HS FOOT: Westlake having a Ball with new kicker

Alex Ball grew up in England, and soccer was always his favorite sport. But after moving to Southern California last year and enrolling at Westlake, Ball is quite enjoying American football, and the sophomore is one of the area's top kickers with seven field goals and 52 touchbacks.

Ball recorded his first career tackle on a kickoff return in the regular-season finale against Moorpark, and he loved it.

"That was nice," Ball said. "Football is really fun. All the people on the team are nice, and it's just a really fun sport."

Ball could make in impact in soccer, too. He had a team-best 14 goals for Westlake's frosh team last season.

-- Gerry Gittelson