ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

BOYS

Tyler Brennan

SCHOOL: Taft

SPORT: Football

YEAR: Senior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: A three-year starter at inside linebacker, Brennan anchors one of the best linebacker corps in the region. Along with senior David Melo and juniors Marquis Brignac and Dionte Hall, the Toreadors have given up 94 points in the regular season and are the top-seeded team in the City Section 4-A playoffs.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: In a 24-7 victory over El Camino Real, Brennan (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) stopped a first-quarter drive deep in Taft territory by recovering a fumble. In the second half, Brennan made a diving interception on a ball tipped by Brignac, sacked quarterback Aaron Fredette, then sealed the victory with a fourth-quarter interception that he nearly returned for a touchdown. It was called back by a clipping penalty. “I wanted to score,” Brennan said.

GIRLS

Brooke Niles

SCHOOL: Calabasas

SPORT: Volleyball

YEAR: Junior

SEASON AT A GLANCE: Niles, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, was instrumental in helping the Coyotes win a share of the Frontier League title. She led Calabasas in kills, digs and aces and launched them into the playoffs.

WEEK AT A GLANCE: Niles totaled 72 kills in two matches of the Southern Section Division III-AA playoffs. She had 42 kills in a five-game upset over San Luis Obispo in the first round and had 30 kills, 27 digs and seven aces in a four-game victory over favored South Hills in the quarterfinals. “She’s the heart and soul of the team,” Calabasas Coach Dave Arone said. “She brings a competitive will to the team that I’ve never seen before.”