St. Francis' Christian Hess is going from football to rugby player

Christian Hess was a 6-foot-2 receiver at La Canada St. Francis who caught 24 passes for 546 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior, averaging 22.8 yards per catch.

But instead of continuing football in college, he's headed to California to play rugby. He attended a rugby camp, was recognized as a good athlete and recruited to Cal.

His father is thoroughbred horse racing trainer Bob Hess Jr.

There could be a family rivalry brewing, because Hess graduated from Stanford in 1987.

Don't expect Christian to return and become a trainer, though.

"Don't be like me. Make real money," his father has told him.

-- Eric Sondheimer