Air Apparent

David Neill isn’t just replacing Travis Carroll at Hart this season. The senior will be expected to continue the streak of All-Southern Section quarterbacks at the Newhall school that has reached 12 consecutive years. Here’s a look at Hart’s exceptional run of quarterbacks:

Jim Bonds, 1985-86: Passed for more than 3,000 yards in each season and produced victories in 22 of his last 24 games. Led the Indians to a 13-1 record and a Southern Section championship in 1986. School-record 39 touchdown passes as a senior was equaled only by Ryan Connors in 1991. Now the coach at Alemany.

Darren Renfro, 1987: Left-hander completed 63.8% of his passes and led the region with 2,808 yards. His 26 touchdown passes helped the Indians to a 11-2 record and reach the section semifinals, where the Indians were upset by Arroyo Grande.

Rob Westervelt, 1988-89: Though possessing the size and mentality to play defensive end, Westervelt passed for 4,261 yards and 45 touchdowns in two seasons. Went on to play at Division I-AA Weber State.

Ryan Connors, 1990-91: After an 0-2 start in 1990, Hart unveiled the run-and-shoot offense with Connors at the helm. He prospered, leading the Indians to the Division III semifinals in 1990 and passing for a then-state record 4,144 yards in 1991. Holds school career records of 6,959 yards and 65 touchdowns passing.

Davis Delmatoff, 1992: Passed for 3,196 yards and 36 touchdowns to help ease the loss of Connors and dispel the notion that the offense would sputter. Completed 58% of his passes, but threw three interceptions in second-round playoff loss to Crescenta Valley, the earliest Indian exit in three seasons.

Mike Kocicka, 1993: Crescenta Valley transfer failed to win the starting job as a junior but developed into a fine quarterback, passing for 2,953 yards and 32 touchdowns. Received a scholarship to Nevada-Las Vegas before transferring to Virginia Tech.

Steve McKeon, 1994-95: Second on the school’s career passing list with 6,259 yards and 63 touchdowns. Led Hart to the Division II title in 1995 and to the championship game in 1994. Had a two-year record of 25-3 and a career completion percentage of 59.3%, the highest at Hart since the inception of the run-and-shoot.

Travis Carroll, 1996: Unlikely progression saw Carroll advance from third-string freshman team quarterback to backup on junior varsity and varsity squads before becoming the starter as a senior. Passed for 2,780 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead Hart to Division II quarterfinals, where the Indians lost to Ayala.