This is the place

Thalassa Stadium, at San Clemente High, is the best place for a high school football game. The crowds always are big and spirited, as was the case again Friday when the Tritons played Dana Hills. The San Clemente community supports its high school football team like few others. The new scoreboard there is the best in the county, and the artificial turf is outstanding.

Childs growing up

He showed so much promise his sophomore year but did not seem to progress much as a junior. Now, as a senior receiver at Los Alamitos, Jeremy Childs is living up to his potential. His 15 receptions, including four catches in overtime, led the Griffins to a 31-24 victory over Edison in a game that might have determined the Sunset League championship. Childs is the best receiver in Orange County, and he has a strong-armed quarterback, Jimmy Barnes, who can get the football to him.

Overtime

Several leagues' rules call for overtime to be played when league games are tied at the end of regulation. Thankfully, the Sunset League is one of those leagues, so Los Alamitos and Edison were able to play an exciting overtime to finish an exciting game.

MIA=MVP

The value of Fullerton quarterback/defensive back Xavier Hicks perhaps was best proved Friday night. Fullerton scored touchdowns on its first two drives and had a 13-0 lead over Sunny Hills when an ankle sprain took Hicks out of the game. Without Hicks, Fullertongained 92yards in five series and lost, 14-13.

Same old story

Newport Harbor is undefeated and winning in the traditional Sailors way - ball-control offense and tough defense. Quarterback Kasey Peters gives the Sailors a big-play dimension, but it is mostly the Trevor Theriot-led running game and a defense that has allowed an average of 10 points a game that have them in good position to win at least a share of the Sea View League championship.