Valley / Ventura County Sports : THE HIGH SCHOOLS

Fires in Apple Valley and Glendora had a direct impact on some Golden League football teams.

Afternoon looked almost like night over Palmdale at midweek, with dark smoke blanketing the region and forcing Coach Jeff Williams to alter practice.

“We cut down conditioning about 50%,” he said. “The cloud was coming this way and we didn’t want anyone choking to death on ashes.”

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Palmdale receiver Will Tinson’s impersonation of defensive coordinator Steve Lockhart stole the spotlight last week at Palmdale’s annual team talent show.

Lockhart is 6-1 and 270 pounds with spiked hair.

Tinson, a junior, is 5-10, weighs 130 pounds with a wet towel around his waist and has very short hair.

How did Tinson pull it off?

“With lots of artificial padding and ostrich feathers in place of the hair,” Williams said. “The look worked.”

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Highland has been bolstered by the addition of brothers David and Cedric Pulliam, transfers from Valencia.

David, a sophomore running back, was most valuable player for Valencia’s freshman team last season. Cedric, a senior defensive lineman, played on the varsity.

Highland opens its season by hosting Valencia on Friday.

“I’m excited,” David said. “I can’t wait.”