Albee, 58, Announces Retirement

John Albee of Quartz Hill High, the elder statesman of high school football coaches in the region, announced his retirement Friday night following a 32-10 Golden League loss to Littlerock.

Albee, 58, concluding his 31st season as Rebel coach, won five league championships and guided Quartz Hill to the 1990 Southern Section Division I final.

Quartz Hill, traditionally one of the region’s dominant teams, has fallen on difficult times since neighboring Lancaster High opened in 1995 and began drawing students from the Rebels’ attendance area.

The loss on Friday night extended Quartz Hill’s league winless streak to 15 games dating to 1995. The Rebels, are 0-14-1 during that span. They finished this season 0-5 in league play and 2-8 overall, including a forfeit victory over Hart.

Tailback Russell Patton of Channel Islands, who sustained a concussion midway through the third quarter of a Pacific View League loss to Rio Mesa on Friday night, is questionable for the Raiders’ playoff game this week, his father, John Patton, said.

Patton, who rushed for 58 carries and a touchdown before being injured, has rushed for 1,279 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Although he had yet to receive official confirmation, Coach Dick Billingsley of Oak Park was planning for the playoffs Saturday.

The Eagles (5-5, 1-3 in Tri-Valley League play) finished in a three-way tie for third place in their league, in which the top three teams receive Southern Section Division XI postseason berths.

Billingsley said since Oak Park has not been to the playoffs since 1994, it will be the league’s final representative. Bishop Diego and Fillmore, also tied for third, have been playoff participants the last two seasons.

“We’re kind of shocked but I feel good about it for our seniors,” Billingsley said.

VOLLEYBALL

Courtney Guerra, an outside hitter from Royal High, has committed to California.

Guerra, who set a school record with 41 kills in a match this season, chose the Golden Bears over UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine and Nevada-Las Vegas.

The 5-foot-11 Guerra was an All- Southern Section pick last season.

BASEBALL

Two players from Notre Dame High have finalized their college choices.

Pitcher Phil Polanco has signed with San Francisco and infielder John Puccinelli has committed to Santa Clara.