Decision to play football works out well for Arleta’s Javy Lopez

When a teenager makes a sacrifice, adults should take notice. And Javy Lopez from Arleta has made a big sacrifice.

Last season, he was 8-0 and one of the top pitchers in the City Section. Entering his senior year, he hoped to receive a college baseball scholarship, which meant that the 2011 season would be crucial. But since he was a young boy, he wanted to play football. He played at Arleta as a freshman and sophomore, then gave up the sport as a junior to focus on baseball.

Against some advice, Lopez went with his heart over the summer and rejoined the football team to play quarterback. He has helped the Mustangs reach the City Section Division II semifinals and delay the retirement of Jeff Engilman, who says Lopez “might be the most accurate quarterback I’ve had” in his 36 years of coaching.

His baseball friends are happy for him, though others think he has put at risk his baseball success this spring by not focusing full-time on the sport.

“It was just me,” Lopez said. “It was my decision. No regrets.”

And good for Lopez. He’s only 5 feet 10 and understands football won’t be in his future. He has chosen to get the most out of his high school experience, though, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t be able to convince a college baseball coach of his skills this spring when he’s throwing an 89-mph fastball past hitters and they learn about his toughness, determination and athleticism.

“I love baseball, but I’ve wanted to play football since I was a little kid,” he said.

There’s no doubt Arleta wouldn’t be playing Fairfax on Friday at North Hills Monroe in a semifinal playoff game without the versatile Lopez in the lineup. Yes, he’s going to need a little time to recover after football season.

“My body is a little beat-up now,” he said.

But the memories and contributions he has made this fall will be remembered and appreciated by many. And come spring, he might fulfill another dream — to pitch at Dodger Stadium. Arleta has the talent to make it to the City championship game, with Lopez leading the way.

Rooting for Mater Dei

Santa Ana Mater Dei is picking up some new fans for its Pac-5 Division semifinal against Mission Viejo on Friday at Santa Ana Stadium. Players, coaches and fans from Ventura St. Bonaventure, Westlake Village Westlake and Westlake Village Oaks Christian are rooting for the Monarchs to win the Pac-5 title. If that happens, then the Northern Division champion could be a candidate to play in a state bowl championship game.

There are two bowl spots open in the Open Division and Division I. Corona Centennial (12-0) is likely to get one bid if it wins the Inland Division championship. The other could go to Anaheim Servite (12-0), Mission Viejo (12-0) or Mission Hills Alemany (12-0), depending on which team emerges as the Pac-5 champion. But if Mater Dei wins the title, then the Northern Division champion will be part of that conversation.

Possible site change

The Northern Division semifinal between St. Bonaventure and Westlake, originally scheduled for Moorpark College, could be changed to Westlake. The schools are discussing the issue.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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