Carrillo Can’t Just Walk Off This Loss

If history was any indication, a victory against Canyon on Thursday night was especially important to Palmdale lineman Nick Carrillo.

After last week’s 20-0 loss to Hart, Carrillo walked the three miles home from Palmdale High and slept in his uniform.

Thursday’s game was played at Canyon High, 40 miles from Carrillo’s home.

It’s safe to say he took a somber bus ride along with his teammates after Canyon’s 24-18 victory.

Fumble sans rooski: Hart attempted the fumblerooski early in the second half, but Loyola defensive lineman Juan Escalera jumped on the ball at the Hart 38-yard line, resulting in a turnover.

Loyola couldn’t capitalize, however. The Indians held on three straight downs and forced a punt.

Crowd of Cubs The Loyola sideline was full against Hart. The Cubs have 72 players and needed two buses to transport the team.

Loyola entered the stadium in a single-file line that stretched 60 yards, and that was with about 20 skill-position players warming up behind the end zone.

“Yeah, but numbers don’t win any games,” Loyola Coach Steve Grady said.

It helped Thursday.

Hart, with 44 players, lost, 31-21.

Numbers game: Hart running back Billy Brecht had to switch his uniform number from 20 to 10.

His original home jersey was cut off of him by paramedics two weeks ago when Brecht was transported by ambulance to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital after suffering a concussion against Westlake.

Two-sport star: Chatsworth’s Matt Cassel is a sophomore, but he’s already making a mark in his second sport.

A key reserve on the Chatsworth baseball team as a freshman and an emerging star on the Valley North American Legion team that won the Area 6 title this summer, Cassel was Chatsworth’s starting quarterback against Kennedy.

Cassel replaced Ryan Martinez, who suffered a concussion last week against El Camino Real.

Garcia sits: Monroe’s George Garcia, who has rushed for 572 yards, did not suit up against Grant.

Garcia injured his left ankle on the opening kickoff of last week’s loss to North Hollywood and hopes to resume practicing next week.

Glad to be home: After spending five years in retirement, former San Fernando coach Tom Hernandez has returned to coach the Tigers’ offensive line and call offensive plays.

“It feels good,” said Hernandez, who last coached during the 1992 season. “I’m just here to help.”

Head Coach Sean Blunt, who played under Hernandez, said he is thrilled to have his former mentor around.

“He brings a lot of knowledge to the field,” Blunt said.

Knipps out: Royal middle linebacker Eddie Knipps is done for the season after undergoing surgery earlier this week to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger.

Knipps, a junior, originally injured the finger two weeks ago.