They Still Hate Canyon the Most

Valencia had a 5-1 record and was 1-0 in the Foothill League entering Friday night’s game against Hart at College of the Canyons.

The Vikings’ success in only their third varsity season has caused a lot of hype in the Santa Clarita Valley, causing some fans to consider six-time defending Foothill League champion Hart a rival.

But Indian fans aren’t buying it.

A large sign draped across the front of the Hart stands before the game read “Want to be our rivals? Transfer to Canyon.”

Hear this: The speakers blew out at Quartz Hill’s stadium during the first quarter of the Rebels’ game with Palmdale.

The public-address announcer apologized to the Palmdale fans for the inconvenience. Naturally, those on Palmdale’s side of the field were unable to hear it.

Fresh coat: At least one City Section school is trying to upgrade its playing field.

Kennedy High became one of the few City schools to paint hash marks and numbers on the field.

The Golden Cougars even added a touch of color: Each of the goal lines are highlighted by a gold stripe.

“We’re just trying to make things a little nicer around here,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said.

Chalk talk: Golden League coaches agree that the coach most likely to call a gadget play is Quartz Hill’s John Albee.

“He’s famous for it,” said Highland Coach Lin Parker, who attended Friday night’s Quartz Hill-Palmdale game, hoping to be treated to Albee’s latest trick before his team meets the Rebels on Halloween night.

“He’ll do things on kickoff returns, PATs, field goals, anything, any time, anywhere.”

Said Palmdale Coach Jeff Williams: “We were drawing up hitches-and-pitches, double passes, tackle eligible plays, you name it.”

Reunion time: Former Quartz Hill graduates are invited to the Rebels’ Nov. 7 game against Lancaster, when the school will honor Albee, the 30-year coach.

A reunion ceremony will take place following the 7:30 p.m. game at Quartz Hill.

No tall tale: College recruiters take note. Marcus Helfman, Agoura’s 6-foot-6 fill-in for the injured Ryan McCann, might be a more than a passing fancy.

With McCann, the area’s most highly recruited quarterback, sidelined with a separated shoulder, running back Chris Poling was expected to carry the load for Agoura against Newbury Park.

But Helfman, a senior who is a Division I prospect at tight end, was impressive in his second start at quarterback. He displayed a strong and accurate arm and also scrambled well, completing 14 of 25 passes for 182 yards.

He threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, and rushed for 30 yards.

“Marcus played quarterback on the freshman and junior varsity teams, and if McCann wasn’t here, I think he would be one of the standout quarterbacks in the area,” Agoura Coach Charlie Wegher said.

Out of there: Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman did not hesitate to pull running back Donald Carpenter from the game after fumbling on his first carry against Grant on Friday afternoon.

Carpenter, Sylmar’s leading rusher who had 571 yards and a 8.9 per-carry average entering the game, did not get back into the game until one minute before halftime.

“Hey, I’ve got four running backs,” Engilman said.

Carpenter saw some action in the second quarter, but finished with just five carries for 33 yards.

Footnote: On Sylmar’s final play of the game, Angel Guerrero ran 20 yards and fumbled at the goal line and through the end zone for a touchback.