Football: June 2008 Archives

Mike Spagnola, a former top defensive lineman/linebacker from Canyon who reportedly had three scholarship offers on the table, has decided to quit football and will enroll at College of the Canyons as a full-time standout, according to his father, Tom.

"Mike has decided to ... 'retire,'" Tom said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

It's taken longer than expected, but, according to a source, Saugus' returning senior Ryan Zirbel, among California's most productive running backs over the past two seasons, has received his first scholarship offer -- from Portland State.

Last year, Zirbel rushed for 2,281 yards and scored 38 touchdowns to help carry Saugus to the Northern Division semifinals -- tied for the school's best finish ever.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Dan Scheper, a top lineman from St. Francis of La Canada, is the fifth in his family -- and the third to wear No. 51 -- to particpate in the annual East-West All-Star Football Game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Birmingham High.

"I come from good bloodlines," Scheper said. "My father played in this game and so did my two uncles and my cousin. I'm part of a legacy, and I'm honored."

Pete Scheper, the family patriarch, plans to be there, and he could not think of a better way to spend Father's Day.

"This is the fifth time I will see a Scheper play in this game," Pete said. "This Father's Day will be my best ever."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Desi Rodriguez, an ultra quick quarterback from Saugus, has been offerred another scholarship, this time by Cal Poly. He has also been offered by Army.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Ronald McCrory, a top returning receiver for Chaminade of West Hills, has received a Wyoming scholarship offer, according to scout.com. He caught 37 passes for the Eagles last season after transferring from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, and McCrory has shined during a series of scouting combines over the past weeks.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Football coach Kevin Thomas, Canyon High's newly hired defensive coordinator, was arrested Tuesday in Van Nuys on a felony charge of suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, and he is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to police sources.

Thomas, 40, was an assistant at Birmingham for the past eight years, helping the Patriots to four City titles, including three over the past four seasons. He accepted the Canyon job in December.

The news has come as a shock for those who have known Thomas, considered one of the Valley area's top up-and-coming coaches who has operated a girls' basketball camp and helped some locals obtain college scholarships. He is married with two children, a daughter Tatianna, who is a college freshman, and a five-year-old son, Kevin, Jr.

"It's very disheartening. I'm a good friend of Kevin, and I hope he's OK," said Stan Delus, Canyon's girls' basketball coach. "It's kind of a shock because he has two kids himself. ... He's not that kind of person. All I know is what I see, and from I know, he's a stand-up guy. Until I see the facts, or he's convicted, I stand by what I know."

The news broke today on a local TV broadcast and on radio reports.

"I had never heard of any problems with him. He was a good guy, and we didn't have any problems, and he never did anything improper," said Birmingham head football coach Ed Croson. "The whole thing is a shock, and I hope (the charge) is false. It's unfortunate because he's got a wife and a family. This sounds really serious."

Canyon coach Chris Varner was not available for comment.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Kevin Thomas, Canyon's newly hired defensive coordinator, was arrested Tuesday in Van Nuys on a felony charge of suspicion of sexually assauting a teenage girl, and he is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to police sources.

Thomas, 40, was an assistant at Birmingham for the past eight years, helping the Patriots to four City titles, including three over the past four seasons. He accepted the Canyon job in December.

Calls to Canyon head coach Chris Varner and Birmingham athletic director Rick Prizant seeking comment have yet to be returned.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The East and West teams are beginning to take shape in preparation for the annual East-West All-Star Game on Sunday at 330 p.m. at BIrmingham High.

I caught the East practice today at Saugus, and I'm planning to check out the West tomorrow at Pierce. The East is not particularly deep for an all-star team, though there is a top quarterback in Hart's B.R. Holbrook, a surprising talent in Bell Jeff running back Jorge Chaidez, and a group of top offensive linemen led by Saugus' Shane Watterson -- plus a batch of hard-hitting defenders, including San Fernando linebacker Staphon Garcia, who has impressed.

The West is led by players from Birmingham and Crespi, and there is a lot more DI-bound talent such as running back Milton Knox and linebacker Donovan Carter from Birmingham and speedy multi purpose back Austin Shanks and defensive back/return specialist L.J. Jones from Crespi.

Should be a great Father's Day event, and get there early to see a Pop Warner all-star game that precedes the big show. Information: (818) 999-5197.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com