AROUND THE LEAGUES : Plaisance, Hardly Placid, Gets to Watch World Series Anyway

While Village Christian was defeating La Verne Lutheran, 22-0, on Saturday, Coach Mike Plaisance watched another contest: Game 1 of the World Series. For the first time in 12 years of coaching, Plaisance was ejected, getting the thumb in the second quarter.

Village Christian received a 15-yard penalty when Plaisance argued with an official over a call on the field. Two plays later, Plaisance was ejected when assistant coach Mark Bates was flagged an additional 15 yards for a comment to an official. Although Bates received the second penalty, the rules state that the head coach is ejected after a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against anyone on the sidelines.

Plaisance, who watched the World Series in the locker room until the football game ended, was not upset by Bates’ action.

“He said something that was overheard by an official with rabbit ears,� Plaisance said. “I apologized to my team at halftime.�

Faked out: Montclair Prep’s John DeRouen must have been startled when he tried to field a punt from L.A. Baptist’s Chip Morgan on Saturday night, only to see Cliff Robinson of L.A. Baptist steal the ball in midair and run to the Montclair Prep 16-yard line. Morgan had faked a punt and instead passed the ball high in the air, where Robinson snatched it from DeRouen for a 22-yard gain. L.A. Baptist won the game in overtime, 10-7, for its first victory over Montclair Prep in five seasons of playing in the Alpha League. “John had no idea what was going on with that play,� Montclair Prep Coach Pat Blackburn said. . . . It’s more than talk when Burbank Coach Dave Carson says Abo Velasco is becoming the team’s entire offense. In last week’s 31-24 win over Alhambra, Velasco rushed 13 times for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, kicked 4 extra points and a 41-yard field goal to force overtime and intercepted a pass. In previous games this season, he scored 10 of 28, 8 of 14, and all 10 points scored by Burbank.

The book on Bonds: Hart quarterback Jim Bonds’ school record for career passing yards--3,696 and counting--knocks his brother, Tom, out of the record book. Jim, who also has broken career records for most passes attempted and completed, is one touchdown pass away from tying his brother’s career record of 31. . . . Hart’s David Lee, an all-league tight end and punter, returns for this week’s game. Lee broke his arm before the first game of the season.

Casting the ballots: Westlake gets a turn at the Valley 4-A League this week when the Warriors play Granada Hills, one of six games this season matching Marmonte and Valley 4-A league teams. To hear Westlake Coach George Contreras talk, the Warriors won’t know until this afternoon whether they’ll be there. “Again, the team will vote on Wednesday to see if we show up for the game,� Contreras said. He was joking, of course. . . . Robb McKinnon, who in two games completed 16 of 30 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown for Thousand Oaks before suffering a separated shoulder, may be ready for action this week. Steve Sisco, who replaced McKinnon, has completed 21 of 47 passes for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns, and rushed 28 times for 194 yards and 4 touchdowns, tops among Marmonte League quarterbacks. With McKinnon healthy, who will start? “Steve is still starting,� Richards said. “I have told both boys that Robb did not lose his position, he was injured. When he is 100%, he’ll start.�

Worth the wait: Kennedy’s Andre Murray, a 6-2, 225-pound defensive end in his first year of football, has emerged as a premier pass rusher. The first two times Banning quarterback Ed Kapu was sacked this season, Murray was the man who got to him. And Murray sacked Granada Hills’ Jeremy Leach twice last week in a 7-7 tie. Kennedy Coach Bob Francola is glad he convinced Murray that football was worthwhile. “Before this season, he wasn’t really willing to work hard or make the time to play,� Francola said. “We kept after him in weight-lifting class every year and finally he decided to come out.� Murray joined Ron Simmons and Akili Calhoun to form the best defensive line in the area.

Nearly pointless: Taft (2-3) has scored just 12 points in the past three games, and Coach Tom Stevenson blames the offensive line. “We don’t have any size up front and can’t open up any holes,� he said. Taft faces winless Monroe on Friday, but will be without quarterback Jon Thompson, who suffered a deep thigh bruise against Canoga Park. . . . Sean Hampton, an All-Valley running back last year, is thriving on defense. In each of the past two games, he has intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble. The Sylmar defense held Grant to minus-44 yards in total offense last week.

Over hills at the ‘Dale: Palmdale, Saugus’ opponent this week, has played Victor Valley, Simi Valley and Apple Valley. Saugus and Canyon, Palmdale’s Golden League foes, are from the Santa Clarita Valley. And next week, Palmdale plays Antelope Valley. After opening with losses to Victor V. and Simi V., Palmdale has rung four straight Vs, as in victories. . . . Saugus slotback LaMark Allen, a sophomore who is the area’s No. 4 Southern Section receiver with 27 catches, broke his left hand last week against Canyon and may be out for the season. “We’ll miss him more on defense than offense,� Coach Dave Gross said. “LaMark is our best defensive back and best special teams player.�