[KHTS] – It’s a longstanding tradition within the Hart football program for a past quarterback to call the current starter prior to a big game.

The call Indians junior quarterback Brady White received prior to winning the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division Championship game against Valencia on Dec. 6 proved to be more than tradition.

It was prophetic.

White received pregame advice from former starter Sean Norton, the last Hart quarterback to win a CIF title, which he says he’ll be careful to heed heading into Saturday’s CIF State Regional Championship Bowl game against Chaminade of West Hills.

“First of all, he congratulated me on the season and getting there,” White recalls. “He just said to get out there and execute. Don’t try to play outside of yourself and be a hero. Just shoot for positive yardage and execute.”

White wound up completing 23 of 37 passes for 316 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in the 28-21 win over Valencia.

On the season, he’s thrown for 4,307 yards, 40 touchdowns and 17 picks.

The second-year varsity quarterback now has 6,882 passing yards in two seasons. When he enters his senior year, White will be well within striking distance of Norton’s team passing record of 8,051 career yards.

“I think we have one of the most prolific offenses in the state, and I think we have one of the top receiving corps,” he says. “They are all studs. … I’m just getting the ball into my receivers.”

That corps includes seniors Davis Koppenhaver, Chase White, Wes Fitzpatrick and Andrew MacArthur and junior Trent Irwin, as well as dynamic back Connor Wingenroth.

“He’s progressed a lot since last year,” Wingenroth says. “He stays in the pocket better and makes better reads. Having that extra year under your belt really helps. The offense comes really natural to him, and he makes better decisions. He’s come a long way from his sophomore year.”

And when White gets the passing game going, the running game comes alive, opening up the entire playbook in the process.

It’s been a year of maturation for White, and his competitive nature, dedication to studying film and overall work ethic helped bring a CIF title back to Hart for the first time in 10 years – for the first time since Sean Norton lined up under center.

“Just being with these guys is awesome,” says White of the season. “We all love each and we’re all focused and determined to succeed. Just this whole season, the whole season has been amazing. I’m just enjoying the ride.”

Now with a CIF title under his belt, White has etched his name alongside former Hart greats like Kyle Boller, Kyle Matter, Matt Moore and Norton.

So given that accomplishment, just what is his place in Hart’s history?

“Well, we don’t really know,” says Indians head coach Mike Herrington. “We’ll have to wait and see his senior year and how things go from there.”

We’ll also see what happens Saturday.

After all, he could wind up surpassing them all – one positive yard at a time.

– Paul Putignano