HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Backfield in motion? In the Foothill League, it’s more like backfields in flux.

Saugus, Valencia and Hart have struggled trying to replace key offensive players.

Saugus, which advanced to the Southern Section Division III semifinals last season behind the arm of All-Valley quarterback David Parker, has alternated senior Andy Basey and sophomore Chris Ahlheim.

Coach Ron Hilton decided this week that he will go with Ahlheim as his full-time quarterback.

“We’ve just decided to go with the younger quarterback because his growth potential is much greater,” said Hilton, whose Centurions (1-2) travel to Quartz Hill. “But I’m not looking for a quarterback for the next three years. I want a quarterback who will perform this Friday.”

Ahlheim has completed 65% of his passes for 379 yards, compared to Basey’s 43% and 83 yards.

Valencia (2-1), which lost to Hart in the division final, is still trying to fill the void left by graduated All-American tailback Manuel White.

The Vikings had hoped to enter the season with David Shipp as their go-to guy.

But Shipp ruptured his spleen during a preseason practice, leaving the job to Marc Stockland. Stockland reportedly walked off the team last week, and Brandon Fuselier and Edwin Weathersby shared the rushing load Friday in a 35-6 victory over Oxnard.

Hart lost talented junior running back Tim Gregory to a season-ending knee injury on Sept. 15.

Last week, in a 23-13 loss to Westlake, the Indians rushed for minus-17 yards.

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Each of Palmdale’s three games have been decided in the final seconds.

Palmdale (2-0-1) defeated Barstow, 14-12, in its opener when Sergio Santana intercepted a pass inside the Falcon 20-yard line in the final minute.

The Falcons pulled out a 44-44 tie the following week when Kennedy missed a 37-yard field goal with 10 seconds left.

Last week, Palmdale almost squandered a 24-point lead, but Tyrone Culver intercepted a pass deep in his own territory with eight seconds left to preserve a 40-38 victory over Bloomington, defending Division VIII champion.

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St. Bonaventure, with 17 consecutive victories, now owns the region’s longest winning streak.

Hart’s loss to Westlake last week ended a 25-game winning streak.