Student Athlete of the Week: Caden Lockwood
Sport: Football Position: Running Back Class: 2011 School: San Pasqual High School Escondido, CA
Caden Lockwood was a pivotal player in his team’s defeat of rival, Orange Glen. Lockwood had 24 carries throughout the rivalry game, for a total of 145 yards. Lockwood scored on a 37 yard and 1 yard rush to add two touchdowns to the teams tally. San Pasqual edged out Orange Glen 37-29.
To view Caden’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/caden-lockwood-football-2011
Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
The Ultimate Student Athlete: Leadership Skills
It’s been said that leaders are born, not made, but this could not be any farther from the truth. While some people are born with effective leadership skills, many people are not and need help to develop those skills. Leadership is an important skill all student-athletes should possess. For this reason, I have listed five tips to help improve on your leadership skills.
1. Be optimistic
After losing a big game or having a hard practice, it’s easy to be hard on yourself and others. But by being pessimistic you aren’t helping anyone and may be actually bringing the whole team down. Keep high spirits and share your optimism with the whole team; it will motivate others to keep being positive.
2. Offer to help out your teammates
If you notice a fellow teammate is struggling at some position or skill, don’t discourage or belittle them; offer to help. By spending a little extra time to help your peers, you will show how much you care about the team and you will motivate others to help out too.
3. Show your dedication
Effective leaders show their dedication in a number of ways. Go to practice early and stay after to improve on your skills and to help others. Push yourself to practice at 110% every time. Ask your coaches for constructive criticism and what you can work on outside of practice. Doing such things will prove your dedication and will also rub off on others.
4. Take responsibility for your actions
No one is perfect. We all will have our bad days and make mistakes. When you make a mistake, whether in school, practice, or a game, take responsibility for it. Then express how you plan to avoid that mistake again, whether by practicing more or concentrating more at that skill or position. Your teammates and coaches will admire your honesty and dedication.
5. Make the team your priority
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to be the best player you can for personal benefits. However, leaders show that their main focus is the team as a whole, not just individual statistics. Leaders will take their skills and incorporate them so they fit well with the team.
Student Athlete of the Week: Christian Gallardi
Sport: Football Position: Quarterback Height: 6’3″ Class: 2011 School: Vista High School Vista, CA
The undefeated Vista Panthers are off to an amazing start this season with the help of senior QB, Christian Gallardi. Gallardi had a standout performance in his team’s game against Great Oak. Vista rolled over Great Oak 30-6 with Gallardi throwing for two touchdowns. Gallardi completed 18 of 26 passes for 322 yards.
To view Christian’s complete SportsForce profile click here – http://www.sportsforceonline.com/athletes/christian-gallardi-football-2011
Scouting report courtesy of SportsForce – Home for college Sports Recruiting Videos, Tips, Tools and Premium Services – www.sportsforceonline.com
619Sports: Helix Throttles Mount Miguel
The “Battle for the Claymore Sword” had been a one-sided affair for 22 years. Then, last season, Mount Miguel finally defeated their East County rivals from Helix 44-21, taking possession of the perpetual plaque with crossed swords which had gathered dust in the Highlanders’ trophy case.
Attention Helix High custodial staff: you can clear the old space for it once again.
Brandon Lewis threw for three of his four touchdown passes after halftime, and the Highlanders’ defense suffocated Mount Miguel’s first team offense completely in a 37-7 win at a packed Matador Stadium in Spring Valley.
Leaning on the strong running of junior tailback Darien Hancock (20 carries, 124 yards, 31-yard receiving TD), Helix’s zone-read offense wore down Mount Miguel’s stubborn defense, then forced the Matadors to commit a safety down into the box.
The result was lots of space outside for the Helix passing game, and Lewis took advantage. He was 6-for-6 for 122 yards and three touchdowns after halftime, using good protection to find his favorite targets Jimmy Pruitt (4 receptions, 61 yards, TD) and Sam Meredith (4 receptions, 37 yards, TD).
Lewis finished the game 13-for-17 for 182 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
Video postgame interview: Brandon Lewis
The real story was a Helix defense which is going to submit its name right next to Cathedral Catholic and Vista as the best in San Diego Section. For the fourth time in five games, the Helix first-team defensive unit did not allow a point to be scored against them. Led by Meredith, a hybrid tight end/defensive lineman who is being recruited by SDSU, BYU and Stanford, the Highlanders held Mount Miguel to 129 total yards, including just 20 rushing yards.
Mount Miguel star tailback Derrick Dunn, who came into the night with four 100+ yard rushing games and ten touchdowns in five games, struggled to get into positive yardage all night, finishing with ten carries for six yards and a touchdown.
The Highlanders pose as a team with the Claymore SwordHelix set the tone for the game in the first quarter with a bruising 14 play drive, chewing up over eight minutes of the clock. Hancock carried nine times on the drive for 53 of the 59 yards gained, as the Scotties ground their way to the Matadors’ 17 yard line. The result of the march was a Jake Reed 32 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.
With Mount Miguel going three-and-out on their final four possessions of the first half, Helix would have plenty of time to find their way offensively. Lewis capped a 10 play, 62 yard drive with a fourth down, 3 yard touchdown pass to Meredith at the 4:04 mark of the second quarter, putting the Highlanders ahead 10-0. They would hold the lead into halftime, along with a yardage advantage of 146-42.
It was just a preview of the carnage to come, as Mount Miguel committed to stopping Hancock in the second half, and Helix took advantage. A screen to Meredith for 25 yards jump-started the opening drive of the third quarter, which finished with Lewis hitting a wide open Pruitt for a 10-yard slant pass touchdown and a 17-0 lead.
After another three-and-out courtesy of the Helix defense, Lewis came out firing. He arced a 25 yard pass to reserve wideout Romello Carbuccia, then hit Hancock underneath the defense for a 31-yard catch-and-run screen pass touchdown. 24-0 Helix.
Four plays later, it was 31-0. Mount Miguel quarterback Ernest Williams (6-for-13, 37 yards) was sacked on the next series, with Meredith recovering his fumble. On the next play, Lewis took advantage of good protection to fire a slant over the middle for Cameron Lee. The junior wideout caught the pass in stride and took it right up the middle of the field for Lewis’ third touchdown target in six throws.
Second team Helix running back Michael Atkins was the beneficiary of an exhausted Matadors defense in the fourth quarter, rushing eight times for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Mount Miguel finally scored with 1:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, but only after the backup Helix long snapper rolled a ground ball out to his punter on fourth and long, setting up the Matadors on the four yard line. Dunn took it in for a 37-7 score.
On the next play, Helix crouched in victory formation but somehow four Matadors players managed to perfectly time the snap and jump over the top of the line, forcing a fumble. Mount Miguel recovered, a rare and incredible play that seemed wasted on a 30-point game. It indeed was wasted, as the Matadors worked behind backup QB Dee’Jay Nolen (6-for-13, 72 yards, INT) for a few extra yards but no more points.
619Sports: Vista Holds Off Oceanside on Goal Line Stand
It came down to eight plays inside the Vista 12 yard line. Eight chances for Oceanside to put six points on the board. The Pirates tried everything from power runs and slant passes to misdirection and finally, a trick play gone wrong.
The Panthers didn’t break. In doing so, the Panthers broke a four-year streak of county domination by Oceanside and claimed a win for the ages.
The #1 ranked Vista Panthers (4-0) twice stopped #4 Oceanside (2-2) on a fourth down situation inside their seven-yard line, forced five turnovers and four sacks, and still held on for dear life to beat the Pirates 27-21 at Dick Haines Stadium.
The 619 Preps Game of the Week lived up to its billing, with two of the top programs in the county trading body blows. Vista trailed 14-10 at halftime but scored two third-quarter touchdowns to take the lead. After building a 27-14 advantage, the Panthers withstood a relentless charge by Oceanside, including an onside kick recovered with 2:42 left in the fourth quarter.
“This is a game you’ll always have in your memories, but it’s not a game that defines our season,” head coach Dan Williams told his team after the game. The Panthers have higher hopes, primarily a return trip to Qualcomm Stadium.
A win over Oceanside is nothing to sneeze at, though. The Pirates hadn’t lost to a San Diego Section team since falling at Helix 28-20 on August 31st, 2007.
The Panthers’ offensive line overcame early struggles to open holes for senior tailback Shakeel Marshall, who rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns. 127 of his yards came in the second half, including 70 yards on Vista’s go-ahead 6 play, 80 yard touchdown drive to start the third quarter.
“In the first half, we weren’t sure what to expect,” said Marshall, “We made our adjustment in the locker room and we executed it.”
Postgame video interviews: Stefan McClure/Shakeel Marshall
The adjustment Oceanside needed to make was to screw the football in a bit more tightly. Returning from injury, senior tailback Noah Tarrant (15 carries, 75 yards, TD) lost fumbles on two of his first three touches, setting the tone for a night of Pirate giveaways.
Sophomore Pirates quarterback Tofi Pao Pao again showed off a cannon arm and tight spiral which will undoubtedly make him one of the top players in the county in coming years. He finished 13-for-29 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw an interception and lost a fumble.
Credit has to go to the Vista defense, which on three different occasions turned aside the Pirates inside their red zone without allowing any points. The first was a crucial defensive stop to end the second quarter. Leading 14-10 on a 16-yard touchdown run by Tarrant and Pao Pao’s 10-yard scoring target to Nate Small, the Pirates got the ball on their own 7 yard line with 4:12 remaining in the half.
Oceanside marched 81 yards in seven plays to the Vista 12 yard line and threatened to take an eleven point lead into the locker room. Instead, Panthers linemen Justin Ponce and Joey McFadden came up with back-to-back sacks to push the Pirates back to the 18. From there Jose Basurto’s 35 yard field goal try missed wide left with 24 seconds left before halftime.
Marshall’s 37 yard run out of a broken tackle highlighted the Panthers’ opening drive of the third quarter, which was capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Vista quarterback Christian Gallardi to senior wideout Stefan McClure (5 receptions, 56 yards).
The Vista defense continued to pound away at Pao Pao, who showed great toughness for a sophomore hanging in the pocket despite heavy pressure all game. However, when linebacker John Palmer came free on a third quarter blitz and crushed Pao Pao, he fumbled and the Panthers recovered.
Vista quickly converted on Marshall’s second touchdown run of the game, a twelve yard scamper. His score was set up by heavy running from the Panthers’ bruising fullback McFadden, who added 56 yards on 11 carries on the night.
The game seemed to be slipping away from Oceanside. A Pao Pao sideline pass was intercepted by senior Vista linebacker Jeremiah Kose and converted into a Brandon Ivy 32 yard field goal for a 27-14 lead.
“I really didn’t like the way we played in the third quarter,” said Oceanside head coach John Carroll, “I thought the defense played poorly, and it took us giving up two touchdowns to make an adjustment. But in the fourth quarter we were a championship-level football team.”
The Pirates then held the ball for 11 plays to start the fourth quarter, driving all the way to the Vista 2 yard line. A crucial false start on second-and-goal from the 2 pushed Oceanside back five yards and forced them to pass. Pao Pao missed on three straight, overthrowing Demario Coleman (five catches, 122 yards, TD) on the last corner route.
The Pirates didn’t get the ball back until the 3:18 mark, but with a quarterback like Pao Pao, you’re never out of a game. Unloading a powerful arcing spiral down the right sideline, Pao Pao connected with Coleman on a gorgeous 53-yard fly pattern for a blitzkrieg score to change momentum.
Oceanside then went for the onside kick, which was booted right at Kose. The senior (who had earlier dropped two perfect passes over the middle as a tight end, each of which would have gone for huge yardage) saw the ball carom right off his hands and into the scrum, where the Pirates’ Kris Moore recovered.
Pao Pao hit senior receiver Matthew Rojas for a 21-yard gain and then found Coleman underneath for 22 more. Suddenly the Pirates were on the Vista 12, knocking on the door to take the lead and steal a win out of Dick Haines Stadium.
First, an incompletion. Then, senior receiver Anthony Mount got stopped for three yards on a sweep. On third and seven, Pao Pao scrambled and seemingly had an open corner of the end zone to run for, but he hesitated to look at the field and only wound up gaining four yards.
Fourth down and three from the Vista five yard line. The Pirates called timeout, then the Panthers, then the Pirates again. Finally, Oceanside lined up and surprised everyone by going for a wide receiver reverse option pass.
Everyone but Vista, that is. Linebacker TJ McWhite helped blow up the play and string the receiver Nate Small out to the sideline. Small retreated further and further back, all the way past the 25 yard line. Finally he let a pass go deep into the middle of the end zone, where McClure was waiting to haul it in and secure the win for the Panthers.
Vista’s McClure and Kose both insisted the Panthers were looking for the trick play and were ready for it. That led to an exasperated laugh from Oceanside coach John Carroll:
“It’s the first time we used it all year!” said Carroll, “We used it years ago…they must have remembered.”
These rivals have long memories.
The win was a relief for Kose, who would have been the goat if Oceanside could have scored.
“It was amazing,” said Kose, “Coach (Williams) emphasized how good they were, how they were going to run all over us and pass all over us, so it really got us fired up.”
Vista will hit the road now for back-to-back regional rivalry games against El Camino and Escondido. Oceanside will re-open renovated Simcox Field next week when they host Mission Hills.
The Ongoing Debate: Single vs. Multi-Sport Athletes
A struggle many student-athletes are faced with today is the decision of whether to play multiple sports or to just stick to one sport and master that. Playing one or multiple sports both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you happen to be in the process of deciding what type of athlete you want to be, hopefully the lists below will prove helpful in your decision-making process.
Advantages of Being a Single-Sport Athlete
When an athlete decides to give their all in a single sport, it can prove rewarding. By focusing your attention on just one sport, you will, no doubt, become somewhat of an expert in that given sport. You will have a lot more time to practice and focus on improving your skills in that single sport. You will also have the time to attend combines, tournaments, and join club teams that you may not get the chance to do if you play multiple sports.
Advantages of Being a Multi-Sport Athlete
There are also many benefits to be gained by playing several sports. When you participate in multiple sports, you absorb different types of skills and disciplines from each sport. Also, by playing a few different sports, you will decrease your chances of burnout. Playing the same sport over and over for years can become tedious and eventually may not be fun to play anymore. By switching up the sports you play every couple seasons, you are more likely to keep enjoying these sports.
Deciding What’s Best for You
When it comes time that you are faced with the decision to continue playing multiple sports or concentrating on just one sport, you have to be sure to listen to your head and heart. While it can be insightful to ask your family and friends for advice, you are ultimately the one who will be playing. Keep in mind that the main reason athletes play sports is to have fun. Whether you are playing multiple sports or just one you should always be having fun with it. This should be your main factor to consider in your decision-making process.
For more perspective on the debate, click here.
619Sports: Palet To The Rescue For Eastlake
A homecoming classic ended with a last-minute hookup, a field goal just feet short of its tying target, and a Titans crowd waiting to finally exhale.
Eastlake backup quarterback Josh Palet’s 22 yard touchdown pass to Jordan Hines with 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter gave the 3rd ranked Titans just enough to edge a gritty Steele Canyon team 20-17 at Stan Canaris Stadium in our 619 Preps Game of the Week.
Postgame video interviews: Josh Palet and Jordan Hines
The 5th ranked Cougars (3-1) took the lead in a wild first quarter and protected it through a hard-hitting second half, only to see the Titans (4-0) steal the game on a desperate final drive. Even then Steele Canyon fought back, but a last-gasp 48 yard field goal was online but short as time expired.
Taking over at their 28 with 1:19 remaining and no timeouts, Eastlake found itself quickly in desperate straits. Palet, who entered the game with just under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter in relief of the starter Hines, fired three incomplete passes.
On fourth and 10, Palet hung in the pocket and found senior tailback Chris Fletcher open in the right flat. Fletcher cut upfield and scampered 53 yards to the Steele Canyon 19.
“I read the defense before the play, Chris found an opening, and I threw it to his hands, simple as that,” said Palet.
Two plays later, Palet’s fade into the left corner of the end zone was brought down by Hines in double coverage for the game-winning 22 yard reception.
“It’s the moment I live for,” said Hines, “Josh put it up there and put the game in my hands, and I had to come through and do it for my team.”
Prior to the late home team heroics, Steele Canyon was controlling the ball and the line of scrimmage, on the way to a first win ever against the South Bay’s top team. Indeed, this game was tantalizingly close to being in the Cougars’ back pocket, as they were twice one play away from sealing the victory.
“The guys played hard, and that’s what we ask of them,” said head coach Ron Boehmke.
Behind the hard and shifty running of senior running back Jake Wragg (23 carries, 163 yards, TD), the Cougars milked the clock and kept Eastlake’s offense on the sideline.
After a wild first quarter which saw both teams break huge runs and score two touchdowns, Steele Canyon started the second quarter with a 17 play, 66 yard march. While the drive only netted a field goal and a 17-13 lead, the Cougars had set the tone for (most of) the remainder of the game.
Junior tailback Josh Isbell ran for 166 of his 185 yards in the first half for Eastlake, and left the game after taking a punishing hit from Steele Canyon junior linebacker Jake Ruysschaert over the middle on his 17th and final carry of the game.
“Steele Canyon adjusted really well to what we do,” said Hines, “They pretty much knew our offense, you’ve got to give them a lot of props.”
The Titans were held to 41 second half rushing yards after gaining 180 before halftime, but necessity forced them to take to the air. After Isbell was knocked out of the game, Palet entered and hooked up with Hines on a 29-yard catch to put Eastlake in scoring position.
The drive made it all the way to the Cougars’ 5, but on fourth and inches Fletcher was absolutely crushed by Steele Canyon junior defensive back Chanceller James and stopped cold at the line of scrimmage for a goal line stand and a turnover on downs.
Needing to run off the final 5:36, the Cougars picked up two rushing first downs. On the second, a quarterback line buck up the middle for 15 yards by Brad Boehmke, with his offensive line pushing Eastlake down the field, the game seemed all but over.
Out of time outs, the Titans had one more set of downs to defend, and they held Wragg to six yards on three straight carries. After a delay of game and a punt, Palet and Hines were set up for their Marino-to-Duper act.
The rest was homecoming history.
As if to make the night even better, the junior Hines was named his school’s homecoming king and Big Man On Campus. This was at halftime, as part of an extravaganza that included a fireworks show. They may want to come up with some new awards for the postgame.
“This is just about the best day ever,” said a beaming Hines.
The Cougars, meanwhile, can leave South Bay knowing they are still a power to be reckoned with in the East County this year.
“We would love to have beaten those guys and gotten to 4-0,” said Coach Boehmke, ”but if anything it shows we deserve to be where we are in the county rankings and what it takes to play a county champion.”
The Problem of Over-Signing in College Football
One of the biggest issues in college football that is not receiving enough attention is the over-signing of players. Every college football prospect should be concerned with over-signing because there is a chance it can happen to any player once they reach the college level. For this reason, I have listed below important information about over-signing and what you should know.
What is Over-Signing?
All NCAA college football programs are limited to having 85 scholarship players on their team per year. These 85 players include both returning players and new recruits. When a program signs more players than the allotted 85, this is over-signing.
In order to get back down to the 85 players they are allowed to give scholarships to, college football programs go about it a few ways. First, they usually wait to see which players, if any, become ineligible to play. Student-athletes can become ineligible by not making grades, getting in trouble with the law, etc. Then, programs will usually ask players to ‘gray shirt’ for a year. ‘Gray shirting’ is when you give up your scholarship benefits for a season so a peer can use them. Lastly, programs just start making cuts to reach the 85, which is obviously devastating to those student-athletes.
How to Overcome Over-Signing
While there are many college football programs in the nation that do contribute to the problem of over-signing, there are just as many who try at all costs to avoid this issue. These programs would rather sign a few less players than the allotted 85 so they do not have to make those upsetting cuts later on. This then gives the program freedom to sign a few walk-on players later on.
As a college football recruit, it may be in your best interest to research which programs do and do not over-sign when considering your options. By considering football programs that have a reputation of not over-signing, you may ultimately be saving yourself from heartbreak and hassle later on.
To find out more information about over-signing in college football, visit oversigning.com
Capitalizing on Skills Learned from Athletics for Use in the “Real World”
Participation in sports can often be a way to make new friends and participate in something you love doing. It can also give you many more benefits than just the thrill of the game. Playing sports can actually give you skills that you can use outside of the playing field. The skills you learn can be used towards landing your dream job or accomplishing life goals. These skills that can be learned from playing sports can ultimately be the reason you get picked over your competitors in many different aspects of ‘real life.’
Leadership skills
One main skill that is easily learned from playing team sports is leadership. Leaders are needed in sports to encourage the team to achieve its goals. Players rely on other players to motivation and encouragement. Having leadership skills will put you well ahead of others when it comes to competition in the ‘real world.’
Teamwork
Being able to work well in group settings is crucial when it comes to your future career. Most careers require that you work well and collaborate with varying groups of people. Playing team sports also requires you to come together with others in order to achieve a common goal. If a team was full of players who could never cooperate, it’s obvious that the team would never be able to win, or even have an enjoyable time for that matter. So playing sports shows potential managers and bosses that you are able to put differences aside with others in order to accomplish the task at hand.
Determination
Another characteristic athletes develop as a result of their involvement with sports is determination. Athletes show determination by practicing in both regulated practice times and on their own. They also work hard to be the best at their position which will ultimately help to win games. Determination is an important characteristic managers and bosses are looking for because it shows strength and that the individual will not give up if given difficult tasks.
Passion
For an athlete to stick it out and play their hardest in his or her given sport for a long time, it’s almost certain that player is very passionate about the game. This passion is easily seen by others and is often contagious. Managers and bosses want passionate employees working in their company because they are more likely to put their all into their work and be a pleasure to work with. Passion from playing sports can be easily translated into a job you love.
Obviously, I’m sure you can think of other skills and characteristics you also gained by playing sports that would help you greatly in your future endeavors and career. It’s important to focus in on those specific strengths you identify in yourself and use those to your advantage.
What College Athletes Can Learn from AJ Green and Reggie Bush
Recently, it seems like anytime you turn on the television or internet you hear that another college student-athlete is in trouble for violating some sort of NCAA rule. These violations can result in consequences that not only greatly affect the player, but can also do serious harm to the team as a whole. For this reason, it is important to know what is expected of student-athletes when they reach the college-level playing field.
Two scandals that are currently in the college sports realm are those of Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green and former USC running back Reggie Bush. Both of these incidents have gained a vast amount of media coverage, but while both of these athletes violated NCAA rules, they have very different consequences.
A.J. Green and the selling of his own jersey
At first glance, this violation seems pretty harmless. A.J. Green, who is considered one of the top receivers in college football, sold the jersey he wore in the Independence Bowl last year to an agent for $1,000. After investigating into this, the NCAA suspended Green for four games. Green was not suspended, seemingly, for trying to make a profit. Rather, he was suspended for his communication with the agent, which is a major violation.
Reggie Bush and the receiving of benefits
Rewind back to 2005: Reggie Bush was an all-star running back for one of the nation’s elite football programs and ended up winning the Heisman Trophy for his talents. Now in present day, Bush has forfeited his award and his former school is dealing with an immense amount of consequences for his actions.
After a four-year long NCAA investigation, it was found that Bush had received money, gifts and benefits from agents. Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy after talks that the Heisman Trust would eventually take it away from him anyway. But Bush is not the only one having to deal with the consequences of his actions; USC was hit hard with numerous sanctions, including a four year probation, a two year ban from bowl games, and a loss of 30 scholarships over a three year span.
What to learn from these incidents
These two incidents are just two of many current investigations being made by the NCAA for rule violations. The newly appointed NCAA president, Mark Emmert, has come out saying that he is going to continue being tough on rule-breakers so future student-athletes will not make the same mistakes.
It’s so crucial for aspiring college players to pay close attention to the violations and subsequent consequences of these current scandals. Upon reaching the college playing field, student-athletes are held to a much higher standard and are under so much more scrutiny. Anything done that violates NCAA rules will eventually be caught, and it’s never too late to pay the price for such actions. For this reason, student-athletes need to be aware of NCAA rules so they don’t make the same mistakes when they reach the college level.
