Sierra Canyon Does Aboutface at Football Tourney

After the initial first-day shock of competing against large-school football opponents, Sierra Canyon High made quite an impression at the 10th annual Saugus Under The Lights tournament, winning the bottom-eight elimination tournament on Saturday on the second day of the 24-team, seven-on-seven tournament featuring some of California’s top programs.

First day, not so good. Sierra Canyon lost 20-14 to Agoura, 38-8 to eventual champion Long Beach Poly, then 16-8 to Saugus. But the next day, Sierra Canyon defeated Notre Dame 12-10, Birmingham 22-14, then Pioneer Valley 38-14 in the final.

“Our coach (Jon Ellinghouse) definitely got into us after those first three losses because that was a joke,” Sierra Canyon quarterback Tyler Stewart said. “We were up by two touchdowns the first game against Agoura, and we just kept beating ourselves. We ended up losing at the end, but I think that was good for us.”

It sure was. Sierra Canyon looked much better after a good night’s sleep.

“We had a couple of guys sick, a couple of guys out of position on that first day, and I just wasn’t real happy – more about the mental part of the game and not the physical,” Ellinghouse said. “Then, we played much better and showed that this team can compete with those schools and play with them. I mean, Long Beach Poly, we have a ton of respect for them, but we just could have played better on Friday, and I think we proved that on Saturday.”

Sierra Canyon is taking a mandatory three-week summer break, then more competitive passing tournaments are scheduled later in the summer, including the 24th annual North County Passing Tournament in Oceanside on July 15-16.

In other Sierra Canyon news, basketball standout Jahmel Taylor is a returning junior, but he already has lots of recruiting interest, including a scholarship offer from USC. The 6-foot guard also has offers from Southern Methodist and Washington State, and this weekend he is participating in a Stanford camp today and a San Francisco State camp on Saturday.

“Things are going well. I’m riding up north with my family,” Taylor said. “I’m still working, still trying to get better. Virginia Tech and Colorado are showing a lot of interest, too, so the offers are looking good so far. I’m pretty neutral as far as my decision is concerned. Once it’s my senior year, I’ll really get into it.”

WHAT THE HECTOR? CHATSWORTH GRAD HEADED TO MOORPARK JC

Derrick Hector, a top basketball player from City Section Division III champion Chatsworth, is headed to Moorpark College.

Hector, a 5-foot-11 guard, averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 steals to help Chatsworth to a 26-10 record, and he also participated for the City Section in the annual Battle of the Valley all-star game at Cal State Northridge.

“I’m going to play for Moorpark coach Remy McCarthy, and I think we’re both happy about it,” Hector said.

Moorpark College also is welcoming Chatsworth baseball players Brady Conlan and Mark Fierro. Conlan started at shortstop for the City finalist Chancellors, and Fierro played first base.

“I’m working out with Moorpark right now and trying to get bigger and stronger this summer,” Conlan said.

Jeff Bezjian, who played shortstop for Chatsworth in 2010, is also at Moorpark after transferring from Santa Barbara City College.

NEW ERA FOR CHATSWORTH

After going 11-3 and advancing to the City Division II football final last year, Chatsworth has begun workouts under new coach Andrew Kim, who has replaced Jason Camp, who resigned.

Among Chatsworth’s top players are multi-purpose back Eric Waters, linemen Luke Coyle and Kevin Olive and linebackers Matthew Loza and Maury Lemons.

“We’re doing all right,” Coyle said. “We’re kind of under new management now with a new coach and new players, but we’re doing OK.”

Waters might switch from running back to quarterback.