People make decisions every day, but none have more ramifications than their chosen course of education.

So when the debate between public schools and private schools arises, the process can be polarizing.

For two local families, the decision took them out of the Santa Clarita Valley. For two other families, it brought them into the valley.

But for local residents and Bishop Alemany seniors Vernon Adams, Akeem Gonzales and D.J. Waitman and junior Kyle De Vaughn, it gave them the opportunity to build something new.

"We wouldn't be where we are right now without this core of four players that are from the Santa Clarita Valley," says Bishop Alemany head coach and Valencia resident Dean Herrington.

Adams and Gonzales are both transplants from Pasadena, whose move was predicated on the desire to be closer to Alemany. Waitman and De Vaughn, who live in Valencia and Castaic, respectively, are originally from the valley.

Both Waitman and De Vaughn say their decision to go to high school outside of the valley was a difficult one.

"At first, when my parents told me that I was going to Alemany, I was not very happy because none of my friends were going there," Waitman says. "I wanted to go with my friends at Valencia."

Now, he says he wouldn't change anything, and for the same reasons as De Vaughn.

"The reason why I went to Alemany was I really wanted to be a part of something new," he says.

With Gonzales, Waitman and De Vaughn all starting on the offensive line last season, and Adams starting under center, the Warriors advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Western Division championship game for the first time in school history.

A late field goal by Mira Costa, though, left Alemany short of the title, but motivated heading into 2010.

"That kind of put our name out there, on the map," said Adams, who lives in Newhall. "Teams know about us and that we're coming. We're headhunting now."

The carryover was evident in this year's season opener, when the Warriors beat powerhouse Oaks Christian 20-17.

Adams was 11-of-17 in the game for 106 yards, with one touchdown passing and another rushing.

"He's one of the best I've ever worked with," Herrington says. "He's just super smart. He's like having another coach on the field."

Despite his mobility, at 6 feet tall, Adams says he is smaller than many colleges would like. As a result, some coaches have talked about him playing defensive back or receiver, he says.

Gonzales is a different story. He has received offers from some Pac-10 and Mountain West Conference schools.

"Half the schools wanted him at defensive line and half want him at offensive line," Herrington says.

Listed as 6 feet, 4 inches tall and 250 pounds, Gonzales has also become a successful wrestler, winning three Mission League championships.

"If you lose, you can only blame it on yourself," he says. "If you win, the glory goes to you. And as a lineman, you don't really get that much glory."

While the entire line has been cohesive, De Vaughn also credits his friends with the local ties.

"I think me and D.J. and Akeem, we really get along," he says. "We have a strong connection. We get along with each other and we make a great offensive line."

De Vaughn was named the team's Offensive Player of the Week by the coaches after Friday's win.

As a junior with hopes of one day playing the Pac-10, he knows he's got work to do to continue his football career.

Waitman agrees.

He's been around the game his whole life. His father Dan has been involved with the SCVAA Warriors for years.
As good as the team looked in its season opener, D.J. says Alemany can't relax if it wants to build off its early victory.

"I think we are in midseason form on offense," Waitman says. "On defense, a little more practice in games, and we should be on top of our game."