Encinas commits to LMU

St. Paul High School senior-to-be Gabe Encinas has made an oral commitment to Loyola Marymount University. He said he will receive a scholarship covering 85 percent of his academic financial needs.
“It is a good fit for me,” Encinas said Wednesday afternoon.”It is close enough to home to be near my family, and far enough to be on my own. I really like the location, close to the beach and Los Angeles.”
Encinas said he was influenced by potential for opportunity and the quality of recruits who have committed to the Lions.
“The coaches are really good,” Encinas said, “and I feel (LMU) gives me a chance for a championship run, both in conference and nationally. The other guys they’ve picked up, I know alot of them, and they are really quality players. It’s just a good spot for me.”
In his last outing with his ABD travel ball team, against a Northern Calfiornia ABD travel ball team, he pitched five innings of one-hit, shutout baseball with 10 strikeouts

He and St. Paul teammate Chris Willson will compete in the Area Code Games beginning Tuesday. Encinas said two games will be played at USC and the rest at Blair Field in Long Beach. …

Clearning up rumors about California kicker Eric Stern’s scholarship with Utah State:
He reportedly will pay for his first semester, and will receive the scholarship for the second semester. He is on the official roster and will compete for the place kicking duties, and possibly as a punter. …

Santa Fe’s talented lineman, Nck Finney, will “walk on” at San Jose State. Good for him. At that level, coaches don’t let just anybody “walk on.” They obviously have seen potential in him and that’s half the battle. Good luck to him.

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Stern hooks up with Utah State University

It took a while, created some anxious moments and required a lot of patience, but California place-kicker Eric Stern finally joined the ranks of the recruited.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Condor graduate was offered by Utah State University and accepted about three weeks ago, although the announcement was made Monday.
The delay was a surprise after Stern’s illustrious high school career seemingly would have earned considerable interest among Division I college recruiters.
“Eric is one of the top kids in the nation coming out this year, without a doubt,” said Brad Bohn, Stern’s kicking coach. “Cal and Oregon signed (kickers) this year and he’s just as good as they are. Eric is a real competitive guy. He has a very strong leg. Utah State got a steal with Eric.
Stern made eight of 11 field goal attempts this season, including a pair of 57-yarders against South El Monte and Santa Fe. He also averaged 41.8 yards as a punter.

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Serra, Lakewood take Santa Fe TofC titles

Serra High School used a quick start to defeat defending champion Lakewood and win the passing event in Santa Fe High school’s annual Tournament of Champions competition held Saturday.
The victory denied Lakewood’s bid to sweep the two-pronged contest that included a nine-event lineman competition won by the Lancers.
Thirty-eight schools participated in the passing, including
Burbank Burroughs, which defeated Lynwood, 25-21, to capture the consolation division.
With pass completions worth from 1 to 3 points, depending on the yardage gained, Serra completed seven consecutive mid-range passes to take a 14-0 lead on its opening 10-play possession in title finale.
The Cavaliers led, 14-7, after Lakewood opted for the longer passes in its fist possesion and struggled.
Despite Lakewood’s defense accounting for three points with an interception and a deflected pass on Serra’s second series, the Cavaliers ended the game early by completing eight of nine passes to reach the maximum 30 point limit.
In the semifinals, Lakewood defeated Long Beach Wilson by a point and Serra edged Carson.
With game limits of 30 minutes or 30 points, whichever came first, Lakewood played nine games, winning seven of them. Serra, which had an afternoon bye, posted an 8-0 record.
The Cavaliers scored the maximum points in all four of their morning contests, and then made it five in a row by beating Schurr, 30-10, in a second-round afternoon game.
Local teams participating in the passing were California, which finished with a 4-2 record, La Serna (4-2), Schurr (4-2), Santa Fe “A” (3-3), Whittier (2-3) and Santa Fe “B” (3-5).
Teams who traveled the farthest to compete were Salt Lake City Olympus (1-6), Barstow (1-5), Ventura St. Bonaventure (3-3) and San Diego Westview (6-1) and Mountain Empire (0-5).
Lakewood totaled 295 points in winning the lineman competition. Local teams’ scores were California, seventh with 237, Santa Fe “A” 236 (eighth), Schurr 170 (17th), La Serna 161 (21st), Whittier 130 (33rd), and Pioneer 85 (38th).
Pioneer did not compete in the passing competition.

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Santa Fe TofC even bigger this year

Santa Fe High School will host a 40-school field for its annual passing and lineman competitions scheduled Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
Last season, 35 schools competed, with Lakewood defeating Carson in the finale.
Both teams return this year to head a list that includes locals California, La Serna, Schurr and Whittier, along with Western, Long Beach Wilson, St. Margaret’s, St Bonaventure, LA Narbonne, Arcadia, Lynwood and Palmdale Highland.
Two San Diego entries (Mountain Empire, Westview), another from Salt Lake City (Olympus) and one each from Victor Valley, Barstow and Jurupa Valley should add additional interest flavor for what always is a large crowd of spectators. There is no admission charge for spectators, and food and drink is available for purchase.
The passing competition consists of a series of 7-on-7 games with outcomes determined by a point system based on the length of pass completions.
The lineman competition involves nine events, capped by a team tug-of-war.

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