Gerry Gittelson: September 2006 Archives

Boys' basketball standout Garrett Green, a 6-foot-8 forward from Taft High in Woodland Hills, has verbally committed to LSU, according to scout.com. After a solid performance thias past summer, Green chose LSU over Oregon and Arizona State.

Not much more to say about this one. Here's a parting shot: I feel sorry for Oaks' next opponents. May God have mercy on them ....

Ryan Landseadel 38 yard TD run, 59-13 Oaks with four minutes left ...

Ryan Landseadel 38 yard TD run, 59-13 Oaks with four minutes left ...

Quite a night for Marc Tyler. He just scored his fifth TD on a 1-yard run, and he's up to 271 yards on 22 carries ... Simply an amazing display.

BTW, his dad, Wendell, took a hard hit on the sidelines. He rose right back up but a few minutes later admitted he was "still sore." The elder Tyler planned to ice down after the game.

Michael Lee's 13-yard TD run toward the end of the third quarter have made things a bit more respectable. we'll see if Oaks keeps scoring ....

Just as I hit send on that last blog post, Tyler reeled off a 25-yard TD run. He has 247 yards and four TDs in 13 carries. Ramona asked him at halftime if he was working a full night tonight, and he said yes. Let's see how much longer he stays in ...

Oaks drove but fumbled the ball away to open the third, and after stopping Bonnie on fourth down near the Oaks goal line, Oaks is driving again. Tyler has 222 yards and three TDs in 12 carries. Clausen has completed 14 of 23 for 211 yards and two TDs.

Quite literally. Devin Fiscalini, 13, an eighth-grader at Oaks Christian, is among a large contingent who've temporarily died their hair cardinal red, the main school color.

"I don't know much about football but I wanted to show some school spirit," Fiscalini said. "My parents think it's pretty funny."

Another quick, impressive drive for Oaks, which has amassed 349 yards and leads 38-7. Tyler has 147 yards and three TDs in nine carries .... No one is going to stop this kid. He's a legitimate prep superstar.

Well, St. Bonnie is going to have a very difficult time keeping this respectable, as Tyler just scored on a 73-yard TD run, juking several tackles ... and he looks like he's not finished yet, either. Very businesslike and determined young man. So it's 31-7 with three minutes left in the second, and the Oaks "overrated" talk has officially ended ....

Steven Vernardi kicks a 30-yard FG, lead back to 17 ... BTW, Clausen is 10 of 17 for 143 yards and two TDs, and Tyler has 69 yards in seven carries ...

Well, you don't win 98 out of 101 games without some toughness. St. Bonnie just scored on Patrick Hall's 38-yard reception, and now it's 21-7, Oaks early in the second quarter. Stay tuned ...

End of the first quarter, 21 points for Oaks. St. Bonnie's three previous opponents scored a combined 20 ...

It's not a matter of when St. Bonnie will stop Oaks ... but IF. Seven plays, 68 yards, 40-yard TD pass Christopher Owusu. 21-zip, and as my esteemed collegue Ramona Shelburne has pointed out, it's only the first quarter ...

This time Oaks drives 91 yards in 96 seconds, culminating with a 13-yard TD run by Tyler, who also had a 25-yard run during the drive. Two point conversion good, 14-0 Oaks, and this thing is getting out of hand ...

Nervous little opponent? Not so far. After holding St. Bonnie to three-and-out, Oaks uses a 24-yard punt return by Chris Potter, followed by a five-play, 41-touchdown drive. Clausen passed 15 yards to Sean Wiser for the TD, and that was that ... PAT failed, muffed play.

Former NFL great Wendell Tyler, father of Oaks' star RB Marc Tyler, works as an Oaks assistant, and among his duties is to deliver a pregame speech.

The elder Tyler pulled out all the stops tonight.

"I just told them the truth: Great teams win big games. Great teams play with confidence. Great teams don't make mistakes under pressure," Tyler said. "Then I told them: 'The question is, are you a great team?'"

At that moment, Tyler peeled off his shirt to reveal a St. Bonaventure t-shirt underneath, and the Oaks players ripped it off his body and head out the locker-room door.

Potter, whose son, Chris, is an Oaks startring receiver, admitted feeling a bit of deja vu as the teams warmed up. Thirty-six years ago, as quarterback for Granada Hills High, he was the focal point of the San fernando Valley's biggest ever game (still to this date) in the 1970 City Championship against rival San Fernando before a crowd of 18,000 at Birmingham High.

"I told Christopher that tonight he can start a new legacy," Potter said.

BTW, the younger Potter, a junior who was a star QB in Pop Warner but happens to play for the same team as Jimmy Clausen, has been offered a scholarship -- as a receiver -- by Oregon State and Troy State. So I guess it's not nine DI-bound players at Oaks, it's TEN.

There are a lot of reasons so many folks are interested in tonight's showdown. For me, what makes things especially intriguing is "the great unknown." I don't care how many DI-bound superstars play for Oaks Christian, the cold, hard fact is they've never beaten a truly great team -- never scheduled one, it should be pointed out -- so tonight is the measuring stick, the Litmus test, the tell-all.

Everyone says St. Bonnie has everything to lose, and Oaks has nothing to lose. No way. Oaks has everything to lose, specifically credibility, if the boys don't win, or at the minimum put up a good fight. St. Bonnie has more than proven itself. If they lose, oh well, a bad game. Get 'em next week. For Oaks, which returns to a small-school schedule, there IS no tommorow -- not even another section title will quiet the skeptics if Clausen and Co. don't measure up tonight.

How weird, really. Oaks, ranked higher than St. Bonnie in most polls, is the underdog and the favorite all at the same time.

Plus, all the pregame hype -- or most of it, anyway -- proclaims the key for St. Bonnie is put pressure on Oaks' QB Jimmy Clausen, a great talent who hasn't beaten anyone ... yet. We'll see if this Lion has the heart of one or not tonight. If he comes through dramatically, he's a hero. If he doesn't, he'll take the blame ... and rightfully so. That's the way it is when you're a star quarterback. Deal.

Well, this game is officially ON, no worry about ambient smoke, ashes, etc. It's 90 minutes before kickoff, and the place is PACKED ... not a seat in this house.

"It's an amazing crowd. I've never seen a JV crowd this big," said Thom Simmons, a Southern Section media rep who helped to organize media credentials. "We have 112 media requests, and there were only 78 for the De La Salle-Long Beach Poly game a few years back. For a CIF standpoint, it's always gratifying to have this kind of attention for any event, and football is the biggest thing on the block. It's a real treat for these kids because they're getting first-class treatment. What a great event."

Well, this game is officially ON, no worry about ambient smoke, ashes, etc. It's 90 minutes before kickoff, and the place is PACKED ... not a seat in this house.

"It's an amazing crowd. I've never seen a JV crowd this big," said Thom Simmons, a Southern Section media rep who helped to organize media credentials. "We have 112 media requests, and there were only 78 for the De La Salle-Long Beach Poly game a few years back. For a CIF standpoint, it's always gratifying to have this kind of attention for any event, and football is the biggest thing on the block. It's a real treat for these kids because they're getting first-class treatment. What a great event."

It was 1961, the first “upside-down� year since 1881 – i.e., one that reads the same upside down – in an era that today feels like a world away: a flamboyant young president named John F. Kennedy was inaugurated; a burgeoning business called ABC worked its way into the televison business; and a war began in far-off country called Vietnam.

A McDonalds hamburger cost 23 cents. Eddie Murphy, George Clooney and Dennis Rodman were born.

And a thin, gutsy teenager named Harry Welch was finding his way into the football world as a quarterback for Crespi High in Encino, a sleepy suburb with no buildings taller than two stories along Ventura Boulevard.

It’s been 45 years, and for Welch, now a 61-year-old head football coach at Canyon, the memories come rushing back when asked to take part in an Al Bundy-style retrospective of what high school football was like for the Santa Clarita area’s current head coaches.

“I was mediocre. Second-string at everything. A skinny, slow, uncordinated utility man,� Welch said.

Somehow, Welch worked his way from center to quarterback by the time the Southern Section playoffs began, and he’ll be in the Crespi history books forever as the first to throw a touchdown pass in the playoffs.

“I know 1961 seems like ancient history, but yes, I do remember it,� Welch said. “It was a cold daytime game at Mammoth High. Our slot receiver, Pat Breaux -- god rest his soul because he’s no longer with us -- was open on a post pattern, and I hit him.�

There was snow on the ground that afternoon, but the rest of the details are a bit fuzzy. Welch remembers for sure not being bothered by the cold weather.

“I didn’t care about pain. I didn’t care about temperature. All I wanted to do was play football,� he said.

Such passionate memories of their high school football days are a common thread among today’s coaches.

Perhaps such passion is what has kept our coaches so involved in the sport. At least that’s a reasonable theory on why a group of otherwise rational men would dedicate their lives to high school football and the players who play the game -- instead of more sensible pursuits that pay a lot more money and allow time for activities other than eating and sleeping.

The issue of why coaches coach is open for debate, and there might be different reasons for everyone. One thing for sure is they all loved the game even though some were better than others.

Oh, the memories.

Mike Herrington, an 18-year coach at alma mater Hart, was an average offensive lineman on an average team during his senior year in 1975. But what an ending Herrington enjoyed in his final game.

“We were playing Canyon in our last game -- neither of us made the playoffs that year -- and our coach, Dennis Wendt, called a tackle-eligible pass play and I scored a touchdown,� Herrington said. “I fumbled just I crossed the goal line but the referee ruled I made it the end zone. I remember the play. I think the ground caused the fumble. But, yes, I scored, and we won 38-29.�

Saugus coach Jason Bornn was an undersized but fanatical defensive lineman at Village Christian of Sun Valley as a senior in 1988.

“Our biggest rival was Montclair Prep, and we beat them in my last two years, and those were huge upsets back then,� Bornn said. “In those days, everyone was just so intimidated by Montclair Prep because there were always allegations of recruitment, and they always had a group of Division I-bound players. They had a great running back named Michael Jones in 1988, and it was amazing that we beat them, 23-21.�

Bornn will never forget the hit he put on Montclair quarterback Keyaan Cook that night.

“Cook came around on a bootleg, I had a clear shot at him, and I hit him so hard that snot came out of my nose,� Bornn said.

Golden Valley coach Steve Pinkston, who played quarterback at Simi Valley in the 1980s, will never forget a 28-24 upset victory over then-power Quartz Hill during his senior year in 1984.

“No one expected us to touch Quartz Hill that night becauase they had Aaron Emanuel, who was the top running back in the country,� Pinkston said. “I was 3 of 6 for 150 yards – with three touchdowns.�

Garrick Moss, who coaches at eight-man program Santa Clarita Christian, played defensive back in the early 1990s at Camarillo, which back then was part of the Marmonte League when the Marmonte League was in its prime.

“I remember during my senior year ‘92, we played Glendale in the first round of the playoffs, and everyone from the Daily News and the L.A. Times were picking Glendale because they were 10-0 and had Pathon Rucker, who was an all-everything running back,� Moss said. “One of my teammates, Brian Vellmure, took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and we ended up winning 33-0. That was the highlight because the next week we were pounded pretty good by Capistrano Valley, who won the title that year. I probably weighed 170 and definitely had to use my quickness and smarts in those days against guys like Leodis Van Buren from Newbury Park, who was a great receiver, or some 220-pound running back coming around the corner.�

One hit Moss remembers is the one he put on former Royal of Simi Valley quaterback Ryan Fien, who later played at UCLA. Or was it the hit Fien put on Moss?

“We went head to head. He was a big kid, and it was one of the hardest hits I’ve taken, but he had the football and he’s the one who went down,� Moss said.

Valencia coach Larry Muir, an all-league linebacker in 1985 at Alemany of Mission Hills, still savors a victory over league rival Loyola of Los Angeles, which didn’t lose many games back then – or in today’s era, for that matter.

“We won 24-21. I will never forget that score,� Muir said.

These were different times, different places, different faces. Perhaps high school footbal hasn’t changed as much as we think it has through the years, or perhaps it has.

Most of today’s coaches don’t see as many similarities as you’d think.

For sure, modern players are bigger in terms of height and weight. Nearly everyone agrees about that.

“Today the kids are in better condition and so much stronger, faster and athletic,� Welch said. “Me? These days, I couldn’t even start for Canyon’s JV team.�

Bigger, faster, more athletic, yes. But what about the size of the heart? The passion for the game? The dedication of mind, body and soul? That’s a different story.

Mike Kane, who coaches at West Ranch and was a league MVP as a running back at St. Francis of La Canada in 1982, believes young athletes have changed through the years.

“I just think there’s a lot more to do nowadays,� he said. “Maybe football isn’t the live-all and end-all anymore that we thought it was back then.�

Pinkston agreed.

“I think today there’s a lot more worries about getting scholarships and things like that,� Pinkston said. “It seems like high school football is more of business. In my days, it was about enjoying the game.�

Youngsters today are more diverse and have a lot more recreational choices. For a lot of these coaches, when they were in high school there were no computers or internet, video games, cell phones, etc. And fewer sports, too, as soccer hadn’t caught on, and surfing was something associated with Hawaii.

“There are other things to do now, more distractions, more opportunites to pursue other things besides just football or other sports,� Herrington said. “The guys now are real focused just like we were, but they have to be a little more disciplined to stay focused only on football. Back then, it was just a different mentality.�

Kane said he’s borrowed more than just the training methods he learned from his coach at St. Francis, Brian Fogerty.

“As a coach, I’ve tried to model myself after him,� Kane said. “I really loved high school football and really enjoyed playing it. As a coach, I just hope my kids have the same experience I had.�

For some, or perhaps all of the coaches, high school football changed their lives. For Bornn, a troubled youth who grew up with an absent father, football (((ITAL start))) gave (((INTAL end))) him a life.

Bornn embraced his coach at Village Christian, Mike Plaisance, as the father he never had. And the friendships and connections Bornn made at Village Christian have lasted a lifetime.

“I still talk to my ex-teammates all the time, including Jeff Cortez, who coaches at Lancaster,� Bornn said. “Another moved to Seattle but we still talk on the phone – I just hung up with him. I think playing high school football gave me a sense of purpose and direction and taught me to work hard and never give up. As for the game itself, maybe that hasn’t changed. We still teach fundamentals. But when I played the game, oh, it was like nothing else I’ve ever done.�

Gerry Gittelson’s column appears in the Daily News three times a week. He can be reached at (661) 257-5218 or gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com.

Wow, $66 so far, and you can bet the price will rise A LOT by the time the auction ends:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Oaks-Christian-vs-Saint-Bonaventure-Sept-22-2006_W0QQitemZ320027379896QQihZ011QQcategoryZ16122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

CANYON COUNTRY – Mike Loucks is just 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, but the Canyon High “designated hitter� never worries about getting overpowered. He’s too busy overpowering the other guys, thanks to his hit-first-ask-questions-later football approach.

“That’s just the way I’ve always been because I’ve always been smaller than everyone else out there,� Loucks said. “My thinking is you hit them harder than they hit you, and they’ll get the worst of it. It’s been working very well for me. I just try to stay away from the offensive linemen.�

Loucks and his teammates are looking for an edge Friday, as host Canyon (1-1) takes on state power St. Bonaventure (2-0) of Ventura. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“Mike puts his whole body on the line,� teammate J.J. DiLuigi said. “He’s like a bullet. He doesn’t care how big you are because he’s going right through you. He’s also a great wide receiver. He does a lot.�

Hard-nosed coach Harry Welch loves Loucks’ fiery enthusiasm. The senior is just the kind of player that fits into the “Cowboy Football� type that Welch always talks about.

“Mike Loucks isn’t one of those pseudo fired-up guys who’s just enjoying the moment,� Welch said. “He’s an unsung star because he’s fearless.�

Middle linebacker Blake McMartin is the leader of the defense – and also one of Loucks’ best friends – and McMartin believes Canyon would not be the same without its prized defensive back.

“Mike is the man,� McMartin said. “He hits really hard, and he’s just a good team player. He gives 110 percent every time.�

Loucks is coming on as a receiver, too. He had three receptions for 50 yards in a one-point loss to Notre Dame last week after totaling 12 receptions for 279 yards (23.5 avg.) and three touchdowns as a junior, helping Canyon to the Southern Section Div. II championship.

It’s no surprise Loucks is such a versatile athlete. His sister, Nini, was a top Canyon soccer player who’s now playing for USC on a full scholarship. His father, Michael Sr., was a two-way starter in football for Cleveland High in Reseda.

“Things are going pretty well,� Loucks said. “We’ve been practicing hard this week trying to prepare for St. Bonaventure. The coaches have done a good job, and I think we’ll be ready.�

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
(661) 257-5218

Matt Diaz, a 261-pound Valencia High returning defensive lineman who is the football team's biggest player, has been cleared for Friday's game against Birmingham after missing the first two games because of a shoulder injury.

Cut from the active roster, Washington Redskins practice squad RB Manuel White, formerly of Valencia High and UCLA, had knee surgery this week and was placed on the practice squad-injured reserve list.

A fourth-round pick two years ago, White missed all of last season because of a broken leg.

NEWHALL - Perhaps it has taken some time for Bo Cooper to figure out where he fits in the world, but the intimidating 6-foot-3, 300-pounder with a Mohawk and tattoos all over his body has found his calling as a professional wrestler.

A former high school wrestler who lives in Santa Clarita, Cooper admits he has had his brushes with the law and has done more than his share of partying and carousing during his younger years. But he has dedicated his mind, body and soul - especially his aching body - to being the next Hulk Hogan or The Rock.

Cooper is well on his way to stardom, too, working through the ranks on the independent pro wrestling circuit. He's the world champion of local outfit Battle Ground Pro Wrestling, successfully defending his belt during a wildly entertaining performance at a packed event Saturday at the local American Legion Hall.

It's tough working your way on the indy circuit, which is one reason Cooper has the words "paid dues" tattooed across his knuckles.

The matches may be staged but there's nothing fake about the pain, and two days after being smashed through a table following his victory at the Battle Ground match, Cooper said his ribs were still killing him and that he could barely move.

No big deal.

"The show must go on," Cooper said. "That was a real table with a metal frame. In the wrestling business, that's called `taking a big bump.' We don't always do that, but this time we had to make a point to set up the next match on Oct. 14."

Through the years, Cooper, 26, has come back from a broken hip, broken ribs, several separated shoulder injuries and, at last count, four concussions. He's been in the ring with such former international stars as Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, The Honky Tonk Man and Tony Atlas.

Cooper hopes one day to make it into the spotlight himself, so he keeps pushing forward as a main event wrestler in small venues, earning a hundred dollars or so wherever someone is willing to set up a wrestling ring.

It's not an easy way to make a living, but Cooper is a survivor.

"I used to be just a punk kid and did all the drugs and stupid stuff early on. Not any more," Cooper said. "I'm still hoping for that big break, and if that opportunity ever comes, I'll take it."

Cooper has a growing legion of fans who follow him wherever he wrestles, and young children flock for autographs after


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events.

"We love him. He's amazing," said Kristin Uhley, a 22-year-old from Simi Valley who joined fellow Cooper fans Karen Urquhart, 23, John Poleno, 29, and Poleno's son, Austin, 6, at the Battle Ground event.

"I'm here to support Bo. I've seen him three times," Urquhart said.

Cooper was in fine form Saturday, taking a huge swig of beer from a fan as he entered the ring before doing a number on challenger Joey "The Technical Wizard" Ryan. A melee developed after Cooper pinned Ryan, as several bad-guy wrestlers entered the ring and smashed him through the table, and the crowd went wild.

"I love it. I've been going to see live wrestling since I was kid," said Dave Sanders, a 49-year old purchasing agent who also works part time as a musician. "There's some great talent at the indie level, and if you're at the right place at the right time you can make it to the WWE like John Cena, who started out doing local shows in Orange County. Wrestling has a real cult following."

There are more than a few wannabes in this business, but Cooper has an edge because he's got the image, combined with surprising athleticism for such a large man.

He is also realistic.

"You just can't expect to get rich in this business. That's not the way it works," he said.

Battle Ground promoter Jason Bennett backs Cooper 100 percent, and Bennett believes there isn't a better headliner on the indie circuit.

"The crowd just goes crazy for him, especially in Newhall," Bennett said. "He's a legitimate 300 pounds and he's just so agile for his size. This town loves professional wrestling, and it's Bo Cooper's home town."

Gerry Gittelson's column appears in the Daily News three times a week. He can be reached at (661) 257-5218 or gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com.

CANYON COUNTRY -- Slowly but surely, the light has returned to Blake McMartin's eyes, but it's been a long and difficult road for the talented but troubled Canyon High football standout.

Just about everyone was ready to give up on the youngster during his junior season, when McMartin spun totally out of control because of heavy partying, academic problems and an increasingly bad attitude that created an insurmountable wedge between a teenager and his family.

Among the best players on the team, McMartin lasted just five games in 2005 before eventually finding himself at a remote treatment facility for adolescent boys. He spent eight months in rehabilitation at Provo Canyon School in Utah in a last-ditch effort to change his life.

It worked. McMartin, 17, isn't so much a new person as a young man who has finally returned to who he once was before demons took over his life: an honor student, a team player and, most importantly, a loyal son and trustworthy big brother.

"Let's just say I was doing a lot of things I shouldn't have been doing and having too much fun," McMartin said. "The hardest part about being in Utah was being away from my family, and now that I'm back I just can't tell you how appreciative I am of Canyon's program and the coaches and the teachers. Everyone has just been really supportive, and I'm really happy and excited to be back."

If everything works out, this is the feel-good story of the year. McMartin's parents, Brad and Lisa, have their son back. Canyon coach Harry Welch once again has perhaps the Foothill League's hardest-hitting linebacker. And McMartin's teammates have someone whom they can again trust and extend their faith.

McMartin is an inspiration to every teenager who has wobbled out of control, rebelled against those dearest to his heart or simply refused to follow rules.

Those meeting McMartin today are greeted by a shy, respectful young man whose boyish face comes straight out of a Norman Rockwell illustration.

Perhaps the jury is still out on what lies beneath the surface, and that's OK with Blake McMartin. He's more than willing to take things one day at a time, a catch phrase that's been working since his happy return in early June.

"As far as being an inspiration for other kids, yes, I suppose that's a possibility. But right now I'm just more concerned with doing well and staying focused on school and sports," he said. "In Utah, there were all different types of us there, but the thing we had in common was we were all working on just getting back on track in society and functioning as a citizen. I was given a pretty good education about shaping my future when I wasn't on the right track."

The Utah facility is very expensive, and McMartin's parents, out of other choices, made a sacrifice in what turned out to be a last resort that worked.

"Quite frankly, Blake has finally resumed his former self in that he has a presence of mind and can have a discussion with us that doesn't feel like we're just prying and asking nosy questions," said his father. "I've noticed more appreciation for his mother and myself and his (two) brothers. Yes, it was expensive, and believe me, we had to break open every piggy bank to send him there. But a parent does everything he can to save a child. It wasn't easy, but we put ourselves second and our child first."

The football team has given McMartin a soft place to fall.

"It's great to have Blake with us again, and everyone on this team has his back," teammate A.J. Wallerstein said. "You've got to have a solid foundation because football is a team game. Nobody on this team needs to do it by himself, and Blake knows that."

There was never a question about his football skills, just his coping skills. Now that McMartin's life has come together in both areas, Welch, who has always been known as a strict, demanding coach, is thrilled.

"Well, he's a great football player, and any coach wants to have good football players playing for him," Welch said. "In that regard, Blake McMartin is an asset, but I've also always thought of Blake as a good human being with an excellent mind. I have him in my college-prep English class, and he's one of my better students, too. He works very hard. He's got some real close friends on this team, and I just like what I see in Blake McMartin."

In football, McMartin missed a lot last season, when Canyon won the Southern Section Div. II championship in December without him. He knew he had some work to do to make it back, and football was an incentive.

"Yes, he missed the championship game, but from a parents' perspective, we feel there were character and behavioral issues that superceded football," his father said. "The priority was his health and safety."

The parents believe they owe a debt to Canyon's football program, particularly the coaching staff, for never giving up on his son.

"What impressed us the most through this whole thing was no one asked any pointed questions, and no one was looking at punitive issues instead of asking what they could do to right the ship," the father said. "From the beginning, they were prepared to help, and Harry Welch really earned my respect with the way he handled everything. I'm talking about personal phone calls, letters, just wanting to know whatever he could do. He's a 100 percent professional as a coach and administrator, and the whole Canyon staff is second to none. There was never any gossip, innuendos or snide remarks. We're fortunate to have someone like Harry Welch at Canyon."

Through their son's difficulties, the McMartins have seen a side of Welch that others don't see - a compassionate side to a 61-year-old taskmaster who has dedicated his life not just to high school football but to the young men who play it.

"I've tried to be there for Blake McMartin whether he was going to play football or not," Welch said. "That's why I stayed in touch with the family, and I can tell you I was ecstatic when he arrived back. I was very, very eager for him to return, and I hope that he can continue to make a contribution. He's fostering maturity in others, and he's becoming a positive role model. I don't know about being an inspiration to the other kids - but he's an inspiration to me."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

(661) 257-5218

NEWHALL - Can Hart High come back from its most devastating nonleague loss of the past two decades?
That's the burning issue for the eight-time section champion Indians (0-1), who committed seven turnovers in an embarrassing 34-0 opening defeat to St. Bonaventure of Ventura last week.

"I think we can. We've been really motivated this week because we got blown out last time," receiver/defensive back Brandon Arndt said. "We learned nothing comes easy, and we've got to work for everything and play mistake-free football."

Hart doesn't have the luxury of a soft place to fall. The Indians can't afford another letdown at 7 tonight at defending Div. IV finalist Moorpark (0-1), which has advanced to the section semifinals or further in three of the past four seasons.

"How am I doing? Not great," said a plaintively honest Hart coach Mike Herrington, whose teams occasionally have started slowly but have never had a losing season through his 18-year career. "We've been a little down at practice this week. That's partially due to the heat, but they were basically humiliated. We've got to get things going."

Now Herrington has a chance to prove just how good a coach he is. With a group of relatively small linemen and so many inexperienced starters at the skill positions - particularly quarterback Alex Pettee, who completed just 11 of 32 passes for 109 yards in the opener, along with the entire receiving corps - Hart isn't as intimidating as usual.

Meanwhile, Hart has a tough schedule, as six of the first eight games are against opponents that advanced to the section semifinals or better last year.

Plus, there isn't as much depth as usual, as Hart has fewer than 40 players on its roster for the first time in Herrington's career.

"Yes, our numbers are down, and I really don't know why that is," Herrington said. "The thing about it is, we've been very successful, so you would think that would bring out a lot of players."

Herrington refuses to dish out blame for the St. Bonaventure disaster without attributing a healthy dose of Hart's problems to himself.

"I guess it was my fault," he said. "Instead of things being second nature, we reverted back to old habits."

Arndt begs the public not to give up on Hart. Among the players eager to make a second impression, Arndt promises a more respectable performance.

"Our practices have been a lot better, amazingly better," he said. "We're a lot more focused, and hopefully we'll do great tonight."

While Hart and Moorpark are coming off losses, it should be pointed out that both opened against elite opponents. St. Bonaventure is 95-4 with five section titles over the past six years, while Moorpark fell 33-14 to defending Div. II champion Canyon, ranked No. 2 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports and No. 13 in the nation by Student Sports.

"Moorpark is supposed to win the Marmonte League championship this year, so this isn't an easy one, either," Herrington said. "They're right up there."

Hart running back Delano Howell is coming off a solid performance, rushing for 125 yards with five receptions. Fellow junior Patrick Larimore totaled 18 tackles, but there weren't many other highlights.

"I think they were the only two that had good games," Herrington said.

The good news is it's still very early.

How well Hart rebounds from such a public whipping remains to be seen, but at least the team still has plenty of chances to redeem itself.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

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In his UNLV football debut, former Hart HS standout Ryan Wolfe caught six passes for 160 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown, in a 54-10 victory Saturday over visiting Idaho State, setting a UNLV record for most yardage by a freshman.

Former Valencia High/UCLA running back Manuel White was cut by the Washington Redskins on Saturday. A former fourth-round draft, White was hoping to come back from a season-ending leg injury suffered one year ago during the Redskins final preseason game of 2005.

Saugus, which opens its football season against visiting Antelope Valley on Friday at College of the Canyons, impressed during a scrimmage at Alemany of Mission Hills on Friday.

Among the standouts were running back Ryan Zirbel and receiver/defensive back Mario Wright. Zirbel, a touted sophomore, rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on five carries, and he added four receptions. Wright had four receptions and scored on an interception return.

Undoubtedly, Zirbel had a lot on his mind after briefly leaving Saugus last month with plans to transfer to Alemany before returning six days later.

“Ryan Zirbel did very well. He’s every bit as advertised,� coach Jason Bornn said. “He sets up his blockers very well, and he’s a very, very slashy runner.�

Wright has come out of nowhere after struggling in the classroom last season.

“If this kid takes care of his grades, he could potentially be one of the most recruitable athletes of anyone ever at Saugus,� Bornn said. “He’s 6-foot-4 and 186 pounds and really passes the eyeball test. He’s getting better and better every day. Some kids have peaks and valleys but this kid just keeps getting better.� ...

Speaking of Alemany, new principal Frank Ferry, a former Saugus High administrator who is responsible for bringing in new football coach Dean Herrington, is proud of the football team’s new locker room, which has gone from one of the area’s worst to one of the best, thanks to $30,000 worth of new materials plus lots of donated labor.

“It used to be a rat trap with no air conditioning and 30-year-old carpet and broken windows,� Ferry said. “Now everything is brand new with a 40-inch big-screen TV, individual padded seats and a new training room with a whirlpool and taping room. There are no metal lockers. You walk in and it has the feel of a college or pro locker room.�

34-zip, it's over. That's 21 years, about 250 games, first shutout ... back to the drawing board, Hart. As for lone bright spot Howell, he rushed for 128 yards, caught five passes and averaged 30 yards on three kick returns. he also played defense. For Hart, the best thing about this game is it's OVER.

Three minutes left, Hart just fumbled the ball away for the fifth time. The last time Hart was shut out was a 0-0 tie against Saugus on Oct. 4, 1985. That's a LONG time ...

Now it's 34-0, as Patrick Hall just come through with one of the more impressive TD runs by Hart opponent ... ever. He went sideline to sideline, eluding several tacklers and showing impressive speed on a 77-yard touchdown .... Midway through the fourth, the issue now is will Hart break the shutout???

Among the bright spots for Hart has been Delano Howell. He's rushed for 78 yards on 12 carries with four receptions for 63 yards. He's also punted six times for 164 yards -- an average of just over 27 yards per punt.

Meanwhile, Lee has rushed for 127 yards on 16 carries. He's on the sidelines and have have called it a night by now.

Pettee has completed 10 of 27 for 103 yards with two INTs.

Let's put things in perspective, shall we? St.Bonaventure is no ordinary opponent. The defending Div. IV champs finished 14-0 last year and were ranked No. 1 in the state by calhi sports. If things continue this way tonight, they'll win their 25th in a row and 95th of the past 99 since 1999. The team has won five titles over six years. That's some SICK success, eh?

Well, I smell a skunk -- a close one, too -- and that's not the only thing stinking up the place, unfortunately for Hart fans ... Hart turned the ball over again on a fumble four plays into the second half, and St. Bonnie just cashed in with a 27-yard TD run by Michael Lee to make it 27-0, St. Bonnie, midway through the third quarter. Now folks in the press box are scrambling to figure out Hart's most one-sided loss of the Herrington era. Oh, a break -- St. Bonnie was called for celebration and missed the PAT from 35 yards out, so instead of 28 points, it's 27. This place is QUIET on the Hart side.

A rough first half for Pettee just got rougher. Pettee fumbles the ball away in the waning moments, and St. Bonnie cashes in a few plays with a 13 yard TD pass to make it 21-0 with nine seconds remaining before intermission. If Hart can dig itself out of this hole, it will be a miracle ....

Well, Pettee just threw an INT in the end zone with a pass that didn't appear intended for anyone, blowing a good scoring opportunity with two minutes left in the first .... This team needs to regroup, and halftime can't come any sooner.

Hart's offense finally comes alive a bit, as Pettee connects on three passes to drive Hart to the St. Bonnie 19 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Timeout Hart. The Indians desperately need to put some points on the board to stay in this game, otherwise it could be a long night. Stay tuned ...

Just what Herrington said he was afraid might happen, happened -- a special teams breakdown, as Michael Williams returns a punt 58 yards for a TD to put St. Bonaventure up 14-0 ... Same thing happened last year (kickoff return TD late in game) in an eventual 12 point loss ... Hart has dug itself a hole midway through the second quarter ....

Not many artistic points tonight, as Hart's Brandon Arndt intercepts a pass near midfield, as the first quarter comes to a close ... 7-0 St. Bonnie. Will the Seraphs defeat Hart for the fourth time in four years? No team has ever defeated Hart four times in a row during coach Mike Herrington's 18 year career, so we'll see what happens. Hart does not look particularly good (two first downs), but then again, neither does St. Bonnie. We shall see if things pick up ...

After a Hart punt, Michael Lee's 40-yard run to the Hart 2 ... Three plays later, folliwing a holding call on SB, the Seraphs score the first TD on a 12 yard pass to Blaine Irby. PAT good, 7-0 St. Bonaventure with just over two minutes left in the first ....

Fumbled punt return by Hart; sure looked like an interference penalty, but ref rules the defender was blocked into the punt returner ... St. Bonnie ball at the Hart 20 midway through the first quarter ....

but alas, St. Bonnie blows a great opp with a fumble of their own a few plays later, recovered by Tyler Eyrick. Hart has the ball back on its own 11. Someone needs to de-grease the football ...

Hart's drive lasted three plays before receiver Michael Vairo fumbled away the football after a reception near St. Bonnie's 30 ... I guess this is what happens when you play a week zero game instead of a scrimmage ...

St. Bonnie takes the kickoff, drives to the Hart 35, then fumbles the ball away; Hart's B.R. Holbrook recovers ...

Very crowded press box as we get ready for the kickoff. Not just press, either. TV, radio. Hard to find a seat, frankly ... but what should we expect? This is the biggest show in town ...

Among the more crowded areas upon entry is Hart's merchandise stand -- especially in a season opener like tonight. Booster president Rodney Toledo said program sales have been brisk as usual, despite a 66 percent price increase from $3 to $5.

"We needed to keep up with other schools," Toledo said. "We spoke to the Westlake boosters, and they're the ones who actually told us to raise the price. They said we were undercutting them."

Toledo and his collegues are planning another Poker Night on Sept. 23 in Valencia. Last time, Hart assistant Jason d'Autremont was a big winner -- splitting a $1,500 pot.

Later, during pregame warmups, d'Autremont insisted he's not a card hustler.

"Just lucky," he said. "I don't have any secrets -- except maybe not to show anyone my hand."

And what will d'Autremont do with his new windfall?

"Oh not much. I'm going to save it," he said.

This is the first Daily News live prep football blog, so here we go ... and what a great way to start things with a showdown featuring two of California's -- make the world's -- most successful high school programs ...