HS FOOT: Hart fails to advance to quarters for first time in 20 years

For the first time in coach Mike Herrington's 20 years at Hart of Newhall, the Indians have failed to advance to the section quarterfinals or further after losing 34-21 at Atascadero on Friday in the first round of the Northern playoffs.

Herrington has won six titles at Hart, including five over a six-year period from 1998 to 2003, but the Indians finished just 5-6 this season - Herrington's first losing season, including one year at Bellflower prior to arriving at Hart.

Thanksgiving practice has been a ritual at Hart, as a growing group of former teammates and out-of-town friends gather to say hello every year.

But not this season.

"I'm kind of numb. ... It's disappointing" Herrington said. "We had a disappointing season, but we're going to come back and work hard and see what happens."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com