SPORTS SHORTS : (notes and quotes)

NICKNAMES: According to the initial edition of California Football Magazine, the most popular nickname of all football-playing high schools in California is Eagles (36), followed by Warriors (33), Vikings (28), Panthers (28), Tigers (28) and Spartans (27). The publication lists the Monsoons of Mayfair HS and the Tarbabes of Compton HS as two of the more unusual nicknames in the state.

Of the 38 schools that play football in the Southeast/Long Beach area, the most popular nickname is Lancers (4), followed by Dons (3).

PREP FOOTBALL: Andy Emch, Whittier--Completed 33 of 54 pass attempts for 307 yards and 3 TD in Whitmont League game against Bell Gardens last week. “He was so hot, it was unbelievable,” said Bell Gardens Coach Dave Newell. Bell Gardens (4-0) held on to win, 28-27.

Leo Moraga, Bell Gardens--Scored on a 67-yard run with 4:03 to go in the game with Whittier. Moraga scored 3 times during the game.

Trendell Williams, Dominguez--Passed for 2 touchdowns and ran for another in 25-3 San Gabriel Valley League win over Gahr last week.

Reggie Kennedy, Bellflower--The Times all-Southeast player had 1 interception on defense and 6 receptions as a wide receiver in the Bucs’ 15-9 upset win over previously unbeaten Brethren last week.

Ken Che, Bell--Caught a 62-yard pass for a TD in a game against Garfield recently.

Larry Schatz, Valley Christian--The senior middle linebacker/running back injured his knee on a punt return just before the first half ended last week in VC’s 16-14 loss to Laguna Beach. His is condition is doubtful for the remainder of the year. He is the fourth starter the Crusaders have lost to injury.

Joe Cypert, Schurr--The quarterback passed to Tim Whitfield for a TD in 14-13 loss to Millikan last Thursday. It is the only touchdown undefeated Millikan (4-0) has allowed so far.

Danianke Smith, Poly--With four starting defensive players sidelined, the position of defensive leader has fallen to the defensive end, according to Hares co-coach Jery Jaso. “He’s very difficult to block,” Jaso said.

Leonard Russell, Poly--The nation’s highly-recruited running back gained less than 50 yards again for the second consecutive week in a 35-0 loss to Banning of Wilmington last week.

Hector Ruelas, South Gate--In 19-0 loss to Garfield the 5-8, 177-pound middle linebacker made 15 solo tackles, 3 assists and intercepted one pass.

Matt Shackelford, La Habra--the junior quarterback passed for 210 yards and 3 TD in a 20-6 win over Lakewood last week. In three previous games Shackelford had thrown for a total of 191 yards.

Marvin Montgomery, Jordan--Rushed for 175 yards last week in 20-7 victory over previously unbeaten Paramount.

Ray Jones, Millikan--The receiver is averaging 40 yards a catch for the Rams. He has 3 TD.

TEAM NOTES--Paramount HS was cited for 13 penalties in 20-7 loss to Jordan. “We just didn’t play our game,” said Pirate Coach Ken Sutch....Bell HS has lost 9 players, including 7 starters, to injuries. The Eagles are 2-1.....The Warren HS defense held tailback Darrell Thompson of Cerritos to 47 yards in a 7-0 upset win over the Dons last week....Norwalk HS (4-0) is off to its best start in a decade...Cantwell HS committed 9 turnovers in its first loss of the year, 20-6, to St. Anthony...Uprising in the Suburban League. Pre-season co-favorites Artesia and La Mirada are both 1-3. Bellflower is also 1-3. Mayfair is 1-2-1. Norwalk (4-0) and Glenn (3-1) top the league in winning percentage...When Schurr HS lost to Millikan HS, 14-13, last week, Ram Coach Dave Radford congratulated his Schurr counterpart, Ken Davis, at midfield for “teaching us a lesson.” Said Davis later: “I don’t know what I taught him, unless it was that you can win by putting more points on the scoreboard than your opponent.” Explained Radford: “He (Davis) always has his teams prepared to play a good game. Here’s a coach with 102 career victories and I’m just glad it isn’t 103.”

PREP FOOTBALL STREAKS: Santa Fe HS--The chiefs last won a football game on Nov. 12, 1984. The school’s Whitmont League loss to Pioneer last week was its 14 consecutive. It was the first win of the year for Pioneer.

Whittier HS--The Cards try to end a 7-game losing streak Friday night against La Serna.

Jordan HS--The Panthers’ ended a 5-game losing streak last week with a 20-7 win over previously unbeaten Paramount (3-1).

Bellflower HS--Snapped a 6-game losing skein with the win over Brethren.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Laguna Beach HS interim football Coach Lloyd Cotton, after the Artists came from behind to nip host Valley Christian, 16-14, last week in a non-conference game, was asked if he was impressed with the Crusaders, who faced a 33-pound per man disadvantage in the trenches: “Was I impressed with Valley Christian? GEEEEZ! (pause) Was I impressed with Valley Christian????? GEEEEEEEEEEZZZ! (more pause) The guy wants to know if I was IMPRESSED with Valley Christian. Hoooooollly (trailng pause). Was I impressed with Valley Christian?” Moments later he explained: “I thought we were going to come in here and blow them away.”

(This feature will appear weekly in Sportsbeat. Readers are encouraged to nominate players for Sports Shorts on Monday, 9-11 a.m. at 924-8600. Nominees in all sports are encouraged.)