Gerry Gittelson: August 2008 Archives

Returning starter Bam Goodall has beat out transfer Nick Stephens from Dorsey of L.A. for the No. 1 quarterback job at Taft of Woodland Hills, according to Taft coach Matt Kerstetter.

The competition was so close that Kerstetter could not decide until Friday after analizing tape of a team scrimmage and meeting with his assistant coaches.

Goodall is a junior and Stephens is a senior.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Former Hart star Delano Howell rushed for two touchdowns, including a 34-yarder, in Stanford's final scrimmage 10 days ago but did not see action Thursday in an opening 36-28 victory over Oregon State.

Howell, a true freshman, is not listed among the top three running backs on Stanford's depth chart, and there appear no plans for Howell to return kicks, a speciality in high school

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

There have been complaints against Quartz Hill coach Ben Meyer, who has been replaced by former coach/current A.D. Coy Ray, according to the Antelope Valley Press.gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Finally touched base with Chatsworth coach Rick Hayashida, and he says a report that 10 players have quit the team -- including standout linebacker Josh Hamon -- is not true.

"Josh is here. He was at practice today. He never left," Hayashida said.

Hayashida conceded that one key has been dismissed for disciplinary reasons, and a handful of others are dealing with academic eligibility issues, but he otherwise has a full team.

Actually, Hayashida, in his second season, believes the Chacellors are going to have quite a good season, based on the return of Harmon and quarterback John Cardona, plus the emergence of receiver A.J. Little, who has regained eligibility after sitting out last season because of grades; Little looked terrific during the summer.

"We're going to be right there," Hayashida said."I don't know where all these rumors are coming from."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Monroe had a turnaround season last year, going from 2-8 in '06 to 7-4, including a second-place finish in the Valley Mission League.

Buidling on such sucess won't be easy, though, because the Vikings graduated 25 seniors, including top running back Germi Morrison and key LB Chris Andrade, and coach Don Senegal is still trying to figure out who goes where.

"We probably have 12-15 kids coming back, so we're rebuilding," Senegal said.

The good news is quarterback Rodrigo Loredo returns, and he was one of the team's best players last season despite missing three games because of an injury. He probably will throw a lot to junior Christian Figueroa, the top newcomer.

Starting linebackers Jonathan Diaz and Daniel James are back, too.

"We're going to be competitive and play tough and run around and hit people," Senegal said. "We'll be fine."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Kennedy should have a strong program with the return of staring quarterback Antonio Esquivia and a group of returning defensive starters including junior linebackers Hector Castaneda and Vito Mafeei -- the "heart and soul of our defense," coach Dion Lambert said -- and three-year starter Chris Fierro.

However, the Golden Cougars (4-7 in '07) could very well start 0-3, as the first three opponents are top Southern Section programs: Alemany (8-4 in '07), Palmdale (11-3), then Compton (8-3).

"You've got to be challenged these days. It's all about playing the best," Lambert said. "You won't get much better by playing 'Sisters of the Poor.' Even if you get your face kicked in against a big team, at least you learn something. You know you're going to be seeing good teams in the playoffs, and it won't be such a shock."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Ten Chatsworth players have quit the football team, including standout returning linebacker Josh Harmon, according to two West Valley League sources.

Chatsworth coach Rick Hayashida and athletic director Mike Immken have not returned numerous calls from the Daily News seeking comment.

The mutiny is the latest in a string of embarassing episodes at Chatsworth, including former girls' JV basketball coach Andre LaBeach's guilty plea to a felony sex charge in June.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

San Fernando is unleashing an intriguing prospect this season, Juan Rodriguez, a mammoth 6-foot-8 1/2, 375-pound junior offensive lineman,

"He's looking real good. He's dominating," coach Tom Hernandez said. "He played on the frosh-soph team last year, but this year he's starting to get mad and to really push people around. He's become a real good football player."

Hernandez has been associated with the program on and off for more than 30 years. He says he has never seen a bigger football player at the school.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Well, son of a gun. Nick Montana, the child of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, has won the coveted starting quarterback job at Oaks Christian High in Westlake Village, the announcement coming Saturday following six weeks of competition with Tony Macarena.

"It's an honor. I'm very excited," Montana said. "This is a great-looking team."

Both quarterbacks are transfers from national powers. Montana, a junior, arrived from Concord De La Salle, while Macarena, a senior, is from St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

"I just felt like Nick Montana was a little bit ahead as far as decision-making," Redell said. "Tony is disappointed. He's a competitive kid, but he's handling it well. He's still going to play, but Nick is going to start."

Oaks Christian has won five consecutive Southern Section championships.

Montana will be blessed with a group of top receivers, including Arizona State-bound tight end Christopher Coyle, who had 19 receptions for 264 yards and four touchdowns last year. Brian Owusu, who has been offered by Duke, also returns, along with Ryan Landseadel. Then there is freshman phenom Payton Jordan, who could immediately develop into one of the Tri-Valley League's brightest young stars.

Also returning is Malcolm Jones, the Daily News' preseason No. 1 running back. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season and also totaled 14 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yarder.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Expelled from Crespi High because of academic and disciplinary reasons, top linebacker Lucky Radley has enrolled at Taft and is scheduled to begin football practice Monday, said Taft coach Matt Kerstetter.

"He's here today (Friday), and he's taken care of all his enrollment paperwork," Kerstetter said.

Radley, a junior, totaled more than 100 tackles with five sacks to help Crespi to the Pac 5 final last season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Here are Cal-Hi Sports' rankings:

SectionSports.com ranks the Top-25 in the Southern Section, based on our analysis of overall team ability, given new and returning players, along with coach interviews.

1. CORONA CENTENNIAL
2007: 13-2, Inland Division champions. Outlook: The Huskies reached the State Bowl Championship last season but lost to De La Salle. They are in terrific shape to get back there in 2008, with LB Vontaze Burfict leading a powerhouse defense. QB Taylor Martinez has transferred in from Cajon to lead the offense.

2. LONG BEACH POLY
2007: 13-1, Pac-5 Division champions. Outlook: Raul Lara's squad will be tested early against a tough non-league schedule, but should coast to another Moore League title. QB Morgan Fennell and RB Melvin Richardson lead the offense. DE Iuta Tepa and DT Juwuan Brown make the Jackrabbit defense one to be reckoned with.

3. ORANGE LUTHERAN
2007: 10-2, Pac-5 semifinalists. Outlook: Lutheran's 2007 season ended with a bizarre 2-0 loss to Poly. The Lancers will look to get back on top of the Pac-5 with a group of talented transfers. DB Gabe Lemon joins the squad after intercepting 9 passes with Trabuco Hills last season. He joins an already-stacked secondary that includes Davonte Anderson and Terrence Brown.

4. CRESPI (ENCINO)
2007: 11-3, Pac-5 runner-up. Outlook: QB Bryan Bennett and his favorite target WR Blake Stanton are back after a surprising run to the Pac-5 title game. DB Lucky Radley made over 100 tackles last year as the Crespi defense held opponents under 10 points in seven games.

5. MATER DEI (SANTA ANA)
2007: 9-2, Pac-5 quarterfinalist. Outlook: QB Matt Barkley has been a phenom since his debut as a freshman, but has failed to deliver a CIF title to the Monarchs. He'll have all the tools he needs on offense, but defense is young and vulnerable.

6. REDLANDS EAST VALLEY
2007: 12-1, Inland Division semi-finalist Outlook: QB Tyler Shreve and several offensive linemen are back, but last year's receiving corps is not. The defense is expected to be even strong than last year. Finding somebody to catch Shreve's passes will be the key for the Wildcats.

7. HART (NEWHALL)
2007: 12-1-1, Northern Division runner-up. Outlook: The Indians will be hard-pressed to replace QB B.R. Holbrook and RB Delano Howell. APB Demitri Diamond will have to carry the load as a rusher and receiver while head coach Mike Herrington breaks in a new signal caller.

8. ESPERANZA (ANAHEIM)
2007: 10-2, Pac-5 quarter finalist Outlook: QB Sean McDonald and RB Jared Moore are back to lead the Aztec rushing attack. The rest of the team is young and needs experience to develop. The Aztecs may start slow, but a fantastic finish isn't out of the question.

9. MISSION VIEJO
2007: 4-6-1 (6-4-1 on-field), T-2nd in South Coast League. Outlook: Finishing second in league and exiting in the first round of the playoffs isn't what Mission Viejo head coach Bob Johnson expects. The QB/WR combo of Allen Bridgford and Alex Mascarenas returns, and the defense is expected to improve.

10. SANTIAGO (CORONA)
2007: 8-5, Inland Division runner-up Outlook: The Sharks surprised many with their run to the title game last season. Expectations are high for this year, but skepticism is warranted until Santiago can stay within 30 points of Centennial. 6-foot-3 TE Marlion Bennett is an X-factor on offense.

11. ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA)
2007: 14-1, CIF Division III State Bowl champions. Outlook: The Seraphs defense should be phenomenal, with MLB Dylan Davis seeking out enemy running backs. Opponents will have a hard time passing on the secondary, which includes Division I prospects Xavier Ramos and Patrick Hall.

12. CHAPARRAL (TEMECULA)
2007: 9-4, Inland Division semifinalist. Outlook: A three-way battle to replace Tyler Hansen at QB is ongoing. Whoever wins the spot will be well-protected by OLs Mike Sikorski, Trevor Fox and Nate Devan.

13. SERVITE (ANAHEIM)
2007: 9-3, Pac-5 semifinalist. Outlook: The Friars have been a force since head coach Troy Thomas took over in 2005. However, they've been unable to break through for a CIF title or win over archrivals Mater Dei. RB Greg Portis will lead a 2008 squad that is determined, but not expected, to change that.

14. EDISON
2007: 8-4, Pac-5 quarterfinalist. Outlook: The Chargers don't have QB Nick Crissman anymore, but they do have LBs Preston Spence and Will Andrew on defense.

15. OAKS CHRISTIAN
2007: 11-3, Northwest Division champions. Outlook: The Lions stockpiled QBs during the offseason, with Tony Macarena beating out Nick Montana for the starting spot.

16. NORTH (RIVERSIDE)
2007: 13-1, Eastern Division champions. Outlook: The Huskies' hopes in their new league and division will rest on QB Jamar Calhoun's ability to run and throw.

17. LOS ALAMITOS
2007: 7-3, T-3rd in Sunset League. Outlook: QB Clark Evans looks to lead the Griffins back to the playoffs after an early end to last season. He'll have the help of WRs Darryl Jenkins and Paul Richardson, who combined to catch 83 of his passes in 2007.

18. VISTA MURRIETA
2007: 11-1, Inland Division quarterfinalist. Outlook: The Broncos have a big hole to fill at the QB spot.

19. LAKEWOOD
2007: 7-4, 2nd in Moore League. Outlook: Every year, the Lancers are good, but not good enough to beat Long Beach Poly. That trend should continue despite the excellent play of QB Jesse Scroggins and RB Alex Fletcher.

20. LOS OSOS
2007: 8-3, Baseline League champions Outlook: The Grizzlies take a step down to the Central Division and are already among the favorites there. QB Richard Brehaut threw for 2248 yards last season and has committed to UCLA.

21. RANCHO VERDE
2007: 7-5, Central Division quartfinalists. Outlook: The Mustangs are new to the Inland Division, but RB Daniel Jenkins and company already getting respect. "I know Rancho Verde is stacked with guys," said Chaparral head coach Tom Leach.

22. NORCO
2007: 9-3, Inland Division quarterfinalists. Outlook: Coach Todd Gerhart's squad had a strong 2007 with a young team. The loss of LB Brandon Brown to Centennial will hurt the defense and put more pressure on DE Jared Koster.

23. NEWPORT HARBOR
2007: 8-4, Pac-5 quarterfinalists. Outlook: QB Andrew McDonald led a young Sailors squad to a great season in 2007. With a ton of talent back, including LB Cecil Whiteside, they have their eyes set on a Sunset League title.

24. TESORO
2007: 7-4, South Coast League champions. Outlook: The Titans rebounded from a 1-9 2006 and 1-3 start to 2007 and ended Mission Viejo's reign over the SCL. They'll rely heavily on QB Robbie Picazo to prove it wasn't a fluke.

25. CITRUS HILL
2007: 14-0, East Valley Division champions. Outlook: Head coach Greg Dubois' squad returns practically all of last year's impact players and moves up to the Eastern Division. QB Caleb Herring and RB Deontae Cooper will put up big numbers, the biggest of which could be another 14-0 season.

He's just a junior, but Taft's D.J. Morgan already has developed into a major national recruit, with Stanford the latest to offer a scholarship to the blazing fast running back who also is a track star.

Morgan also has been offered by Florida, and lots of other programs are hot on his heels.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Oaks Christian has named the No. 5 all-time football program in the USA in an online article by bleacherreport.com. The criteria: winning percentage, alumni, and facilities. No. 1? No surprise. It's Concord De La Salle.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Malcolm Jones, a junior running back at Oaks Christian who rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season, has received an early offer from Stanford, according to scout.com -- Jones' first of what figures be an onslaught of offers.

His brother, Marshall, plays at USC.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Antonio Bray, a top running back, has transferred from Alemany to Canyon.

As a sophomore at Alemany, he rushed for more than 300 yards and scored seven touchdowns -- two on kick returns and one on a 69-yard run in a playoff win -- while splitting time with returning starter Malcolm Marable, now a junior.

The plan this season at Alemany was for Bray to play some receiver in coach Dean Herrington's one-back West Coast-style passing offense..

Also a top track sprinter, Bray lives in Santa Clarita and attended Canyon as a freshman, rushing for more than 1,600 yards in eight JV games in 2006. His JV coach that year was Chris Varner, now in his second season as Canyon's varsity coach.

Bray's eligibility remains unclear because of transfer issues, but he is scheduled to meet with the team today and to begin practicing on Wednesday.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews,com

By Gerry Gittelson
Staff Writer

Lucky Radley, one of the area's top returning football players, has been expelled from Crespi High of Encino for academic reasons, and he could wind up at Serra League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks or City Section contender Taft of Woodland Hills, according to Crespi head coach Jeremiah Ross.

Radley, a linebacker, totaled 110 tackles and five sacks as a sophomore last season to help Crespi finished as the Pac-5 Division runner-up. He was projected to be one of the area's top three linebackers this coming season.

Ross said Radley had been in trouble at Crespi last semester and was suspended, and that Radley had been accepted back on a "probationary basis."

"He's had some run-ins, and he's no longer at Crespi. He practiced during the summer but hasn't been with us for any of fall practice," Ross said. "I wish him the best, and I think he's a great kid. It's unfortunate."

Radley said he has met with Taft head coach Matt Kerstetter on Taft's campus but that his mother doesn't want him to go to a public school.

"He lives right up the street from Taft. It's his home school," Kerstetter said. "We'll have to wait and see what happens. I've heard all about Lucky Radley and have seen him at camps. We would love to have him. I don't know anyone who wouldn't. We'll just have to wait and see."

Radley conceded Monday that he received a letter from Crespi stating he could no longer attend the school because he failed a summer geometry course, but Radley also said he has since passed an online geometry class and that he is meeting today with Crespi's school principal about being reinstated.

Ross said Monday he is not aware of such of meeting.

"If it doesn't work out, I'll probably go to the Notre Dame," Radley said.

According to section rules, Radley would have to sit out one year if he transfers without changing residences or for athletic purposes.

"We're committed to him. We've done everything we can, but it's not workable as of right now," Ross said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Antonio Bray, who has had his problems but remains one of the area's top returning running backs, is in trouble again.

For the past three days, the blazing-fast junior has not showed up for practice at Alemany and has been unreachable, according to Alemany coach Dean Herrington.

"He hasn't shown up, he hasn't called anyone, and I've heard rumors he's going back to Canyon," Herrington said. "There's been no communication (but) he hasn't checked out of Alemany."

Bray rushed for nearly 1,700 yards in eight games for Canyon's JV team as a freshman in 2006 but was later suspended from school for five days for fighting and eventually transferred to Alemany, where last season he helped lead the Warriors to an 8-4 record and a berth in the Western Division semifinals.

Last year, he split time with returning starter Malcolm Marable -- and was suspended for one game for disciplinary reasons. Bray scored the game-winning extra point in the final seconds in a season-finale victory over Chaminade to clinch the Mission League title, then rushed for 105 yards in four carries, including a 69-yard touchdown, in a second-round playoff victory over West Torrance.

"He's a good player, he's fast. You give him the ball and he goes," Herrington said. "I feel sorry for the kid because he could do great things here. A lot of people bent over backwards for him here, but I guess he's got to do what he's got to do.

"The fact he hasn't called is very disrespectul. I drove out of my way and picked him up for practice three or four times this summer, and this is the way we get paid back?"

Bray did not return a phone call seeking comment, and his mother, Cynthia Williams, di not return an email seeking comment. Bray did return a text Saturday asking if he has quit, and he texted "no."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Thousand Oaks should be strong defensively this season, particularly up front, led by defensive linemen Dereck Jester and Eddie McGilvra.

Jester totaled five sacks last year and has immense physical skills, a 6-foot-4, 236-pounder who benches 325 pounds and squats more than 500. McGilvra we know less about, other than he's a 6-2, 250-pound transfer from Texas who missed all of last season because of an injury. But coach Mike Leibin really likes him, and McGilvra should be primed for a breakout senior season.

Besides quarterback Ian Shultis and running back John Lister -- profiled in earlier Blog -- watch out for receiver/defensive back Curtis Dempster. He returns after totaling 21 receptions for 314 yards last year, and he has looked good as a cornerback during summer passing-league competitions.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

My bad: Chaminade's record last season was wrong in Friday's edition. The Eagles were 6-4.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Two top football players last year at L.A. Baptist of North Hills, running back Kevin Hollis and linebacker Eric Granger, are playing college football.

Hollis is walking on at Arizona State, and Gragner is playing for Division III Azusa Pacific.

Also, Andy Majid, a former L.A. Baptist offensive lineman who played at College of the Canyons, is at Homboldt State as a long-snapper.

gerry,gittelson@dailynews.com

John Lister has rushed for more than 1,100 yards two seasons in a row, yet the Thousand Oaks football senior still might be the area's most improved running back -- which means he could be on the brink of a huge year.

"John is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, and since January he has dropped three-tenths of a second off his 40-yard dash time -- from 4.85 to 4.54," Thousand Oaks coach Mike Leibin said. "He has a gear he never had before, and he's going to be impressive to watch this season."

If Lister's name is familiar, you might recall he was the star player for Conejo Valley Little League baseball team that advanced to the 2004 World Series final in Williamsport, Pa. He decided to drop baseball following his sophomore year so he could lift weights and work on his speed, joining Thousand Oaks' track team this past spring.

Lister is part of a talented group of returnees that includes quarterback Ian Shultis, who completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,694 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, along with defensive lineman Dereck Jester.

Shultis has orchestrated a successful summer passing-league campaign that has seen Thousand Oaks lose just two games. Jester, who had five sacks last year, is 6-4 and 235 pounds, and he bench presses 325 pounds and squats more than 500.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

It's no surprise Newbury Park football standout Jackson Powell has blossomed into the area's No. 1 defensive lineman when you consider his father, Marvin Powell, is a former three-time All-American offensive lineman at USC and five-time Pro Bowler with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A 6-foot-5, 220-pound returning senior, the younger Powell has been offered scholarships by Arizona, California, San Diego State, Utah and Washington.

As for USC, Powell is not expected to commit until after the season, which should give the Trojans plenty of time to make a bid.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

After a dreadful start that included a .197 batting average through the first month of his first minor-league baseball season, bonus baby Michael Moustakas has caught fire in a big way.

The 19-year-old third baseman from Chatsworth High leads the Single-A Midwest League with 20 home runs -- including five over a three-game span this past week -- and his raised his average to .260 with 60 RBIs in 109 games for Burlington, Iowa.

Moustakas is thrilled.

"I'm having a great time just doing what I love to do every day. You can't beat it," said Moustakas, who signed for $4.1 million. "Yes, I miss home a lot, but I'm happy to be out here pursuing my dream."

Moustakas, who finished his prep career as California's all-time career home run leader, was humbled by his slow but never lost confidence.

"I was just trying to get used to everything, and playing in cold weather every day in April didn't help," Moustakas said. "It rained all the time, and it was cold."

Moustakas was grateful that it never got to the point where fans were booing him.

"These Burlington fans are good fans. They weren't booing but you could tell they're were getting a little anxious," Moustakas said.

Minor-league baseball is a grind with 16-hours days, sometimes seven days a week. Yet Moustakas said he somehow found time to follow Chatsworth's successful drive to a second consecutive City Section championship this past spring.

"Coach (Tom) Meusborn never rebuilds, just reloads," Moustakas said. "From the very beginning, I had no doubt Chatsworth would win another championship. Meusborn could take pretty much any group of players and make them a winning team."

As for the other half of Chatsworth's former M & M boys, Matt Dominguez -- drafted later in the first round by the Florida Marlins -- Moustakas has remained close friends.

"I speak to Matt all the time -- at least once a week," Moustakas said. "I might have more home runs, but Matty has a higher average (.292, nine home runs for Single-A Greenboro, N.C.). He could always hit. I'm proud of him."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Jonathan Meyer, a returning shortstop/pitcher for Simi Valley High and the Daily News 2008 Player of the Year, pitched one scoreless inning of relief Sunday for the USA National Team in a 7-0 world championship loss (18-under) to Korea in Edmonton, Alberta.

With the loss, the Americans (7-1) received a silver medal.

It was Meyer's first pitching appearance. He finished the tournament 2 for 3 with two doubles, three runs and two RBIs.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com