Camarillo Puts Its Beach Boy in the Backfield

A smorgasbord of football notes, quotes and opinions from across the San Fernando Valley and its surrounding communities:

Loren Cerny of Camarillo High is a surfer with stoked attitude.

“I love to surf all day,� he said.

But surfing did not consume his entire summer vacation.

“I ran every day, I worked out every day,� he said.

Those who saw Cerny play football last season probably won’t recognize the 16-year-old wearing No. 34 this fall.

He has grown from a 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore tight end into a 6-3, 220-pound junior tailback.

“I was at a 32 waist,� he said. “I was tall and skinny. I totally grew. I went to a 36 [waist].�

Coach Carl Thompson still hasn’t finalized what position Cerny will play. He knows Cerny can run, but he also needs him at tight end to help the passing game.

“He’s a very interesting kid,� Thompson said. “He always has a smile but never says anything.�

Thompson has seen Cerny surf, though.

“He stays up pretty good,� he said.

So beware of the surfer dude in Camarillo’s backfield. He’s tall, fast, strong and isn’t afraid of killer waves or gnarly linebackers. . . .

First-year Coach Chris Richards of Monroe was an All-City running back at San Fernando. The Vikings play at San Fernando on Nov. 5, and Richards is fired up.

“They put us down for homecoming,� Richards said. “I told [the San Fernando coaches] to make sure they have a No. 33 jersey in the locker room in case I need to strap it on.�

Richards won’t have to worry about his team’s running game as long as Tyrone Burwell stays eligible. Burwell, a 6-3, 230-pound transfer from Pasadena, rushed for 104 yards against Alemany last season and scored on a long run against Loyola. He’s a big-time player.

Richards has abandoned the wing-T offense used by former coach Sloan Bunting and gone to multiple sets. . . .

The mother of Chaminade defensive tackle John Turner made an emotional appeal to Eagle Coach Ed Croson last season.

“Can you protect his hands?� she asked. “He’s a concert pianist.�

Croson laughed. Defensive linemen must use their hands extensively. Turner didn’t break any fingers and made all-league. He’s 6-4, 236 pounds and has been playing piano for 11 years. He composes songs, too.

“Football lets me get my aggression out,� Turner said. “Piano lets me express my sentimental part.� . . .

Poly has strengthened its team with the addition of Manny Flores, an All-City baseball player who will play linebacker and fullback.

“He’s the type of kid who knows how to win,� co-coach Bob Mesa said. . . .

Lincoln High in East L.A. is going to receive plenty of attention for having four girls on its varsity, including the student body president. They’re called the Spice Girls and Laverne & Shirley. And they’re going to play, according to Coach Leo Castro. . . .

Co-coach Darryl Stroh of Granada Hills has become a grandfather. His daughter, Noelle, gave birth to a son, Noah.

“I think I’m too young to be married to a grandma,� the 60-year-old Stroh said. . . .

Wayne Cook, former Newbury Park and UCLA quarterback, is teaching history and coaching the quarterbacks at Chaparral in Temecula. He’s married with a four-month-old son, Tyler. Grandfather Ken Cook said don’t expect Tyler to become a quarterback. “He looks more like a lineman,� Ken said. . . .

Kyle Boller, former Hart quarterback, completed one of seven passes in a scrimmage for California on Saturday. The Bears’ likely starter, Sam Clemons, was two for five. Boller is already having an impact as a freshman. He scared off Ryan Sorahan, another freshman quarterback, who has decided to transfer. . . .

Steve Landress is coaching football at Cleveland after an eight-year absence. Asked if he was yelling again, Landress said, “I’m trying not to, but it’s starting to come back.� . . .

Valencia has a legitimate shot at ending Hart’s 38-game winning streak in Foothill League play.

The key is how junior Zack Sapp develops at quarterback.

He started last season for the Vikings as a 5-7, 130-pound linebacker. He’s quick, fearless and up to 145 pounds.

“Pound for pound, he could be the best athlete on the team,� Coach Brian Stiman said.

Sapp only needs to complete a couple of passes each game to prevent defenses from totally focusing on running back Manuel White. . . .

Notre Dame has completed $150,000 in improvements to its field. Every blade of grass was replaced and a new sprinkler system was put in.

“It’s great grass,� Coach Kevin Rooney said.

Of course, if the Knights lose any home games, it might quickly become bad grass.

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Eric Sondheimer’s local column appears Wednesday and Sunday. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422 or [email protected]