It’s Not an Act

No high school football player in the region has signed more autographs than freshman Tahj Mowry of Birmingham High.

Of course, it helps that he starred in his own television sitcom on the WB Network, “Smart Guy,” from 1997-99.

But Mowry hopes one day people start asking for his autograph because of his football contributions rather than his teen idol status from TV.

He’s a starting receiver for Birmingham’s freshman-sophomore team. Opponents spot him as if he has a red bull’s-eye on his helmet. It doesn’t take long for someone to shout, “Get the ‘Smart Guy.’ ”

Mowry isn’t affected by the attention. You won’t find a more humble, respectful, level-headed 14-year-old.

“He’s just a great kid,” varsity Coach Ed Croson said. “He gets along with everybody.”

Mowry is only 5 feet 1, 115 pounds, but he has speed and ambitious dreams.

“I want to go all the way to the NFL,” he said. “I’m growing. Last year I was 4-10. I think I’m going to be 5-10. It doesn’t matter about size, it’s the heart that counts.”

How much does Mowry love football?

So much that when he had his TV show, he would film scenes during the day and insist on attending youth football practice in the afternoon. He has been playing since he was 7.

“My agent knows and my mom knows not to send me on auditions during football practice,” he said. “My mom didn’t want me to just be an actor. Most [child] actors, their moms won’t let them play sports. ‘Oh, I don’t want his face to get messed up.’ My mom doesn’t care--well, she cares, but she wants me to be a regular kid.”

Mowry lives in Agoura and attends the Van Nuys school under an inter-district transfer. His sisters, twins Tamera and Tia, who starred in their own TV series, “Sister, Sister,” graduated from Birmingham.

Mowry is enjoying life as a normal high school student with few distractions.

“I thought it was going to be real bad because I’m so used to all these people saying, ‘Hey, ‘Smart Guy,’ ” he said. “But in the five weeks I’ve been here, it’s happened maybe five times and I’m so used to it happening every day. I love school. It’s cool.”

Mowry could be forever stuck in a time warp considering the longevity of TV shows in syndication. Some 60 episodes were filmed, and the series is running daily on the Disney Channel. He played 10-year-old whiz kid T.J. Henderson, who was so smart he attended high school.

“It’s kind of cool, but hopefully when I’m 20 years old, they won’t still be calling me ‘Smart Guy,’ ” he said.

As for signing autographs, the requests come often from kids.

“You get used to it,” he said. “Sometimes it gets annoying because when you’re out having fun or eating and they come up to you and there’s food in your mouth and they’re like, ‘Can I have your autograph?’ I give it to them,” he said.

Mowry played youth football for the Westlake Braves, Reseda Broncos and Chatsworth Chiefs. Now he’s looking forward to being called up to Birmingham’s varsity team for the City playoffs.

“That would be great,” he said. “I’d love it.”

And what happens if his agent calls with an acting assignment? Would he accept it and give up football?

“Heck no,” he said. “I’m staying right here.”

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Montclair Prep’s boys’ basketball program is under scrutiny after the arrival two weeks ago of three foreign-exchange students: 6-9 junior Marco Bozovic and 6-4 sophomore Slobodon Cvijovic, both from Yugoslavia, and 6-11 junior Louh Blaise from Cameroon.

“I don’t know how they found us,” Principal Doc Simpson said.

Montclair Prep has more than 50 foreign students. Several students from Japan played baseball for the Mounties last season.

Athletic Director Greg Reece, who has done a good job cleaning up an athletic program that was put on probation for Southern Section rules violations, said the eligibility of the three basketball players will be examined.

Their arrival comes four months after Artesia’s basketball program was penalized because of misconduct involving foreign students. The school was forced to forfeit two Southern Section championships and its coach was removed because of allegations involving forged documents and undue influence getting players to attend the school. . . .

If Shaquille O’Neal is still having trouble making free throws, John Goffredo, former Crescenta Valley Coach would be happy to help.

“If you give me $100,000, I will guarantee he will shoot 75%,” Goffredo said. “I’ll take zero if he doesn’t.” . . .

Aaron Bobik, a senior guard, has returned to Newbury Park after attending an Orange County school last semester following his suspension for disciplinary reasons. He has played sparingly since his freshman season because of injuries but still possesses plenty of potential. . . .

The Taft girls’ basketball team is ready to challenge North Hollywood and Chatsworth for supremacy in local City basketball. The Toreadors return four starters and have added El Camino Real transfer Christina Aguinaga, a Times’ All-Valley selection. . . .

The recruiting competition has been heating up for baseball players as the Nov. 8 college signing day approaches.

Outfielder Bill Susdorf of Hart visited Santa Clara last weekend and has a trip scheduled for UCLA. Pitcher Chris Seddon of Canyon is considering five schools, with Loyola Marymount and UC Irvine the leaders.

Catcher Mike Nickeas of Westlake is being recruited by UCLA, Georgia Tech and Arizona. Pitcher Tyler Adamczyk of Westlake is visiting UCLA this weekend but California remains the favorite. . . .

Ivan Hernandez, who was an All-City pitcher at Sylmar, has left Cal State Northridge and transferred to College of the Canyons. . . .

Jesse Foster, an All-Southern Section forward at Campbell Hall, has grown to 6-9 and is contending for playing time as a freshman at Valley College. . . .

How big a turnaround is Birmingham (6-0) enjoying in football after going 2-8 last season?

“We had people last year who kind of considered it an act of discipline to actually go to our games to support the team,” defensive back John Walker said. “Now the support we have is overwhelming.” . . .

John Perry, a former Chaminade linebacker who is a sophomore starter at Harvard, is sidelined after spraining a knee ligament for the third time this season. . . .

Watch out for Cleveland’s football team. After losing to Monroe, 49-0, in the third game of the season, Cleveland (5-1) was all but forgotten. But with running back Matthew Clark healthy after injuring his ankle, Coach Bill Paden thinks his team will be a factor in the West Valley League race.

“Heck, yeah,” he said. “I think [the defeat] was an aberration. It was the beginning of not having Matthew and a couple other players.”

With Clark committing to UCLA and defensive back James Bethea accepting a scholarship to California last season, Paden has sent a message that his program is preparing students beyond athletics.

“We’re very proud what we’ve been able to accomplish,” he said.

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Eric Sondheimer’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.