HS FOOT: Top Bell-Jeff quarterback leaves team

Phillip Diaz, a quarterback at Bell-Jeff of Burbank who is one of California's leading passers, has left the football team because of a family decision following an ankle injury and a concussion.

"It's bad news. Phillip has decided to give it up," coach Rolando Aguirre said. "He's OK, but his mother doesn't want him to play."

Diaz, a junior, passed for 241, 279 and 351 yards over the first three games before taking a late hit and suffering a concussion in the first half of a 52-14 loss to Frazier Mountain. For the season, he has passed for 881 yards and nine touchdowns.

Brendan Alferez, a senior, is 2-0 as Diaz's replacement heading into a Santa Fe League game Saturday night between the Guards (4-2) and St. Genevieve of Panorama City (6-0) at Burroughs High.

-- Gerry Gittelson