HS FOOT: Sierra Canyon is little team that could

In its only it's second year of 11-man football, Sierra Canyon is an underdog Saturday in an East Valley final against top-seeded Paraclete - an opponent that defeated the Trailblazers 22-12 last month in an Alpha League game. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Granada Hills High.

"People can say what they want. All I know is we're excited to play this game," Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse said. "We have a lot of respect for Paraclete. But the last time we played them, we walked off the field knowing we had turned the ball over five times and made a lot of mistakes. We just need to cut down on mistakes."

Sierra Canyon receiver Shane Harrison said there is no reason to change game plans.

"We're going to do everything the same. We just need to work on our execution and to make sure we score in the red zone," Harrison said.

The loss to Paraclete on Nov. 5 left a bad taste and ruined Sierra Canyon's perfect record.

"Everything I do, I'm competitive," Harrison said. "Even when I play checkers with my sister, I never let her win. That's why this game is so important to me."

Since an opening loss at Serrano, Paraclete has won 12 in a row after being moved from the more competitive Mid-Valley Division just two years after winning the 2008 Mid-Valley title.

"We're ready to play. We're looking forward to taking care of business," Paraclete defensive lineman Lavonte Barnett said.