Starr Just Enhanced Reputation

There isn’t a coach in the City Section who would bench an All-City quarterback--except Troy Starr of Taft High.

Three months ago, Starr made the decision to go with junior Brandon Hance, a transfer from Notre Dame, instead of returnee Steve Alvarado.

Hance’s first start was a disaster--a 41-13 loss to Banning. But the best was yet to come.

Week after week, game after game, Hance made improvement. During the City Championship playoffs, he directed the Toreadors’ offense as if he has been around for years.

“He’s improved remarkably,” Starr said.

In the first half Friday night against Banning at the Coliseum, Hance scored one touchdown, passed 39 and 38 yards to Ronald Andrews for touchdowns and completed nine of 11 passes for 129 yards.

“He could be one of the top quarterbacks in the area next season,” Starr said.

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Matt Cassel is only 16, but he has played on two of the most hallowed sports venues.

Cassel was the starting third baseman for Chatsworth High in the City Section 4-A baseball final at Dodger Stadium in June.

On Friday, Cassel was at the Coliseum, playing quarterback and leading Chatsworth to a 34-7 victory in the City Division final.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” Cassel said.

His football experience turned out better. Chatsworth lost the baseball title to El Camino Real, 5-2, in 10 innings.

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Chatsworth might have a passing offense, but the Chancellors know how to kill the clock with a big lead.

With a 27-0 lead, Chatsworth had an 18-play drive in the fourth quarter that lasted nearly eight minutes. Chatsworth failed to convert on fourth and goal.

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Reseda and Chatsworth played on a slightly bigger stage than the last time they played for City championships. Reseda’s 1995 3-A victory over Eagle Rock and Chatsworth’s 1991 loss to San Pedro were played at Birmingham High.

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Taft players and coaches dedicated the title game against Banning on Friday night to former principal Ron Berz, who has been resting at home after brain surgery for a malignant tumor.

Berz was principal at Taft for 14 years and hired Starr when he was a little-known 28-year-old assistant at San Fernando.

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Don’t anyone bother Starr this morning. He’ll be sitting in front of his television watching his alma mater, Mount Union College (Ohio), play for the NCAA Division III championship.

“They’ve won 41 straight games,” Starr said proudly.

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The eighth-grader wearing a No. 12 Chatsworth jersey on the sideline during the Division final is the team’s quarterback of the future. Justin Cassel, Matt’s brother, stands 6 feet.

“When he’s 15 [next Sept. 15], he’s up with [the varsity],” Coach Bill Coan said.

The younger Cassel, who also plays baseball, is expected to work out with the Chancellors during the summer.

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Myron Gibford, Chatsworth’s coach for 19 years until he retired after last season, was on the Chancellor sideline at the invitation of linebacker Eric Harris.