PREP NOTES : La Quinta Football Coach Takahashi Resigns

La Quinta High School football Coach Roger Takahashi, who led the Aztecs into the 1989 Southern Section Division VI championship game, announced his resignation Thursday.

Takahashi compiled a 40-27 record in six seasons at La Quinta, winning the Garden Grove League title last season and qualifying for the playoffs three times.

“I’ve been coaching for 22 straight seasons, so it’s time to take a little break,” Takahashi said. Takahashi will remain at La Quinta as a physical education, driver’s education and health instructor.

Takahashi was a two-year assistant at La Quinta before being named to replace Joe Zeno as varsity coach. He previously coached 14 seasons at Santiago.

“I’d have to say the highlight was getting to the championship game in 1989,” he said. “The team got hot and we made a nice run in the playoffs.”

Takahashi wouldn’t rule out coaching in the future. The El Toro resident is interested in the coaching position at Aliso Viejo, which will open in two years.

“I’m always willing to look at all my options,” he said.

Corona del Mar’s Keri Phebus has signed a letter of intent to play tennis next year at UCLA, said Erich Moreno, her strength coach.

Phebus, a senior, had visited Stanford and canceled a visit to Arizona and Duke.

Phebus won Southern Section 5-A titles as a freshman and sophomore, and was a semifinalist last year. She has participated in the French Open Junior and Junior Wimbledon, and won the U.S. Olympic Festival tournament in 1990 in Minneapolis.