the Defense Rests

After 14 weeks of high school football, there still may be disagreement over who’s the best team, best quarterback and best coach.

But the debate regarding who’s the best player in the region is over.

Linebacker-fullback Patrick Norton, a 250-pound battering ram from Hart High, provokes fear and respect like few other 17-year-olds.

He glares across the line peering into a quarterback’s eyes as if he were a bull ready to unleash his fury. Then it happens, not once or twice a game, but repeatedly. He charges ahead with a burst of energy and power, unwilling to let anyone stand in his way.

“I’ve seen him level some linemen, and it’s pretty scary,” teammate Peter Dubsky said.

On Saturday night in the Southern Section Division III championship game against Valencia, Norton was everywhere. He caught a two-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal. He scored on a six-yard run. He mashed a Valencia defender to clear the way for a four-yard touchdown run by Tim Gregory. He made all the difference in Hart’s 34-6 victory.

“He does great things,” Coach Mike Herrington said. “He’s just one of the best players in Hart history.”

There’s an inner toughness Norton obtained from enduring five months of turmoil as a freshman at Saugus High. Word leaked that Norton intended to transfer to Hart. He became a 14-year-old traitor to some, an outcast to others. Comments were made that could have been answered with fists. Norton learned about self-control and discipline. He kept his mouth shut and focused on the future.

Everything has worked out. He has two Southern Section championship rings and a scholarship to UCLA. He’ll cherish Saturday’s moment for years to come.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world,” he said.

What a performance by the best defense in Hart history. They held Manuel White of Valencia to 59 yards rushing. Linebackers Kyle Hollis and Chad Carlson backed up Norton wonderfully. Tackle Evan Allen had a sack, deflected his 16th pass of the season and blocked an extra point.

Fans came by the thousands, filling College of the Canyons to capacity for a night of fun and football. Dozens of Hart fans started arriving at 5:30 a.m. Saturday to place their lawn chairs in line by the visitor’s gate.

Hart has become as dominant as Canyon was during its glory days of the 1980s, when the Cowboys won 46 consecutive games and three consecutive section titles.

Herrington’s 11-year record stands at 120-23, an .839 winning percentage, including a 23-game winning streak, nine consecutive Foothill League titles and three section titles this decade.

What other program could have overcome the loss to injury the last two seasons of its top receiver just as the playoffs began, first Jerry Owens in 1998 and Garrett Fuller this season?

Carlson explained the Indians’ success in simple terms. “We just play our hearts out every play,” he said.

*

Final notes, quotes and opinions from the 1999 football season:

Most surprising score: Kennedy 69, Sylmar 33.

Biggest upset: Cleveland 61, Chatsworth 0.

Most underrated player: Running back James Bethea of Cleveland.

Most improved player: Quarterback David Parker of Saugus.

A lean, mean, hitting machine: Jason Lance, a 6-3, 220-pound sophomore end from Crespi, one day will be a feared defensive player.

Most appropriate nickname: Chris “Sparky” Gordon of Westlake. The reserve receiver got his nickname when he was struck by lightning while talking on a pay phone last year.

Best game not played: Westlake vs. Hart. And who would win? Hart 24, Westlake 21.

Most impressive sophomores: 1. Tackle Chris Frome, Hart; 2. Running back Lorenzo Booker, St. Bonaventure; 3. Tackle Chad Henley, Royal; 4. Tight end Jesse Taylor, Chaminade; 5. Running back Tim Gregory, Hart; 6. Running back Curtis Brown, Paraclete; 7. Tackle James Bonelli, St. Bonaventure; 8. Defensive back Dave Anderson, Thousand Oaks; 9. Quarterback Ben Olson, Thousand Oaks.

Best college prospects for 2001: 1. Tackle Kaelen Jakes, Valencia; 2. Quarterback John Sciarra, St. Francis; 3. Running back De’Andre Scott, Alemany; 4. Quarterback Kyle Matter, Hart; 5. Running back Eddie Robinson, Reseda; 6. Running back Matthew Milton, St. Francis; 7. Receiver James Norris, Kennedy; 8. Defensive back Mike Luderer, Notre Dame; 9. Tight end Brandon Faumuina, Buena; 10. Defensive back Lee Marks, Taft; 11. Linebacker Josh Martin, Sylmar; 12. Receiver Brett Mitchell, St. Francis; 13. Defensive back Dan Catalano, Westlake; 14. Defensive tackle Evan Allen, Hart; 15. Running back Tyler Ebell, Ventura.

Most certain occurrence for 2000: A top quarterback will transfer to Taft so he’ll be able to throw passes to Greig Carlson, Chris Morgan and Steve Smith, the best group of returning receivers in the City Section.

Top five teams for 2000: 1. Hart, 2. St. Francis, 3. Taft, 4. Westlake, 5. Buena.

Greatest players of the 1990s: 1. Running back Justin Fargas, Notre Dame; 2. Quarterback Kyle Boller, Hart; 3. Defensive back Shaun Williams, Crespi; 4. Quarterback Keith Smith, Newbury Park; 5. Receiver Billy Miller, Westlake; 6. Running back Ontiwaun Carter, Kennedy; 7. Running back Tyrone Crenshaw, Sylmar; 8. Running back Ted Iacenda, Hart; 9. Running back Jermaine Lewis, Antelope Valley; 10. Quarterback Joe Borchard, Camarillo; 11. Running back Manuel White, Valencia; 12. Defensive tackle Ennis Davis, Reseda; 13. Kicker Chris Sailer, Notre Dame; 14. Running back George Keiaho, Buena; 15. Tight end Mike Seidman, Westlake.

*

Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday.

He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com