By Fred J. Robledo
Bishop Amat learned last week that senior linebacker Austin Lacy, also a standout on the basketball team, transferred back to Pasadena High, which he attended in 2008. Lacy, who battled a life-threatening virus in March that affected his heart, is healthy again. But his father, Darryl, said because his son missed so much school due to his illness, he needed to return to a public school to make up his grades.

Bishop Amat (3-0) senior wide receiver Wallace Gonzalez will sit out his final game against undefeated Damien (2-0) on Friday at Kiefer Stadium. The 6-foot-5 receiver left Glendora after its season opener in 2009, citing chemistry issues with the team.

Gonzalez enrolled at Bishop Amat, where his sister attends school but his hardship transfer request was denied, forcing him to sit out a year.

In Gonzalez’s last full season as a sophomore, he had 64 receptions for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the Tartans in receiving.

Damien coach Greg Gano will make his first trip to Bishop Amat since 1986, when he was an assistant for Los Altos coach Dewayne DeSpain in a loss to the Lancers and star running back Eric Bieniemy.

After the Spartans’ 35-0 victory over Chaffey, Gano knows a victory at Bishop Amat would be the shot in the arm his program is seeking.

“What I learned about them last year is they don’t make mistakes, they’re an extremely disciplined football team,” said Gano, who is in his second season at Damien. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was a huge opportunity for our program and our coaching staff, but you can’t get caught up in that.

“I’m happy with what we’ve done the first weeks of the season. Our kids are playing their butts off and they’re working hard..”