SMASH MOUTH

By ERIC SONDHEIMER

Oct. 1, 1999 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

MISSION HILLS — During football practice last year, linebacker Jason Will of Alemany High started a routine that left teammates wondering if he belonged in a psycho ward.

He was playing defense on the scout team. As usual, the offense was kicking butt.

“Everybody’s dead,” Will said. “I tackled somebody, got a little pumped up. I was barking on the line, getting into it. I grabbed some grass and dirt, put it in my mouth, was screaming and yelling. It totally picked up the defense.”

So began the legend of Will, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior who still occasionally eats grass and dirt to fire up his teammates.

“I don’t really think about it when I put it in my mouth,” he said. “I block it out.”

Don’t be surprised if Will decides to munch on some grass from Notre Dame’s field tonight in what could be the game of the year. It’s unbeaten Notre Dame (3-0), ranked No. 1 by The Times, against unbeaten Alemany (3-0), ranked No. 2, in a 7:30 p.m. showdown.

“It’s awesome,” Will said. “Right when the game was over with Torrance [last week], I just thought about Notre Dame and was so excited. The whole week is great. You’re nervous, everyone is pumped up.”

As if Will needed more incentive to play Notre Dame, his girlfriend, Elena Curiel, attends the Sherman Oaks school.

“Oh my God, the whole year and then some she’s been giving me [grief],” he said. “She’s pumped me up. I’m going to totally rub it in her face if we win because she’s been giving me hell.”

A year ago, Alemany couldn’t stop the run. This season, Will moved to middle linebacker and emerged as the Indians’ leading tackler. He’s a physical, aggressive player who backs down from nobody.

When backup quarterback Ricky Clausen made fun of Will after the linebacker was knocked down during a punt, Will went berserk.

“I chased after him and dove over a bench,” Will said.

Suddenly, teammates were calling him “Waterboy” for acting like Adam Sandler in the movie.

“I know he has a screw loose,” Coach Jim Bonds said.

Against Chatsworth, Will took on quarterback Matt Cassel after deciding Cassel was trying to intimidate him.

“I made a tackle, he came up to me, hit me on the face and head butted me,” Will said. “I couldn’t understand what he was saying. He started walking away. I go, ‘What am I standing here for?’ So I went after him.”

Will is completely drained after a game because he leaves all his energy and emotion on the field.

“The guy has no concept of pain,” defensive coordinator Joe Fama said.

As for eating grass, fellow linebacker Paul Fusano is among the few teammates to join Will.

“You don’t really taste it,” Fusano said. “It makes you feel like an animal. You should try it sometime.”

Will’s eating habits have led to the question: Which field has the best-tasting grass?

“I say Alemany because it’s home,” Will said.

Teammates joke that Will has a future as a gardener.

Last week, Will went to Fusano’s house for lunch and Fusano’s father brought out a bowl filled with dirt and a spoon.

Will’s biggest task tonight might be dealing with his girlfriend afterward. She already has warned him not to hurt her younger brother, Tom, a junior linebacker for the Knights.

“I always ask her, ‘What sideline are you going to sit on?’ ” he said. “She goes, ‘Notre Dame. I’m not sitting on your sideline.’ ”

Then there’s her threat, “I’m going to break up with you if you guys win.”

Will said she’s only kidding. He hopes to have the chance to find out.