HS FOOT: Taft football lineman wins hardship appeal

Traves Raphael, a second-team All-West Valley League offensive lineman at Taft of Woodland Hills, has won a hardship appeal with the City Section and has been granted a fifth year of eligibility.

Coach Matt Kerstetter said the appeal was based on the fact Raphael was not a full-time student at Taft until his junior season because Raphael split his school days with another school his first two years.

"It's about time I won one of these," Kerstetter said.

Raphael, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder, started at left guard last season and helped Taft advance to the City Section quarterfinals.

Taft looks good, as linemen Antwaun Woods, Antoine Louis, Dominik Hernandez and Pearce Slater are back, too, along with promising quarterback Michael Bercovici, who sat out last year because of transfer restrictions after arriving from Westlake.

There are also several key returnees at the skill positions.

"The team looks great. We have an amazing passing attack," Bercovici said.

-- Gerry Gittelson