Midweek Report : High School Football Update : Heat Was On but Foster Kept Cool

Last Sunday, 8:45 p.m.

Most of the West Coast watched the Prime Time Emmy Awards.

Not Grant High football Coach Bill Foster. His wife, Tracie, was within hours of childbirth.

Then the phone rang at the Foster house. Of all persons to call, a sportswriter!

Foster remained calm. “My wife’s getting ready to go into labor,” he said politely. “Can you call me tomorrow?”

At 11:20 that night, Tracie gave birth to Ashlie Yvette Foster, the Fosters’ third child.

Later, Foster gave some insight as to why he wasn’t panic-stricken when he answered the phone.

“I’m a football coach,” he said, laughing. “I’m used to stress.”

*

Hawaiian players treated their guests from Newbury Park to some traditional activities the day following Newbury Park’s 43-20 victory at Waimea, Kauai:

Wild boar hunting and cliff diving into a river.

Fun, but also a tad dangerous for a Panther team that suited up fewer than 30 healthy players for the game.

“I’m not sure the coaches were too aware of it,” said quarterback Chris Czernek, who passed for 376 yards.

Czernek & Co. returned in good health.

*

For Westlake fans wondering who snagged the precious few parking spaces on the same level as the new stadium entrance, the answer is: Boosters who shelled out $300 apiece.

The hefty donation gave fans preferred parking and two tickets to each home game, an ad in the Westlake game program, two tickets to the season-ending banquet, a T-shirt and cap, a seat cushion, and tri-tip sandwiches and drinks at each game.

Every one of the 43 preferred parking spots was sold.

*

Receiver Alex Kalinowski who made a leaping catch for the go-ahead score in Cleveland’s 21-14 victory over Poly, almost didn’t make it to the beginning of the season.

Less than a month before the start of fall practice, Kalinowski was in a serious automobile accident. After playing in a summer passing league tournament that day, he saw his football life pass before his eyes.

“I was thinking about that last pass I caught,” Kalinowski said. “I thought it might be the last pass I ever caught.”

Kalinowski escaped the accident with a minor back injury and was cleared to play just before the start of practice.

*

St. Francis quarterback John Carnevali passed for 210 yards and a touchdown in a 28-7 victory over Harvard-Westlake. Not exactly a rout. Then again, if it was a karate bout, they probably would have stopped it.

Carnevali (6 feet 2, 185 pounds), a part-time starter last season, is a second-degree black belt who teaches karate in his spare time. Having studied the sport since age 9, Carnevali draws on his karate education to enhance his skills as a quarterback.

“It helps me keep my head level and with the feeling that someone is coming from behind,” he said.

Carnevali became a black belt in eighth grade and earned his second degree as a high school freshman. At each level, he has had to demonstrate his skill to earn a belt.

“One of the things you have to do is break boards with your feet or your hands,” Carnevali said. “I use my feet.”

That way he doesn’t hurt his throwing hand.

AROUND THE LEAGUES

* EAST VALLEY

Last season Canoga Park played City Section 4-A finalist Crenshaw in Week 2. This season the Hunters have Valencia, which is in its first season of varsity football. Canoga Park Coach Rudy Lugo is nonetheless concerned. “It’ll be their first varsity game on their home field,” he said. “They’re going to be sky-high.” . . . Reseda, which last year lost its opener against Chatsworth, had little trouble with the Chancellors last week, building a 20-0 first-quarter lead en route to a 36-20 victory. . . . Durell Price, one of the nation’s top running backs, also is valuable at linebacker for Sylmar. “As soon as we pulled him out, [Taft] had a few long runs and we had to put him back in,” Spartan Coach Jeff Engilman said. . . . Van Nuys Coach Mark Pomerantz seemed more stunned than excited after the Wolves defeated Palisades in his first game as coach. “I was kind of in a strange funk,” he said. “It’ll probably become more passe as I get more used to it.”

* MID-VALLEY

Monroe doesn’t pass much, but when the Vikings do, they do it efficiently. Monroe completed only four of seven passes for 67 yards against Hoover, but two of them went for touchdowns--both from Aaron Arnold to Kenyatta Burris. . . . Next up for North Hollywood is Franklin, which employs the run-and-shoot, the same offense the Huskies junked during the off-season in favor of a more conventional pro-set offense. . . . Poly quarterback Jelani Ogle wasn’t entirely at fault for killing a Parrot rally by spiking the ball on fourth down against Cleveland last week. “He couldn’t look at the scoreboard,” Poly Coach Tim Feeley said. “They had the wrong down all night.”

* NORTH VALLEY

Kennedy’s game against Troy tonight at 7 at Fullerton High should be a quick one. The teams threw 10 passes combined in opening their seasons with victories. . . . After facing an unconventional run-and-shoot offense against Hart, San Fernando must contend with its second gimmick offense. Westchester runs a misdirection attack similar to the record-setting offense employed by Bloomington last year. Two-way starting linemen Gilbert Reyes and Alex Sykes suffered twisted ankles against Hart. . . . El Camino Real quarterback Shaun Fishman, second in passing among area City Section quarterbacks, faces a stern test against Chaminade. The Eagles held Agoura to minus-23 yards of offense. . . . Granada Hills Coach Brad Ratcliff could have been on the other side of the Highlanders’ 34-6 loss to Fairfax. Ratcliff applied for the coaching position at both schools but heard from Granada Hills first. . . . Taft sophomores Donald Carpenter and Sedric Hurns had their moments in the Toreadors’ 27-7 loss to Sylmar. Hurns leads area City Section receivers with five catches and Carpenter rushed for 75 yards.

* WEST VALLEY

After an ineffective debut by quarterbacks Ryan Martinez and Noah Verdi, Chatsworth Coach Myron Gibford will again alternate the duo against Sylmar. The offense is hoping for a boost from 5-foot-6 running back Rickey Vesteal, a transfer from Lompoc. . . . Birmingham defeated Canoga Park, 27-14--a victory made more impressive considering the Braves have only four players with varsity experience. “The best part is, they know they made mistakes and they can do a lot better,” Coach Dave Lertzman said.

* NORTHWESTERN

Verdugo Hills quarterback Cory Reisner will play Friday against St. Francis after being knocked out of the Dons’ 20-14 victory over Grant in the fourth quarter.

* MARMONTE

Newbury Park offensive coordinator Gary Fabricius missed the trip to Hawaii, staying behind to witness the birth Saturday night of his first child, Drew. . . . Jack Wilson, an All-Southern Section second baseman who had the highest batting average in the area last season, is hitting 1.000 on field goals for Thousand Oaks. Wilson, a senior, set a school record with a 51-yarder on his first varsity kick. He added a 33-yarder in the Lancers’ victory over Crescenta Valley. In the fourth quarter, Wilson deferred to backup Nicole Starkey, who made her first varsity field goal, from 22 yards. . . . Charles Merricks completed 15 passes for Channel Islands in a victory over Rio Mesa, equaling his total of last season. The Raiders could double their victory total of last season by defeating Hueneme on Friday. . . . Christian Broussard of Royal rushed for only four yards in six carries before leaving the Highlanders’ 28-24 loss to San Marcos with leg cramps. Broussard’s primary task Friday against Notre Dame will come on defense, where he must stop receiver Troy Garner. . . . Simi Valley and Agoura employ run-and-shoot offenses, but combined to pass for only 70 yards in defeats. . . . The jury remains out on the Camarillo defense--one of the area’s worst last season--after an inexperienced Oxnard squad scored 27 points against the Scorpions. Camarillo faces traditional rival Rio Mesa this week without tailback Andy Kroneberger, who has a broken thumb. . . . Westlake quarterback Steve Aylsworth exhibited plenty of poise in the team’s 35-35 tie against Buena, completing 12 of 16 passes, scrambling for a 15-yard touchdown and, in the game’s final minute, returning a punt 36 yards.

* CHANNEL

Hueneme entered its first game with great enthusiasm, but the result was depressingly familiar: A 28-6 loss at Palmdale in which only running back Ronney Jenkins (129 yards rushing) stood out. Even more depressing was the fact that the Vikings’ lockers were burglarized during the first half. Stolen was jewelry, wallets, shoes and clothes. Palmdale police are investigating. . . . Oxnard was inconvenienced when new game uniforms were not delivered on time. Old uniforms were worn and the team played on its old field because the new campus stadium will not be ready until next season. Nevertheless, the Yellowjackets routed Camarillo, 27-9. Although Oxnard lacks depth, the first team was first rate, first-year Coach Wes Morimue said, especially defensive back Desmond Davis, receiver Russ Randolph and quarterback Bryan Spencer. . . . Ventura made three interceptions, two by linebacker Marcos Tovar, in a 13-12 victory over Simi Valley. . . . Buena rushed for 396 yards against Westlake and could surpass that total against overmatched Agoura. . . . Rio Mesa fell in the final seconds to Channel Islands, but gained 369 yards, including 121 receiving by Randy Hurt and 172 rushing by Bruce Samuel.

* FOOTHILL

Steve Lawrence of Burroughs, who was moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker two weeks ago, recorded three sacks in the Indians’ opener. All-purpose player Juan Zavala, the Indians’ fastest player, has completed his mandatory 10 practices and is cleared to play this week after coming out late. . . . Burbank has lost two key players, probably for the next three weeks: right guard O’Brien Reynoso (knee) and running back Juni Williams (leg). Mike Lewis and Lance Williams will carry the load in the backfield, while Matt Thomas, Tim Acord and Brady Lamas are competing for Reynoso’s position. . . . Hart didn’t stop San Fernando quarterback Keijuan Douglas, but the Indians did contain him in a 35-6 victory. Douglas, who improvises on nearly every play, generally gives defenders fits. “You can do everything right, while there’s no rhyme or reason for what he’s doing,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said. . . Coach Larry Mohr, while lauding a Canyon rushing attack that gained almost 300 yards against Righetti, said the Cowboys’ defense must improve this week against Mission League power Loyola. “It’s going to be a good football game if we make some corrections,” he said. Linebacker Matt Pence made 14 tackles for Canyon. . . . Brandon Alvarado, an all-league defensive back from Saugus, will play this week after serving a one-game suspension for missing practice. Right tackle Erien Hodge this week will serve a one-game suspension for being ejected last week.

* GOLDEN

Antelope Valley Coach Brent Newcomb wants everyone to know his top-ranked team wasn’t running up the score in a 63-13 rout of Hesperia. “You just can’t tell your kids to lie down,” he said. “But it was Parents Night and everyone was happy.” Seven Antelope players scored touchdowns. . . . A Quartz Hill defense that starts eight juniors looks promising. The 10th-ranked Rebels held fifth-ranked Kennedy to 114 yards even though they lost, 13-7. Jeremiah Harris, a running back who gained more than 1,000 yards last season, returns Friday against Burbank after serving a one-game suspension. . . . Highland tight end Tom Garcia and nose guard Baron Gardner will miss Friday’s game at Hanford because of knee injuries. However, transfer Manuel Ortiz from Tijuana, Mexico, has been cleared to play. Garcia, a 6-foot, 190-pound fullback, is enrolled in Highland’s English-as-a-second-language program. “He speaks no English and I speak no Spanish,” Coach Lin Parker said. “But we have a number of guys on the team who do speak Spanish.” . . . Palmdale running back Jeremy Coleman is questionable for Friday’s game against Saugus after injuring a knee while scoring a touchdown last week against Hueneme. . . . Littlerock running back Lafayette Bailey rushed for a school-record 218 yards in 29 carries, topping the 206 yards by John Venema in 1992.

* MISSION

Notre Dame senior receiver Nick Kounalis suffered a broken right arm against Alemany and will be out three to six weeks. Kounalis, who caught 19 passes for 219 yards last season, was injured on his first catch. Notre Dame will have a final chance to appeal a decision to move the Knights to the Division I Del Rey League at a meeting of the Catholic Athletic Assn. on Sept. 20. Notre Dame, defending Division III champion, is opposed to the move, which also would move Alemany to the Mission League. “We’re pretty comfortable in Division III,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. “The Mission League is a more local league and we’re playing against schools our size.” . . . Chaminade’s 51 points against Agoura were the most by the Eagles since they scored 54 against Pater Noster in 1987. Chaminade’s Bill Sayre was seven for seven on extra points.

* DEL REY

Todd McLean threw only two passes during his two-year stint as backup quarterback for Crespi, one from punt formation. Yet McLean, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-hander, completed passes to six receivers and threw for 144 yards and a touchdown in a 14-9 loss to Serra. . . . Alemany running back Mario Thompson, who rushed for 48 yards against Notre Dame, is listed on the roster as 5 feet 6, 165 pounds. Thompson stands closer to 5-8 and weighs about 145.

* PACIFIC

That wasn’t James Choi who kicked three field goals for Hoover in a 25-15 loss to Monroe. It was Marco Mesrobian who connected from 25, 34 and 41 yards. No surprise there. Last season, Mesrobian made four of seven kicks and was seven of seven on extra points. “They switched jerseys before the game,” Hoover Coach Dennis Hughes said. . . . Glendale receiver Ara Minas stands 5-5 and weighs 140 pounds. “And that’s stretching it,” first-year Coach Steve Pinkston said.

* CAMINO REAL

Harvard-Westlake, which plays its home opener Saturday at 1:30 against St. Bonaventure, will switch sidelines this season, standing in front of new bleachers.

* TRI-VALLEY

Fillmore will play host to Moorpark Friday without the services of Jake Ellis, a starting inside linebacker and fullback. Ellis injured his neck last week in the Flashes’ 34-17 loss to Nordhoff. His status beyond this week is uncertain. . . . St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack said Teohua Sanchez, the Seraphs’ junior quarterback, showed poise in the team’s 35-20 victory at Paraclete. Sanchez completed 15 of 25 passes for 141 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. “He threw two touchdowns in the face of a blitz and made three or four audible calls that he would have been afraid to make last year,” Mack said. . . . Oak Park will continue to platoon quarterbacks, alternating senior Josh Nicassio, who also kicks and punts, and junior Dan Wasserman, who also plays linebacker.

* FRONTIER

Russell Farrar, though only 5-9, 175 pounds, is an iron man for Nordhoff. Farrar gained 149 yards in 14 carries against Fillmore, ands didn’t come out of the game on offense. He also played middle linebacker. . . . Santa Paula has an inexperienced secondary, which Village Christian exploited in a 33-7 victory. The Cardinals were without free safety Rocky Frutos, whose status with the team is uncertain due to problems away from school. . . . David Burns, Moorpark’s only returning receiver, caught six passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the Musketeers’ 23-3 victory over Mary Star of the Sea. . . . Santa Clara Co-Coach Dick Weber was pleased with his team’s effort in a 25-6 loss to St. Joseph. “We blitzed four times and they scored on all four plays,” Weber said. “But we’re way ahead of where we were last year.” Santa Clara lost its 1994 opener to St. Joseph, 35-0. . . . Defensive end Sharif Hassan, a 6-2, 225-pound transfer from El Camino Real, had two sacks for Calabasas in a 42-0 rout of Bell-Jeff. Calabasas Coach Larry Edwards emptied the bench against the Guards. Thirteen Calabasas players carried the ball, six scoring touchdowns.

* HIGH DESERT

Paraclete lost a two-touchdown lead, the game (35-20), and three starters against St. Bonaventure. Defensive lineman Jason Hahn (ankle), fullback Dominic Washington (arm) and linebacker Tim Klosterman (wrist) are injured. Klosterman, whose broken wrist might sideline him for the season, is the nephew of former Ram executive Don Klosterman.

* ALPHA

A quarterback controversy is brewing at Village Christian. Chris Coleman and Matt Pike played well in a 33-7 victory over Santa Paula. Coleman, a two-year starter, completed 10 of 13 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Pike, a junior transfer from Burbank, connected on seven of 12 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. They will split time again against St. Genevieve. . . . Chris Ross, leading rusher for L.A. Baptist last season, did not play in a 35-0 loss to Boron because he had not practiced 10 days. With Knight running backs Jimmy Davis (knee), Joel Stanton (ankle) and Jerel Lewis (collarbone) injured, backup quarterback Peter Dirksen started at halfback. Lineman Dave Clark will miss Friday’s game with Mojave after being ejected in the first quarter against Boron for throwing a punch. . . . Penalties nullified touchdown runs of 30 and 65 yards by Larry Ford of Kilpatrick in a 21-8 loss to Silver Valley.

* SANTA FE

Bell-Jeff quarterbacks Miguel Segura and Matt Stanley each threw one pass--both incomplete--in a 42-0 loss to Calabasas. Halfback David Montes also threw a pass. It was intercepted. . . . Danny Buhler gained 80 yards in seven carries and scored a touchdown for St. Genevieve in a 41-12 loss to La Canada.

* FREE-LANCE

Montclair Prep Coach George Giannini has been raving over sophomore tailback Carlease Clark, the latest in a long line of standout tailbacks. Clark showed flashes subbing for injured Akil Anderson in a 34-6 victory over Salesian, gaining 70 yards in 13 carries. Anderson will play this week after recovering from an ankle injury. . . . Valencia had plenty of time to ponder its first varsity game, a 47-27 loss at Bishop on a 4 1/2-hour bus ride home.

Contributing: Mike Bresnahan, Dana Haddad, Steve Henson, Vince Kowalick, Michael Lazarus, Tris Wykes, Peter Yoon.