HS FOOT: H.W. needs to grow up in hurry vs. Venice

There's an experienced quarterback in place with Max Heltzer, but otherwise it's mostly new faces for Harvard-Westlake heading into the season opener Friday at City Section power Venice. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

"We're got to have young players step up, and we're going to find out at Venice because they bring the heat," Harvard-Westlake coach Vic Eumont said.

Eumont is relying heavily on Heltzer, a Steve Clarkson prodigy.

"He had a good summer, and he needs to be our leader because we've got all new receivers," Eumont said. "He and (running back) Jamias Jones are the only ones with experience on offense."

Harvard-Westlake was 7-4 last year in its final season in the Del Rey League and Northwest Divison before moving up to the Mission League and Western Division. Venice was 10-2 last season and faces three Mission League opponents this season with games against Chaminade on Sept. 16 and St. Francis on Sept. 24.

-- Gerry Gittelson