It Isn’t Too Easy to Run Down Hall

Why in the name of physics and common sense would Dionte Hall, 5 feet 7 and 155 pounds, want to play inside linebacker for Taft High?

Last week, there was a 6-5, 325-pound offensive tackle from Dorsey trying to flatten him.

“Oh my God, get up, get up,” was Hall’s reaction after the behemoth landed on top of him.

This week, there’s a 6-6, 325-pound offensive tackle from Banning hoping to level him.

That Hall hasn’t suffocated at the bottom of a pile this season must make his mother feel somewhat relieved.

Except Hall is the one who frightens the big boys. He has 108 tackles and 10 sacks for the Toreadors (11-2), who meet Banning (10-3) Friday night for the City Championship at the Coliseum.

“He’s got more heart than anybody I’ve ever coached,” said Frank Grossman, Taft’s defensive coordinator.

“He’s one of the reasons why you coach,” Coach Troy Starr of Taft said.

Hall was an outside linebacker known for his pass-rushing skills last season. He was moved to inside linebacker after the graduation of Tyler Brennan and David Melo, all-conference inside linebackers. There were many who questioned the wisdom of using a 155-pound inside linebacker. Not Hall. He boldly sought the change.

“I wanted to play inside,” he said. “I just love it. Outside, you get to rush the passer. Inside, it’s constant bang, constant contact, constant war.”

Hall survives because of quickness, instincts and skill.

“If they’re going to get me, they’ll get me, but they’re not going to do it the whole game,” he said. “I don’t shy away from contact. I’ll hit, separate and do what I have to do to make the play. All I hear is, ‘You’re too small, you’re Mighty Mouse.’ ”

Hall is so small he disappears on the field when he lines up behind 300-pound defensive tackle Carl Cannon. That’s how he blocked a punt against Dorsey.

With 18 tackles for losses, Hall is the type of big-play defensive weapon Taft needs to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the City final at the Coliseum.

The Toreadors know Banning well. They lost to the Pilots, 41-13, in their opener.

“I give them credit,” Hall said. “They beat us badly in that first game. But that was the first game for a lot of people. Now they’re experienced and it will be a different game.”

Hall will be playing in his final football game Friday night. Raised by a single parent, his mother Sheryl, since he was 5, Hall was taught to prepare for the day he no longer competed in sports. He listened and learned. He wants to go to college and become a firefighter.

“I like the pressure,” he said. “Just the fact they save lives and help people. And it’s not a one-year dream.”

It takes courage to be a firefighter. Hall has already displayed plenty on the football field.

“Everybody can say I’m small, but they can’t say I don’t have heart,” he said. . . .

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No one in the region has done a better coaching job the last two football seasons than Steve Hagerty of Paraclete. His team is going for its second consecutive Southern Section championship Saturday night in the Division XII final against Kilpatrick at Antelope Valley College.

Paraclete would love to keep Hagerty around for many years, but that could be difficult. He was a finalist for the Riverside Poly coaching position last year. Quartz Hill, looking for a replacement for the retired John Albee, would be wise to make a run at Hagerty.

“I’m certainly interested in any and all opportunities,” he said.

He has no complaints about Paraclete.

“I’m happy being here,” he said.

But, as the father of six children, Hagerty has a family to support, and an enticing job offer might cause him to leave. . . .

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Jammie Harris, a 6-5 junior forward at Canoga Park, made an impressive season debut last week in Clovis. He had games of 26, 41, 35 and 34 points. “He was scoring all over,” Coach Ralph Turner said. . . .

How good is Chaminade’s basketball team? So good that the Eagles (4-0) didn’t use All-Southern Section forward Scott Borchart in the championship game of the West Hills tournament in Santee. Borchart was held out because of a sore knee. J.J. Todd, a 6-11 senior, scored 21 points, including a two-handed dunk in traffic. . . .

For those who think old age makes coaches obsolete, go spend an hour watching a Santa Clara basketball game. See how the players respond to the firm guidance of 72-year-old Lou Cvijanovich.

Watch the hustle, the teamwork and the execution of fundamentals by the players. Observe how they attentively listen to Cvijanovich and follow his commands. Then you’ll understand how a team with no one taller than 6-4 lost by six points to top-ranked Simi Valley last week. . . .

Freshman Liz Sun of Chatsworth is living up to expectations. The 5-9 forward was chosen most valuable player of the Wilson tournament last week. She has led the Chancellors to a 6-0 record after the team won three games last season.

“She looks more athletic than anyone else on the floor,” Coach Raquel Alotis of Chatsworth said. “Something is always happening wherever she is.”

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