Devoted Lugo Still in Hunt

A smorgasbord of notes, quotes and opinions from across the San Fernando Valley and its surrounding communities:

It’s time to honor the unending devotion and loyalty of 49-year-old Rudy Lugo, football coach at Canoga Park High. He has been a Hunter seemingly forever. He probably sleeps on green and white bed sheets at home.

He played for Canoga Park from 1962-65, returned as an assistant coach in 1969 and hasn’t left since. His wife is a Canoga Park graduate. His two children attend Canoga Park. There have been at least 10 players on his teams through the years whose mothers or fathers he taught in class.

Every time Lugo looks at his star player on this year’s team, linebacker-tight end Michael Shoemaker, he remembers that the kid who used to dress three lockers down in 1964 was Shoemaker’s father, Michael Sr.

“The years between high school and now, in retrospect, raced by,” Lugo said. “I guess that’s the way life is.”

Through the good and bad days, Lugo has remained dedicated to Canoga Park.

“I love Canoga,” he said. “The people are special. The parents, even when you lose, have been very loyal. All they want is a good experience for their boys.”

Lugo’s Hunters are 4-2 this season and 3-0 in the Valley Pac-8 Conference. They’re always underrated, but never doubt what Lugo has meant to the players and the school.

“He gives you the tools to win. You just have to play your game,” the younger Shoemaker said. . . .

Shoemaker, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, is one of the best players in the Valley Pac-8 Conference. On Friday, he caught six passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. And he sure knows how to relax. On Saturday morning, he took off with his father to catch striped bass at Pyramid Lake. . . .

Westlake defensive tackle Karl Holley (6-3, 230) is the early choice for Marmonte League defensive player of the year. He has 14 1/2 sacks. “Karl Holley is playing out of his head,” Warrior Coach Jim Benkert said. “We’ve turned him loose.” . . .

El Camino Real might have the City Section’s best freshman-sophomore football team. The Conquistadores (6-0) are led by twins Jonathan and Justin Graham. Jonathan, a quarterback, has passed for nine touchdowns and run for seven. Justin, a running back, has scored eight touchdowns and rushed for 851 yards. . . .

The mother of Hart quarterback David Neill provided a warm greeting when handing out programs before Friday’s game with Canyon. “Be nice to No. 11,” Anita Neill said. “That’s my baby.” . . .

Former Alemany and USC running back Terry Barnum is continuing his path to one day become president of USC. He’s taking classes toward obtaining a Master’s degree in education while working full time as the department business manager for USC’s College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. He also became a father when Alexander Michael was born on Aug. 17.

“He was at a USC game three weeks old,” the proud father said.

As for his goal of becoming USC president, Barnum said, “The more I get into administration, the more I learn President [Steven] Sample’s job isn’t so easy.” . . .

Montreal Expos outfielder Ryan McGuire, a 1990 El Camino Real graduate, is engaged to marry former UCLA All-American swimmer Kristy Heydanek next month. McGuire hit .256 in his rookie season. “It was the realization of a dream,” he said of reaching the major leagues. . . .

Former Simi Valley basketball star Don MacLean has bought a 6,000-square-foot house in the North Ranch development of Westlake Village. MacLean plays for the New Jersey Nets. . . .

Former El Camino Real and USC quarterback John Mazur is getting his MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. . . .

If anyone needs to find an attorney who participated in the O.J. Simpson trials, head over to Westhills PONY baseball. The son of attorney Daniel Petrocelli played in the league last year. This year, the son of attorney Marcia Clark was in the league. . . .

Freshman outfielder Eric Horvat from Hart has been impressive in fall practice at Cal State Northridge. “Horvat has really swung the bat,” Coach Mike Batesole said. . . .

Moorpark basketball Coach Tim Bednar will have to wait two seasons before he gets to work with the best young player in his area--his son. Daniel Bednar, 13, is a 6-foot seventh-grader with terrific skills. . . .

One of the best pitchers this fall is Kennedy’s Jack Cassel. “He’s been outstanding,” Cougar Coach Manny Alvarado said. His fastball has been clocked in the upper 80s mph. . . .

The North Hollywood girls’ basketball team finally has a legitimate center. Richelle Sherman, a 5-11 freshman, is averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds in the fall American Roundball Corporation league. “For the first time, I won’t have to play with four guards,” Coach Rich Allen said. . . .

The best one-liners can be heard on the sideline listening to irate assistant football coaches complain to the officials. Take Notre Dame assistant Jeff Kraemer. Upset that officials did not call an illegal procedure penalty, Kraemer shouted, “That’s two guys moving at once. This is not Canada.” . . .

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422.