STATWATCH : Canyon’s Baltau Shows Winning Form in Loss to Hart

Canyon quarterback Rod Baltau dropped back to pass during the second quarter Friday night against Hart and zipped a 20-yard strike to Clint Beauer for a first down at the Indians’ 15-yard line.

The play led to Canyon’s first score, which cut Hart’s lead to 13-7. But it meant much more for the Cowboys’ passing attack, which was little better than average last season.

Last year, Baltau’s chief responsibility was handing off to tailback Chris Peery, who rushed for 1,290 yards. Baltau passed for 1,095 yards and 6 touchdowns in 13 games.

After one game this season, Baltau might have proved that he is the most improved quarterback in the Valley.

Although Canyon lost, 33-28, Baltau, passing with poise and accuracy against a strong pass rush, completed 15 of 23 passes for 228 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Beauer, who caught only 14 passes last year, had 6 receptions for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Rushing: Crespi’s Russell White has gained 415 yards in 52 attempts and scored 5 touchdowns in 3 games at Birmingham High. But White’s nights under the Birmingham lights have been decidedly hot and cold.

On Nov. 7, 1987, against Loyola, White gained only 28 yards in 14 carries in a 15-8 loss.

Two weeks later, against Riverside Poly in the Big Five Conference playoffs, White obliterated his school single-game record with 348 yards. White scored 5 touchdowns in 28 carries as Crespi won, 38-32.

Last Friday in a nonleague game against Redlands, White finished with 39 yards in 10 carries while nursing an injured left ankle. Redlands won, 28-6.

Numbers: In Village Christian’s 50-0 victory over Leffingwell Christian, seven players scored touchdowns, setting a school record for most players scoring in a game. The only Crusader to take part in more than one score was Drew Martenson, who threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Michael Curl and scored on a run . . . Montclair Prep safety Michael O’Brien made 15 unassisted tackles in his team’s 21-7 opening loss.

In the four head-to-head openers, the Channel League outscored the Marmonte, 105-55.

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