Football: The pressure is on Serra’s Scott Altenberg
Gardena Serra Coach Scott Altenberg is feeling the heat. His late father, Kurt, was a hero for UCLA football fans, catching the 52-yard winning touchdown pass from Gary Beban to defeat USC, 20-16, in the 1965 USC-UCLA game.
Altenberg continues to have season tickets to UCLA games, but his Serra players have been picking USC lately. Robert Wood, Marqise Lee and George Farmer have ended up with the Trojans from Serra, leaving Altenberg feeling a little uneasy at Bruin games.
Now UCLA is again trying to land several Serra standouts, including defensive back Adoree’ Jackson and linebacker Dwight Williams. Altenberg found out his UCLA season seats got moved from the 45-yard line to the 20. He jokes that might be a message.
“They might be soon in the end zone,” he said.
Of course, he lets his players decide their college choice. That doesn’t prevent his UCLA friends from lobbying him and turning up the pressure.
Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
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