Fix Returns to Canyon After Considering Palmdale

Justin Fix, an All-Valley defensive lineman who quit the Canyon High football team 2 1/2 weeks ago and considered transferring to Palmdale, returned to the Cowboys’ practice field Friday.

“A lot of the guys on the team are like my brothers and I couldn’t turn my back on my brothers,” said Fix, a two-year starter. “I just had some things to think about.”

Fix was the sixth front-line player to leave Canyon in the past three years and the second to return this summer. Last year, Chris Peery quit early in the season, returned to rush for 1,290 yards, quit again and recently returned.

“We’re very pleased,” assistant coach Enrique Lopez said. “With Chris Peery returning, we’ve really strengthened our offense and with Justin Fix returning, we’ve really strengthened our defense.”

After leaving the Cowboys, Fix said he inquired about playing at Palmdale, an early favorite to challenge Canyon for the Golden League title.

“I was thinking about playing at Palmdale. . . . I had the papers and everything,” said Fix, who would have lived with his grandmother in Palmdale.

Fix decided to stay at Canyon after meeting with school principal William White.

“I just talked about some of the things that upset me and he talked about me as a student, rather than as a football player,” said Fix, who is being recruited by UCLA, USC and several other Division I schools.

“After we talked that out, he asked if I wanted to join the team and I said I wanted to play.”

Fix met with Coach Harry Welch and attended the Cowboys’ second practice Friday. “He welcomed me back,” Fix said.

Welch would not comment on Fix’s return. After Fix had quit, the coach said: “There is nothing about discipline, sacrifice and hard work that appeals to him.”

While many of Fix’s teammates were excited about the return of the 6-foot, 4-inch, 235-pound senior, they were still wary that his presence may be temporary.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” said Eric Hanes, who plays alongside Fix on the defensive line. “I can’t put my whole heart into it because of what he’s done in the past.”

Said quarterback Rod Baltau: “If he comes back with the attitude that he’s willing to work, it’ll help the team. But sometimes, a guy quits because he’s a bozo and figures he can come back and that he doesn’t have to work.”

Fix realizes that he will have to earn the respect of his teammates.

“I can understand people being upset about me quitting and going to Palmdale,” he said. “The whole thing about football is having fun with your friends.”