HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

By ERIC SONDHEIMER

Sept. 30, 1999 12 AM PT

Linebacker Jason Wagner of Reseda has become a big-play defensive performer.

Two weeks ago, he recorded three sacks against Cleveland. Last week against Birmingham, he blocked two kicks and had two sacks.

A strong topic of discussion this week among coaches is who’s going to win the Friday night showdown between Alemany (3-0) and host Notre Dame (3-0).

Coach Bill Redell of St. Francis keeps changing his mind.

“Before the season, I’d say Notre Dame had to beat them,” he said. “Now it’s a tossup. Can Notre Dame put pressure on [quarterback Casey] Clausen is the key.”

Coach Jon Mack of St. Bonaventure, a former assistant at Notre Dame and Alemany, said, “I think it’s going to be a war and more low scoring than people think.”

After playing against each other, defensive lineman Travis Johnson of Notre Dame and Clausen will take a Saturday morning flight to Tennessee to watch the Volunteers play Auburn. They are good friends and went on a vacation together last summer. Casey has committed to Tennessee. Johnson is taking an unofficial trip to Florida State next weekend.

Steve Smith is a 14-year-old freshman wide receiver playing on the Taft junior varsity team. He doesn’t turn 15 until the spring, but varsity Coach Troy Starr said few are better.

“He’s one of the top receivers in the Valley--junior varsity, varsity, whatever,” Starr said. “He’d be an impact player on varsity right now.”