Shortly before the 2014 season began, Serra coach Patrick Walsh did not know who his starting quarterback would be.
He wound up going with a converted sophomore running back, Leki Nunn, who helped lead the Padres to a WCAL co-title with Valley Christian -- though transfer Hunter Bishop started the second half of the 2014 season at QB with Nunn moving to running back.
A year later, Nunn’s grasp on the quarterback spot seems more secure. Nunn in Serra’s just-completed 2015 season (the Padres are banned from the playoffs because of the Milpitas forfeit last season) led the league in both passing and rushing during the regular season.
The fleet and strong-armed junior completed 113 of 187 passes for 1,766 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. That edged Archbishop Riordan’s Jacky Luavasa who finished the regular season with 1,629 yards on 109 of 192 passing for 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions (all statistics according to MaxPreps.com).
Valley Christian’s Miles Kendrick threw for 1,107 yards, St. Francis’ Kamali’I Akina for 934 and Archbishop Mitty’s Sam Serra 881.
Nunn also topped everyone in rushing during the regular season with 1,068 yards on 140 carries with 11 touchdowns. St. Francis’ Cyrus Habibi-Likio was second with 1,019 yards, Archbishop Riordan’s Raymone Sanders was third with 956, Serra’s Kelepi Lataimua fourth with 953 and Valley Christian’s Morian Walker Jr. fifth with 819.
“He’s a legitimate QB,” said South San Francisco coach Jay Oca whose team fell to Serra in the non-league season. “He’s a threat to throw or run. You have to account for him with an extra man (on defense) and that opens a lot of windows for them. He’s a great athlete who’s fast, has a quick release and makes good decisions. I’m not surprised he led in passing and rushing.”
During 10 games, including facing some top teams in De La Salle, Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks, Bellarmine, St. Francis, Archbishop Riordan and Mitty, Nunn averaged 283.4 total yards per game.
Asked what he thought of Nunn’s unusual accomplishment, Serra coach Patrick Walsh said: “I think I’m glad he’s a junior!”
