No day at beach: Former Chaminade High...

No day at beach: Former Chaminade High football Coach Rich Lawson has experienced some ups and downs since he moved to Malibu High two years ago to teach and start the Sharks’ football program.

On the upside, actor Nick Nolte called Lawson in May and offered to donate $14,000 worth of weight equipment to the school.

“I said, ‘Hi Nick, we’ll take whatever you can give us,’ ” Lawson said. “A week later a crew of guys from his estate brought the stuff by.”

On the down side, Lawson and his first-year varsity endured choppy seas last week en route to Catalina Island for a game against Avalon High.

“An hour and 15 minute trip turned into an hour-and-40-minute rough ride,” Lawson said. “We had about five guys bent over the back feeding the fish.”

Lawson, a longtime surfing zealot, said he “turned a little green” but did not vomit. The Sharks (2-3) recovered and beat the Lancers.

“I’ll tell you, though, my inner ear is just now getting back to normal,” he said.

Healthy: Monroe wingback George Garcia and fullback Jose Palomera are expected to play Friday against Van Nuys, Coach Sloan Bunting said.

Both were injured in a game against North Hollywood two weeks ago and sat out last week’s 31-21 victory over Grant.

Falling short: Tight end was supposed to be the marquee position in the Marmonte League, but several of the big targets aren’t being found by inexperienced quarterbacks.

Justin Denham of Camarillo, a 6-6 college prospect who had 10 touchdown receptions last year, has only five catches for 70 yards and no touchdowns. Noah Happe of Simi Valley, another 6-6 tight end, has seven catches for 113 yards.

Jeff Wyly of Thousand Oaks, a 6-2 senior who made several key catches last year, has five receptions for 64 yards. Sol Rafiq of Royal has three catches for 54 yards.

Only junior Mike Seidman of Westlake, who lines up in the slot and at tight end, and 6-6 senior Marcus Helfman of Agoura, have been consistent threats. Seidman has 22 catches for 312 yards and Helfman has 19 for 274.