Vikings rebound at ‘Cats’ expense

West Ranch quarterback Jake Bernards hit the ground, hardly even looking at the play. Flat on his back, hands grasping his facemask, he slowly picked himself up as Valencia celebrated its interception.

Spreading Wings

The Saugus football team has always played the role of David in a league of Goliaths. The Centurions were never in conversations regarding Foothill League titles or championships. Those conversations were reserved for Hart, Canyon and Valencia. But now Saugus has stoned its way into the picture. Behind the Centurions' quest to win its first-ever outright Foothill League title is a quiet yet formidable leader. He's one of the more anonymous faces behind the success ...

The Vikings' quest starts

One down, four to go. On its quest to make it back to the CIF-Southern Section Division III finals, the Valencia girls tennis team took care of business on day one. The Vikings defeated Santiago of Corona 16-2 on Thursday in the first round of CIF playoffs at Valencia High. A clean sweep on the doubles side aided Valencia's win. The Vikings will face the Cypress Saturday at Cypress High. Cypress defeated Bonita Thursday 9-9 ...

The end, but the beginning

The promising Hart girls golf team failed to advance to the CIF State Championship Thursday - and it's not a big deal.

Title picture isn’t set yet

At this point, making it to the postseason is a long shot for Canyon. The last playoff spot in the Foothill League will likely go to Hart. A Canyon win and a Hart (4-5, 2-2) loss to Golden Valley would secure a spot for the Cowboys (5-4, 2-2), but it's unlikely that the Indians will drop their last regular season game to a league-winless Grizzlies team. But stranger things have happened. In Canyon's last game ...

Bounced from the first round

Two days after West Ranch won its first-ever CIF-Southern Section team tennis playoff match in history, the Wildcats' season ended Thursday, in a blowout loss to Valencia of Placentia.

Cardinals ride the mo’

Momentum in sports is a powerful force. Just ask head coach Matt Wilkins and his Rolling Hills Prep Eagles. After overcoming the din of the small gymnasium at Santa Clarita Christian to take a 22-21 lead in the first game of the CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA playoffs on Thursday evening, an emotional switch turned things completely around. After an out-of-bounds hit tied the score, SCCS went on to score four straight to pull out the ...

Vking frosh perfect

The Valencia Viking freshman football team finished their season undefeated by beating visiting West Ranch by a score of 33-3.

Valencia volleyball rolls to the quarters; Cats exit

It was a tough go, but the Valencia girls volleyball team are back in the quarterfinals. After three straight exits in the second round, Valencia's 3-1 road win in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs vaults them to the round of eight. "It was a huge motivating factor for all five of our seniors," said Valencia head coach Ray Sanchez of the previous three exits. The Vikings (21-9) won 21-25, 25-23, ...

Vikings spearhead kickoff of openers

The Valencia Vikings host the Thousand Oaks Lancers in their season opener today. The game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be at the Vikings' Paul Priesz Stadium. Head coach Larry Muir said that the team is excited to suit up and hit guys other than their own. "The team looks good," Muir said. "We're really excited and it's going to be a big challenge for us." The Vikings who are among the favorites ...

Saugus girls tennis hammers Highland

In the desert area of Lancaster, Saugus beat Highland, 14-4, in girls tennis action.

The Hunger

LAS VEGAS -- The University of Nevada, Las Vegas football team rallied from a third-quarter deficit Saturday night to defeat the University of New Mexico, 27-20.

Can anyone catch Saugus?

A nationally-ranked Saugus girls cross country team headlines a strong Foothill League, while a dogfight is on the horizon on the boys side.

Wildcats tennis earns respect

Call it vindication, call it a victory. The West Ranch girls tennis team, which finished second in the Foothill League but landed in the CIF-Southern Section Division III wild card bracket, proved it deserves respect as the team won its first-ever post season match with a Tuesday victory against Paso Robles. The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats 14-4 at home. When West Ranch head coach Eric Speicker saw the draw and that his team had been ...

The quiz before the test

In its first-ever playoff home match, the West Ranch girls volleyball team was triumphant. The Wildcats defeated Calvary Chapel, the Orange Coast's No. 3 finisher, in the first round of CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs 26-24,25-21,25-19. "We knew what we had to do and we just wanted to have fun." said West Ranch outside hitter Allison Summers. "This is the best we have played in a long time." Summers finished the contest with a team ...

West Ranch's Michelle Kim: Wildcat sheds her shell

Editor's note: This is the sixth and final in a series of stories in which The Signal recognizes high school athletes whose greatest achievements go well beyond the playing field.

Valencia football's Davis Pitner: Finding his way on the line

Saugus' Charles Dulac: A message of acceptance

Editor's note: This is the fourth in a series of stories in which The Signal recognizes high school athletes whose greatest achievements go well beyond the playing field.

Hart's Kailie Kennedy: Listening to those in need

The summer heat on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona is intense.

Golden Valley's Tyshon Thompson: A golden child growing up

Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories in which The Signal recognizes high school athletes whose greatest achievements go well beyond the playing field.

Canyon's Apsay offered scholarship by Colorado

Canyon senior quarterback Cade Apsay received his second scholarship offer this week and again it was a Pac-12 school.

Canyon's Amoni Henderson: It’s better to laugh than cry

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories in which The Signal recognizes high school athletes whose greatest achievements go well beyond the playing field.

Hart football takes center stage at passing tourney

Valencia High School may have been the location of a four-team passing tournament on Wednesday, but Hart seemed to be right at home on the Vikings' football field.

Pete Calzia: Coach com-Pete

In October, Pete Calzia's heart was out of his chest while a doctor was installing a new aortic valve into the longtime teacher and ultra-competitive coach.

Former Golden Valley baseball coach hired at Cleveland High

Scott Drootin, who announced his resignation as head baseball coach at Golden Valley High on May 20, has been hired by Cleveland High in Reseda for the same position.

SCV track and field season ends at state finals

Somehow it was fitting that the last three remaining locals of the high school track and field season were all distance runners from Saugus High School, a perrenial power in distance races.

Three Saugus runners left at CIF state track meet

The intensity of the track and field competition continued to whittle down the list Santa Clarita Valley athletes still alive in the postseason.

Hart's Davis Koppenhaver picks up two collegiate offers

Another member of the Hart High football team has received national attention this week, as wide receiver Davis Koppenhaver received two collegiate offers.

Saugus track's Rodrigo Ornelas: Determined to be the best

Even now, he still thinks about second place.

Around the SCV: Canyon hires new swim coach; Ensing named to prestigious v-ball team

The Canyon High swim team will have a new head coach next season, as the school hired Daniel Neswald to take over for the departed Steve Himes, co-athletic director Scott Arnold confirmed.