Switches Push Chatsworth Into Top 10

After Chatsworth’s first two games, it was as far out of The Times’ Valley Top 10 as any team in the area. The Chancellors had lost to lowly Cleveland, 20-0, then Granada Hills, 37-13.

“We played poor defense against Cleveland,” Coach Myron Gibford said. “Against Granada, we were inconsistent offensively and defensively.”

More directly, Gibford said, “We were making a lot of bone-headed mistakes.”

Gibford decided to make some changes. He switched his quarterback, Matt McCourt, to free safety. He switched his free safety, John Dunn, to defensive end. And he switched his offensive guard, Richard Bennett, to defensive end. He also brought along Rogelio Vargas to play quarterback.

Since then, the Chancellors have won six straight games. After beating Canoga Park, 9-0, Friday night to take first place in the Sunset League, Chatsworth popped into the Top 10 at the No. 9 position.

“After the two losses, we didn’t get disappointed,” Gibford said. “I knew once we got the right people in the right places we would be a good football team. When we showed the kids the mistakes they made were mental, not physical, they knew they could improve.”

Chatsworth’s defense has been particularly effective. Against Canoga Park, the defense allowed nine yards rushing and had seven sacks for minus-50 yards. Since giving up 57 points in the games with Cleveland and Granada Hills, the Chatsworth defense has allowed a total of 24 points. Dunn, this week’s player of the week, and Bennett have played key roles.

“Dunn has done a great job,” Gibford said. “He’s been our big-play guy. Bennett has been our most consistent defensive player.”

The coach is less pleased with his offense.

“It’s still not where it should be. We’re good about half the ball game,” he said.

Running back Steven Smith has done well, however, gaining 420 yards on 92 carries.

“We’re going to be competitive in the playoffs,” Gibford said. “It’ll be tough, but I think we can play with them.”

Chatsworth plays Monroe on Friday to close out the regular season.

Other games involving Top 10 teams include: No. 1 Canyon vs. Antelope Valley, No. 2 Granada Hills vs. No. 3 San Fernando, No. 5 Simi Valley vs. No. 8 Westlake. No. 6 Hart plays Schurr, which is ranked No. 1 in the Coastal Conference.

The Valley Top 10

Selected by sportswriters of The Times

Rk Last Team League Record 1 1 Canyon Golden 9-0-0 2 2 Granada Hills Valley 4-A 7-0-0 3 3 San Fernando Valley 4-A 6-2-0 4 6 Thousand Oaks Marmonte 6-3-0 5 8 Simi Valley Marmonte 7-2-0 6 10 Hart Foothill 5-3-1 7 NR Newbury Park Marmonte 5-3-1 8 4 Westlake Marmonte 6-3-0 9 NR Chatsworth Sunset 6-2-0 10 5 Alemany Del Rey 7-2-0