PREP NOTES

If Neon Deion Sanders can do it, why not Mike Grizzle?

Grizzle, a tight end-defensive guard on the Rancho Alamitos football team, is a two-sport athlete like Sanders, who plays for the Atlanta Braves and Falcons.

And like Sanders, he plays them both in the same season.

The 6-0, 195-pound senior splits time between the Rancho Alamitos football and water polo teams, although he concentrates on football. He works out only when possible with the water polo team, and Vaquero football Coach Mark Miller excuses Grizzle from practice for water polo matches.

“If I know he’s got a (water polo) match I take it easy on him,” Miller said.

Barry Fry, Rancho Alamitos water polo coach, said the arrangement is unusual, but he’s grateful to have Grizzle on the squad even if not full time. Grizzle is a standout defensive player, who guards the opposing hole man, and an accomplished point man and driver on offense.

“He’s been a varsity letterman since he was a freshman,” Fry said. “Not too many guys can play both sports. He’s pretty strong. It takes quite a bit of strength to guard the hole man.”