Finally touched base with Chatsworth coach Rick Hayashida, and he says a report that 10 players have quit the team -- including standout linebacker Josh Hamon -- is not true.

"Josh is here. He was at practice today. He never left," Hayashida said.

Hayashida conceded that one key has been dismissed for disciplinary reasons, and a handful of others are dealing with academic eligibility issues, but he otherwise has a full team.

Actually, Hayashida, in his second season, believes the Chacellors are going to have quite a good season, based on the return of Harmon and quarterback John Cardona, plus the emergence of receiver A.J. Little, who has regained eligibility after sitting out last season because of grades; Little looked terrific during the summer.

"We're going to be right there," Hayashida said."I don't know where all these rumors are coming from."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Brian Gibson, who has been an integral part of Village Christian of Sun Valley athletics for the past two decades - most recently as girls basketball coach - has moved to Lancaster and been named athletic director at Desert Christian.

Gibson coached the boys basketball team for several years at Village Christian before taking over the girls program the last few years.

Monroe had a turnaround season last year, going from 2-8 in '06 to 7-4, including a second-place finish in the Valley Mission League.

Buidling on such sucess won't be easy, though, because the Vikings graduated 25 seniors, including top running back Germi Morrison and key LB Chris Andrade, and coach Don Senegal is still trying to figure out who goes where.

"We probably have 12-15 kids coming back, so we're rebuilding," Senegal said.

The good news is quarterback Rodrigo Loredo returns, and he was one of the team's best players last season despite missing three games because of an injury. He probably will throw a lot to junior Christian Figueroa, the top newcomer.

Starting linebackers Jonathan Diaz and Daniel James are back, too.

"We're going to be competitive and play tough and run around and hit people," Senegal said. "We'll be fine."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Tommy Edwards, who transferred from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks to Grant of Van Nuys after losing the starting QB job to Ryan Kasdorf has been cleared to play by the L.A.U.S.D. Athletics office according to coach Miguel Gonzalez.

"He has been cleared and Tommy has taken over the QB job with intelligent play, a great arm and strong work ethic," Gonzalez said. "We are very fortunate to have him."

Robert Luper and Chase McDowell were battling for the starting spot but will now be relegated to back up status.

Kennedy should have a strong program with the return of staring quarterback Antonio Esquivia and a group of returning defensive starters including junior linebackers Hector Castaneda and Vito Mafeei -- the "heart and soul of our defense," coach Dion Lambert said -- and three-year starter Chris Fierro.

However, the Golden Cougars (4-7 in '07) could very well start 0-3, as the first three opponents are top Southern Section programs: Alemany (8-4 in '07), Palmdale (11-3), then Compton (8-3).

"You've got to be challenged these days. It's all about playing the best," Lambert said. "You won't get much better by playing 'Sisters of the Poor.' Even if you get your face kicked in against a big team, at least you learn something. You know you're going to be seeing good teams in the playoffs, and it won't be such a shock."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Ten Chatsworth players have quit the football team, including standout returning linebacker Josh Harmon, according to two West Valley League sources.

Chatsworth coach Rick Hayashida and athletic director Mike Immken have not returned numerous calls from the Daily News seeking comment.

The mutiny is the latest in a string of embarassing episodes at Chatsworth, including former girls' JV basketball coach Andre LaBeach's guilty plea to a felony sex charge in June.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

San Fernando is unleashing an intriguing prospect this season, Juan Rodriguez, a mammoth 6-foot-8 1/2, 375-pound junior offensive lineman,

"He's looking real good. He's dominating," coach Tom Hernandez said. "He played on the frosh-soph team last year, but this year he's starting to get mad and to really push people around. He's become a real good football player."

Hernandez has been associated with the program on and off for more than 30 years. He says he has never seen a bigger football player at the school.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

32 teams are entered for the San Fernando Valley Invitational tournament in the middle of December. The tournament will be held at four sites which include Crespi, Kennedy, Granada Hills and Alemany. The teams participating are listed below.

Alemany
Beverly Hills
Birmingham
Burbank
Burroughs
Canyon
Chaminade
Chatsworth
Crespi
El Camino Real
El Camino (Oceanside)
Golden Valley
Granada Hills
Grant
Hart
Kennedy
Knight
LAB
Lancaster
Milken
Monroe
Montclair Prep
Notre Dame
Palisades
Poly
Reseda
San Fernando
St. Bonaventure
University (Los Angeles)
Venice
View Park
West Ranch

Well, son of a gun. Nick Montana, the child of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, has won the coveted starting quarterback job at Oaks Christian High in Westlake Village, the announcement coming Saturday following six weeks of competition with Tony Macarena.

"It's an honor. I'm very excited," Montana said. "This is a great-looking team."

Both quarterbacks are transfers from national powers. Montana, a junior, arrived from Concord De La Salle, while Macarena, a senior, is from St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

"I just felt like Nick Montana was a little bit ahead as far as decision-making," Redell said. "Tony is disappointed. He's a competitive kid, but he's handling it well. He's still going to play, but Nick is going to start."

Oaks Christian has won five consecutive Southern Section championships.

Montana will be blessed with a group of top receivers, including Arizona State-bound tight end Christopher Coyle, who had 19 receptions for 264 yards and four touchdowns last year. Brian Owusu, who has been offered by Duke, also returns, along with Ryan Landseadel. Then there is freshman phenom Payton Jordan, who could immediately develop into one of the Tri-Valley League's brightest young stars.

Also returning is Malcolm Jones, the Daily News' preseason No. 1 running back. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season and also totaled 14 receptions for 290 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yarder.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Expelled from Crespi High because of academic and disciplinary reasons, top linebacker Lucky Radley has enrolled at Taft and is scheduled to begin football practice Monday, said Taft coach Matt Kerstetter.

"He's here today (Friday), and he's taken care of all his enrollment paperwork," Kerstetter said.

Radley, a junior, totaled more than 100 tackles with five sacks to help Crespi to the Pac 5 final last season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com