TIGER PALMS

The gloves came off and Jose Montes delivered a wicked, one-two punch.

After dropping an easy touchdown pass Friday, the San Fernando High receiver was told by Coach Sean Blunt in less-than-subtle fashion to get his hands on the ball.

Directly on the ball.

Turning a suggestion into prompt action is becoming habit for Montes, who peeled off his gloves and returned to the huddle.

Blunt called for another pass to Montes, who out-jumped a Birmingham defender, tipped the ball in the air and cradled it to his chest as he fell in the end zone.

Later in the game, Montes caught a short pass--pigskin on palms--stiff-armed a cornerback and raced 34 yards for a touchdown, giving him five catches for 123 yards in unbeaten San Fernando’s 21-11 victory.

“When he dropped that ball, I asked him if he wore gloves on a date with his girlfriend,” Blunt said.

Probably not, but excuse Montes for feeling comfortable wearing at least one glove. A senior, he’s the Tigers’ top baseball player, a college prospect as a pitcher and a power-hitting first baseman who has been on the varsity since the ninth grade.

Ninth grade also was the last time he played football, and he mostly stood on the sideline. He’d never even played in a passing-league game when he gave in to the prodding of friends and suited up in September.

When football season is over, he’ll put his big mitts to work blocking shots and grabbing rebounds for the Tiger basketball team.

Same story there. He’d never played organized basketball until last year. Pals weary of him dominating pickup games suggested he take his game from the blacktop to the gym.

“I put them on hold,” Montes said. “I said I’d think about it.”

Montes thinks fast. He started at center and led the Tigers in scoring (10.1 points a game) and rebounding (6.7), as well as leading the Northwest Valley Conference with 98 blocked shots.

A natural athlete with an easy smile, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Montes took up basketball and football not for a scholarship, glory or girls.

“I’d go to games and see how much fun my friends were having,” he said. “Baseball is my ticket, but I’m only in high school once. I can’t believe how much fun football is. Every practice is fun.”

A tight group of top San Fernando football players hangs out together during lunch. Time for more fun.

“We have a good time,” Montes said. “We’re always looking for bragging rights.”

The lunch bunch--Gerardo Rubi, Thomas Hoohuli, Bob Stanley, William Lang, Steve Nevarez, Noe Ramirez and Frank Nolasco--helped bring Montes up to speed.

“I had faith in [Montes] right from the beginning because he’s an athlete,” said Hoohuli, the Tigers’ quarterback. “Once he learned to run good routes, he became an option. Now teams can’t key on [Rubi].”

Rubi, a returning starter, has 14 catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Montes has 11 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Stanley is the team’s primary weapon, rushing for 421 yards despite missing one game, but Hoohuli is efficient, completing 63% of his 55 passes.

“My teammates make me better,” Montes said. “They helped me with the plays. They got me involved.”

Think fast. Learn quickly. Seize opportunity.

Montes made the 818/805 team for the prestigious Area Code Baseball Games in August after receiving a surprise invitation to try out.

“I didn’t really know much about it, but my coach [Armando Gomez] encouraged me, telling me I was good enough,” he said.

At the tryout, he struck out two batters in one inning against an Australian national team and hit 88 mph on the radar gun.

Next thing he knew, Montes was on a roster with top professional prospects Matt Harrington of Palmdale and Jamie Shields of Hart.

He pitched scoreless innings in two Area Code games, consistently hitting 84 mph, and is being recruited by Cal State Northridge, among others. A young senior who won’t turn 17 until Oct. 17, Montes is taking the SAT this month.

Baseball remains a year-round commitment. He plays for an Atlanta Braves scout team on Sundays.

“Normally I won’t take a kid who is playing football,” said Nez Balelo, who coaches the scout team. “But Jose is a joy. He has a live arm and good command of his pitches.”

Before his Area Code performance, Montes wasn’t considered among the region’s elite pitchers. Last season, San Fernando won only five games, although Montes pitched a two-hitter against Taft and struck out 11 in a victory over Birmingham.

He had a strong American Legion campaign, getting 14 hits in his first 18 at-bats. Then came Area Code tryouts, all of which left no time to consider football.

Then his friends started calling, asking him to join the fun.

“I can’t say enough good things about him,” said Blunt, the Tiger football coach. “He’s a make-you-laugh type of kid. Jose has done well because he’s eager and listens.”

And after his two-touchdown performance, he has bragging rights during lunch.