TAFT'S JOHNSON TRANSFERS TO RIVAL.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON GITTELS `N' BITS

Exavier Johnson, one of the Southland's most prolific high school quarterbacks, has sent shockwaves through the local football landscape by transferring Friday from Taft of Woodland Hills to archrival Birmingham of Lake Balboa.

The two schools get players from Portola Junior High, so players from each high school know each other well.

For Johnson, it's a daring move to say the least, but he confirmed his family has gone so far as to switch residences so Johnson can be eligible instead of being forced to sit out his senior season because of transfer restrictions.

``Everyone is calling me a traitor. It's awkward, but I'll get used to it,'' Johnson said.

Johnson has passed for nearly 4,800 yards and 54 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He completed 55 percent of his passes for 3,071 yards and 39 touchdowns during his sophomore season, followed by 51 percent for 1,709 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. In Johnson's sophomore season, Taft advanced to the City Section final. Last year, Taft lost in the first round, as tension brewed between Johnson and Taft coach Troy Starr, according to Johnson.

``There's been some miscommunication with the coaches,'' Johnson said. ``I want to go somewhere where they're organized and they know what they're doing.''

Starr said he planned to replace Johnson and quarterback and move Johnson to defense.

``This is Exavier's decision but it's not a negative thing because I like the kid,'' Starr said. ``He was moved to defense, and if he wanted to play quarterback he had to go to another school. All I can control is Taft. My history with quarterbacks speaks for itself.''

Malcolm Smith, Taft's star senior running back/linebacker who's scheduled to sign Wednesday with USC, said there shouldn't be any animosity.

``I guess Exavier is doing what's best for him,'' Smith said. ``We love Exavier, but you've got to do what's best for yourself. He was my friend before he came to Taft, so I wish him the best.''

Birmingham is the defending City Section champion and returns 2,000-yard running back Milton Knox, one of California's top juniors.

Birmingham assistant Kertic Carruth called Exavier a ``big-time transfer.''

``We have to see how it all develops, but this is pretty big-time,'' Carruth said. ``We definitely need a quarterback, so I can't knock it.''

Speaking of high-profile football transfers, in the aftermath of Moorpark star running back Darrell Scott's transfer to state power St. Bonaventure of Ventura, Hart coach Mike Herrington has taken a stand. The coach has canceled a contracted nonleague game at St. Bonaventure next season, partly because Scott's mother had shopped her son to Hart -- and Canyon -- according to Herrington.

For Herrington, the whole thing just doesn't sit right. He already had wanted to play an opponent other than St. Bonaventure next season because they're now in the same Northern Division playoff grouping, and the Scott situation was the last straw.

``Actually, I knew about Canyon, too, but didn't bring that into the conversation (with St. Bonaventure coach Jon Mack),'' Herrington said. ``I can understand when a family moves and there's a legitimate transfer. Yes, they're moving, but parents shop around, that's just not correct. If you move into a new neighborhood, fine. But don't call coaches and shop kids around.

``Some will argue with me that parents have a right to do what's best for their child, and to an extent that's true. We just don't want to see a program torn down because a guy is transferring.''

Herrington has been on the other side, too. Three years ago, his best returning player, offensive lineman Joe Bernardi, transferred out of state for family reasons. The coach had no choice but to wish Bernardi good luck, but Hart wasn't the same without him.

``We didn't just lose our center, we lost his leadership, too, and that was a big factor,'' Herrington said. ``But the transfer itself was fine because it wasn't like Joe was going out and looking for the best place to play.''

Herrington has taken a tough stance, but at this point he's still flexible if neither Hart nor St. Bonaventure can find a new opponent. If that happens, they might stick to the original plan and play each other -- an exciting matchup considering Hart eliminated St. Bonaventure in the quarterfinals last season.

``Right now, we're both looking for games. I hope St. Bonnie makes as strong an effort as we have,'' Herrington said.

Valencia might have the strongest softball team in area history this season, based on the return of strikeout queen Jordan Taylor and a large group of returning Division I-bound sluggers, including infielders Jessica Spigner (Tennessee), Nicole Matson (Pacific) and Alyssa Ishibashi (North Carolina State) and outfielder Kristen Aidem (Michigan State) and Torrie Anderson (Cal State Fullerton).

The only thing left to do for Valencia is to win a Southern Section title -- the Vikings came closest two seasons ago in a 2-0 championship-game loss to Royal of Simi Valley -- and the team's place in history should be secured.

So loaded is Valencia this season that coach Donna Lee sees no reason for guarded optimism.

``I'm very pumped up,'' Lee said. ``Our goal isn't just to get to the championship but to win it. I told the girls they're the best team in the CIF, and if their goal isn't to win a CIF title, then they should just hand in their uniform right now.''

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Exavier Johnson, right, won't be under Taft football coach Troy Starr's pull anymore.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News