SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : For Coach, Wife and Son, Orange Glen Football Has Been Family Fun

Sitting atop the weather-worn bleachers at the Orange Glen High School football field, Coach Jeff Carlovsky saw something on the field that made him laugh long and loud.

One of his assistants, Alan Dale, had been flattened by the tight end during a blocking drill.

“Did you see that?” Carlovsky said. “He’s supposed to be a wide receiver, and he’s cleaning guys out.”

The tight end was the coach’s son, Scott Carlovsky, a 6-foot 1-inch, 185-pounder who had recently been converted from wide receiver. He happened to be blocking an assistant coach because this is the week Orange Glen plays Vista, and it is traditional at Orange Glen that coaches suit up for practice one day during what might be called Vista Week.

“It’s kind of a fun thing we do,” said Jeff Carlovsky.

For the Carlovskys, this season has been fun-filled.

It has been fun because Orange Glen is 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the Palomar League. The coach came into the season thinking a 6-4 finish would be satisfying.

It also has been fun because Scott Carlovsky, who broke the school record for career receptions with his first catch this season, has 25 receptions for the year and 111 in three years. He ranks fourth on the all-time San Diego Section list.

And it is getting to be more fun for Eloise Carlovsky, wife and mother, who said she’s learning to enjoy the game more.

“This year, I’ve enjoyed it the most,” she said. “It’s Scott’s last year and I’m real anxious to see him play and for him to do well. That’s what’s really fun for me--seeing the kids do well and having success.”

Jeff Carlovsky would like to add to the fun and success with a victory when sixth-ranked Orange Glen plays at top-ranked Vista at 7:30 tonight.

“We traditionally, year in and year out, come up with a pretty good effort against them,” Carlovsky said. “They’re due one of these days to play a game like we did against Torrey Pines (a 38-7 loss).”

The recent move of his son from wide receiver to tight end has given Orange Glen the ability to run as well as pass successfully.

Though the move to tight end has taken a bite out of his pass receptions, Scott Carlovsky doesn’t seem to mind.

“It’s helped the team and that’s all I’m worried about,” he said. “We needed to balance our attack and it’s worked.”

“It will probably cut down on his stats, but we felt that was the best for the team,” Jim said. “He could have probably stayed out there and had another 50-catch season, but it would have really limited us offensively.”

The fact that Scott started as a sophomore caused some problems on campus.

“Some students would say, ‘He’s only on varsity because of his dad,’ ” Scott said.

“When I came out, I expected a lot of favoritism,” said Matt Fiorello, a starting receiver who didn’t play football until his junior year. I was very surprised just because of the things I heard. I found out that he was good enough to play.”

Recalling Scott’s sophomore year, assistant coach Rick Hansen said: “Scott was as big as the guys and as fast and could catch the ball. It’s not a thing where the kids are thinking, ‘The coach’s son is playing over me because he’s the coach’s son and I’m as good.’ He’s better and the kids know that. He’s proven himself. Now there’s no problem.”

As a sophomore he proved that he could play, catching 25 passes and scoring 4 touchdowns. He was moved to wide receiver last year and responded with 51 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

“He’s got a lot of heart,” his father said. “Whether it is as a defensive back, wide receiver or tight end, whatever, he’s a winner. I’m not saying that as a proud father but as a coach. I’m glad I don’t have to coach against him.”

And it seems that Scott is glad he doesn’t have to play against his father, most of the time.

“Sometimes he’ll yell at me, ‘Hey, you should have made that catch,’ ” Scott said. “I always get picked on at practice and sometimes he’ll really get on my case.”

During games, as in practice, the Carlovskys try to maintain a coach and player relationship, but it is difficult.

“I got hit real hard at the start of the San Pasqual game,” Scott said. “My dad couldn’t come over and be a father right then. He had to be a coach.”

Eloise remembered a time last year when Scott got hurt.

“He had a concussion,” she said. “I was real upset. They kept putting him back in the game. I would have been down on the field if my husband hadn’t been the coach. At the end of the game, Scott was lying on the field, in a lot of pain and disoriented, and my husband didn’t really know it. He was getting interviewed. I said, ‘Do you know who that is over there? That’s your son, and he’s hurt bad.’ ”

Carlovsky must also contend with the fact that his son tends to be vocal.

“A lot of times, “ Jim said, “I have to tell him to shut his mouth out there. His big thing is he’s a coach on the field. You see him in the huddle, he does all the talking. He’s telling guys where to go and all. I say, ‘Shut up, that’s the quarterback’s job.’ ”

Others around the team have learned to understand that Jeff can’t always see his son as just a player.

“There’s human nature stuff that a father and son are going to have,” Hansen said. “Scott being able to sometimes speak his mind to his dad where other kids can’t. There’s a lot of times when realistically I see a lot of Jeff in Scott. They are the same type of personality, very competitive and very fiery. Sometimes Scott will come across like that and I think Jeff sees it like he’s looking in a mirror. ‘There’s my son and he’s just like me.’ I can understand what he’s doing.”

As the player, Carlovsky often overhears the ever present grumbling of others about the coach. However, he tries to remain neutral.

“I just think, ‘Hey, it’s your opinion, there’s nothing I can do about that,’ ” Scott said. “The players like him; they think he’s a good coach. He’s earned their respect.”

As practice ended, Jim Carlovsky stopped and looked across the mountainous backdrop of Orange Glen. He glanced at the word “pride” that the players painted on the side of the gym. He adjusted his royal blue Orange Glen cap.

“It’s been real fun coaching my kid,” he said.

And it was time to take the tight end home for dinner.