Chatsworth High Ready to Parlay Football Success With New Coach

It’s a new era for Chatsworth High football, as new coach Andrew Kim has taken over for Jason Camp, who resigned after guiding the Chancellors to the City Section Div. II final last season.

The Chancellors went 3-0 in a passing tournament in San Gabriel on Thursday, and even though only two starters return from last year’s team, Kim likes what he sees.

“We’re a pretty young team, but I think we’re going to be good,” said Kim, 35. “We’ve got a little more work to do this summer, but it’s going to be fun.”

Eric Waters should play a key role as a multi-purpose back, perhaps playing some quarterback but also expected to make an impact as a running back, receiver and defensive back.

“He’s going to be all over the field,” Kim said.

Cory Francies, a junior, is the quarterback, and he was 16-3-1 over two JV seasons.

“He’s an experienced quarterback who knows the offense,” Kim said. “He’s more of a traditional quarterback, but we could put Eric Waters there, too, for more of a run-threat offense.”

Kevin Olive, a three-year starting offensive lineman, is a key blocker.

“We’re replacing 20 of 22 starters, so we’re kind of piecing things together, but all the kids are field-tested on the JV,” said Kim, who was Chatsworth’s JV coach last year. “I’m excited because these kids are definitely going to have some good opportunities, and I’ve put my coaching staff together.”

Meanwhile, Camp has joined the staff at West Valley League rival Birmingham under head coach Jim Rose.

“I miss it a lot, and when I ran into Jim early in the summer, he said he was down on coaches and only had two assistants,” said Camp, who will handle the linebackers.

BROWN BUSTS OUT IN ALL-STAR GAME

Chatsworth grad Aaron Brown hit a home run and a double and knocked in two runs Wednesday at the California Collegiate League All-Star Game & Prospect Showcase in Glendale.

The center fielder is still deciding between a major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates or college baseball at Pepperdine. He has until Aug. 15 to decide.

GOOD BLOODLINES

Justin Waldorf, son of top professional golfer Duffy Waldorf, is an incoming freshman at Sierra Canyon High, and the youngster is a top baseball prospect.

His dad prepped at Taft in Woodland Hills, where he was a top football player before focusing on golf at UCLA and then the PGA tour, where he has earned more than $11 million in prize money through the years. Duffy was also a legendary youth baseball player at Tarzana Little League in the 1970s.

“I’ve seen his son, and he’s about 6-foot-1 and moves like an athlete,” Sierra Canyon baseball coach Bobby Bell said.

Bell’s son, Brock, is also joining the baseball team as an incoming freshman, and he’s expected to play a key role.

COACH SAYS SIERRA CANYON SOFTBALL WILL BE BETTER

Former UCLA softball player Ashley Herrera took her lumps in her first year as a softball coach with Sierra Canyon, going 4-13, as opponents scored an average of more than 13 runs a game. But considering the Trailblazers did not have a single senior on the roster – and presumably everyone is returning – Herrera has vowed improvement for next season.

“I think we’ll have everyone back, so it should be good because now everyone has a year under their belt,” Herrera said, including herself. “We’re definitely looking for improvement, and I think we’ll be a lot better. Overall, we should have a more successful season.”

The girls did not go undefeated, but Herrera says she has fallen in love with coaching.

“I really like Sierra Canyon, from all the kids to the administration,” Herrera said. “I had my dad coaching with me, and it was a fun year even though we didn’t get as many wins as we wanted. It was a great experience.”

STILL A HIT

Chatsworth’s baseball team, playing under the name Valley North in Valley Invitational Baseball League competition, is 15-3, a half-game behind first-place West Ranch in the standings. The team is coming off an 18-0 win Wednesday over the Spartans