When you talk to coaches, one of the recurring themes is their intent to create adversity in practice on a daily basis, in order to prepare their teams mentally for the adversity they will face in the pressure of a game. At De Anza High School in El Sobrante, coach Tyree Reed knows that the adversity he creates in practice pales in comparison to that which some of his student-athletes have already faced off the field.
Junior Teddy Bing is a standout two-way starter for the Dons, who are currently 2-1 after beating Ygnacio Valley 41-22 last Friday. Bing could have easily folded a couple years ago, when his father was murdered in front of their house, while Teddy was inside. Instead, he has become one of Reed's go-to guys.
"He has become that player who can do anything we need," Reed said. "He plays defensive end, tight end, and wide receiver, but really he is a utility player for us. He's reliable anywhere I need to put him. I know he's going to work hard to get the job done."
While Bing's situation is certainly among the most tragic, senior Gabriel Sable has not had an easy road either. Sable was raised by his grandmother after losing both parents when he was young. Any pent up frustration Sable may have is displaced on his opponents.
"He's as aggressive of a player you will see out there," Reed said. "He's channeling that energy onto the field."
Tragedy away from school are not the only battles faced by the Dons. All-purpose star Devon 'Day Day' King fell behind academically early in life, with no consistent family structure to get him on track. His learning struggles early in his academic career, however, created a work ethic and drive to succeed. Now, the same player who had over 500 all-purpose yards in the first two games, also holds a 3.6 grade point average in his classes. This past Friday, King exploded for 158 rushing yards, two touchdowns on the ground, and another through the air.
"We can line (Devon) up anywhere," Reed said. "He has a great first step, and poses a unique challenge for defenders."
King's multi-faceted ability is complemented by hard-running Loren Calhoun, who had 144 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries in a 34-31 loss to Bradshaw Christian two weeks ago, and followed it up with another 100-yard effort against Ygnacio Valley. Calhoun has battled learning disabilities himself, notably ADD, to thrive in the classroom, on the field, and on campus.
"(Loren) is a true leader," Reed said. "Kids follow him."
As a result of the battles they have faced, these Dons understand the concept of sacrifice in order to achieve success.
"These kids, they pull for each other, especially when faced with adversity," Reed said. "They are eager to battle together and willing to do whatever it takes."
For former starting quarterback Richie Kirbyson, also an All-NCS selection in baseball, that meant a position change to receiver in order to best serve the program. He responded with a seven-catch, 115-yard performance against Bradshaw Christian, and followed it up with five more catches, including a touchdown, in the win over Ygnacio Valley. He also made a recent visit to Sacramento State, hosted as one of their potential recruits at receiver.
"He runs amazing routes, and was actually excited to make the move," Reed said. "He could be a Division I receiver."
Kirbyson’s move to receiver also opened the door at quarterback for sophomore Taemon Evans, who threw for 228 yards and three scores in last week’s victory. Then, of course, there is the steady play of senior captain Rico Tolefree. Tolefree has also garnered interest from Sacramento State, and is the rock in the middle of the Dons defense. He also scored from his tight end position last week.
Last season, De Anza went 6-4 in the regular season before falling to Alhambra in the playoffs, and went 3-3 in TCAL Stone Division play. Optimism is high this season with the departure of Swett, Berean Christian, and Valley Christian, the three teams to beat the Dons in league play last year. The challenge is clear, though, as all five teams in the division are .500 or better, three weeks into the season.
The Dons have big wins over both Lower Lake and Ygnacio Valley, sandwiched around that three-point loss to Bradshaw Christian. That loss, in itself, showed improvement from last year's 35-14 loss.
Hercules is a league favorite, after dropping down from the Rock Division, and the Titans have started 3-0. De Anza and Hercules meet in the regular season finale on November 4. Kennedy-Richmond is also 3-0, led by a stingy defense in lopsided wins over Galt, Lincoln, and Drake.
Richmond is 2-1 with wins over Lowell and Washington, while Albany is 1-1.
Making the connection
Three weeks into the regular season, and a few pass-catch duos have emerged as threats to watch all season long.
One of the big question marks coming into the season for Monte Vista was who would catch Jake Haener’s accurate throws, after his top five pass-catchers last season all graduated. Enter senior Isaiah Randle, who transferred from De La Salle following a family move. Through two games, Randle has emerged as the Mustangs’ big threat, catching 12 balls for 293 yards and five touchdowns as Monte Vista has sprinted to a 2-0 start with wins over Deer Valley and Foothill.
Up in Rohnert Park, the graduation of former three-year starter Gunner Mefferd at quarterback, along with his favorite target, current Louisville player Chris Taylor-Yamanoha, left holes at both positions for Rancho Cotate. A pair of juniors have filled those shoes early in the season, as Jake Simmons has teamed up with Jaelen Ward to put up some sparkling numbers through the first two games. Ward has 24 catches for 462 yards and four touchdowns through two games, as Simmons’ favorite target. Simmons has thrown for 906 yards and 12 touchdowns, completing 65 percent of his passes through the two games.
Meanwhile, the tandem we expected to see dominate has done just that, as Berean Christian receiver Isaiah Hodgins is again putting up big numbers on the receiving end of Chandler Davis’ throws. Hodgins has 36 catches for 580 yards and seven touchdowns through three games, while Davis has thrown for 897 yards and 11 scores in the same time frame.
Speaking of Hodgins, the Pac-12 recruit has set up a few of his official college visits, following his de-commitment from Washington State. He will visit Nebraska on October 1, Oregon State the following weekend, and heads to Eugene for a University of Oregon visit on October 29. Hodgins is also planning an official visit to Washington State at some point.
Heritage eyeing possible school history
After beating previously unbeaten Acalanes on Friday, 28-14, Heritage has a chance to tie and then make some school history, starting this week.
With a road win over Edison-Stockton (0-2) this week, the Patriots can equal the best start in the school’s history, a 4-0 start during the 2010 season, when coach Jeff Haagenson eventually led Heritage to an 8-2 regular season record and a win over Pittsburg in the first round of the playoffs. That team suffered its first loss, 38-34, to a Concord team which was led by coach Brian Hamilton and quarterback Ricky Llloyd, and would go on to win the North Coast Section Division II title.
If the Patriots can beat Edison on the road, they would then have the chance to set the mark for the best start in school history when they host Berkeley on September 23, which also marks Homecoming on the Brentwood campus.
Chewing up ground
Everyone already knew Pittsburg would feature senior running back Montaz Thompson heading into this season, after Thompson ran for the third-highest regular season total in school history last year, with 1,412 yards on the ground, not including the post-season. But few probably expected the start he has had this season.
Through three games, Thompson leads the section with 839 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns, on just 61 carries. His 376-yard performance last week against Serra ranks second in school history behind Harris Ross’ 464 yards against Monte Vista in 2013. And it is Ross’ single-season record he is also chasing; Ross ran for 1,831 regular season yards in that same year.
Getting defensive
Miramonte is known for its prolific passing game, but one constant through the first three games this year has been a Will Cassriel interception. Cassriel has had one pick in each game, and one of his three touchdowns this season came on an interception return in the season opener against Vanden. Concord’s Greg Sandoval is also tied for the section lead with three interceptions this year.
Concord is also providing a pass rush, as senior Deandre Morgan currently leads the section with seven and a half sacks. Hayward’s Joseph Patterson and Kennedy-Richmond’s Ryan ‘Juice’ Robinson are tied for second with six sacks apiece.
