TAKE CONTROL HART, VALENCIA SEEK EDGE IN FINALE.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

VALENCIA - For all of Hart High's flashy passing statistics and string of one-sided victories, and for all of Valencia's long, breakaway touchdowns by running back Charles Burnley, tonight's (7:30) Southern Section Division III championship at College of the Canyons might come down to one thing: the push.

Valencia defensive lineman Brandon Fuselier, hoping to break Hart's 7-0 record against his school since 1996, believes the Vikings' best chance is to overpower the Indians in the trenches, keep the score down and steal an victory by dictating the pace.

``Our defense needs to control the game,'' said Fuselier, who has 19 sacks but tonight faces an offense that hasn't been held to fewer than four touchdowns in a game this season. ``I think the first quarter is going to be very important for us because we need to take control.''

Hart (12-0) has won three section titles in a row, and the Indians, ranked No. 4 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, are clear favorites. Valencia (11-2), which has never been within 14 points of Hart, must avoid a shootout.

But holding down Hart won't be easy. Matt Moore has passed for 3,073 yards. Four receivers, led by Chris Steck (70 catches, 10 touchdowns), have at least 26 catches. The Indians are averaging 416 yards per game, compared to Valencia's 305.

Run-and-shoot or smashmouth football? Hart lineman Chad Michaud is OK either way. He believes his team is tough enough to muscle up with anyone. If Fuselier thinks the game will be decided up front, that's fine with Michaud.

``It's going to be very important what goes on in the trenches,'' Michaud said. ``Our plan is to block well and protect Matt Moore, so he can work his magic.''

Valencia's best offensive weapon is Burnley, who has rushed for 1,783 yards, caught 25 passes and scored 26 touchdowns, including two on kick returns.

Hart hopes to contain Burnley by getting a good push from its defensive line. Tackle Chris Frome, who has committed to Notre Dame, is Hart's key lineman. Tackle Henry Chriss and ends Mike Linn and Tony Leko are the other starters. Linebacker Dan LaChasse is the team's leading tackler.

But if too much emphasis is placed on Burnley, Valencia quarterback Colin Carey might emerge. He's equally effective as a runner and passer. He had 119 yards rushing and a touchdown in the semifinals last week. He has rushed for 631 yards, passed for 1,081 yards and accounted for eight touchdowns despite a nagging shoulder injury this season.

``There are a few guys to stop. Burnley isn't our only concern,'' Hart defensive coordinator Rick Herrington said. ``Carey is a big boy (5-foot- 11, 195 pounds), and our kids know he isn't the type of runner to hide to the sidelines. He comes out and challenges people and knocks them over, so when we have a shot at him, we're going to take it.''

The Vikings are hoping the fierceness of the rivalry and the emotion of a championship game will be bigger factors than the pregame statistics or series history.

``It's exciting to be playing in the championship, so we're focusing on what we do, not on them,'' Valencia quarterback Colin Carey said. ``We're happy to be playing another game even though we're not getting much credit. But it's going to be a different game than everyone expects.''

Valencia might not come through with the upset. But the Vikings don't plan to hold anything back, either. They're the proverbial team with nothing to lose - and everything to gain.

``We're pretty sure that no one is giving us respect coming into this game,'' Fuselier said. ``Nobody expects us to win and nobody has faith in us. But we've got faith in ourselves, we've had a great week of practice, and we simply must do better.''

Southern Section Championship

Division III

Hart vs. Valencia

Tonight, 7:30

HART VS. VALENCIA HISTORY

Hart leads 7-0

2001 Hart 26, Valencia 0

Hart got its 50th consecutive Foothill League victory by holding Valencia to 192 yards. Hart's Matt Moore was 22 of 36 for 259 yards and a touchdown.

2000 Hart 21, Valencia 7

Hart's Kyle Matter was 22 of 34 for 289 yards and two TDs and ran for a score. The Indians held the Vikings to 202 yards, 37 in the first half. Hart's first touchdown came on a 7-yard pass to Peter Dubsky, who ran over Will Broadous near the goal line.

1999 Hart 34, Valencia 6

Hart capped an undefeated season and won the Division III championship by holding the region's all-time leading running back, Manuel White, to 65 yards before an overflow crowd of more than 9,000 at College of the Canyons. ``Valencia's a great team. We just came out and showed them we're a better team,'' said Hart's Kyle Matter, who passed for 166 yards and two TDs.

1999 Hart 42, Valencia 21

Kyle Matter passed for 221 yards and three long touchdowns, and Hart held Manuel White to 90 yards on 22 carries at College of the Canyons. ``This was the biggest game I've ever played in,'' Matter said. ``They thought they'd beat us, but we took it to them.'' Valencia's Kyle Bauer, who passed for 112 yards, was held to zero in the second half.

1998 Hart 38, Valencia 14

Kyle Boller was 16 of 26 for 265 yards, including a backbreaking long touchdown pass to Jerry Owens on fourth-and-22 to give the Indians a 17-point lead at halftime at College of the Canyons.

1997 Hart 45, Valencia 23

David Neill passed for 324 yards and four touchdowns, three to Jerry Owens, and Hart took advantage of four turnovers at College of the Canyons. ``As soon as Valencia gets through 20 or 30 years of being a high school, maybe there will be a rivalry,'' Owens said.

1996 Hart 37, Valencia 7

Quarterback Travis Carroll and WR Cody Joyce had big performances for Hart, and Valencia's key RB, Donovan Calhoun, was held to zero yards on 11 carries at College of the Canyons. Carroll passed for 263 yards and two TDs, and Joyce had 10 reception for 143 yards and a touchdown.

- Compiled by Gerry Gittelson

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Charles Burnley runs, passes and returns kicks for Valencia, which faces Hart in the Southern Section Division III title game.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2) HART HIGH'S MATT MOORE

(3) Hart players celebrate a touchdown by Billy Brecht (20) during their 38-14 victory over Valencia on Oct. 29, 1998.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) Southern Section Championship

(see text)

(2) HART VS. VALENCIA SERIES HISTORY (see text)