SAN BRUNO -- When the moment arrives for Justin Ewing, he may not hear the roar of the crowd at full volume, but the cheers will most assuredly be there.
Ewing, during Saturday's game at Mills (2 pm), may break the Central Coast Section record of 2,798 rushing yards in one season. He has 2,520 after nine games and so 279 or more will give him the record. And with Capuchino having clinched a CCS playoff berth, Ewing will have at least two games to break the record.
Even more remarkable, Ewing is hearing impaired and wears hearing aids in both ears while he plays. In one game his sophomore year, play had to be halted after a hearing aid fell to the turf, prompting a quick, all-out search for the device.
"I think it's phenomenal," said Valdia Johnson-Ewing," the mother of Cap's star player. "He loves football and he's really good at it and I'm proud of him. And he's doing really well in school and I'm really proud of that."
Ewing has close to a 3.0 GPA in school, but it's been on the football field where he's gained notoriety, beginning with a CCS-record 494 yards he gained Sept. 14 in a 35-28 victory against Gunn. He scored three touchdowns that day, including a 72-yarder for Cap (5-4, 4-0 PAL-Lake) which has already clinched at least a PAL-Lake Division co-title.
"I was really proud of him," Ewing's mother said. "When he had that breakaway where he ran away from the whole (Gunn) team, I thought that was outstanding; it was something to see.
"The hearing problem isn't holding him back. He's not any different than anyone else. The only unique thing is that he has a hearing aid."
During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Cap had two hearing impaired players on the team -- Ewing and the graduated Jordan Griffiths, a wide receiver/defensive back.
"When I first started there were small complications," said Ewing, who also reads lips. "But the coaches were very patient and worked hard on solutions. I used to wear a wrist band with the plays on them, but I don't need it anymore."
Added injured teammate Ezekiel Ross: "It doesn't hinder him at all. He's been playing here since he was a freshman, so we're all used to it. And he's playing so good even with the hearing (impairment) that we all look up to him."
The 6-foot, 195-pound senior is the son of Valdia Johnson-Ewing of East Palo Alto and Darryl Ewing of San Leandro. Mother and son formerly lived in San Bruno, but now the Cap star takes the train to attend the campus located near the border between San Bruno and Millbrae.
Valdia said her father Frank Johnson of Texas, who was nicknamed "Squirrel," was an outstanding high school football player; and her sister Shellea was a tremendous sprinter at Menlo-Atherton High.
She also said her son loves to read and is a bit of daredevil, as evidenced by a day at Northstar in Lake Tahoe when she was looking for him after a full day of skiing and snowboarding.
"I glanced up and Justin came snowboarding down this huge mountain and then he flips two times and goes through the net barrier. Everybody was gasping and holding their breath and then he throws up his hands and waves to show that he's all right. It made me laugh."
Ewing credits his mother with much of his development and success.
"My mom has done everything in her power to raise me and love me and provide for me," Ewing said. "I appreciate what she has done for me."
Ewing also heaps praise on his stout offensive line which consists of left tackle Xeryus Collins (6-0, 305), left guard George Fifita (5-9, 250), center Julian Fang (5-10, 180), right guard Royal Ale (6-0, 245) and right tackle Brandon Loria (6-0, 228), with help from tight end Zach Kohtz (6-3, 220).
"Justin is unselfish and it's a credit to the entire team for where he's at," Cap coach Adam Hyndman said. "He worked hard in the off-season and his determination and work ethic have paid off."
It is not unprecedented for a hearing impaired player to excel. There are full teams of deaf students at California School for the Deaf-Fremont and CSD-Riverside.
There have also been two deaf players to compete in the National Football League -- Bonnie Sloan of the St. Louis Cardinals (1973) and Kenny Walker of the Denver Broncos (early 1990s).
A deaf player, quarterback Paul Hubbard of Gallaudet University, is also credited with inventing the football huddle back in 1894 when he pulled his teammates into a circle to prevent their opponents from stealing their hand signals.
But Ewing is not completely bereft of hearing, nor is he trying to change football history -- he's just trying to break a prestigious record.
"I'll feel pretty good if I can do it," Ewing said. "I'll be proud of my team and myself for putting in the work and dedication to get it."
