HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / DIVISION II FINAL : Hart Goes Down in a Rout, 36-15

Hart High’s offense was a high-flying circus act--a real headliner.

But before 8,000 at College of the Canyons on Friday night, Antelope Valley’s defense stopped the show, posting a 36-15 rout to win the Southern Section Division II championship.

Hart (13-1), with an offense that scored 51 and 55 points in its two previous playoff games, might still be seeing dust from what will be remembered as a furious first-half Antelope stampede.

In the first 24 minutes, Hart committed five turnovers--two fumbles and three interceptions--and watched Antelope Valley (11-2) post a 29-0 lead at halftime.

“We were pumped this whole week,” said Antelope Valley tackle Chad Shrout, who sacked Hart quarterback Steve McKeon four times and kicked three field goals. “We studied their offense. We knew what to do.”

The Antelope Valley defense blitzed McKeon, clogged the middle and shot through gaps to greet ballcarriers in the backfield.

The Indians seemed flustered by their opponent’s aggressiveness.

While Antelope Valley’s defense did most of the damage, running back Jermaine Lewis had 207 of the team’s 314 offensive yards. He rushed for 155 yards and one touchdown and passed for 52 and another touchdown.

McKeon completed 24 of 41 passes for 364 yards, but Hart’s best player, running back Ted Iacenda, was held to 60 yards in 13 carries. He never broke a long run.

“(Antelope Valley) has such speed in the secondary, they just fly up and make tackles,” Hart offensive coordinator Dean Herrington said. “I’m sure it shellshocked us a little bit.”

After Shrout opened the scoring with a line-drive 45-yard field goal, Justin Reiner intercepted a McKeon pass near midfield. Six plays later, Lewis scored on a 10-yard run for a 10-0 lead.