North Coach Is Feeling a Little Deserted

Organizing an all-star football game in the sprawling high desert carries a unique set of logistical problems, as Brent Newcomb has discovered.

Newcomb, longtime Antelope Valley High coach, is bemoaning the poor player turnout for his North team in the inaugural High Desert Football Coaches Assn. all-star game, to be played at 7:30 tonight at Palmdale High.

Newcomb said 36 players from seven schools were chosen to play for the North, but 14 were no-shows--all from Mojave, Desert and Boron. Mojave and Desert are 25 miles away, and Boron is a 60-mile trek.

“We got one kid from Mojave,” Newcomb said. “When the other kids didn’t show up, it left us kind of thin. It’s created a little hardship, but I know it’s a long way to travel.”

Newcomb expects to have about 25 players. He said the South will field a squad of more than 35 players.

On the nose: The North may have only one player from Mojave, but Newcomb says he’s a good one. K.C. Young will play fullback and nose guard.

“He’s a big kid,” Newcomb said. “He reminds me of Refrigerator [Perry]. He’s cat-quick and strong. I think he’ll surprise some people.”

Moving on: Agoura Oaks Legion Coach Lorry Gershon said his son, catcher Jeff Gershon, has transferred from Agoura High to Chaminade. Gershon batted .223 as a junior at Agoura.