Key Players Injured in Notre Dame Win

Notre Dame High won an important game, but there may be some losses.

Defensive tackle Travis Johnson and running back Chris Leon were injured in the Knights’ 17-14 victory over Loyola on Friday.

Johnson hyperextended his left elbow early in the Del Rey League game. He returned later in the first quarter and played the rest of the way, but he is questionable for a league finale Friday against St. John Bosco at Notre Dame.

Leon, the Knights’ leading rusher with 522 yards, twisted his left ankle midway through the second quarter and did not return. He also is questionable for Friday.

*

Despite grumbling by the coaching staff that the seniors did not work hard enough during the summer, Newbury Park clinched its third Marmonte League championship in four years with a 54-34 victory over Agoura.

The Panthers give up a lot of points and quarterback Nick Czernek has had 19 passes intercepted, yet the victories keep coming. Newbury Park has won eight in a row since losing its opener, 31-28, to Sahuaro, Ariz.

Newbury Park, ranked No. 1 in Southern Section Division IV and No. 3 in the region by The Times, remains an offensive powerhouse. The Panthers had 27 first downs against Agoura.

A strong running game to complement Czernek’s 2,348 yards passing has helped. Senior Ryan Shipton has rushed for 995 yards and 10 touchdowns and will become the first Panther to top the 1,000-yard mark since Scott Zander rushed for 1,064 in 1983.

*

Although Burbank is struggling with a 1-8 record, punter Scott Talamantes ranks No. 1 in the region.

Talamantes, 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds, is averaging 42.1 yards per punt and had a 74-yard punt last week against Hart.

He didn’t play football last season after former Coach Gary Willison thought he was devoting too much time to golf in the spring.

*

Kyle Boller of Hart enters the final week of the regular season with a 150-yard lead over the entire Golden League in passing yardage.

Boller has completed 201 of 318 passes for 3,363 yards and 41 touchdowns, with only two interceptions.

The 19 Golden League players to attempt a pass have combined to complete 227 of 579 for 3,213 yards and 23 touchdowns, with 43 interceptions.