VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK : City Clears Linebacker Porter to Play for Verdugo Hills

The City Section has cleared linebacker Michael Porter of Verdugo Hills to play this season after he transferred from Kilpatrick.

“By the interpretation of rule 214, we feel he’s eligible,” said Jeff Halpern, an administrator in the athletics office.

Porter, a senior, re-enrolled at Verdugo Hills last December after being released from Kilpatrick, a juvenile detention facility. The City Section began investigating Porter’s eligibility after questions were raised about his transfer.

“I’m relieved,” Coach Don Scott said. “I was at a loss if he wasn’t going to play because the kid has turned his life around.”

Verdugo Hills opens its season tonight at home against Marshall.

*

Taft was scheduled to play Carson next week, but instead will host Locke in a 3 p.m. nonleague game.

Athletic Director Jim Woodard said there was a complication in the scheduling.

*

John Emelio, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior defensive tackle at Alemany, is the younger brother of 1992 All-Valley defensive tackle Faio Emelio of Granada Hills.

John started the last two years at Montclair Prep. He wanted to attend Granada Hills but didn’t live in the district.

His presence in the middle has already strengthened the Indians’ run defense. Alemany’s defense performed well in a scrimmage last week against Valencia.