VALENCIA STANDOUT READY TO RETURN.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Community Sports

Virgil Hill, a fast Valencia High junior who is considered one of the Foothill League's most promising football players, has finally begun practicing after sitting out most of the summer because of a dislocated kneecap.

``Virgil just got cleared, and we're rotating him in at receiver and safety,'' first-year Valencia coach Larry Muir said.

Last year, Hill, the junior varsity's leading receiver, recorded two interceptions during a brief stint on varsity.

Hill is a key component for a Valencia team that advanced to the Southern Section Div. II final last year but graduated 10 All-Foothill League honorees.

The season opener is Sept. 9, and at this point Muir said Hill is behind starting safety Rickie Crouch, a transfer from Crenshaw of L.A.

Hill's parents are former world light-heavyweight boxing champion Virgil Hill Sr., and former Olympic women's track silver medalist Denean Howard. Last spring, Hill was the league's 400-meter champion, and he also played JV basketball. He's also a talented baseball player who was a projected varsity starter before deciding to put off baseball for a year to try track for the first time.

--Several other key Foothill League players are hoping to recover from injuries, including Canyon lineman Marc Valdez, a returning starter who underwent knee surgery last week. Valdez was expected to start on offense and defense, but it is unclear when he will return.

Another top lineman who's ailing is Hart's J.T. Hartmire (high ankle sprain), a 6-2, 300-pounder who was moved from defense to offense this season. Teammate Delano Howell, a starting running back who may be the most promising sophomore at Hart in the past two decades, has been hobbled by an ankle injury but returned to practice Thursday.

At Saugus, cornerback P.J. Sweigert, a second-team all-league selection last season, has yet to return after suffering a hamstring injury during spring workouts.

``Every time P.J. tries to come back, he keeps re-aggravating it, so finally we said you've got to sit out until it feels fine,'' Saugus coach Jason Bornn said. ``We're hoping to have him back for the beginning of league (play).''

Another Saugus cornerback, Juan Hamilton, who recently recovered from a broken ankle, is out with a knee injury but is expected back soon.

--In other Saugus football news, kicker Jeff Jalapan has decided to return after initially quitting the team. Teammate Josh Davis, a returning linebacker who was a part-time starter last year, has left the team and won't be returning, according to Bornn. Promising sophomore Brandon Pittman, a 6-4, 250-pounder who returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown on the frosh team last year, has transferred to Serra of Gardena.

--Former Valencia basketball standouts Chad Allen and David Horst plan to play at community colleges this season. Allen at Citrus, and Horst at College of the Canyons.

--Chris Casillas, a veteran JV football coach at Valencia, has been promoted to an assistant position with the varsity squad. Brian Arnold, a former offensive coordinator for the frosh team, is the new JV head coach.

--Promising boys' basketball prospect Mark Lewis of Canyon High is scheduled to participate in the annual Slam Jam Incoming Sophomore Showcase at Chatsworth High on Sunday. Lewis' team will play at noon and 1 p.m., and his teammates include Burroughs' Gus Britton and Chris Smith.

--Grant Parpan from the Newhall Signal is scheduled to join host Dave Caldwell for a prep football kickoff radio show on KHTS 1220-AM live from College of the Canyons from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 8.

After the show, Hart alumnus Joe Kapp, who now makes his living as a motivational speaker after a successful pro football career, is scheduled speak to a large group of local student-athletes.