They’re a big plus on high school offensive lines

They’re the biggest teenagers on a high school football field, the offensive linemen, and no one seems to notice them until they’re called for a holding penalty.

But after an exhausting weekend of driving around Southern California and watching five games in three days while getting about six hours of sleep each night, my first impression is there are some very good offensive lines this season.

The quarterbacks and running backs at Anaheim Servite, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Orange Lutheran and Gardena Serra are going to appreciate the big bodies up front.

Amazing things can happen when there are good blockers. Among the stars in the making are Notre Dame junior LeRoy Tanoai, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound tackle who can dance and run, and Orange Lutheran junior John Lopez, who’s 6-5, 315 pounds and doesn’t mind smashing linebackers to the turf.

Then there’s the right side of Serra’s line made up of 6-5, 348-pound Tavita Tua’au and 6-6, 339-pound Emerald Faletuipapai. I worry that a poor defensive back or a sportswriter might suffocate if Tua’au and Faletuipapai falls on top of them.

Smart choice

When in doubt, a coach always turns to the quarterback with intelligence. Conner Sullivan, with a grade-point average of 4.1 and being the class president, has taken over as the starter at Orange Lutheran, and what a debut he had.

He ran the option attack with precision on Saturday in a 42-7 win over Bingham (Utah). He passed for three touchdowns and ran for another. Not bad for a senior who’s going to Duke on a baseball scholarship.

From goat to hero

For months, Alex Ball of Westlake Village Westlake has been seeing highlights of his missed field goal in the Northern Division championship game against Oaks Christian. On Saturday night, he got another chance and delivered. His 27-yard field goal in overtime gave the Warriors a 30-27 win over Del Oro near Sacramento.

“I did come through,” Ball said. “Last year, it was tough to miss, but I’ve been practicing, and I had to make it.”

Serra League perfection

All five Serra League teams won their openers, which probably means it’s going to be a brutally tough league season for Notre Dame, Encino Crespi, Mission Hills Alemany, Los Angeles Loyola and La Puente Bishop Amat.

“I’m telling everyone every team is better than last year,” Alemany Coach Dean Herrington said. “It’s going to be a dogfight.”

Instant replay needed

Instant replay for high school football could have helped Oaks Christian in its 31-21 loss to Bellevue (Wash.) on Saturday night. Leading, 24-21, and facing a third-and-long from the 38 with three minutes left, Bellevue got lucky when the officials ruled a pass was caught on the Oaks Christian 12. A TV replay indicated the ball hit the ground. The play led to a game-clinching touchdown.

Defensive coordinator Mark Bates said one of the officials told him, “If I missed it, I apologize.”

Oaks Christian struggled against Bellevue’s wing-T offense, and new quarterback Luke Falk had three passes intercepted.

Sweet revenge

Long Beach Poly gave its fans something to cheer about in defeating Sacramento Grant, 24-23, on Saturday night in Sacramento. Grant upset the Jackrabbits in the 2008 state championship bowl game. Randall Goforth blocked an extra-point attempt with 4 1/2 minutes left.

Big games

What a week ahead for showdown games. Mission Viejo travels to New Jersey to face Don Bosco, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today. Carson plays Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium. Santa Margarita and Tesoro clash at Saddleback College. And Corona Centennial hosts Ventura St. Bonaventure.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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