Unbeaten Sierra Canyon moving up in the world
The school nickname for Chatsworth Sierra Canyon is the Trailblazers, and that’s exactly what the football team has done in its second year of 11-man football.
Sierra Canyon is 8-0, ranked No. 1 in the East Valley Division and is experiencing a meteoric rise to prominence behind a productive passing attack that features 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Tyler Stewart and a pair of 6-3 receivers, Shane Harrison and Julian Brooks.
Stewart, who started his career at Simi Valley, has passed for 1,515 yards and 23 touchdowns with two interceptions.
“He’s the real deal,” Coach Jon Ellinghouse said. “He’s a 6-4, 210-pound strong-armed kid who moves pretty good for his size.”
Harrison, a senior, has caught 13 touchdown passes. Brooks, a junior who’s also a standout in basketball, has seven interceptions to go along with his seven touchdown catches. His older brother, Pierce, was a basketball standout at Woodland Hills Taft and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
“Brooks is an unbelievable athlete,” Ellinghouse said. “He’s got all the ability and talent in the world, and in recent weeks, is starting to use it.”
Sierra Canyon will need to be at its best Friday night when it faces Lancaster Paraclete (7-1) in an Alpha League title decider at Antelope Valley College.
No Oaks Christian, no Serra
What a difference it makes to remove Westlake Village Oaks Christian from the Tri-Valley League and take out Gardena Serra from the Northwest Division.
Ojai Nordhoff (8-0) and Oak Park (6-2) are on a collision course to decide the Tri-Valley League championship on Nov. 12 at Nordhoff. Each team usually loses to Oaks Christian, which moved to the Marmonte League.
They are ranked No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in the Northwest Division, which Oaks Christian and Serra have dominated.
In fact, Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell had to get in a few digs at Nordhoff, which used to complain about Oaks Christian running up scores. Nordhoff has beaten Hueneme, 69-7, and San Marcos, 70-14.
“I think Nordhoff should be moved up to a higher division,” Redell said.
Nordhoff quarterback Jake Logsdon has passed for 1,505 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Hardship requests
It’s probably too early to make predictions about the basketball season because there are several key players trying to get eligible through hardship waivers that must be decided.
In the City Section, Los Angeles Fairfax has two junior guards, Landon Drew, a transfer from Woodland Hills Taft, and Brendyn Taylor, a transfer from Los Angeles View Park Prep, who are seeking eligibility via hardship waivers.
A decision should come in the next several weeks from City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege, and if they are denied, the decision can be appealed to a state appeals panel.
Encino Crespi guard Michael Avery was denied by the Southern Section and is awaiting an appeal hearing.
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