HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Taft (3-0) knows it will be in for a test today against Kennedy (2-0-1). But the Toreadors don’t know if Coach Troy Starr will be by their side.

Starr’s appeal of a two-game suspension for holding a practice on Labor Day will be heard today.

“A lot of people are talking about that, but as a team, we’ve ignored it,” quarterback Rick Clausen said. “[Starr] calls all the offensive plays. If he misses the game, it will be an adjustment for me. But we haven’t talked about it.”

Clausen’s protection--already excellent--is better with the return of tackle Matt Hitt, whose leg injury is healed. Clausen, a reserve behind his brother Casey last season at Alemany, has completed 59 of 82 passes for 848 yards and eight touchdowns.

“I’m just starting to get the reads down and Coach Starr is opening up the offense,” he said. “The line is fabulous. They make it easy to sit back there and throw the ball.”