As Saugus Rises, Hart Might Fall

The whispers are swirling around the Foothill League like a hot gust of wind in the Santa Clarita Valley:

Hart High’s football team is the weakest it’s been in years.

Look for some surprises in the final league standings.

Hart, which has won the past six Foothill League titles, enters the season with a 28-game winning streak in league play.

The Indians have made the playoffs every year since 1981 and have won at least one playoff game every year since 1989.

But Hart is as young as it has been in Coach Mike Herrington’s memory. Only three starters return for Hart, all of them on defense, and Herrington expects only four seniors to start.

Adding to the glimmer of hope in the eyes of opposing Foothill League coaches is the fact that the Indians failed to win a summer passing tournament for the first time in seven years.

“I don’t know who the league favorite is this year,” Canyon Coach Larry Mohr said. “But Hart is not what they have been, that’s for sure.”

Herrington said he has to agree.

“On paper, Saugus has the best team,” Herrington said. “They have the most returning players and their seniors have won two lower-level championships.”

Indeed, the Saugus seniors won the Foothill League freshman championship three years ago and won the junior varsity title as sophomores.

First-year Saugus Coach Ron Hilton has heard it all before.

“That’s just everyone trying to put the pressure on us,” Hilton said. “We’re a bunch of jokesters out here in the Foothill League. Every year there’s a chance somebody will beat Hart, but Hart finds a way to win.”

Some predicted Saugus would upend Hart last season, but with Hilton replacing six-year coach Jack Bowman the sentiment seems to be more widespread.

“Hilton is a real solid discipline coach,” said Burbank Coach Gary Willison, who served with Hilton as a Saugus assistant for two seasons.

“I think he’ll have them together as a tight unit with an inner confidence they’ve lacked.”

Hilton said that is exactly how he is approaching his new role.

“Basically I have one job and that is to change the mental attitude of the team,” he said.

“I’m going to let [the coordinators] call the plays. My job is to make sure we are sound mentally.”

With one of the toughest defenses around, led by all-league linebacker Tim Dell, an offensive line led by all-league tackle Justin Horwat that averages 280 pounds, and quick skill position players, Hilton believes a sound mental attitude is the only missing ingredient.

“There have been years where we’ve had more talent and we’ve still come home losers,” Hilton said. “Hart’s kids believe they can win and that’s the difference. Until we make our kids believe they can win then nobody has a chance against Hart.”

Hart’s top returners include linebacker Scott Hunt and defensive end John Harrison, both all-league selections last season.

Jerry Owens, who is moving from safety to wide receiver, is plenty good enough to succeed in the Indians’ run-and-shoot offense.

The big question at Hart is what other offensive weapons the Indians have. David Neill beat out junior Kyle Boller at quarterback, and led the Indians to the finals of two passing tournaments and the semifinals of two others.

“[Not winning one] is getting to be kind of a sore spot,” Herrington said. “But we’re not disappointed at all. We got a lot accomplished over the summer.”

Hart also lacks a proven running back, with junior Billy Brecht slated to start. But those around the league say they have seen this with Hart before.

“You have to say Hart is still the favorite,” Valencia Coach Brian Stiman said.

“They may say they are younger than ever or not as talented as they have been but one thing they are is the champions and unless somebody beats them they will remain that.”

Canyon and Burroughs also may figure in the league title race. Burroughs must replace all-area quarterback J.K. Scott, who has become the backup at Washington.

Competing for the job are last year’s backup Chris Santoyo and Ryan Sullivan, both seniors.

Glenn Adriatico, who caught 85 passes for 1,362 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, returns for the Indians, as does running back Robert Barillas, who rushed for 700 yards last season.

Canyon’s linemen won a Santa Clarita Valley-area schools weightlifting contest over the summer and should provide plenty of protection for running back Matt Gregory, who ran for 135 yards in 12 carries in a reserve role last year.

Valencia and Burbank appear to be much improved, but both lack the firepower to make a serious run at the league title.

Hilton, who has won four consecutive league titles as the Centurion softball coach, is entering the season with confidence--but it’s a cautious confidence.

“I’m not going to be one to pop off,” Hilton said. “I mean we certainly are going to try to win this one, but Hart has a win streak going. I’m not foolish enough to say anything to rile them up. I mean, I look for those kinds of things come spring time.”

Saugus plays Hart in the last week of the regular season--Nov. 14--at College of the Canyons.

“Hey, that’s 10 weeks away,” Herrington said with a grin of confidence. “A lot can happen between now and then.”

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AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: Wide receiver Glenn Adriatico, second in the area with 1,362 receiving yards last season, leads a trio of talented returning receivers for Burroughs. Hart junior linebacker Scott Hunt was an all-league selection last year as a sophomore. Saugus linebacker Tim Dell is a Division I college prospect. Valencia linebacker Dante Martin, an all-league selection last season, will be a force if he regains his form after a knee injury. Saugus lineman Justin Horwat (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) anchors solid lines on both sides of the ball. Burbank tight end Vardan Mkhitarian is 6-3, 250 and as tough as they come. Canyon linebacker David Johnson was a second-team all-league selection last season. Burroughs lineman Joey Learman (6-3, 255) is a two-time all-league selection.

* THE PROMISING: Hart quarterback David Neill will try to continue the long tradition of successful Indian quarterbacks. Burbank running back Juni Williams, one of the area’s best athletes, returns after a year away to focus on basketball. Hart wide receiver Jerry Owens can fly. Canyon running back Matt Gregory had a 65-yard touchdown run last season as a backup. Burroughs running back Robert Barillas rushed for 700 yards last season in a pass-oriented offense. Valencia quarterback Brian Hamilton is a 6-2, 175-pound transfer from Clovis High.

* FAST FACT: Hart has a 28-game winning streak in league play--third longest league winning streak in Southern Section history. Carpinteria won 60 consecutive league games from 1947-1957 and Lynwood won 33 between 1981-1986.

* 1996 STANDINGS: 1. Hart 5-0 (league), 9-3 (overall); 2. Burroughs 4-1, 8-3; 3. Saugus 3-2, 6-5; 4. Canyon 2-3, 4-6; 5. Valencia 1-4, 5-5; 6. Burbank 0-5, 2-8.

Foothill League Schedules

All games 7:30 p.m. unless noted. Sites and times subject to change.

BURBANK

Sept. 12--at Harvard-Westlake

Sept. 19--at Glendale

Sept. 26--Laguna Hills

Oct. 3--Santa Paula

Oct. 10--Gabrielino

Oct. 17--*Valencia

Oct. 24--*Saugus

Oct. 30--*Hart at College of the Canyons

Nov. 7--*at Canyon

Nov. 14--*Burroughs

Home Site: Burroughs High

BURROUGHS

Sept. 12--at Moorpark

Sept. 19--at Notre Dame

Sept. 26--La Canada

Oct. 3--at Glendale

Oct. 9--Crescenta Valley

Oct. 17--*at Saugus

Oct. 24--*at Canyon

Oct. 31--*Valencia

Nov. 7--*Hart

Nov. 14--*Burbank

Home Site: Burroughs High

CANYON

Sept. 12--at Valley View

Sept. 19--at Highland

Sept. 26--Crescenta Valley at Glendale High

Oct. 3--Arroyo Grande

Oct. 9--Palmdale

Oct. 17--*at Hart

Oct. 24--*Burroughs

Oct. 31--*Saugus

Nov. 7--*Burbank

Nov. 14--*Valencia

Home Site: Canyon High

HART

Sept. 12--at Granada Hills

Sept. 19--at Thousand Oaks

Sept. 26--Westlake

Oct. 3--at Palmdale

Oct. 10--Loyola

Oct. 17--*Canyon

Oct. 24--*at Valencia

Oct. 31--*Burbank

Nov. 7--*Burroughs

Nov. 14--*Saugus

Home Site: College of the Canyons

SAUGUS

Sept. 12--Santa Barbara

Sept. 19--Palmdale

Sept. 26--at Loyola

Oct. 3--Quartz Hill

Oct. 10--at Pasadena

Oct. 17--*Burroughs

Oct. 24--*Burbank at Burroughs

Oct. 31--*at Canyon

Nov. 7--*Valencia

Nov. 14--*Hart

Home Site: College of the Canyons

VALENCIA

Sept. 12--at Highland

Sept. 19--at Silverado

Sept. 26--Serra

Oct. 3--at Chaminade

Oct. 10--Quartz Hill

Oct. 17--*at Burbank

Oct. 24--*Hart

Oct. 31--*at Burroughs

Nov. 7--*Saugus

Nov. 14--*Canyon

Home Site: Canyon High

*League games