St. Genevieve Keeps Reins on N. Hollywood

A joyous locker-room scene was rather rare last season as St. Genevieve High struggled to a 1-8 record and a last-place finish in the San Fernando Valley League.

But it’s a different story this year.

“Ya gotta love it!” could be heard ringing out after the Valiants defeated North Hollywood, 7-0, on Saturday night at Birmingham High.

It was a fitting exclamation. First-year St. Genevieve Coach Mark Lovett has guided his team to a 2-0 start, quite a contrast to the misery of 1988.

Lovett’s charges shut down the Huskies’ offense, limiting it to 146 total yards.

“They’re very well-coached and aggressive defensively,” North Hollywood Coach Fred Grimes said.

The Valiants, who last week allowed only 15 total yards in a 9-7 win over Murphy, have certainly shown a solid defense.

Offensively, it has been a different story.

St. Genevieve took a 7-0 lead on its first possession when quarterback Dominic Muller hit tight end Mike Hoffmann with a 74-yard touchdown pass. But the Valiants gained only 115 yards the rest of the way.

“We’ve got to get the offense rolling,” Lovett said. “I’m an offensive coach. It can’t go on like this.”

About the only highlight for North Hollywood was the play of tailback Mike Lewis, who gained 115 yards in 28 carries.

One example of the difference between the teams’ play occurred on the first play from scrimmage after Hoffmann’s touchdown.

Lewis took the handoff and rambled 55 yards for an apparent score, but the Huskies were called for illegal procedure and the play was nullified.

The game marked another early season match-up between City and Southern section teams and, as with other City teams, North Hollywood found itself hurt by a late start. North Hollywood was playing its first game of the season and began practice two weeks later then its Southern Section opponent.

With a limited staff and practice time, the Huskies entered the game with only three offensive plays.

Two involved Lewis.

The only variation Grimes used came with 6:18 left and North Hollywood facing a fourth and six on the Valiant 25. Quarterback Greg Roth pitched to Lewis, who immediately looked for a streaking Krigor Kerkonian heading toward the right corner of the end zone.

Lewis’ pass was overthrown, however, and St. Genevieve regained possession.