HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : SOUTHERN SECTION : Antelopes and Hart Approach in Reverse

Hart High doesn’t expect the disappointment it suffered last year, when it took an undefeated, nearly unchallenged football team into the Southern Section Division II championship game and got routed, 36-15, by Antelope Valley.

But when the teams meet again for the title tonight at 7:30 at Antelope Valley High, Antelope Coach Brent Newcomb wonders if the tables could turn.

“It’s almost in reverse from last year,” said Newcomb, whose team, considered the underdog last year, beat Hart on the Indians’ home field, College of the Canyons.

“I’m glad we’re at home and I’m glad I don’t have to make the trip down. It’s hard to say how confident I am. I’m looking at their game film and they have so many pass plays.”

Hart entered last year’s game top-seeded with a 13-0 record. Antelope Valley was 11-2, with losses to Loyola and Bakersfield.

This time, Antelope Valley (12-1) comes top-seeded, having lost to Long Beach Poly, a Division I semifinalist. Hart (11-2) has lost to Loyola, a Division I finalist, and St. Louis, the Hawaii state champion.

Hart Coach Mike Herrington hopes the underdog role better suits his Indians, who turned the ball over four times in the first half last year while Antelope Valley built a 29-0 lead.

“Ballgames are going to be lost but you don’t want to hand it to them,” Herrington said. “[Antelope Valley is] talented, well coached and they’ll be tough to beat. We have one of our best teams ever and they have one of their best teams ever, according to what Newcomb said.

“Whatever happens, we’ve had a great season. Shoot. A couple years down the line, we could win a championship with a team that’s less talented.”

In three playoff games, Hart and Antelope Valley have nearly identical numbers. Hart averages 45 points, Antelope Valley 44. Hart allows 227 yards a game, Antelope Valley 226.6.

The Indians, behind Steve McKeon (3,168 yards and 32 touchdowns passing), have averaged 430 yards in the playoffs, while the Antelopes, with Jermaine Lewis (2,241 yards and 30 touchdowns rushing), have averaged 299.

This will be clash of contrasting styles.

Impressive in its discipline and execution of a high-powered, run-and-shoot offense, Hart usually gets the most from its talent.

Case in point is McKeon, who is only 5 feet 9, 170 pounds but is expected to be honored as an All-Southern Section quarterback for the second year in a row.

The Antelopes, with a more conservative attack, have an abundance of speed and are a threat to pop a big play at any time.

Case in point is safety Tony Walker’s second interception for a touchdown this season, which came in the third quarter of Antelope Valley’s 48-3 semifinal victory over Downey. He grabbed it in the end zone and returned it 102 yards.

“As soon as Downey went back to pass, I said, ‘Here’s the pick and here’s the long return,’ ” said Hart defensive coordinator Rick Herrington, who was scouting the game. “I was sitting there just laughing.”

But for Hart, Antelope Valley’s talent is no laughing matter.

“Lewis is amazing,” Rick Herrington said. “We can have everyone in every hole and he can bounce it all the way across the field and break it.

“He’s going to get his 100 yards on you. We just hope he doesn’t get his 200 or 250.

“They do so many things. They can throw a five-yard pass to Tony Walker and he could be gone, too.”

But Hart also has loads of talent. Ted Iacenda has rushed for 3,894 yards and scored 96 touchdowns in three seasons. Cody Joyce this season has 42 catches for 1,042 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Newcomb is taking nothing for granted.

“I’m never overconfident,” he said. “I learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut and just let my players play.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Hart (Indians) vs. Antelope Valley (Antelopes)

Tale of the Tape

Hart

RECORD: 11-2

CONFERENCE FINISH: Champion, Foothill

SEASON

AVG. PTS.: 38.8

AVG. PTS ALLOWED: 12.6

YDS. PER GAME: 444.3

YDS. ALLOWED: 299.8

PLAYOFFS

AVG. PTS.: 45.0

AVG. PTS ALLOWED: 11.6

YDS. PER GAME: 430.0

YDS. ALLOWED: 227.0

Antelope Valley

RECORD: 12-1

CONFERENCE FINISH: Champion, Golden

SEASON

AVG. PTS.: 45.6

AVG. PTS ALLOWED: 11.2

YDS. PER GAME: 410.4

YDS. ALLOWED: 202.7

PLAYOFFS

AVG. PTS.: 44.0

AVG. PTS ALLOWED: 8.0

YDS. PER GAME: 299.0

YDS. ALLOWED: 226.6