It May Only Be Summer, but Lyon, Hart Impressive

On the fifth weekend of the summer football season, two quarterbacks under close scrutiny, Jimmy Clausen of Westlake Village Oaks Christian and Tyler Lyon of Newhall Hart, locked up in the championship game of the Nike seven-on-seven passing tournament Friday at USC.

Lyon, a 6-foot-6 senior who became the first Hart quarterback since 1984 not to earn All-Southern Section recognition, led the Indians to victories over Long Beach Poly, Mission Viejo and finally Oaks Christian, 26-20, sending a clear message that he has moved on from last season’s disappointment.

“I know what I’m doing now,” Lyon said.

Hart struggled to a 7-5 record last season, hurt by an ineffective offensive line and the inexperience of Lyon. To Lyon’s credit, he accepted responsibility for the Indians’ troubles even though others played a role.

“A quarterback’s success is based on winning,” he said. “If you don’t win, you’re not a good quarterback.”

Hart receiver Troy Yudin says Lyon has improved his recognition of defenses.

“He’s flying through his reads,” said Yudin, who caught all four touchdown passes from Lyon on Friday.

Hart players were elated with their triumph even though Oaks Christian is a Division XI team. Oaks Christian has deservedly gained respect from the upper echelon of players and teams because the Lions have a group of skill-position players who rank among the best in the state.

“That’s no Division XI team,” Lyon said.

Clausen, running back Marc Tyler and receivers Marshall Jones and Sean Wiser are all juniors. Oaks Christian had not lost in a passing tournament all summer.

“That’s the best junior quarterback I’ve seen,” Lyon said.

ESPN had a reporter following Clausen as if he were a celebrity in the making. USC Coach Pete Carroll and South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier offered him scholarships months before the start of his junior season.

Mark Sanchez, a Parade All-American quarterback from Mission Viejo who’s entering his freshman season at USC, was at Howard Jones Field admiring Clausen and the other top prospects on display.

“It’s an awesome showcase,” Sanchez said. “I’m wishing I could take part right now.”

There’s much debate over whether success in passing tournaments translates into victories when pads are put on.

“It’s not real football,” Sherman Oaks Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. “The purpose of it is for practice. You’re trying to work on certain aspects of the game. It’s good for quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs.”

Oaks Christian has four 6-5 offensive linemen back from a 14-0 championship team. That’s why the Lions’ summer success should be taken seriously.

“I don’t care what division they’re in,” Long Beach Poly Coach Raul Lara said. “They’re a great football team.”

Hart Coach Mike Herrington missed the championship game because he had to take another group of Hart players to Claremont to compete in a weekend passing tournament. Before he left, he made a prophetic observation about Lyon.

“We’ve always had confidence in Tyler and feel he’s going to have a great season,” he said.

Hart ended its passing tournament season Saturday by defeating La Puente Bishop Amat in the Claremont final.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.