2 Canyon Football Players Leave Team

Two Canyon High varsity football players left the team Wednesday. Both players--senior defensive back Marc Uda and junior receiver Brian Connelly--refused comment on the reasons for their departures, which came two days after Coach Harry Welch decided not to resign.

Welch, who was involved in a postgame scuffle with the parent of a player after a loss about two weeks ago and filed an assault report, had considered quitting before he met with the team Monday. Welch did not return a phone call Wednesday.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” said Connelly, a 6-foot-2, 160-pound junior who is the younger brother of quarterback Sean Connelly. He had five receptions for 44 yards.

Uda, a 5-10, 152-pound senior, was a four-year starter and returning All-Foothill League player who had one interception.

“He didn’t quit--he’s just not playing any more,” said Karen Uda, Marc’s mother. “We love the team, we support the team and we will cheer them every week. We will be at every game. But I won’t say why (Marc) left the team.”