For Justins, Defense is Family Affair

No one should be surprised that Taft High cornerback Airabin Justin is well on his way to establishing himself among the region’s best defensive backs.

His father, Sidney, was a defensive back for the Rams. Uncles Kerry and Tyrone Justin also played in the NFL. Airabin had his third interception of the season Friday.

Asked why everyone in the family is a defensive back, Airabin Justin said, “That’s the best position.”

Sidney is an assistant coach for Taft, but he will have to leave for several weeks when he goes on a tour to England as the lead singer for “The Miracles.”

False advertising: Top-ranked Dominguez and No. 7 Antelope Valley didn’t look like two of the Southern Section Division II’s best teams in the first half. During a span of 6 minutes 27 seconds, the teams combined for three interceptions, two fumbles and a safety.

Getting offensive: The Verdugo Hills offense scored a touchdown--its first of the season--on a four-yard pass from Phillip Brathwaite to Brandon Oliver with 12 seconds remaining in its game against Eagle Rock.

Rushing back: Billy Brecht, the Hart High running back who was carted off the field last week in an ambulance and remained overnight in the hospital with a concussion, started Friday night for the Indians against Palmdale.

Brecht was cleared to play by a doctor on Thursday. He ran for seven yards on his first carry against Palmdale.

Injury report: Chatsworth quarterback Ryan Martinez suffered what appeared to be a concussion late in the first half against El Camino Real. With him out, the Chancellors went to backups in several positions.

Acting up: St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack is approaching the 10-year anniversary of his appearance on the 1980s TV show “What’s Happening Now!”

Mack, who didn’t have a line, played a weightlifter performing curls in the background during a gym scene. Total air time: “About four seconds,” he said.

Hollywood didn’t come knocking, but if agents had called, “they’d probably want to know why I was doing 20-pound curls,” Mack said.