Harvard-Westlake Plans to Pass Football Behind Heltzer

A gifted quarterback can go a long way in high school football, and Harvard-Westlake High's football team figures to rely heavily on Max Heltzer, one of just a handful of experienced returnees in what looks like a rebuilding season.

After completing 56 percent of passes for 1,557 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, Heltzer passed for 208 yards and a touchdown Sept. 3 in an opening 47-16 loss at Venice, a top City Section program that recovered three Harvard-Westlake fumbles.

Making it that much tougher this season is Harvard-Westlake's switch from the Del Rey League and Southern Section Northwest Division to the more competitive Mission League and Western Division.

So now, instead of having to contend with mighty Oaks Christian every year, Harvard-Westlake must deal with national power Serra.

"Every year, it's always going to be a challenge. We look forward to the challenge," Heltzer said. "You just have to work hard, and sometimes you have to work extra hard because we're in a tougher division. We have a chip on our shoulder."

Even though Harvard-Westlake lost to Venice, it looks like there are a couple of dependable receivers in Noor Fateh and Lewis Dix. Fateh caught nine passes for 117 yards, and Dix had five receptions for 107 yards.

Harvard-Westlake also has returned running back Jamias Jones, who rushed for 50 yards in the opener.

Harvard-Westlake has a couple of key defensive linemen in returnees Adam Wolf and Andrew Green, but otherwise there are a lot of new faces. Wolf had 80 tackles and five sacks last year, and Green had 10 sacks.

Wolf is only 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, which means he's going against linemen that usually outweigh him by 100 pounds, but the senior is one of the Mission League's top players.

Wolf does not think his size, or lack thereof, is a disadvantage.

"I just get low and stay low. It's pretty easy," Wolf said. "If you stay low and under the other guy's pad level, it doesn't matter if the other guy is 6-5."

Harvard-Westlake also returns Will Oliver, one of the division's top kickers. After kicking six field goals as a junior and booming most his kickoffs into the end zone, he kicked a 33-yard field goal against Venice, and all four of his kickoffs were touchbacks.

Coach Vic Eumont said Oliver has one of the strongest legs in the area.

Harvard-Westlake is 0-1-1 after tying Fairfax of L.A. 14-14 on Friday.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE FOOTBALL

Players to watch

Noor Fateh, WR, Sr. – He made a big splash in an opening loss at Venice by catching nine passes for 117 yards.

Andrew Green, DL, Jr.  – A 6-2, 185-pounder, Green burst onto the scene last season as sophomore with 10 sacks. He plays a big role in helping Harvard-Westlake assert itself up front.

Max Heltzer, QB, Sr. – A prodigy of renowned private instructor Steve Clarkson, Heltzer is a stocky 6-foot, 210-pounder who is coming off a big junior season that included 1,557 yards passing and 17 touchdowns.

Jamias Jones, RB, Jr. – After rushing for 700 yards with 17 receptions and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore, Jones is ready to continue his key role as Harvard-Westlake's No. 1 tailback. He possesses good quickness and good hands, and he loves to score touchdowns.

Will Oliver, PK, Sr. – A three-sport athlete who also plays soccer and lacrosse, Oliver kicked six field goals as a junior while recording touchbacks on 43 of 58 kickoffs.

Adam Wolf, DL, Sr. – Just 5-9 and 165 pounds, Wolf has great technique and a knack for creating havoc for opponents. As a junior, he had 80 tackles, five sacks and one pass deflection.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE FOOTBALL

Coach: Vic Eumont

Nickname: Wolverines

School address: 3700 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City

League: Mission

Division: CIF Western Division

Colors: Red, white and black

SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 Venice L 16-47

Sept. 10 Fairfax, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Leuzinger, 7 p.m.

Sept. 24 Sylmar, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Alemany, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 Chaminade, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 Cathedral, 7 p.m.

Oct. 29 at Serra, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 at St. Paul, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 St. Francis, 7 p.m.