Brandon McCullough will likely be a key...

Brandon McCullough will likely be a key member of Saugus’ backfield by midseason, but he will be running for the junior varsity when the Centurions open against Royal.

McCullough, a junior transfer from Kentucky, needs to establish legal guardianship before Coach Ron Hilton will play him.

“It’s not important enough to me to jeopardize a game,” said Hilton.

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Antelope Valley could have six sophomores in its lineup this year, including defensive back-receiver Johnny Walker.

Coach Brent Newcomb pointed out Wednesday that his talented sophomore wasn’t even the only Johnny Walker in the region.

Safety John Walker of Birmingham has committed to USC.

“I was kidding him, saying ‘That’s the real Johnny Walker.’ ”

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You have to get up pretty early in the morning to get a jump on Newcomb. Really early.

Newcomb routinely awakes at 3:15 a.m. and goes to the gym by 3:30.

Commitment?

“No,” said wife, Pam. “It’s crazy is what it is.”