't think too many people really know much about Reseda or who you are. Are you the San Fernando Valley's well-kept secret?

GD: Well, that's definitely how we felt last year. This year, I think people know a little more about us.

DN: I assume defenses are designed to stop you because you're the main guy, right?

GD: Yeah, every team has eight or nine guys in the box, but sometimes we've caught the other team slipping a little bit.

DN: You've yet to play a really strong opponent. Agreed?

GD: Yeah, maybe we need to lose a game, and that would shut us up a little bit and realize this isn't just a game.

DN: You think it would be good to lose a game? Are you kidding?

GD: No, I'm serious. It might really help because it would wake us up.

DN: Well, as long as you do keep winning, I'd have to say you're one of the favorites in the Valley Mission League.

GD: Yeah, that's actually true. I'm worried about San Fernando, but that's about it.

They've got a very elusive quarterback.

DN: What do you think of your teammate, offensive lineman John Pally? He played with a stomach flu last week, but stuck it out.

GD: Yeah, he actually had one of his best games since I've been playing with him. That took a lot of guts. I thought he could maybe play one half, but he kept on going.

DN: Any recruiting news?

GD: Most of the Pac-10 schools have sent me letters, but nothing else. As far as playing at the next level, I think I can do it. I love football, and it's pretty much the only thing I want to do in life. I just can't see myself not playing football at the next level.

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, 8 boxes

Photo:

(1) Monroe High running back Germi Morrison, left, and linebacker Chris Andrade have lead the Vikings to a 3-1 record this season.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(2) GIOVANNIE DIXON

(3) RAYAN ZIRBEL

(4) ANTHONY MCDONALD

Box:

(1) TOP 20 TEAMS

(2) Q&A (see text)

(3) JOIN THE DAILY NEWS TEAM

(4) PLAY OF THE WEEK

(5) SOUTHERN SECTION RANKINGS

(6) THE BIG MATCHUP

(7) PEERLESS PROGNOSTICATION

(8) LEAGUE UPDATES