Mike Herrington

At first, the idea seemed odd to Peter Dubsky. The senior defensive lineman needed one sack to break Hart High's career record after causing weekly mayhem for opponents. Yet, there were his coaches, only days before a Southern Section Division III semifinal against St. Francis, telling him he would make his season debut at linebacker. "I was shocked," Dubsky said. With Dubsky at linebacker and only three down linemen, Hart neutralized St.

Call it a kinetic anomaly. That's what happens when receiver Nelson Spruce of Westlake Village Westlake decides to twist, turn or contort his body, then somehow make a catch while defying gravity. He's always doing something to counter the defender when the ball is in motion, whether that means slowing up, speeding up or changing directions. "It's an ability to adjust to the football without the defensive back having an opportunity to make a play," Coach Jim Benkert said.

When Hart High football Coach Mike Herrington considers tonight's showdown against Westlake at Newbury Park High, he can't help but recall the last time his Indians played on the road against a high-scoring opponent. The result was a 44-42 loss to Dominguez in the quarterfinals of last season's Southern Section Division II playoffs. Neither team could stop the other in a game that saw six lead changes. Hart took a 42-38 lead with 2 minutes 54 seconds left. That was too much time.

If you believe the story, it's a spy caper worthy of a John Le Carre novel, with all the secrets exposed by an undercover agent planted right in front of them. This espionage story could eventually change the balance of football power in the Santa Clarita Valley. Fed up with losing every game to Newhall Hart, Valencia decided to copy the Indians' successful spread passing offense last year.

Hart High Principal Laurence Strauss couldn't have devised a more strenuous loyalty test than the one set up for the school's new football coach, Mike Herrington. Herrington was born and raised in Newhall and has known since he was 20 years old that he and his Hart belonged together.

Dean and Rick Herrington, the younger brothers of Hart High's new football coach, will join the staff as walk-on, varsity assistant coaches. Mike Herrington was hired this week to replace Dave Carson, who was forced to resign July 20. Rick, 29, and Dean, 25, had previously served on the Hart staff until joining Mike at Bellflower High last season.

If you believe the story, it's a spy caper worthy of a John Le Carre novel, with all the secrets exposed by an undercover agent planted right in front of them. This espionage story could eventually change the balance of football power in the Santa Clarita Valley. Fed up with losing every game to Newhall Hart, Valencia decided to copy the Indians' successful spread passing offense last year.

Now that Harry Welch has come out of retirement to call plays for Valencia, the Herrington brothers at Hart have dusted off their old files from Welch's days at Canyon. "It's been kept in the file cabinet because we knew he'd come back some time," defensive coordinator Rick Herrington said. Hart (7-0, 2-0 in league play ) and Valencia (6-1, 2-0) meet Thursday night in a Foothill League game at College of the Canyons.

Mike Herrington, winningest football coach in Hart High history, has a chance to reach a milestone tonight against Valencia, but he hasn't given it much thought. Herrington, who became head coach in 1989, can notch his 100th victory with the Indians. "If you guys would quit reminding me about it, then I could forget about it," Herrington said jokingly. "It's a milestone, not really a goal I've shot for." Herrington's record at Hart is 99-23.

Mike Herrington, passed over for the job a year ago, has been installed as the third football coach in 17 months at Hart High. Hart Principal Laurence Strauss elected to hire Herrington on Tuesday night and announced the decision Wednesday. Herrington, who coached at Bellflower last season, replaces Dave Carson, who was forced to resign July 20. Carson had replaced Rick Scott, who resigned last April to coach at Buena High in Ventura.

At first, the idea seemed odd to Peter Dubsky. The senior defensive lineman needed one sack to break Hart High's career record after causing weekly mayhem for opponents. Yet, there were his coaches, only days before a Southern Section Division III semifinal against St. Francis, telling him he would make his season debut at linebacker. "I was shocked," Dubsky said. With Dubsky at linebacker and only three down linemen, Hart neutralized St.

OFFENSE *--* Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. Wt. B Lorenzo Booker St. Bonaventure So. 5-10 170 B Loren Cerny Camarillo Jr. 6-3 220 B Jessie Hawkins Nordhoff Sr. 6-3 215 B Kyle Loughman Buena Sr. 6-2 190 B Julian Lambert Westlake Sr. 5-8 180 R Calvin Bell Simi Valley Sr. 6-2 190 R Chris Vizzi Moorpark Sr. 5-8 155 R Scott Jones Oak Park Sr. 6-0 170 L Louie Jiminez Ventura Sr. 5-9 220 L Jordan Knisely Channel Islands Jr. 6-3 270 L Mike Kohr Camarillo Sr. 6-0 265 L Scott Meierhoff Fillmore Sr.

Now that Harry Welch has come out of retirement to call plays for Valencia, the Herrington brothers at Hart have dusted off their old files from Welch's days at Canyon. "It's been kept in the file cabinet because we knew he'd come back some time," defensive coordinator Rick Herrington said. Hart (7-0, 2-0 in league play ) and Valencia (6-1, 2-0) meet Thursday night in a Foothill League game at College of the Canyons.

The intensity of the Hart-Canyon rivalry has waned a bit in recent years because of Hart's dominance. Entering Friday night's Foothill League game, Hart had won the last seven meetings. The Indians were heavy favorites, but Hart Coach Mike Herrington was still able to motivate his team. "There's a lot at stake here," Herrington said. "The league title, the league win streak, [Santa Clarita] Valley bragging rights and keeping the Hart mystique alive."

Mike Herrington, winningest football coach in Hart High history, has a chance to reach a milestone tonight against Valencia, but he hasn't given it much thought. Herrington, who became head coach in 1989, can notch his 100th victory with the Indians. "If you guys would quit reminding me about it, then I could forget about it," Herrington said jokingly. "It's a milestone, not really a goal I've shot for." Herrington's record at Hart is 99-23.

Seven years ago, Dean Herrington joined the football coaching staff at Hart High and added his touch to the offense. Adding a run-and-shoot offense and grooming players nearly year-round, Herrington has helped the Indians win five consecutive Foothill League championships. More remarkable, Hart under Herrington has maintained an unprecedented 10-year streak in which the team's quarterback has earned All-Southern Section honors.

Hart High's opponents this season have relied on two inevitables: The Hart offense moves the ball and scores a lot of points but the defense almost always gives back all the yards and points. Hart entered Friday night's game against San Gabriel with the second-best offense in the Valley area but the most vulnerable defense. But against the Matadors, Hart did something very unexpected: the Indians stopped the Matadors cold as Hart scored a 35-13, Foothill League win at College of the Canyons.

The intensity of the Hart-Canyon rivalry has waned a bit in recent years because of Hart's dominance. Entering Friday night's Foothill League game, Hart had won the last seven meetings. The Indians were heavy favorites, but Hart Coach Mike Herrington was still able to motivate his team. "There's a lot at stake here," Herrington said. "The league title, the league win streak, [Santa Clarita] Valley bragging rights and keeping the Hart mystique alive."

When Hart High football Coach Mike Herrington considers tonight's showdown against Westlake at Newbury Park High, he can't help but recall the last time his Indians played on the road against a high-scoring opponent. The result was a 44-42 loss to Dominguez in the quarterfinals of last season's Southern Section Division II playoffs. Neither team could stop the other in a game that saw six lead changes. Hart took a 42-38 lead with 2 minutes 54 seconds left. That was too much time.

Hart High Principal Laurence Strauss couldn't have devised a more strenuous loyalty test than the one set up for the school's new football coach, Mike Herrington. Herrington was born and raised in Newhall and has known since he was 20 years old that he and his Hart belonged together.