Starting with Hart, the summer tests begin

It has almost become a rite of passage during spring football practice for the quarterback at Newhall Hart to be put on public display like a pinata to determine how well he can handle the scrutiny, responsibilities and expectations that come with being anointed the chosen one.

B.R. Holbrook, a 6-foot-3 senior-to-be who has never started a varsity game at quarterback, has aspirations of following in the tradition of David Neill, Kyle Boller and Matt Moore as Hart quarterbacks who didn’t start until their seniors years and ended up earning NCAA Division I-A scholarships.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Holbrook said. “I finally get my turn. It was pretty cool watching the other guys grow and move on to bigger and better things. It’s nice to get that opportunity.”

Spring practice began on May 14, and the early reviews have been positive for Holbrook, who has been receiving private coaching from former Hart offensive coordinator Dean Herrington, the younger brother of Hart Coach Mike Herrington.

“He’s tough,” Dean Herrington said. “He’s not going to be afraid to sit back in the pocket.”

If there’s one requirement for playing quarterback at Hart, it’s having the courage to take a hit. Holbrook, who started at safety on defense, seems to pass the eyeball test.

“I think playing safety definitely prepared me,” he said.

Hart, which returns All-Southern Section running back Delano Howell and UCLA-bound linebacker Patrick Larimore, figures to challenge Ventura St. Bonaventure for the Northern Division championship this fall.

Among the burning questions that could be answered this spring and summer:

Can a top quarterback excel without top receivers?

At Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Huntington Beach Edison, four standout receivers have graduated, leaving quarterbacks Dayne Crist and Nick Crissman with college scholarships but uncertainty over who’s going to catch their passes.

The Notre Dame-bound Crist loses Shane Horton and Mike Stanton. Converted running back Jeff Dickmann, backup Mike Gerski and junior speedster James Flynn will try to be replacements.

The UCLA-bound Crissman won’t have Hunter White to make acrobatic catches or Dominique Vinson to break free for a long gainer. But his brother, Jeff, is the top candidate to become a favorite target.

What’s clear is that Crist and Crissman had better be ready to slather on the sunscreen and spend the summer developing a receiver corps.

Who’s the No. 1 running back in Southern California?

Just because Darrell Scott abandoned Moorpark for a better offensive line at Ventura St. Bonaventure and has recruiting services gushing over him hardly guarantees he’s going to be the No. 1 running back, not with the talented group ready to challenge him this fall.

Lake Balboa Birmingham’s Milton Knox was the City Section player of the year, and Venice’s Curtis McNeal has already committed to USC. Ryan Bass of Corona Centennial is getting stronger and faster.

Wes Fletcher of Placentia Valencia is ready for several 300-yard games. Hart’s Howell is coming off a junior year in which he had eight games of more than 100 yards rushing. Kenjon Barner of Riverside Notre Dame had performances of 283 and 290 yards rushing at the end of last season. Cedric Foster of Riverside North is a human bowling ball who rolls through tacklers.

Is an offensive lineman the best player in Southern California?

USC-bound offensive tackle Matt Kalil of Anaheim Servite is 6-7, weighs 280 pounds and has a nasty streak that teammates love and opponents despise.

Is Los Angeles Loyola Coach Jeff Kearin feeling pressure?

In 2005, Kearin guided Loyola to the Southern Section Division I championship in his rookie season as coach. Last season, the Cubs missed the playoffs for the first time since 1985 when they couldn’t figure out whom to choose as their starting quarterback.

Kearin seems to have learned his lesson. There shouldn’t be any quarterback controversy, and he has abandoned his 4-3 defensive scheme, switched to a 5-2 and invited former Loyola coach Steve Grady to help out as an assistant.

Who’s the player USC Coach Pete Carroll wants most?

De’Von Flournoy of Birmingham is the best receiver in Southern California right now, and he doesn’t graduate until 2009. His hands are worth the price of gold.

--

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