AROUND THE LEAGUES : Crespi Expects to Remind Notre Dame of 0-9-1 Chant

Coach Bill Redell has little trouble motivating his team for Friday’s Del Rey League opener against rival Notre Dame.

Two years ago, at a basketball game between the schools, Notre Dame fans chanted “0-9-1” in reference to Crespi’s first winless football season. Redell says some of his players were in the stands two years ago and have long memories. “We will not be overlooking Notre Dame in any way, shape or form,” he said.

Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney, however, thinks the chanting wasn’t a big deal. “It happens every year,” he said. “The team that wins does it to the other team. Last year, they were chanting 3-7 at us. It’s not something that I’m going to use to get my team fired up.” . . . . J.J. Lasley, who missed Crespi’s last three games, will go against Notre Dame on Friday. Lasley, a junior running back, was averaging almost seven yards per carry and had scored two touchdowns before injuring his wrist in an accident.

Add rivalry: Six thousand people are expected at Friday’s game between Granada Hills and Kennedy, a Valley 4-A League opener. Granada Hills leads the series against Kennedy, 7-5. . . . At the other end of the rivalry spectrum, defending Eight-Man Large Division champion Templeton will travel to Faith Baptist for a rematch of last year’s championship game when Templeton beat Faith Baptist, 26-7, to end the Contenders’ 23-game winning streak.

He could kick himself: With no time left on the clock and the score tied at 14, Burroughs kicker Todd Pam lined up to kick a 22-yard field goal while Crescenta Valley players chanted “Choke 2, Choke 2.” “I could hear them, but I wasn’t worried,” said Pam, who had barely missed a 37-yard attempt on the previous play. Pam got a second chance because of a roughing the kicker penalty. “In the huddle, all the players prayed,” Pam said. Pam’s hurried attempt after a bounced snap was blocked. “I just knew it would have made it this time,” he said. . . . The stars haven’t risen to the top every night, but Canyon’s winning streak, longest in the nation, has reached 43. Chad Zeigler and Paul Chadwell have concussions. Lance Cross has a severely sprained ankle. Ken Sollom is in a slump. Yet Canyon (5-0) keeps winning. The main reasons: a rejuvenated defense that has allowed only 23 points in the past four games and a vastly improved offensive line.

Hazardous zone: “Don’t come around here, you might get hurt,” Hart Coach Rick Scott says. The warning came after defensive back Eric Ferguson suffered a season-ending knee injury against Quartz Hill. Ferguson is the ninth defensive starter to miss at least one game because of injury. Two more players have been lost on offense. Scott said 14 players have had surgery or broken bones. . . . Running back Bill Phillips has missed Newbury Park’s past two games because of a separated shoulder. How did it happen? A bruising hit in the Royal game? A punishing tackle in practice? “No,” Newbury Park Coach Ken Cook said, “That was in a Sunday afternoon game at the park.” In the three games before his injury, Phillips had rushed for 356 yards on 85 carries and had scored a touchdown. Cook said there is a 90% chance Phillips will be ready to play Friday against Simi Valley.

Lucky 13: L.A. Lutheran, with only 13 players, has had fourth-quarter fatigue problems but had none in Saturday’s 31-6 win over L.A. Baptist, which fumbled six times. L.A. Baptist Coach Mike Boshers said that knowing about Lutheran’s lack of depth was a disadvantage. “When the guys heard they only had 13 players, I think they kind of assumed they weren’t able to play very well. It’s hard when you look at a game like this because it’s never a win, only a loss.”

Quick-whistled officials: Birmingham Coach Alan Epstein claims officials are quick to eject players who fight. After a kickoff last week, Andy Walkes of Birmingham and Nelson Fields of Narbonne were both ejected for fighting. “The officials said they both threw punches, but I don’t think they knew who started it,” Epstein said. . . Reseda’s senior quarterback, Donnie Grant, has recovered from a broken index finger. He was injured in a hallway fight at school three days before the season began. If Grant isn’t ready, backup Mike Lance, 4-0 in a reserve role, will start.