THE HIGH SCHOOLS : Machado Fights Losing Streak Off Field as Well

Hueneme High Coach George Machado thought that his worst worry had to do with ending his team’s 13-game losing streak.

But a frustrating chain of events this summer has made that chore one of the least of the football coach’s concerns. In fact, Machado’s luck has been so poor that he has trouble finding believers.

“People think I’m making this up,” Machado said. “Hell, I wish I was .”

In June, $5,000 worth of property was stolen from his home in Oxnard. Then, on Aug. 3, thieves entered Machado’s truck, which was parked in his driveway, and made off with items worth $1,500. The robbers apparently used Machado’s automatic garage-door opener to enter his garage, where they broke into the car of former Hueneme running back Freddie Bradley, who lives with Machado.

According to Machado, the thieves also left with a 10-speed bicycle and a pair of stereo speakers.

“So, I’m looking for somebody riding a Schwinn with the best damn sound system around,” Machado said with a laugh.

Although Machado kept his sense of humor during the streak of bad luck, his tolerance was tested again only four days later. Machado and his 13-year-old daughter, Lindsay, were driving to Sacramento when a 1962 Cadillac driven by an uninsured, unlicensed motorist failed to stop at a red light at an intersection and collided with the new Toyota Cressida that Machado had owned for only four days.

“It figures that had to be the biggest car America ever built,” Machado said of the Cadillac.

Machado received 15 stitches to his left triceps and nine near his left ear. Lindsay escaped unscathed. The car, however, was a total loss.

“Man, that baby was loaded, too,” Machado said. “Now I don’t have anything, and I look like Frankenstein.”

Lindsay apparently has developed some of her father’s sense of humor.

“She said to me, ‘Dad, when they ask me how I spent my summer vacation, you sure gave me a lot of material,’ ” Machado said.

But his worries aren’t over. Machado’s team was 0-10 last year, and he says the Vikings are in a “talent lull” again this season.

“People ask me why I’m not selling shoes, or in a room at the Camarillo state hospital,” he said. “But I’m hanging in there. They say you can look north, south, east and west and find somebody who’s having worse luck. Well, I’m looking, and I sure haven’t found them.”

Old faces in new places: Montclair Prep has made some position changes to go with a new attack in the upcoming season, which the Mounties hope doesn’t end a week short of the Southern Section championship game--as did their 12-1 campaign in 1989.

The biggest change will be behind center. Leland Sparks, last year’s starting quarterback, has moved to wide receiver and will be a primary target in what coaches promise will be a more extensive passing attack.

Sparks, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior and cousin of tailback Derek Sparks, also will double as a cornerback, moving from his safety position.

“It’s been fabulous,” assistant coach John Hazelton said. “Leland didn’t miss a stride and he’s very comfortable.”

Neimad Durham (6-2, 215), an offensive guard and linebacker in 1989, has moved to fullback. Durham, whom Hazelton called “the unsung hero” of 1989, has ample experience in clearing paths for Derek Sparks.

“He does more than an adequate job on the kickout blocking schemes,” Hazelton said.

Aloha, opener: Montclair Prep, gearing up for its Sunday afternoon departure to Hawaii, has lost punter and outside linebacker Chris Portugal, a 6-foot, 185-pound junior, to appendicitis.

Portugal, who missed most of last season with an injured knee, may miss two to three weeks and will not play in Montclair Prep’s opener next Thursday at Aloha Stadium.

Senior Ed Cibrian, the team’s kicker, will assume punting duties, and Fran Power, the team’s center, will start at outside linebacker.

Staff writers Brian Murphy and Jeff Riley contributed to this notebook.