HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW : Hart Express Given Right-of-Way by Rivals

In the standings, as well as on the map, Burbank always has been south of Newhall. There, the Hart High football team reigns over the Foothill League.

Since Coach Mike Herrington took over the program five years ago, Hart has won 18 of 19 league games, including 15 in a row--and four of five Foothill titles. Only a 93-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter of a 42-35 loss to Schurr in 1990 has kept Herrington’s Indians from Foothill perfection.

John Hazelton, Burbank High’s new coach, can’t change his team’s geographical situation and seems almost as handcuffed when it comes to playing Hart in his first season in the league. He’s already conceded the league title to the Indians.

“Well, the second-place team goes to the playoffs,” Hazelton said. “So does the third.”

To other Foothill coaches, past and present, those words must sound painfully familiar.

The coaches speak optimistically before the season about their chances to win the league title but, one by one, they all eventually bow to the Indians. With Hart, winner of nine of the past 11 league titles, simply reloading every year, some coaches will concede the crown before their players strap on their helmets. Hazelton is one.

“They’re the class of the (Southern Section), along with a few other teams,” said Hazelton, who wonders if his players will be prepared to handle Hart’s run-and-shoot attack. “We started on Hart in March. The game is a long way off, but I know our kids will have to play over their heads.”

The closest any Foothill team came to the Indians last year was 17 points. Hart outscored league opponents, 173-46, in 1993. Burbank’s 56-7 loss added to that total. The disparity was worse in 1992, when Hart tilted the scoreboard, 172-40.

With 12 returning starters, Saugus has more experienced players than Hart. Three years ago, the Centurions beat Hart in a nonleague game when Saugus played in the Golden League, but Saugus hasn’t been up to the task since, losing, 42-13, and, 41-21, the past two seasons.

Of greatest concern to opposing coaches is Hart’s well-oiled offense, even with Steve McKeon at quarterback. The inexperienced junior stands only 5 feet 8, but Foothill coaches need not be reminded of Ryan Connors, who at 5-10 was deemed too small by Division I college recruiters. Connors passed for a then-section-record 4,144 yards in 1991.

“If you don’t give up the big play, sometimes you have a chance,” said new Canyon Coach Larry Mohr, an assistant last year who saw his team squander an early lead before losing, 35-18.

Mohr’s predecessor, Harry Welch, retired last winter after 12 seasons with a .794 winning percentage. Against Hart, he was only 5-7 and won only one of the last six meetings of the Santa Clarita Valley rivals. The Hart mystique has finally infected the Indians’ bitterest rival.

“I think they almost accept being in second place,” Mohr said, referring to his players. “I told them I’m not here for that. We’re shooting to be at the top.”

Foothill League at a Glance

1993 STANDINGS OVERALL LEAGUE PROJECTED FINISH Hart 10-2 4-0 Hart Canyon 6-4 3-1 Saugus Burroughs 5-6 2-2 Canyon Saugus 5-4 1-3 Burbank Burbank 2-8 0-4 Burroughs

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Player School Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Carlos Baker Burbank DB 5-11 185 Sr. Mike Brady Canyon LB 5-11 190 Sr. Beau Cherry Saugus OT 6-2 263 Sr. Matt Gillis Saugus LB 6-4 205 Sr. Ted Iacenda Hart RB 6-1 200 Jr. Ken Knoop Burroughs WR 6-4 190 Sr. Vaughn Lucas Burbank FB 6-0 195 Sr. Mark Manskar Canyon OT 6-7 250 Sr. Steve McKeon Hart QB 5-8 150 Jr. Sant Sikand Hart OT 6-7 300 Sr.