HS FOOT: Eagle Rock game cancelled tonight

Eagle Rock has cancelled its game at Belmont in Los Angeles tonight after Eagle Rock coach Johnny Lopez was allegedly assaulted from behind Thursday by a former player who, according to reports, speared Lopez with a helmet in the back, then jumped the fence as Eagle Rock's players looked on.

"Someone hit him with a helmet, a former defensive lineman who was hanging out with us," said senior lineman Nick Obregon, who witnessed the event but wished not to reveal the ex-player's name. "Everyone was antagonizing (the former player), saying he wasn't down to do it, and that they would pay him five bucks to hit (Lopez) with his helmet. Coach (Lopez) went down for about 10 seconds. He didn't even chase him, just reached for his radio."

Obregon said Lopez was taken to the hospital.

Practice had just been cancelled Thursday because not enough players dressed, according to sources.

Eagle Rock principal Salvador Velasco announced through the school intercom system that tonight's game was cancelled "due to not enough practice," McKay said.

Lopez and Velasco were not available for comment today.

"The kids were upset when they heard the annoucement," said Mike McKay, an Eagle Rock teacher and former assistant coach. "If I was Belmont, I would be ticked off. There's a lot of frustration, and people have done some dumb things."

Belmont head coach Robert Levy was not available.

Belmont assistant John Cunino said: "I'd rather not comment. It's not my place."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com