STARTING OVER AGAIN PARACLETE TO TRY AND REBOUND FROM WIN STREAK ENDING.Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer Although Paraclete High coach Jeff Cortez hadn't addressed a losing locker Things commonly known as lockers include:
streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" came to an end at 28 games - the longest streak in the Southern Section - last Friday against Kaiser High of Fontana. ``I told them the streak wasn't a big deal to me,'' Cortez said. ``I told them I wasn't that concerned about it, and if I was, then we never would have been playing Kaiser in the first place.'' Even so, the 49-7 loss marked the end of an era at Paraclete, whose last loss came in the 2000 season opener against St. Bonaventure of Ventura. The Spirits went on to win their final 13 games that year, all 12 of last season and their first three this year. Senior guard Mike Arroyo was convinced he wasn't going to lose again in his high school career. ``I didn't think so, but it happened,'' Arroyo said. ``I think we realize now that we can be beaten. But I also think we're going to pull together and play much more intense football after this.'' The Spirits will get their first chance to do so tonight against Quartz Hill (0-4), a matchup of rival schools less than five miles from each other. But this week also offered a chance for reflection on one of the area's most impressive winning streaks in history. It started with a 42-6 victory over Saint Monica in Cortez's first year and stretched nearly halfway into the coach's third year on the job. Paraclete won two of its record five consecutive Southern Section championships during the run, twice defeating Montclair Prep of Van Nuys to earn Southern Section crowns In addition, the 720-student Catholic school knocked off much larger opponents, including Quartz Hill in overtime a year ago, and posted close victories over Chaminade of West Hills and Twentynine Palms to start this year. Only two Paraclete players - Arroyo and fellow senior Keith Lambert - were with the team when it started the streak. ``It's been a complete blessing to be part of a program with such quality student-athletes,'' Cortez said. ``I won't lie: It was nice to win and win and win. But that's never what drove me and what motivated me.'' If it was, Cortez likely wouldn't have scheduled Kaiser, which is 3-0-1 and ranked No. 1 in Division VIII. Kaiser dominated from start to finish, with Paraclete getting its only points on Lambert's blocked punt recovery in the fourth quarter. But Lambert said any disappointment after the loss was short-lived. ``At the end of the game, everyone was like, `Wow, the streak's over,' '' Lambert said. ``I was like, `Yeah, that's unfortunate, but let's get it started again.' '' Added Arroyo: ``I was sad to lose, but I think we all played pretty hard. They were just much better. But just because the streak's over doesn't mean you stop believing in this team.'' As a result, Paraclete resumed practicing this week the same way it did throughout the streak, with players lifting weights, watching film and exuding confidence. The Spirits, however, figure to get a tough test tonight against Quartz Hill, despite the Rebels' record thus far this season. Not only does Quartz Hill have nearly four times the enrollment of Paraclete, it should be geared up to play its closest rival. About half of Paraclete's players grew up in the Quartz Hill school district. And to make matters more interesting, Paraclete junior running back Jared Nelson transferred to Paraclete in the offseason. Nelson had been a standout rusher on Quartz Hill's junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. a year ago. But he officially decided to transfer after the first day of spring practice this season. Nelson would have been Quartz Hill's featured back. Instead, he has run for 389 yards and seven touchdowns for the Spirits. ``I want to win really bad,'' said Nelson, who added he hasn't spoken much with his friends from Quartz Hill since transferring. ``I think they all hate me,'' he said, joking. Cortez, meanwhile, is looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. his team to use the loss to Kaiser as a springboard for the rest of its season. There were some tears in Paraclete's locker room, but Cortez stressed to his players they have nothing to be sad about in seeing a such a winning streak come to an end. ``Kaiser's a team that no one in Division XI would dare schedule,'' Cortez said. ``We'll never see a team like that, with that combination of size, speed and strength. It's going to propel pro·pel tr.v. pro·pelled, pro·pel·ling, pro·pels To cause to move forward or onward. See Synonyms at push. [Middle English propellen, from Latin us. We'll probably watch excerpts from that game the rest of the year. They're a great role model for us.'' And Cortez sounded another message for his players during their week of preparation for Quartz Hill. ``We got to win Game 1 now,'' Cortez stressed. ``That's what we're focusing on.'' TODAY'S GAMES NO. 4 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 (3-1) at BARSTOW (2-2) 7 p.m. --Player to watch: Michael Sanchez, A.V., LB. Sanchez recovered a fumble and made a number of key tackles against Loyola of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. last week. He will be counted on to help stop Barstow's Andrew Ramsey, who rushed for 168 yards last week. --Key stat stat adv. With no delay. adj. Immediate. STAT Stat! Clinical medicine adverb Fast, quickly, immediately, schnell, vite Lab medicine noun : 69 Yards Barstow's trick-play touchdown pass from wide receiver Eric Sanchez to Kevin Morton went for in last week's game against Hesperia. The play allowed Barstow to tie the game in the fourth quarter and win in overtime. --Why Antelope Valley will win: The Antelopes are eager to get back on the field after losing 21-19 on a last-second blocked field goal against Loyola. ``For us, it was a lost victory,'' A.V. coach Brent Newcomb said. A.V.'s rushing attack of Johnny Walker, Sean Wallace and Kreig Peters is overpowering o·ver·pow·er·ing adj. So strong as to be overwhelming: an overpowering need for solitude. o . --Why Barstow will win: The Aztecs traditionally have played A.V. well and nearly beat Palmdale in Week 1. Barstow has reached the Southern Section Division VIII semifinals each of the past three seasons. Senior quarterback Ed Wheeler's play has improved of late. --Last week: Loyola 21, A.V. 19; Barstow 28, Hesperia 27 --Outlook: Antelope Valley's triple-option offense is unlike anything Barstow has seen. The Antelopes should cruise - provided there's no letdown letdown 1. the sudden flush of milk flow that occurs when the calf begins to suck or when milking commences in a properly prepared cow. Depends for its occurrence on the release of oxytocin from the pituitary gland in response to massage of the teats and udder. from the loss to Loyola. LOCKE (1-3) at NO. 5 PALMDALE 7 p.m. --Player to watch: JaVonte Holmes, WR, Palmdale. The junior wideout pulled down a 52-yard touchdown pass against Upland Upland, city (1990 pop. 63,374), San Bernardino co., S Calif., in a citrus-fruit region at the foot of the San Gabriel Mts.; inc. 1906. Citrus fruits and grapes are packed and processed in the city. Paint, orchard heaters, auto parts, and feed products are also made. last week and could have his best game of the early season against Locke's inexperienced in·ex·pe·ri·ence n. 1. Lack of experience. 2. Lack of the knowledge gained from experience. in secondary. --Key stat: 91 Points given up by Locke of L.A. in L.A. In is a compilation of studio recording by Various Artists. It was originally released in 1979 as an LP by Rhino Records. Track listing Side One The Kats its three losses this year, compared with the 15 it scored. Locke was able to knock off to cease, as from work; to desist. - De Quincey. To force off by a blow or by beating. To assign to a bidder at an auction, by a blow on the counter. To leave off (work, etc.). See also: Knock Knock Knock Knock Washington of L.A. 28-0 last Thursday for its first victory of the season. --Why Locke will win: Locke has a pair of talented running backs in juniors Stanley Sturgess and Antonio Stokes Stokes , William 1804-1878. British physician. Known especially for his studies of diseases of the chest and heart, he expanded on the observations of John Cheyne in describing the breathing irregularity now known as Cheyne-Stokes respiration. . Each scored a touchdown in the victory over Washington. Locke uses a full-house backfield and focuses on getting Sturgess and Stokes the ball. --Why Palmdale will win: The Falcons boast more skill and experience at just about every position. Plus, Palmdale is bidding for its first 5-0 start in coach Jeff Williams' 15-year tenure at the school. Williams' team set a goal of going unbeaten in its nonleague schedule. --Last week: Locke 28, Washington 0; Palmdale 21, Upland 14 --Outlook: Palmdale will walk off the field Friday celebrating its 5-0 start. The only question is whether the Falcons will play down to Locke's level and make it close. NO. 3 PARACLETE (3-1) at QUARTZ HILL (0-4) 7 p.m. --Player to watch: Daniel Arroyo, Paraclete, OL. The senior right guard will be counted on to help man Paraclete's undersized undersized see dwarfism, runt. offensive line. If the Spirits want to have success running the ball, the offensive line will have to come up figuratively fig·u·ra·tive adj. 1. a. Based on or making use of figures of speech; metaphorical: figurative language. b. Containing many figures of speech; ornate. 2. large. --Key stat: 4.2 miles The distance between the two schools. About half of Paraclete's students come from the Quartz Hill school district. Many of the players grew up playing in youth football against each other. --Why Paraclete will win: The Spirits are determined not to let last week's loss to Kaiser of Fontana derail de·rail intr. & tr.v. de·railed, de·rail·ing, de·rails 1. To run or cause to run off the rails. 2. anything about their season. Junior running back Jared Nelson has scored eight touchdowns this year - and that's without the incentive he has tonight in playing his former team. --Why Quartz Hill will win: Even though the Rebels are winless, they are no doubt focused on beating their neighborhood rival. Paraclete coach Jeff Cortez has stressed Quartz Hill's record is irrelevant to tonight's matchup. The Rebels rallied from 13 points down against East Valley of Redlands before losing last week. --Last week: Kaiser of Fontana 49, Paraclete 7; East Valley of Redlands 20, Quartz Hill 13 --Outlook: Paraclete shrugs off the loss to Fontana and makes it 29 wins in its past 30 games. The Spirits' winning streak starts over at one. LITTLEROCK (1-3) at HARVARD-WESTLAKE (3-1) 2:45 p.m. --Player to watch: Herb Dominguez, Littlerock, QB. Dominguez completed only 3 of 8 passes for 3 yards against Serrano ser·ra·no n. pl. ser·ra·nos A cultivar of the tropical pepper Capsicum annuum having small, blunt, highly pungent red or green fruit used in cooking. last week. He has to play better, otherwise Littlerock will have to contend with facing nine defenders in the box, as it did against Serrano. --Key stat: 16 Points given up in a two-minute stretch by Littlerock's special teams last week. The Lobos had a punt blocked, their punter Punter 1. An trader who hopes to make quick profits. Basically, another term for speculator. 2. In the U.K., it is generally used to describe someone who gambles. It is also used to mean a client or customer of any business. was tackled for a safety and a 69-yard free kick was returned for a score. Coach Jim Bauer called it a ``complete meltdown meltdown Occurrence in which a huge amount of thermal energy and radiation is released as a result of an uncontrolled chain reaction in a nuclear power reactor. The chain reaction that occurs in the reactor's core must be carefully regulated by control rods, which absorb .'' --Why Littlerock will win: The Lobos will bring their wing-T offense to another opponent that is unfamiliar with it. Harvard-Westlake of Studio City coach Greg Gonzalez said he was having trouble replicating the offense in practice this week. --Why Harvard-Westlake will win: Harvard-Westlake lost senior running back Zach Goren to a strained toe, but junior Dylan Smith Dylan Smith may be:
adj. Deserving admiration. ad  mi·ra·ble·ness n.ad . Harvard-Westlake senior quarterback Tom Harwood has thrown for six touchdowns this year, and Littlerock hasn't faced a team that passes as much as Harvard-Westlake does. --Last week: Serrano 29, Littlerock 7; Harvard-Westlake 38, Bishop Montgomery of Torrance 12 --Outlook: Harvard-Westlake's passing attack will be too much for Littlerock to overcome, especially with Williams out. SERRANO (4-0) at LANCASTER (1-3) 7 p.m. --Players to watch: Dan Taylor Dan Taylor is an American shotputter. He is currently sponsored by Nike. Taylor is currently competing around the world in track and field. College Taylor attended The Ohio State University. He graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Agriculture. and Bryan Hatch, OL, Lancaster Aside from one long touchdown run, Serrano of Phelan held Littlerock's rushing attack in check last week. It will be up to Taylor, Hatch and the rest of the Eagles' offensive linemen to take on Serrano's tough defensive line. --Key stat: 26 Points given up by Lancaster in the first half last week against Desert. The Eagles' defense pitched a shutout in the second half, and coach Troy Jackson Troy Jackson A.K.A Escalade is an AND1 basketball player, who came to play in 2002. He went to college in the University of Louisville from 1994-1998 and was a Harlem Globetrotter in 1998-2000. He stands 6'10 and weighs 370 lbs. stressed the need for a fast start against Serrano. The Eagles will move back their pregame chalk talk to get on the field earlier and focus well ahead of kickoff this week. --Why Serrano will win: The Diamondbacks are ranked No. 2 in Division VIII and easily handled Littlerock last Friday. Serrano running back Chris Vega ran for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Lobos and is averaging 118 yards per game. Serrano also held the Lobos to just five first downs last week. --Why Lancaster will win: Lancaster is much more familiar with Serrano's physical style of play, having faced the Diamondbacks the past two years. Defensive lineman Fransisco Zamora wreaked havoc against Desert last week and caused exchange problems between the center and quarterback in the game. --Last week: Serrano 29, Littlerock 7; Desert 26, Lancaster 23 --Outlook: ``We keep pointing out to the kids that if they just hang in there, they'll get somebody,'' Jackson said. He's right in that his team has made strides. But not enough to stop Serrano, which has one of its best teams in years. PASO PASO Pan American Sport Organization PASO Pre-Award Support Office PASO Program and Specific Objectives (NASA) PASO Pizza and Salad Only PASO Pacific Area Support Office (US Department of Energy) ROBLES Robles is a common surname in the Spanish language meaning oaks, and may refer to:
7 p.m., Saturday --Player to watch: John Ikahihifo, Highland, OL. The senior will get his toughest test of the year, opposing 6-foot-5, 265- pound defensive tackle Travis Draper drap·er n. Chiefly British A dealer in cloth or clothing and dry goods. [Middle English, weaver or seller of cloth, from Old French drapier, from drap, cloth; see , who committed to USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. two weeks ago. Draper might be the best player along the Central Coast. --Key stat: 3 Consecutive Southern Section Division X championships won by Paso Robles before its streak ended last year with a loss in the semifinals. The Bearcats A Bearcat is another name for a binturong, a sloth-like mammal from Southeast Asia. A Bearcat is also the mascot for Willamette University, Binghamton University, CUNY Baruch, Northwest Missouri State University, Southwest Baptist University, and the University of Cincinnati. moved up to Division IV this season and are ranked No. 4 in their new division. --Why Paso Robles will win: The Bearcats have a pair of 200-pound tailbacks in junior Vince Freitas and senior Mike Krouse. Paso Robles plays a multiple-set offense and can employ eight different formations on even its most basic play. Senior quarterback Adrian Pennywell has shined in his first year as a starter. --Why Highland will win: Bulldogs coach Sam Vaiana believes his team's speed can counter Paso Robles' strength. Few players are faster than Highland receiver Kris Theus, who ran for two scores last week against Canyon. Highland's defense allowed its first touchdown in the second half last week against the Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. . --Last week: Paso Robles 33, St. Joseph of Santa Maria Santa Maria, city, Brazil Santa Maria (sän`tə mərē`ə), city (1991 pop. 217,592), Rio Grande do Sul state, S Brazil. It is a major railroad terminus and the site of an important military base. 6; Canyon 23, Highland 20 --Outlook: With the majority of other Antelope Valley coaches at the game, Highland pulls off the shocking upset. Even if it doesn't, the Bulldogs should be pleased with a 3-2 mark considering the opponents they played. LOOKING AHEAD A.V. at Highland, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will find out quickly whether they can compete for the Golden League championship in Vaiana's first year. After working as an assistant at A.V., Vaiana is intimately familiar with the Antelopes' schemes. CAPTION(S): photo, 6 boxes Photo: From left to right: Paraclete football player Daniel Royal, coach Jeff Cortez and player Keith Lambert. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: (1) TODAY'S GAMES (see text) (2) LOOKING AHEAD (see text) (3) STANDINGS (4) LOGS (5) LEADERS (6) GAME DAY |
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