HS FOOT: Sierra Canyon makes strides

Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth, a fourth-year program playing 11-man football for the first time this season, is off to an impressive start. The Trailblazers (5-1) are averaging 33.8 points heading into an Alpha League game Friday against visiting Calvary Chapel of Downey at Granada Hills High.

As an 8-man program, Sierra Canyon was 1-6 its first season in 2007 and 10-1 last year.

"I remember our first practice we had only six guys show up, and only one of them, Geoff Rappoport, is still around," coach Jon Ellinghouse said. "We've got a great coaching staff that we've put together, and we're real proud of where we're at. We just have to keep working hard and keep going."

Sierra Canyon figures to improve because most of its top players are underclassmen, as the Trailblazers have just two seniors, linemen Ducan Laliberte and Sean Jacobsen.

"It's kind of a neat story because we start seven freshmen," Ellinghouse said. "There is a lot of good young talent in the school."

-- Gerry Gittelson