Harvard-Westlake Set to Hit Off/On Switch

Harvard-Westlake (8-0) has won two tournaments and is outscoring opponents by a double-figure advantage. But the Wolverines haven’t played since defeating Santa Margarita, 11-2, on Sept. 20.

And they won’t play again until a league game against Notre Dame on Oct. 8.

That makes 18 days without a game, but Coach Rich Corso says it is part of his master plan.

“Sometimes training is more important than games,” Corso said. “We thought we’d look at the first eight games and evaluate from there. In each of those games we saw some things that we need to improve and prepare for.”

The players, Corso said, are getting restless.

“We usually have a fight every day in practice,” he said. “It’s been real intense training, but they go after it hard and then come together afterward.”

FOOTBALL

They’re man enough: With only 29 players, including eight two-way starters, Montclair Prep football Coach George Giannini is tickled the Mounties are 2-1 after routing Van Nuys, 42-7.

“We have a couple of guys who literally never leave the field,” Giannini said. “But everything we do is defense-oriented and we have the players to make it work.”

Defensive backs Carlease Clark, Chidi Daniel and Jeff Hall and inside linebackers Kevin Bentley and James Emelio head a strong defense. Giannini said Clark, Bentley and Daniel are attracting attention from NCAA Division I schools.

On the defensive: The goal was simple, if not a bit lofty, for El Camino Real High senior wide receiver Demond Daniels--catch passes totaling more than 1,000 yards.

After three games, Daniels has four receptions for 42 yards. But he’s found another way to contribute.

Daniels, who starts at linebacker, has scored a defensive touchdown each of the past two games. Against Chaminade, he stripped Ray Rodriguez of the ball and returned it 36 yards.

Against North Hollywood, he returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown.

With 15 tackles and three sacks, Daniels has become an important part of a defense that is allowing an average of seven points and 111 yards a game.

Misfortune: Harvard-Westlake Coach Dave Bennett lamented his team’s lost chances in a 48-30 loss to San Marino on Saturday, a game that saw the teams combine for 762 yards of offense.

Harvard-Westlake (2-1) had a touchdown called back on a penalty on its first possession. Then it failed to score on fourth and goal on its second.

The Wolverines reached the red zone with 10 seconds to play in the half, but Matt Felder’s pass was intercepted and returned 102 yards for a touchdown and a 28-6 Titan lead.

“We moved the ball up and down the field but [the interception return] broke our backs,” Bennett said.