Turnover Fast Becoming One of Calabasas’ Favorite Plays

In each of its last two games, victories over Moorpark and Santa Paula, the Calabasas football team has earned a first down in an unusual manner.

Against Moorpark, Coyote quarterback Scott Quigley had a pass intercepted on third down by Jeff Medina. However, on the return, Medina fumbled after a hit by Calabasas running back Robby Coppola. The Coyotes recovered.

Friday, Quigley was sacked and fumbled. Santa Paula defensive end Ryan Wadkowski picked up the ball and lumbered away, only to have the ball stripped and recovered by Coppola 30 yards downfield. The Coyotes had a first down on the change of possession.

“I’ve been coaching 20 years and never seen that happen until [the Moorpark game],” Calabasas Coach Larry Edwards said.

Loose grip: Like Calabasas, Birmingham is turning the ball over--only the Braves sometimes aren’t getting it right back. Two weeks ago, Birmingham fumbled 10 times--losing four--in a 25-22 loss to Granada Hills.

“I couldn’t figure it out,” Coach Dave Lertzman said. “We don’t fumble in practice, why should we do it in games?”

Birmingham fumbled three times last week against Chatsworth, but didn’t lose any. Sure enough, the Braves won, 34-22.

Wake-up call: Sorry everybody, but you’ll have to go home.

That’s basically what the Village Christian girls’ volleyball team was told when it showed up at 7 a.m. Saturday for a tournament at Brentwood.

There was definitely a mix-up. Brentwood didn’t have the Crusaders’ entry forms and, basically, had no idea the team would be there.

“We assumed we were in it,” Village Christian Coach Bill Schnobrich said. “Brentwood assumed we weren’t and scheduled somebody else.”

The seeds of the problem may have been planted several months ago when former Crusader Coach Scott Caulk verbally agreed to participate--nothing was put on paper.

No real harm. The team had breakfast at a restaurant. And there are plans to enter next year’s tournament.

“I hope they’ll let us in,” Schnobrich said. “We’ll get our paperwork in on time.”

Groovy girls: It’s fun to stay at the YMCA.

It’s also fun to lip-sync to the YMCA, something the Highland girls’ volleyball team discovered at a recent pep rally.

In an effort to look like the Village People, the players went on a ‘70s clothing shopping spree.

“A bunch of polyester and bright colors,” said Coach Mike Bird, who did not actually participate but enjoyed what he saw. “It’s nice to see a group that wasn’t worrying about reputation. They’re a lot of fun.”