EAST COUNTY LOCAL 4-YEAR COLLEGE STANDOUTS

Watkins recognized as nation's top deep threat in 2005
EastCountySports.com
 
LA MESA - Recognition of TODD WATKINS' skill keeps expanding.
The former Helix High and Grossmont College standout, who is preparing for his senior season at BYU, is considered among the 2005 Heisman Trophy candidates. On top of that, CollegeFootballNews.com says of the 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver, "There is no better pure deep threat in college football than Todd Watkins."  FoxSports.com concurs with that statement, rating Watkins the No. 1 deep threat in college football. Wow!
Those are some mighty impressive credentials.
FoxSports.com includes Watkins among its top 100 Heisman Trophy candidates at No. 79. Better than that, the same media groups rates Watkins as a potential 1st round NFL draft pick in April, 2006.
As a junior Watkins was BYU's lone All-Mountain West Conference first-team selection on offense, finishing with 52 catches for 1,042 yards and six touchdowns (including TD receptions of 68, 69, 70 and 79 yards).
He was also named All-American Honorable Mention by Pro Football Weekly and tabbed by Sports Illustrated as the nation's top deep threat.
Even though he played hurt in BYU's final 3 games last year, Watkins finished 10th in the country in yards-per-catch (20.0), and 13th in yards-per-game (94.7), and 19th in receiving yardage (1,042).
Watkins set the MWC junior single-game receiving record with 211 yards (5 catches) on at Boise State.
BYU will put Watkins in the national spotlight on Sept. 3 when the Cougars host No. 15 Boston College in the 2005 season opener to be televised by ABC (Channel 10 in San Diego) at 12:30 p.m.
(06-10-05)

Fitzgerald makes the jump from JC to Pepperdine
EastCountySports.com
 
SPRING VALLEY - Former Mount Miguel High point guard CHRISTINE FITZGERALD has accepted a scholarship to Pepperdine University of the West Coast Conference. The 5-foot-7 Fitzgerald, who spent the past two seasons at Arizona Western Junior College in Yuma, Ariz., selected the Division I Waves over Manhattan (N.Y.). Long Island University (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Wagner University (Staten Island, N.Y.).
 
Fitzgerald, who twice was named the EastCountySports.com Player of the Year, helped lead Arizona Western to a 47-14 over the past two seasons. She averaged 13 points, 5 assists and 3 steals as a sophomore, which are a few ticks above her freshman marks.
 
Playing in Arizona Western's post-oriented offense did not allow Fitzgerald to utilize her complete repertoire of skills.
 
"My job as point guard was to break the press and pass the ball inside," Fitzgerald said. "It really isn't my style, since my game is built around transition. But it was a learning experience, both on and off the court. This is college, and it's up to you if you want to make it to the next level."
 
Pepperdine plays at an uptempo pace, which, in itself, has Fitzgerald raring to go.
 
"I don't know who all they are bringing in, but I plan to be the starting point," said Fitzgerald, who will make up part of a backcourt that includes former Kearny High standout Daphne Kennedy.
 
A major factor in Fitzgerald's ability to attract attention from Pepperdine assistant coach Vanessa Nygaard is due to an "evaluation camp" organized by her brother and Mount Miguel girls basketball coach ROBBY SANDOVAL.
 
"Coach Nygaard saw me at Robby's camp and then (Pepperdine) head coach Julie Rousseau saw me play in a tournament in Las Vegas," Fitzgerald noted.
 
Fitzgerald, who boasts a 3.5 college grade-point-average, is defying the odds by jumping from a JC to a prestigious university such as Pepperdine. She plans to major in marketing or communications.
(05-12-05)

Smith ready to declare eligibility for NFL Draft
EastCountySports.com
 
SALT LAKE CITY -- After leading the University of Utah to its first undefeated season in 74 years, Heisman Trophy finalist ALEX SMITH is expected to announce he will forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility in favor of making himself eligible for the NFL draft. Smith, a junior who threw four touchdown passes to lead the BCS-busting Utes (12-0) to a Fiesta Bowl 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday (Jan. 1), is slated to make his intentions official on Tuesday (Jan. 4).
 
A  former multiple post-season award winner for the Highlanders who now stands at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, possesses the arm which many NFL coaches claim is a prerequisite to making it in "The League."
 
Smith believes he can be a 1st -round draft pick, after finishing fourth in Heisman voting. His father, DOUG SMITH, told the Salt Lake Tribune that the decision will come Tuesday, though he declined to confirm the choice to go pro.
 
EastCountySports.com has inside information that Smith will surrender his final year as an amateur to play for pay in the fall of 2005.
 
Salt Lake television station KSTU reported Smith's decision will be to opt for the NFL. News anchor Megan West is engaged to former Utah quarterbacks coach Dan Mullen, who has coached Smith the past two years. West said Smith has retained an agent, which would automatically end his NCAA eligibility.
 
Smith, 20, already has earned a bachelor's degree, and he said he had received informal communication from a dozen NFL teams about where they believe he would be drafted if he made himself eligible. He would leave Utah with a 21-1 record as the starting quarterback.
 
The quarterback made Heisman history when he and former Helix High backfield teammate REGGIE BUSH, now a sophomore at USC, were the first high school teammates to make the final cut for Heisman immortality. Smith made the list after completing two-thirds of his passes for 28 scores and just four interceptions during the regular season. He later burned the Panthers on 29-for-37 passing (a Fiesta Bowl record 78-percent) for 328 yards in Tempe, Ariz., sharing offensive player of the game laurels
 
The list of Smith's post-season awards also includes being named the Sports Illustrated Player of the Year. He was previously tabbed All-American by four different media outlets, most recently by Pro Football Weekly (1st team) and the Associated Press (2nd team).
 
In addition to his All-American awards, Smith was The Sporting News Player of the Year, CoSIDA Football Academic All-American of the Year, and was a finalist for numerous national awards.
(01-03-04)

Watkins major catch for BYU
 
Former Grossmont College and Helix High standout TODD WATKINS established himself as one of the nation's premier college wide receivers during his junior season at BYU.
 
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Watkins earned All-Mountain West Conference first team honors in his first season with the Cougars. On top of that he received All-America honorable mention recognition from Pro Football Weekly.
 
Watkins caught 52 passes for 1,042 yards and 6 TDs. He ranked 10th nationally with a 20.04 yards per catch average.
 
Utah's Smith named SI Player of the Year
 
The list of impressive accolades keeps growing for Utah quarterback ALEX SMITH, who was named the Sports Illustrated Player of the Year earlier this month.
 
Smith, a product of Helix High, was previously tabbed All-American by four different media outlets, most recently by Pro Football Weekly (1st team) and the Associated Press (2nd team).
 
In addition to his All-American awards, Smith was The Sporting News Player of the Year, CoSIDA Football Academic All-American of the Year, and was a finalist for numerous national awards including the Heisman Trophy.
 
Smith and his Utah teammates, who went 11-0 during the regular season, take on Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1.
(12-23-04)

Smith, Bush are first prep teammates to be Heisman finalists
Former Helix stars will be in New York on Saturday
EastCountySports.com
 
NEW YORK - Helix High School's football program has been setting records for more than 50 years. The Highlanders reached the pinnacle on Wednesday (Dec. 8) when Utah quarterback ALEX SMITH and USC running back REGGIE BUSH were included among the five Heisman Trophy finalists for recognition as the best college football players in the United States.
 
Bush and Smith were high school teammates during the Highlanders 2000 and 2001 seasons at Helix. This is the first time in the 70-year history of the award that former prep teammates are finalists the same year.
 
The Helix alums are dueling USC quarterback Matt Leinart, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson for the nation's highest collegiate honor.
 
The five finalists were selected from a group of 923 electors that consists of 52 former Heisman Trophy winners, 870 national media electors from six regions across the country and one collective fan vote resulting from a special promotion with American Suzuki Motor Corporation, the presenting sponsor of the Heisman Memorial Trophy.
 
The winner of the 70th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Award will be announced live on ESPN (Cox Cable Channel 3) in a special presentation from the Hilton New York at 5 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 11).
 
The winner will be honored Monday (Dec. 13) at the Awards Presentation Dinner at the Hilton New York. Former USC Coach John Robinson will be the Keynote Speaker for the evening. Two previous Heisman winners will also be recognized: Alan Ameche (Wisconsin, 1954) on the 50th Anniversary of his award, and Charles White (USC, 1979) on the 25th Anniversary of his award.
 
Bush has 2,181 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns this season for the top-ranked Trojans (11-0). His 181.8 all-purpose yards per game average is fifth-best in Division I-A. He closed out the regular season with a bang against UCLA, rushing for a career-high 204 yards on 15 carries, catching six passes for 73 yards and adding 58 return yards.
 
"It's an honor to be considered as one of the top players in the nation and to be with some of the nation's greatest players," Bush said. "I think it's good for our program at USC, too, because it shows the caliber of our program to have two players invited to New York. And it will be extra special to be there with my high school teammate (at Helix High in La Mesa, Calif.), Alex Smith. Everyone who will be there has a good chance to win the Heisman."
 
Prior to being named among the elite Heisman five, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Smith was named The Sporting News Player of the Year. Smith is the first Ute ever to win the award.
 
Smith completed 185 of 280 passes for 2624 yards and 28 TDs for the undefeated Utes (11-0). He's also rushed for 563 yards and 10 scores.
 
Smith, who led the fifth-ranked Utes to the Bowl Championship Series and an 11-0 record, is considered a dark horse to win college football's most prestigious individual accolade.
 
"Alex Smith, in my opinion, is the best quarterback in the United States of America," said new Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. "I don't know where he's going to finish, but he certainly deserves to be there."
 
"I think it's a tremendous thing for the University of Utah. He's earned it by being a great player and a great person," said Utah athletic director Chris Hill. "His record speaks for itself. I tell you what, I think he's the best player in the country."
 
Smith is 20-1 as Utah's starter. The junior, who has already earned a degree in economics and is enrolled in graduate school, has petitioned the National Football League to learn where his draft position might be should he choose to give up his final year of college eligibility.
 
Those close to the family believe Smith will declare himself eligible for the 2005 NFL draft.
(12-08-04)

Schmit, Yoshinaga quest for College Cup ends
Former champs oust Texas
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A pair of former East County soccer standouts were knocked out of the NCAA College Cup soccer championships over the past week.

On the women's side, midfielder CARRIE SCHMIT (Grossmont HS) and the Lady Longhorns of Texas were bumped out by former national champion Portland, 2-0, in a third-round contest before 3,090 fans at Portland's Merlo Field.

Schmit started and played 75 minutes, but Portland's defense yielded just six total shots all contest.

Texas ends its season at 15-7-2, with Schmit finishing fourth on the club in scoring. Portland (20-3-0), the 2002 national titlist, will now face Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara, the West Coast Conference co-champions with Portland and the 2001 national champion, also will make a Elite Eight appearance after snapping North Carolina's 49-game unbeaten streak in a 1-0 overtime triumph. The Tarheels have won 16 of the 22 national tournaments run by the NCAA. including 10 teams that went undefeated.

Another WCC team, USD, reached the tournament's second round before falling to UCLA, 3-0. The Toreros finish 12-8-2 after going 5-1-1 in conference play.

'Best defense' gets beat late
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In men's action, ALEX YOHSINAGA and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame received an unexpected early exit from the men's College Cup, getting upset by Ohio State, 2-1, on Tuesday (Nov. 23).

Yoshinaga started at midfield and attempted one shot in 32 minutes of action. Meanwhile, the Big 10 Conference champion Buckeyes took only one shot in the enitre second half, but it went into the net to snap a 1-1 tie in the 76th minute.

It was only the second NCAA tournament victory in Ohio State history in upsetting the ninth-ranked Irish (13-3-3), the regular seasons titlists of the Big East Conference, who entered leading the nation in defense at 0.39 goals-against and received a first-round bye while Ohio State needed to beat Memphis, 1-0, in Columbus, Ohio, then travelling to South Bend, Ind.

Yoshinaga gets start in Irish playoff appearance

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Alex Yoshinaga, who helped Granite Hills High to four consecutive CIF Division I soccer crowns, continues his magic with Notre Dame, which will meet Ohio State in Tuesday's (Nov. 23) second round of the NCAA Men's College Cup soccer championships.

After gaining a starting berth in the seventh game of his freshman season, Yoshinaga owns three goals and two assists this season, helping the Fighting Irish to a 13-2-3 record to rank fourth in the country. Notre Dame, seeded fifth for the NCAAs, will meet the Buckeyes side which nipped Memphis, 1-0, in their postseason opener on Saturday (Nov. 20).

Yoshinaga ranks fourth on the Irish with eight points and owns the best shooting percentage on the club. Among Yoshinaga's season highlights include scoring two goals in his first collegiate start in a 4-1 victory over Georgetown; scoring in a 4-0 romp over Loyola-Chicago, which gave head coach Bobby Clark his 200th career victory; then assisting on the game-winning goal in a 1-0 triumph over 17th-ranked Seton Hall.

Easterners on pitch in NCAA soccer championships
 
PORTLAND, Ore. - A pair of former East County standouts could collide in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA College Cup women's soccer championships, when CARRIE SCHMIT (Grossmont High) is slated to battle ANGIE WOZNUK (USDHS) when Texas meets host Portland on Friday (Nov. 19).
 
Schmit helped set-up the tiebreaking goal in the second half, leading 12th-seeded Texas past West Virginia in Sunday's (Nov. 14) second-round contest in Austin, Texas. The Longhorns, now 15-6-2 overall, opened the postseason with a 3-0 triumph over North Texas.
 
However, Woznuk missed Portland's pair of 3-0 playoff victories over Weber State and Colorado, currently leading the U.S. Under-19 National Team in the world championships in Thailand. It is not known whether she will return in time to participate for the Pilots; her status is listed as doubtful.
 
Schmit, the 2003 East County Player of the Year, turned on the power moments after play resumed following a 38-minute delay due to lightning early in the second half. The midfielder started a collection of back-to-back slide tackles by Schmit and Nicole Breger, resulting in a slotted pass to Kelly Wilson who scored.
 
The Longhorns now own a school-record 12 consecutive victories at home, while already setting new school season records for assists (62) and shots (475), plus tieing UT season marks for wins (15), shutouts (8) and points (172).
 
During her time in Austin, Schmit was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, the All-Central Region All-Freshman Team, with additional honors for the 2004 season to be announced following the playoffs.
 
Woznuk, a resident of El Cajon, was once was a teammate of Schmit's on the US Under-19 National Team when it captured the world championship in 2002. Woznuk, a forward, then was selected to the Freshman All-American team by Soccer Buzz magazine.
 
On Sunday (Nov. 14), she scored a goal and added two assists in a 4-1 rout of Russia in Group C play of the 2004 FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship.
(11-17-04)

Bush is Doak Walker Award nominee
EastCountySports.com
 
LOS ANGELES - When REGGIE BUSH was racking up records at Helix High, his fans came to expect the miraculous from this running back extraordinaire. Bush continues to be the big-play man on campus at the University of Southern California this year. The 6-foot, 200-pound tailback has been named one of eight semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually by the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors to the nation's top running back.
 
The 154 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes this week to determine the 2004 recipient. The field will be cut to three finalists by Tuesday, Nov. 23.
 
The 2004 Doak Walker Award winner will be announced live on ESPN's The Home Depot College Football Awards presentation banquet in Dallas on Feb. 15, 2005.
 
Bush, also a semifinalist for the 2004 Maxwell Award, has 1,752 all-purpose yards in 2004 (the most by a Trojan since Marcus Allen had a school-record 2,683 yards in his 1981 Heisman Award winning season.
 
Bush is averaging 9.4 yards every time he handles the ball (186 touches). He already has 25 plays of 20-plus yards in 2004 (49 in his career). His two scoring punt returns in 2004 are the most in a season by a Trojan since 1998 (and are 1 shy of the USC and Pac-10 season records).
 
In his career, Bush has proven to be a 5-tooler, to use a baseball term. He has produced touchdowns via rushing, receiving, kickoff returning, punt returning and passing. He has scored 20 TDs in his 23-game career (7 rushing, 10 receiving, 1 on kickoff returns, 2 on punt returns). He has 3,083 all-purpose yards in his career.
(11-16-04)
 

HELIX's SMITH & BUSH: HEISMAN CANDIDATES
 
University of Utah junior quarterback ALEX SMITH seems relentless in his pursuit of the 2004 Heisman Trophy, as does USC running back REGGIE BUSH.
 
The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Smith, who is 18-1 as Utah's starting quarterback, including a 9-0 mark this season, is among 15 players who have received Heisman Trophy consideration. The undefeated Utes, who are ranked in the Top 10 of every poll in America, appear headed to a major post-season bowl. Much of the credit for that goes to Smith, who has completed 152 of 229 passes (a percentage of .664) for 2,196 yards and 24 TDs.
 
Most impressive of Smith's achievements is the 20-year-old graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics (in two years) and now is pursuing a master's in economics.
 
Bush's numbers continue to amaze. The USC sophomore running back has been nominated for the 2004 Maxwell Club Award, as has Smith. Bush leads the No. 1-ranked Trojans (9-0) in all-purpose running (averaging 180.2 yards per game) and is tied for the club lead in scoring with 72 points. Bush is averaging 5.5 yards per carry (second best on the squad) and has reeled in 30 passes for 317 yards and 6 TDs. He's scored twice on punt returns and is the Trojans top kickoff return specialist (averaging 28.4 per junket).
(11-07-04)
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FORMER WEST HILLS QB HAS SEASON-ENDING ARM SURGERY
 
Former West Hills quarterback - now at Peru State College in Nebraska - TONY BURNER will have season-ending arm surgery  on Sept. 15. Since rehab can't start for six weeks, it will be early next spring before Burner can attempt to throw the football again. The procedure is being performed to remove scar tissue that formed following a previous surgery in March of this year. Tabbed as Peru State's starting QB this year, this will be Burner's third surgery in two years and likely ends his hopes to lead the Bobcats.
 
Burner was a highly successful quarterback, leading the Wolf Pack to a co-championship Grossmont North League title in 2000. He held the top spot for highest pass completion percentage that season (173 completions/256 attempts - 67.6)
(08-26-04/Modified 9-15-04)
 
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NEW UNION FOR HELIX'S MILLER
 
LA MESA - Helix High quarterback STEVEN MILLER, who helped point the Highlanders into the San Diego CIF Division II finals a year ago, has accepted an NCAA Division II football scholarship to Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
 
Miller, whose father died suddenly during the week leading up to last year's finals, was saluted by his teammates for his ability to continue to provide emotional leadership for the Highlanders in their joust with Grossmont South League rival Monte Vista.
 
Splitting the QB duties with RYAN DURDEN, Miller completed 39 of 70 passes for 654 yards and four TDs in the Highlanders' ground-oriented offense.
 
Miller is one of two quarterbacks recruited by Virginia Union this year. His opportunity to perform was cut short when he suffered an early season knee injury.
(08-15-04/Modified 09-15-04)

Watkins family planning reunion of sorts at USC-BYU clash in Provo Saturday
EastCountySports.com
 
PROVO, Utah - It will be a showdown of sorts when BYU hosts top-ranked USC in the battle of the Watkins brothers on Saturday (Sept.18) in Provo, Utah.  Junior wide receiver TODD WATKINS is the top offensive threat at BYU, while his older brother TRAVIS WATKINS is an offensive lineman for the Trojans. The two Helix High brothers can been seen locally on the telecast carried by ESPN (Cox Cable 3) at 7 p.m.
 
This marks the first time the Watkins brothers have ever competed against each other in organized sports.
 
"It's crazy how it all comes together," Todd Watkins said. "It's going to be a new feeling going to head-to-head line this. It's going to be the best feeling two brothers can have, going on the field against each other. And for my parents, also."
 
DON WATKINS, the boys' father, has produced T-shirts to honor his sons. It depicts a BYU helmet  displaying Todd's No. 1, and a USC helmet featuring Travis' No. 63.
 
"My dad and my family will be in the stands wearing these shirts for the Watkins brothers," said Todd, who estimates that at least 20 family members will make the trip to Provo. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I just want to go out there and do my best. Of any game, I want to do my best in this game."
 
Todd Watkins, one of college's most revered deep threats, leads the Cougars with 11 catches for 204 yards. His older brother Travis is a reserve left guard for the Trojans.
 
It seems odd that one set of parents could have two sons who play two very different positions. Todd is 6-foot-3, 185 pounds while Travis is listed as 6-3, 305.
 
"If you see my dad, you'll understand," Todd explained. "He's a real big guy and my mom's real slender. We take after them."
 
In their latest outings, BYU lost to Stanford, 37-10, and USC drubbed Colorado State, 49-0.
 
Prior to this week, Todd and Travis have spent plenty of time discussing the upcoming showdown. "I've been known to be a trash-talker," Todd said. "But I've backed off a little bit just because we're going head-to-head now. I've held my tongue a little bit."
 
The Watkins brothers are both Helix products and as is USC freshman running back REGGIE BUSH.
 
"This game will be huge for our high school," Todd said. "This is a tribute to the athletes our school puts out. Everyone down there will be watching this game."
 
But high school was not where Todd Watkins made his mark. He made his greatest impact at Grossmont College were he achieved All-America status during a two-year career. Although he registered more than 100 kicking points, Todd Watkins proved his expertise was as a wide receiver where he caught 57 passes for 1,402 yards and 15 TDs for the Griffins who compiled a 23-3 mark during his tenure.
 
Bush, a freshman running back, ranks second in rushing with 111 yards and one TD on 21 carries and is also second in receiving with 6 catches for 129 yards and 3 TDs. He leads the Trojans in scoring (24 points) and in all-purpose running.
(09-15-04)

Smith throws for three touchdowns, runs for two scores in national opener for Utes
EastCountySports.com
 
SALT LAKE CITY - After exploding onto the scene as an All-America and Mountain West Conference Player of the Year candidate in his sophomore season, Helix High alum ALEX SMITH made sure those rave notices were not premature in Thursday's (Sept. 2) season-opening 41-21 victory over Texas A&M.
 
Mr. Smith went to Salt Lake City and is proving to be a true statesman in the realm of college football. In his initial outing as a junior, Smith threw for three touchdowns, ran for two more and finished with 435 yards total offense to lead the No.19-ranked Utes past the visiting Aggies.
 
Smith and the Utes backed up their No. 19 national ranking with 582 yards of offense and avenged their only non-conference loss of last season.
 
"If we spread you out like that, it's going to be tough to stop us," said Smith, who clicked on 21 of 29 passes operating out of a shotgun formation to finish with a personal-best 359 yards. "It was nice, very nice."
 
Smith also ran 13 times for 76 yards, including scoring junkets of 7 and 37 yards.
 
The Utes lost to the Aggies 28-26 a year ago when a two-point conversion attempt failed in the final seconds. There wasn't talk of revenge as the game approached, but the Utes certainly felt vindicated after winning in front of a sellout crowd of 45,419 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
 
"I love to see that on national television, with Rice-Eccles packed to the walls and our student section going crazy," Utah coach Urban Meyer said. "It was a great night for Utah football."
 
Smith, who delivered scoring strikes of 78, 38 and 13 yards, appeared a little anxious at the start. He overthrew three receivers who had a stride or two on their defenders on plays that could have resulted in touchdowns in the first half. Utah receivers dropped at least three passes that were in their hands. Smith also made an errant option pitch behind Marty Johnson, who recovered the ball for a 20-yard loss.
 
Nevertheless, the Utes led 27-7 at the break.
 
The bottom line is Utah registered its biggest victory under Smith's command.
(09-02-04)

Bush stumps near Capitol for early votes in Heisman race
EastCountySports.com
 
REGGIE BUSH is accustomed to dancing in the limelight. The USC running back's timing could not have been better for claiming national attention than it was Saturday night (Aug. 28) in Landover (Md.). The multi-talented Helix High alum scored all three touchdowns as the top-ranked Trojans came from behind to dump upset-minded Virginia Tech 24-13 before 91,665 in the Black Coaches Association Classic. This Bush, a 6-foot, 200-pound sophomore, is fondly known to his Trojans' teammates as "The President." Perhaps President George W. Bush, who is expected to receive the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention to be held this week in New York City, would like to follow young Reggie's lead. No question Reggie gave an electrifying performance that will not be forgotten in these parts any time soon.
 
Bush, who ran a 10.4 100 at Helix High, turned three of his five pass receptions from All-American quarterback Matt Leinart into scoring plays of 35, 53 and 29 yards. His second score - the 53-yard bomb - gave the Trojans a 14-10 lead with 1:53 to play in the 3rd quarter.
 
Not that Bush, who played more at receiver than tailback, is contented with his current role. No malcontent, Bush sees his future as a tailback.
 
"Coach Norm Chow (USC's offensive coordinator) has some plays that are designed to create mismatches for me with their linebackers," Bush said. "I felt I was faster than them. I felt I could run right by them. And it proved correct."
 
Bush, who generated 127 yards on his five receptions, gave the Trojans the relief they desperately needed in this season opener while QB Matt Leinart, a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite playing with tendinitis in his left throwing arm, works out the chemistry with his younger receivers.
 
"We lost two guys (Kerry Colbert and Mike Williams) who are going to be stars in the NFL," USC head coach Pete Carroll said. "Our young guys have to establish themselves. Fortunately, we've got Reggie."
 
Only once in his freshman year has Bush caught as many passes as he hauled in against an aggressive Virginia Tech defense. That effort came at Washington when he shredded the Huskies secondary for 5 catches, 132 yards and 2 TDs.
 
While obviously excited by his exhilarating performance against Virginia Tech, Bush took his usual low key post-game approach. This guy knows that the name on the front of his uniform is more important than the one on the back of his jersey. That is, he's a team player who knows how to lead without creating animosity.
 
"We just came out kinda raggedy," Bush said, noting that the Trojans trailed 10-7 at intermission. "It's been a long process. Over the summer, we've been training hard, but we just came out a little rusty."
 
Bush credited Carroll for rallying his troops with a spicy halftime speech.
 
"He always preaches to us games aren't won in the first, second or third quarter, they're always won in the fourth quarter and today we came out with a victory," Bush said.
 
"Today was a good test for us. Fortunately we came out with a victory."
(08-28-04)
 

East County fans could look past Aztecs in opener 
EastCountySports.com

SAN DIEGO - Following the third and final intrasquad scrimmage for the San
Diego State football team Wednesday morning, the Aztecs will eye preparations
for its season opener on Sat. (Sept. 4), when Idaho State visits Qualcomm
Stadium for the 6 p.m. kickoff.

However, football fans from the East County may actually possess slight
inklings for the visiting Bengals, which boasts more players from the Grossmont
Conference than the hometown Aztecs.

Included are four freshmen from Helix High School, all collected in one fell
swoop by Idaho State head coach Larry Lewis during the recruiting season. And
some may receive an opportunity to contribute heavily in their first year for
the Bengals, which posted an 8-4 record before the Highlanders quartet arrived
at the Pocatello, Idaho, campus.

Among the mix to press for starting berths will be KEN CORNIST and KENYON
BLUE, who both saw playing time on offense in an ISU team scrimmage last week.

Cornist is a two-time All-CIF and All-East County selection, and had a
standout senior season when he rushed for 1,530 yards and 11 touchdowns. In the
intrasquad event, the running back rushed twice for six yards and made a
reception for another 10 yards.

Meanwhile, Blue, who played both ways for the Highlanders, but made his mark
as a defensive back, also was catching the ball from Bengals quarterbacks.
Blue noted he feels like he's found a home away from home in Pocatello,
welcoming all the talent he's seen on the South Field practice facility.

"I see passion all around -- a feeling of a championship," Blue told the
Idaho State Journal. "This is what I've wanted to practice with my whole life.
I couldn't be around a better group of individuals."

Meanwhile, Southwestern College transfer Marcell Lagrone has already made a
difference in the Bengals defense, forcing incumbent starting cornerback Chaz
Brewer to switch to safety. In the scrimmage, Lagrone forced a fumble and
registered several tackles.

The remaining Helix players in the Bengals camp include Scottie speedster
JASON WRIGHT and Highlanders' Mad Dog Award winner TYRUS BECKWITH, an All-East
County defensive lineman.

The other San Diego County product at Idaho State is Chula Vista High
offensive lineman John Morales.

Meanwhile, San Diego State lists just five East County products on its
training camp roster, headed by a pair of seniors in running back JASON VAN
(Helix) and wide receiver KYLE CONERLY (West Hills).

Van, who rushed for 2,277 yards during his standout senior season with the
Scotties, has been hampered by injuries for three season after getting out of
the gate with 113 yards on the ground as a freshman in 2000.

Meanwhile, Conerly has needed to climb the ladder to earn his shot at a
starting berth, featuring some strong efforts on special teams. Included was an
87-yard punt return for a score as a sophomore in 2002, then went 32 yards with
a kickoff return against UCLA last season. Early on, he was the Aztecs' leading
freshman tackler on special teams in 2001.

The other locals at SDSU include quarterback TANNER ENGSTRAND (Grossmont),
kicker SEAN HENSCHEL (El Capitan), and cornerback MIKE HAUSER (Grossmont
College).
(08-24-04)

Watkins stars in preseason at BYU
EastCountySports.com
 
PROVO, Utah - TODD WATKINS keeps getting better and better. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior wide receiver is making believers in a hurry around the Brigham Young University campus.  Fact is, the former Helix High/Grossmont College standout hauled in a 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Beck on the first play of the Cougars' 88-play intra-squad scrimmage on Tuesday (Aug. 17). Watkins finished with five receptions for 133 yards and two TDs as the Cougars rolled up 580 yards and three TDs.
 
Watkins said he and Beck have a lot of chemistry on the deep ball as BYU prepares for its season opener against Notre Dame on Sept. 4.
 
"I like John a lot," Watkins said. "He's got a cannon for an arm, and when he's got the opportunity, he can throw it deep. He's working on his short game. When he gets it all together, he's going to be the total package."
 
Cougars coach Gary Crowton also likes what he's seen in his deep threat, not only for the scoring possibilities it brings, but also because it will open up the running game.
 
"One of the things that helps your running game is if your outside receivers are good and can move the chains. It forces the other team to play a defense where there's not too many guys in the box," Crowton said. "We're hoping to get that with Austin Collie, Todd Watkins, Antwaun Harris and B.J. Mathis. Those things will widen the lanes for the running game."
 
Watkins showed that his short game isn't too bad, either. He turned a shovel pass from QB Matt Berry into a TD.
 
The offense racked up 450 passing yards and 130 rushing yards in the 88-play scrimmage. Much like Watkins' experiences at Grossmont College there were a bevy of receivers involved. In fact, 17 different receivers were credited with at least one reception. Statistics aside, none of the pass-catchers was more superior than Watkins.
 
"As a receiver, my job is to score touchdowns," said Watkins, who caught 15 TD aerials and rallied 285 points (including kicking points) in two seasons at Grossmont College. "I just want to go out there and make every catch and score touchdowns to help my team win."
 
During his stint at Grossmont College, Watkins helped lead the Griffins to a 22-3 record. That ride included an appearance in the South County Bowl as a freshman plus a Foothill Conference championship and a berth in the State finals as a sophomore.
 
"I hope we go to a bowl game," Watkins said. "I didn't come to a school to have a losing record. We are all on the same page as a team; we all want to go to a bowl game."
(08-18-04)

Nebraska quarterback Jordan Adams listens to head coach Bill Callahan.

Surgery on Adams is moved up to allow for sooner return to field
EastCountySports.com
 
LINCOLN, Neb. (LATEST UPDATE) - JORDAN ADAMS' may be back on the University of Nebraska football field sooner than he expected. The West Hills High/Grossmont College sophomore transfer quarterback was scheduled to have his spleen surgically removed on Wednesday, Sept. 8.  But a change in doctors will allow the procedure to be conducted Friday, Aug. 27 in Omaha, Neb. That's eight days before coach BILL CALLAHAN's Cornhuskers open the season hosting Western Illinois in Lincoln.
 
No longer is Adams facing a certain redshirt year, although such remains an outside possibility. Adams, who already has four years to play three seasons, could obviously win an additional season from the NCAA should he need to plead a medical hardship case.
 
His dreams of leading Nebraska out of the huddle this fall have been put on hold for the moment, but actual playing time could come as soon as game three at the University of Pittsburgh (Sept.18).  Realistically speaking, Adams' major college debut is more likely to come in the Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas on Oct. 2 in Lincoln.
 
These physical setbacks have been dogging Adams for months.
 
"We're looking at plan B now," Adams said via telephone from Lincoln Sunday (Aug. 15). "It's been pretty crazy back here. But I've only been able to practice four days. The past two days I haven't even dressed out."
 
Sophomore Joe Dailey appears to have a lock on the starting job at quarterback for at least the first two games.
 
"Since they are doing the surgery through the tube (arthroscopically), they say I'll need only two weeks of recovery time," Adams said.
 
"That means," Adams emphasizes, "I'll be cleared, have a full release for football."
 
Callahan isn't quite as optimistic, although the former Oakland Raiders head coach hasn't written Adams off for the season.
 
"Hopefully, we can get Jordan back in a month," the Huskers' first year head coach said.  "He won't be out for the season - they're not ruling out that possibility."
 
Adams said the reality of having his spleen removed "hasn't come as a shock."
 
That's understandable, considering Adams was stricken with mononucleosis two weeks following his superlative performance in the California Community College championship game against City College of San Francisco last December. Adams lost some 30 pounds during his bout with the disease. But he eventually regained his health and was preparing to transfer to Nebraska to begin preparation for the 2004 season.
 
Complications from the mononucleosis followed. Suddenly, Adams was having major problems with his spleen. Medical experts worked with Adams for months with various treatments and thought they'd cured the problem.
 
When Adams arrived at Lincoln on Memorial Day weekend, he weighed 205 pounds and appeared poised to earn the Cornhuskers starting job. It wasn't long, however, before Adams began experiencing pain in his spleen for a second time.
 
His Nebraska scholarship did not begin until fall drills started. Thus, back to California he went where his doctors, most familiar with his situation, would re-examine him. After additional treatment, they felt they had once again solved the problem, and Adams returned to Lincoln in time for the start of fall football practice Aug. 9.
 
But his medical problems resurfaced, and now have resulted in the decision for surgery.
 
"It's definitely been frustrating," he said. "I want to play football at Nebraska in the worst way. But I don't want to die trying."
(Updated 08-18-04/8-15-04)

Leto will continue softball career at professional level
EastCountySports.com
 
LINCOLN PARK, N.J. - Well-traveled CARRI LETO has hit the big-time. The Northwestern University senior and Valhalla High alum has earned a paying position as a second baseman for the New York/New Jersey Juggernauts of the three-year old National Pro FastPitch League. Leto and her new team will open the season on Tuesday, June 1 by hosting the New England Riptide.
 
Leto, the Wildcats' record-setting second baseman, is a three-time All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten softball selection, and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District Honors in 2004. She was also named to the Big Ten's All-Tournament team, and ranks in the top-seven all-time at Northwestern in 10 different offensive categories.
 
Named Northwestern's Female Athlete of the Year as a senior, Leto is the first Wildcat female athlete to be drafted by a professional sports franchise. She was one of 50 student-athletes nationwide chosen to try out for the U.S. National Team in 2003.
(05-30-04)

Coyne is all-conference selection at Sac. St.
EastCountySports.com
 
Helix High graduate ERIN COYNE, one of five Sacramento State softball players named to the All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference team, has made school history. The quintet represented the most players named all-conference in one season since the Hornets' 1993 NCAA Regional squad also placed five members.
 
Coyne, a second-team pick, received all-PCSC honors for the second-consecutive year (first team in 2003) after starting all but five games (including 40 starts at catcher). The San Diego native led the Hornets in RBI (22), total bases (66), home runs (three), doubles (nine), slugging percentage (.402), multiple-RBI games (five), on-base percentage (.354) and fielding percentage (.995). Coyne, who led the squad with a .370 batting average against conference competition, threw out 14 of 31 runners attempting to steal.
(05-22-04)
--------------
 
RAJUN' CAJUNS ELIMINATE LETO'S CATS 
Valhalla High alum CARRI LETO concluded her collegiate career with a 19-game hitting streak and five hits in 15 at-bats during the NCAA Region I Softball Championships which concluded Saturday (May 22) in Tucson, Ariz. Despite Leto's leadership, the Wildcats (34-20) came up short as Northwestern was eliminated by Louisiana-Lafayette 3-0 in the regional semifinals.
(05-22-04)

LETO's 'CATS SCRATCH GAMECOCKS
EastCountySports.com
After succumbing to second-seeded Oklahoma 8-0 in Friday morning's (May 21) second round of the NCAA Region I Softball Championships in Tucson, Ariz., No. 3 seed Northwestern University came from behind to eliminate South Carolina 5-3 in eight innings in Friday's nightcap.
 
Valhalla High alum CARRI LETO capped a 2-run 7th inning with an RBI single sending the game into extra innings. Kristin Amegin's two-run home run in the bottom of the 8th gave the Wildcats (34-19) the victory and a berth in the Region I Final Four at the University of Arizona.
 
Northwestern plays a 2 p.m. game Saturday (May 22) against Louisiana-Lafayette (57-6) in the loser's bracket final.
 
Leto was 1-for-3 against Oklahoma
(05-21-04)
 

LETO's 'CATS ON THE PROWL
 
Valhalla High alum CARRI LETO, who was recently named the Northwestern University Woman Athlete of the Year, went 2-for-4 to lead the Wildcats to an 8-1 romp over UC Santa Barbara in Thursday's (May 20) 1st-round action at the NCAA Region I Softball Championships in Tucson, Ariz.
 
Earlier in the week, the 5-foot-4 Leto was selected to the Mideast Regional All-America Second Team.
 
Leto, who displays her spunky attitude by wearing jersey No.00, will lead the Wildcats against 20th-ranked Oklahoma (41-19-1) in Friday's (May 21) second round of Regional activity. The Sooners, who have won 17 consecutive games in NCAA regional play, are seeking a fifth straight appearance in the College World Series.
(05-20-04)

TOP FLIGHT TRIO:  LETO, SUTTON, CASILLAS
 
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Three of East County's most successful softball players are carrying their winning ways into the college ranks. CARRI LETO, a senior at Northwestern University, is breaking records and reaching milestones with regularity.
 
Leto led the Wildcats (32-18) into Saturday's (May 15) semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. before falling to eventual champion Michigan State 2-0. Leto extended her personal 15-game hitting streak in that game after going 3-for-6 in Northwestern's 5-2 quarterfinal victory over Minnesota in 11 innings.
 
A graduate of Valhalla High, Leto has hit safely in 24 of the last 26 games. She currently ranks top 7 in 10 different all-time offensive categories at Northwestern.
 
Northwestern will find out if it will continue into the regional tournament Sunday (May 16) when the pairings are announced on ESPNews.
 
Individual honors continue to pour in for Leto, the Wildcats' 5-foot-4 shortstop who wears jersey No.00. Among the latest accolades to come her way was selection to the CoSIDA Academic All-District V Softball Team, which also makes her an All American Academic candidate.
 
A .302 hitter (52-for-172) who stole 11 of 12 bases and struck out only nine times, Leto was named to the All-Big Ten second team for the third consecutive year.
 
RAVE OF REDLANDS
 
Redlands University sophomore pitcher LINDSAY SUTTON was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-West Region first team.
 
Sutton, a West Hills High alumna, was the Bulldogs' top pitcher for the second consecutive year, going 17-6 with a 1.12 ERA, including a 10-3 mark and 1.25 ERA in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. She struck out 99 batters in 149.2 innings and, of her 18 complete games, she tossed 11 shutouts.
 
In 14 SCIAC games, Sutton led all pitchers in ERA, opponent batting average (.176), wins, strikeouts (56), and starts (12).
 
In addition, Sutton established new Redlands single season records for games started (22), wins, innings pitched, shutouts, strikeouts, hits per inning (0.69), and opponent batting average (.193).
 
Sutton fashioned her second career no-hitter on April 9 against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and tossed one-hitters on three other conference occasions.
 
A double-threat, Sutton was also a standout at the plate, ripping off a Redlands-leading  .409 batting average and .477 slugging percentage. The daughter of West Hills football coach and softball coach STEVE SUTON, Lindsay was also the Bulldogs' MVP for the second straight season, a  first-team All-West Region choice and a two-time SCIAC First Teamer.
 
Redlands set a school record for wins with a 28-9-1 mark, finishing in second place in the conference standings with a 14-4 mark under first-year head coach Laurie Nevarez.
 
HILLER TURNED SEA LION
 
Meanwhile, former Grossmont High softball standout JESSICA CASILLAS helped lead Point Loma Nazarene University to the NAIA Region II championship after upending host Cal Baptist, 2-1, Thursday (May 13).
 
The PLNU Sea Lions (37-18), ranked No. 13 in the NAIA Poll, won the regional the hard way, going through the losers' bracket following a second-round setback.
 
PLNU advances to the NAIA Softball World Series, slated for May 21-26 in Decatur, Ala. Fortunately for Cal Baptist, the sixth-ranked NAIA team, also advanced to nationals as one of five at-large representatives.
 
After starting in 51 of Point Loma's 55 games this season, Casillas enters nationals with a solid .297 batting average, and is fourth on the ballclub in stolen bases. She also committed only two errors all season as the Sea Lions' second baseman.
(05-15-04)
 

Watkins has Cougars' coaches, fans taking early notice
EastCountySports.com
 
PROVO, Utah - Former Grossmont College All-American wide receiver TODD WATKINS is the talk of the town around the Brigham Young University campus these days. In his first "official" performance in front of the Cougars' football faithful, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Watkins caught a team-high 5 passes for 103 yards in BYU's annual Blue-White Game scrimmage Saturday (Apr. 10) at Edwards Stadium.
 
"I saw some good things out there with Todd Watkins," Cougars head coach Gary Crowton said. "Some of those deep balls will help us along with some quick throws."
 
During the scrimmage, Watkins (a Helix High alum) had receptions of 49 and 50 yards (the latter for a TD ).  He also had his hands on a 43-yard pass from Matt Berry, but it was ruled incomplete. Watkins begged to differ, however.
 
"I definitely had my hands under that one," Watkins said. "We'll have to review the film on that one. There was another one late in the scrimmage; the ball wasn't tipped. I just had a lapse of concentration."
 
Despite the loss, Watkins' long-distance receptions and near-misses did not go unnoticed.
 
"He's a really good receiver," said Beck. "You can throw him the deep ball and he'll run out. The wide-out position is just like the quarterback because it will be whoever works hard. Some guys have the talent but don't put in the work. But Todd's an awesome worker. BYU fans have a lot to look forward to."
 
A J.C. Grid-Wire All-American as well as a JC Athletic Bureau All-State selection, Watkins, who doubled as the state's leading kicker, averaged 23.5 yards on 48 catches while ringing up a state-high 176 points as a sophomore. His two-year career totals are equally as amazing: 57 catches; 1,402 yards (24.6 avg); and 285 points (15 TDs, 27 FGs, 114-of-118 PAT kicks).
 
Watkins will be joined by his 2003 Grossmont College wide receiver teammate JOE GRIFFIN at BYU in the fall.
(04-19-04)

Burgess is hot pick from three for Seawolves in nationally televised game against Pirates

EastCountySports.com
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Former El Cajon Valley High sharpshooter KEMMY BURGESS is bringing some heat to America's frozen tundra. The 6-foot-1 junior guard, who ranks 6th on the all-time San Diego CIF career scoring list (2,066 points), made his national television debut Wednesday night (Nov. 26). Burgess nailed a trio of 3-pointers for the University of Alaska-Anchorage, but the Seawolves came up short as they dropped a 62-57 decision to Seton Hall in the opening round of the Great Alaska Shootout. The game was televised by ESPN2.
 
Burgess' catch-and-shoot 3-pointer shaved a one-time 20-point Seton Hall lead to 58-57 with 1:43 remaining. Burgess finished with 9 points and 5 assists for the Division II Seawolves (3-1). Division I Seton Hall is 2-0.
 
This is big-time basketball for UAA, as the 26th annual Great Alaska Shootout also features No. 2-ranked Duke, Purdue, Canisius, Liberty (Va.) and Southwest Texas.
 
Burgess, who led the state in scoring with a 33.1 ppg as a high school senior, carries a 13.3 scoring average for UAA. He scored 44 points during the Seawolves' 3-game sweep to AT&T Alascom Jamboree championship last week in Anchorage and earned an all-tournament berth.
 
Three-point shooting is the name of the game for Burgess, as it was at El Cajon Valley High. The southpaw marksman, who ranks second on the SDCIF all-time ledger for career 3-pointers (231), has clicked on 12 of 24 shots from above the arc at UAA.
 
Known as "Hotpick" to his teammates, Burgess banged in 20 points in 22 minutes as the Seawolves opened the season with a 101-72 victory over Hawaii Pacific (Nov. 20).  He added 15 points and had three of his baskets during the decisive stretch of a 101-72 romp over Oregon Tech (Nov. 21). Burgess shot 6 of 10 from the field, including 2 of 4 from long range that second night.
 
Upon his graduation from El Cajon Valley, the 1999 EastCountySports.com Player of the Year played two seasons with NAIA power Vanguard University of the Golden State Athletic Conference. Burgess netted 107 three-pointers in 59 games at Vanguard, while averaging 12.7 points per outing.
(11-25-03/Rev. 11-26-03)

EAST COUNTY 4-YEAR COLLEGE FOOTBALL STANDOUTS

Brathwaite breaks out of BYU backfield for big game

EastCountySports.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Junior running back REYNALDO "REY" BRATHWAITE has
been named the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week after
racking up 169 yards on 19 carries in BYU's 10-7 win over New Mexico. Most
impressive in Brathwaite's break-out performance was a halfback pass completion and
the longest run from scrimmage by a Cougars' back in 45 years.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound transfer from Grossmont College (via Monte Vista
High) recorded the Cougars' first 100-yard rushing performance of the season,
averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He was also credited with three receptions for 18
yards, in addition to a game-saving halfback pass completion to Toby
Christensen for 26 yards.

Brathwaite's rushing average was enhanced following an 89-yard run on the
Cougars' second drive of the game, setting up a field goal that would prove to be
the difference in BYU's MWC victory over the Lobos. On the play, Brathwaite
took the handoff to the left side and promptly ran in to a wall of New Mexico
defenders. After changing directions, and picking up a key block from tackle
Brandon Stephens, Brathwaite sprinted down the sideline 89 yards before being
brought down at the New Mexico 1-yard line.

Brathwaite's run marked the longest in BYU history since Weldon Jackson
rumbled for a school-record 93 yards way back in 1958 -- over 45 years ago.
Brathwaite's run also tied Colorado State's Cecil Sapp for the second longest run in
MWC history.

With his performance, Brathwaite became only the seventh player to eclipse
the 100-yard mark against the Lobos since the start of the 2000 season -- a span
of 40 games.

All totaled, Brathwaite was credited for 213 of the Cougars' 308 total net
yards -- 70 percent of BYU's total offense in the victory over New Mexico.
(09-16-03)

Alex Smith wins at Utah in nationally televised game against Cal

EastCountySports.com

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Former Helix High standout ALEX SMITH proved he is a
ready-for-prime-time player as he gave a stunning performance in his first
major college start Thursday night (Sept. 11). The University of Utah sophomore
quarterback totaled more than 200 yards offense and scored one touchdown as the
Utes defeated the California Golden Bears 31-24 before a national television
audience and a Rice-Eccles Stadium record crowd of 46,768.

Despite facing a variety of Cal blitzes, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Smith kept
his poise and was never sacked. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 136 yards and
rushed for 71 yards and one TD on a dozen carries.

"Things just kind of came together," Smith said. "I was so excited coming in.
First start, first game finally here, national TV, big game. It was all good.
The first couple of hits got the jitters out."

Smith's showing was not surprising to many. He has been considered the most
gifted quarterback in the program since arriving at Utah for the 2002 season.

Former Indiana coach and now ESPN announcer LEE CORSO was raving about
Smith's ability and potential all night.

"The kid has poise that you can't teach," Corso said. "He hangs in there and
focuses on his target downfield even when he knows there's pressure all around
him."

Smith, who guided Helix to a 25-1 record and a pair of San Diego CIF
championships (2000-01), was starting in place of junior Brett Elliott, who broke his
wrist last week in a 28-26 loss at Texas A&M and is expected to be sidelined
for a month.

Going into Thursday's game, Smith had taken only 24 collegiate snaps. He'd
completed 7-of-11 passes for 90 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in
three games.

Some believe Smith would have earned the Utes' starting job had a bulging
disk and a bruised vertebrae not hampered him during the spring sessions.

"Alex is very talented, but he gets rattled once in a while. So, we've got to
calm him down and put a game plan together that favors him" Utah coach Urban
Meyer said before the game.

Having seen Smith in actual game conditions, Meyer must realize he has a
nugget in the making.
(09-11-03)

Young is named three-time I-AA All-American

EastCountySports.com staff report

MISSOULA, Mont. - Not many athletes earn as much recognition during their
entire college career as University of Montana's TREY YOUNG received over a
24-hour period last week.

A 6-foot, 200-pound senior safety out of Helix High, Young was selected to
the first team of The Sports Network Division I-AA All-America football team
on Friday (Dec. 20). He was the only Montana and lone Big Sky Conference
player named to the first team.

On Thursday (Dec. 19), Young was named to the first team of the Associated
Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America teams.

The Big Sky Conference defensive MVP, Young registered a team-leading 52 solo
tackles (92 total tackles), 11 sacks, 16 tackles for losses, three fumble
recoveries, 4 forced fumbles and one interception.

Young first gained national attention when he was named a candidate for the
Buck Buchanan Award. The Sports Network gives the Buchanan Award annually to
the top defensive player in I-AA football.

Based in Hatboro, Pa., The Sports Network is the most widely recognized 1-AA
football information service.
(12-22-02)

Griz's Young nominated for Buck Buchanan defensive award

EastCountySports.com staff report

LA MESA - Former Helix High standout TREY YOUNG, the starting free safety at
the University of Montana, has been added to the list of Buck Buchanan Award
candidates for the 2002 season. The Sports Network gives the Buchanan Award
annually to the top defensive player in I-AA football. Based in Hatboro, Pa.,
The Sports Network is the most widely recognized 1-AA football information
service.

A 6-foot, 195-pound senior, Young is Montana's second-leading tackler with
28. He's registered 4 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, forced a fumble and has 3
fumble recoveries for the Grizzlies (4-0), the nation's top-ranked I-AA team.

"He is so special," Griz head coach Joe Glenn said of Young. "He is a real
leader on our team. He is one of the premier blitzers in the Big Sky
Conference. He's very, very athletic. He can cover man-to-man and in our zone
coverages. He just plays smart."

As a junior, Young made the third-most stops on the team with 76. He also had
12 tackles for losses, which ranked him third on the squad. His 9 sacks tied
him for the second most on the team.

Young has started all four games this season and 12 regular-season games last
year, missing the St. Mary's and Northern Arizona games due to injury. His
four starts in the 2001 playoffs yielded 20 tackles and 2 pass deflections.

"Trey comes up with critical plays when you need them," Glenn says. "When the
ball comes his way, you can count on him."

Young was a second team All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2001. He's been a
starter at free safety since his sophomore year, when he started all 11
regular-season contests, playing the last third of that campaign with a
broken hand.

"He can come at you from all sorts of different angles and about every gap
there is out there," Glenn said. "He's a pure football player, a winner on
and off the field."

Young, who set a school record at Helix for defensive backs when he bench
pressed 325 pounds, runs a 4.5 in the 40 and has a 32-inch vertical jump.
(10-03-02)

Womack receives national honor after 'Jacks' win

EastCountySports.com staff report

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Those who saw CLINT WOMACK blossom as a polished
quarterback during his two seasons at Grossmont College (1999-2000) are
probably not surprised why Northern Arizona University is so excited to have
the junior signal-caller calling the plays for the Lumberjacks this season.
Womack was selected The Sports Network's I-AA National Player of the Week for
leading NAU to a 40-14 victory over No. 14-ranked Sam Houston State on
Saturday (Sept. 14). This is a prestigious honor indeed, as The Sports
Network is the I-AA division's most widely recognized information service.

It was a clean sweep for Womack, who was also named the Big Sky Conference
offensive player of the week.

Womack, a Mira Mesa High product, completed 28 of 36 passes for 343 yards and
4 touchdowns. He connected on his first 14 passes of the game, helping NAU
run out to a 40-0 advantage. The Lumberjacks avenged the loss to Bearkats in
the first round of the 2001 I-AA playoffs.

After a rocky debut in a losing effort at Arizona, Womack appears to have
come into his own. For the season, he's completed 59 percent of his passes
(49 of 83) for 601 yards and 4 TDs.

Northern Arizona won its home opener for the 10th consecutive year to improve
to 2-1 on the season.

The Lumberjacks' win did not go unnoticed in the national polls. NAU jumped
back into The Sports Network listing at No. 19, while the ESPN/USA Today
coaches poll listed NAU at No. 21. NAU had fallen out of both polls last week
despite a win.

GRIZZLIES ARE NO. 1

Senior free safety TREY YOUNG is one of the main cogs in the University of
Montana's quest for a second straight National 1-AA championship. The former
Helix High stalwart is a three-year starter and one of the Grizzlies' leading
tacklers.

Montana, ranked No. 1 in the latest national poll, has marched to three
straight victories, outscoring the opposition 97-21. Other locals in the
Grizzlies' huddle include Grossmont College transfer wide receiver ENRIQUE
DUNCAN.

CATCHING ON

Former Mission Bay High/Grossmont College senior wide receiver CHRIS LUMPKIN
has reeled in three passes for 14 yards in his first two games at New Mexico
State University.
(09-16-02)

Ex-Griff Womack leads Lumberjacks to first victory

EastCountySports.com sports staff

CLINT WOMACK had to be wondering what it was going to take to get himself on
firm footing as Northern Arizona University's first-string quarterback. A
shoulder separation in game three ended his 2001 season. Then, there was that
forgettable opening night disaster Sept. 1 in Tucson, Ariz., resulting in a
37-3 loss to the University of Arizona. But the Grossmont College transfer
has persevered. And, finally on Saturday (Sept. 7), it was payday for Womack
and the Lumberjacks against Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

Bolstered by a medical redshirt year, Womack has regained the poise he
displayed in leading the Griffins to the 2000 Foothill Conference
championship. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder carried the Lumberjacks to a 31-24
victory over the Mustangs in Cal Poly's home opener.

Womack completed only 10 of 22 passes for 171 yards and did not throw for a
touchdown. But he did find the end zone twice on QB keepers at Cal Poly.

Shrugging off a pair of interceptions to make clutch second-half connections,
Womack came up big when the game was on the line. He directed a 97-yard
scoring march, executing a key third-and-10 pass completion from the NAU
3-yard line. Womack eventually culminated the lengthy drive, turning a broken
play into a 6-yard scoring scramble that gave NAU the lead for keeps.

"That drive gave us the momentum that we needed," Womack told the Santa Maria
Times. "They had us going the first two plays, but to get that long play was
right on time."
(09-07-02)

EX-GRIFFINS LEAD ASU AGAINST AZTECS

Safety BRETT HUDSON and corner JOSH GOLDEN, who were starters for the
Grossmont College Griffins' 9-2 crew in 2001, return to town with Arizona
State University when the Sun Devils take on San Diego State Saturday (Sept.
14) at Qualcomm Stadium at 7 p.m.

Hudson, a two-year starter and a JC All-American as a sophomore, has been
nursing a shoulder injury and is questionable to participate in the
homecoming. Golden has 10 tackles, half of them coming in the season opener
at Nebraska.
(09-07-02)

2002 East County College Standouts

Womack to debut as leader of Lumberjacks

EastCountySports.com sports staff

EL CAJON - When CLINT WOMACK took his first snap at Grossmont College three
seasons ago, he was a major-league greenhorn, not a big-time passer. That, of
course, was through no fault of his own. Womack played his high school
football at Mira Mesa - primarily in the secondary as a safety.

When Womack migrated to Grossmont he decided to make a bid for the starting
QB job. On paper, he was a long shot. In reality, he was an untapped source.

After passing for 4,531 yards and 40 TDs in two brilliant seasons for the
Griffins (1999 and 2000), Womack earned a scholarship to Northern Arizona
University in Flagstaff. Following a redshirt year in 2001, Womack appears
ready to take the NAU helm in 2002.

Womack, who appeared briefly in the Lumberjacks' season opener last year and
completed his only pass for 9 yards against Cal State-Northridge, will make
his official debut on Saturday, Aug. 31 when NAU takes on Pac-10 power
Arizona in Tucson. That will be a titanic tussle, considering these two
schools have not met on the gridiron in 57 years.

DOUBLE-TEAMING

How many community college football programs can brag about having two
defensive backs starting in a major college secondary today? Grossmont
College's veteran coach DAVE JORDAN believes two of his Griffins will earn
starting berths at Arizona State University as soon as the 2002 season.

BRETT HUDSON, a JC All-American at free safety for the Griffins last year, is
in the running for a starting berth at safety this fall.

JOSH GOLDEN, who was injured on the eighth play of Grossmont's 2001 campaign,
landed a scholarship to ASU this week. Whether he can earn a starting berth
despite his late arrival remains to be seen. The amazing bottom line here is
Jordan had only 8 plays of film on Golden to show the four-year college
recruiters and still managed to be convincing.

Of course, Grossmont has done an excellent job of producing players from the
secondary of late. Case in point is KEVIN MCACADAM - the latest member of the
Atlanta Falcons' millionaire club.

FIRST-CLASS FALCON

Meanwhile at Bowling Green (Kent.) State University, former Grossmont College
All-American LUIS LLAMAS is battling fifth-year senior Chris Haneline for the
starting job at middle linebacker. While Haneline (6-1, 225) has the edge in
experience, Llamas (Grossmont Class of 2000) certainly has the advantage in
size (6-5, 245). The Falcons are coming off an 8-3 season and have been
tabbed as the favorite in the Mid-America Conference's Western Division.

BARNES IS NOBLE

When KHALIF BARNES arrived at the University of Washington he was determined
to land a starting spot on the Huskies' defensive line. Turns out, however,
that the 6-foot-5, 285-pound Mount Miguel High product has made a name for
himself at offensive tackle. He started as a redshirt freshman for the
Huskies a year ago and enjoyed a homecoming of sorts in last year's Holiday
Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Barnes begins his sophomore season as one of the
Huskies' most experienced offensive linemen.

BRASS AS GOOD AS GOLD

Former Grossmont High/Grossmont College standout GARRETT BRASSINGTON is
challenging for a starting spot on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas
defensive line this season. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound senior's best bet is at
nose guard.

SYCAMORE CLIMBER

JAIME LOPEZ, a senior cornerback at Indiana State University, is projected to
make a major impact for the Sycamores in 2002. A former Grossmont College
standout. Lopez logged 36 tackles in 10 games as a junior last season at the
institution that Larry Bird made famous.
(7-04-02)

LOCAL 4-YEAR COLLEGE FOOTBALL STARS

MIGHTY McCADAM

Former El Capitan High/Grossmont College standout, Kevin McCadam, is making
an impact as a rover for the unbeaten Virginia Tech football team. The
6-foot-1, 219-pound senior continues to impress, scoring his second TD of the
season on a 9-yard fumble return in the Hokies 34-20 win over Boston College
on Oct.13. McCadam, who caused two other BC fumbles and was in on six
tackles, scored his first TD on a 69-yard interception return against Western
Michigan Sept. 8.
McCadam, a former high school quarterback who originally accepted a
scholarship to Colorado State, found his niche on the defensive side of the
ball on a rebound course through Grossmont College. The versatile McCadam,
who ranks 3rd this season at Virginia Tech with 21 tackles and 13 assists, is
expected to draw the attention of NFL scouts.
Meanwhile, the Hokies (6-0) are ranked No. 4 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, and
No. 6 by Associated Press. After a bye this week, Virginia Tech will focus
on Syracuse in a Big East Conference game, scheduled for 9 a.m. (PDT) on
Saturday, Oct. 27. The game will be televised live, and can be seen at
Sports City Café & Brewery in La Jolla Village Square.
(10-16-01)

McCadam puts emphasis on Hokies' defense

EastCountySports.com staff report

Grossmont College head coach DAVE JORDAN, who has sent dozens of his players
into the professional ranks, is convinced that Virginia Tech senior strong
safety KEVIN McCADAM will be making his living in the National Football
League next year.

As presumptuous as that may sound, the 6-foot-1, 219-pound El Capitan
High/Grossmont College product possesses legitimate 4.5 speed (in the 40-yard
dash). He's added 10 pounds since last year and has become a more physical
player. He's learned to make quicker decisions, and has the pass
defensibility of a corner and the physical presence of a safety. In other
words, McCadam has the credentials that pro scouts seek.

After playing in nine of Virginia Tech's 12 games as a free safety last
season, McCadam has come into his own in 2001. The key here is, McCadam is a
Southern California kid who is drawing major league attention on the East
Coast. At Virginia Tech, that's not only rare, it just doesn't happen.

McCadam, a former high school quarterback who passed for 1,264 yards and 16
TDs as a senior in 1996, helped VT cruise to a 52-10 victory over the
University of Connecticut on Saturday (Sept. 1) at Blacksburg (VA).

The fact that the Hokies' offense cranked out 606 yards and scored on eight
of its 12 possessions left the VT defense all but inactive. Thus, McCadam was
in on only three tackles, which was fourth highest on the team.

UConn coach RANDY EDSALL said publicly that he felt Virginia Tech should be
in the running for the national championship this year.

BUSCH WHACKED

Inexperienced quarterbacks D.J. BUSCH (Santana) and BRADLEE VAN PELT were
picked off a combined four times for Colorado State, as the Mountain West
Conference-champion Rams were run over by the Colorado Buffaloes 41-14
Saturday (Sept. 1) in Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High.

Making the first start of his collegiate career, Busch, a sophomore southpaw,
brought the crowd of 75,022 to its feet when he threw a pick-six - an
interception taken back 31 yards for a touchdown by Colorado's DONALD
STRICKLAND just 56 seconds into the game.

Busch, who completed 15-of-31 passes for 137 yards and served up three
interceptions under constant pressure, managed to keep Colorado State in the
game early as he fired a 3-yard scoring toss to JOEL DREESSEN to pull the
Rams to within 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Trailing 17-7 at the half, the Rams saw their chances for victory fade when
MICHAEL LEWIS picked off a Busch pass and returned it 41 yards for a
touchdown, giving the Buffaloes an insurmountable 24-7 lead.

"What we need to do now is bounce back as a team, and I have a lot of work to
do," Busch said. "There are no excuses for the way I played. I just tried to
go out there and stay calm."

"I'll use the old 'We'll have to look at the tape' trick," CSU head coach
SONNY LUBICK said of Busch. "D.J. was well prepared. He's very competitive.
For any new player, this is a great environment. We give a lot of credit to
Colorado."

Van Pelt, a transfer from Michigan and the son of former New York Giants
safety BRAD VAN PELT, completed 3-of-9 passes for 49 yards and a fourth
quarter touchdown. While Busch is a pure drop-back passer, Van Pelt is a
better scrambler, as he proved by rushing for 43 yards on four carries.

GIVE ME MORA

El Cajon Valley High alum DYLAN MORA began his senior season at the
University of San Diego with his usual flair.

The versatile Torero caught a victory-clinching 12-yard touchdown pass from
ERIC RASMUSSEN to give USD a 20-10 lead in the second quarter on its way to a
34-13 victory over Azusa Pacific University on Saturday (Sept. 1) at Torero
Stadium.

Mora completed his evening with two catches for 28 yards and four PAT kicks.
(09-01-01)

LOCAL 4-YEAR COLLEGE FTB STARS

Wells helps put the knocks on Aztecs in opener

EastCountySports.com staff report

It was a homecoming, of sorts, for University of Arizona linebacker Raymond
Wells Thursday (Aug. 30) at Qualcomm Stadium.

Wells (6-1, 224), a highly decorated performer while at Mount Miguel High and
San Diego Mesa College, made 5 tackles as a starter for Arizona's swarming
defense against San Diego State. Although the Aztecs took a 10-0 lead in the
opening quarter, the game belonged to Arizona, which left town with a 23-10
win.

It was a long night for Aztecs' quarterback Lon Sheriff, who spent more time
dodging onrushing Arizona defenders than picking up receivers. Despite the
constant pressure, Sheriff - a record-breaking passer in his days at West
Hills High - managed to complete half of his 30 passes for 138 yards. He was
sacked three times, but did not throw an interception.

WOMACK IN RELIEF

It probably wasn't Clint Womack's idea of a gala opening night. Not that the
former Grossmont College standout quarterback isn't a team player, but Womack
got the impression that he might see a little more playing time for Northern
Arizona University in the Lumberjacks' 30-17 victory over Cal State
Northridge on Thursday (Aug. 30) in Flagstaff.

However, Preston Parsons, a three-year senior letterman, took the majority of
the snaps and passed for 250 yards and one touchdown on 22-of-35 accuracy. He
also scored on a 6-yard run.

Womack, meanwhile, was relegated to mop-up duty. The junior transfer
completed his only passing attempt for a 9-yard gain.

DEFENSIVE HAMMER

Jeff Hammerschmidt, a Helix High alum who went on to become one of the most
versatile performers in University of Arizona history, is making a name for
himself in the collegiate coaching ranks.

In his latest move, Hammerschmidt left the Big Ten's University of Indiana,
where he coached outside linebackers and special teams, to accept the
defensive coordinator position at St. Mary's College in Moraga (Calif.).

Granted, the limelight in Bloomington (Ind.) shines a lot brighter than in
this tiny Northern California community. But it's a chance for Hammerschmidt
to run the defense of his choice.

TRIPLE THREAT TORERO

El Cajon Valley High alum Dylan Mora enters his senior season at the
University of San Diego as a bona fide triple threat. Mora is the top
returning receiver, having caught 24 passes for 299 yards and one TD as a
junior. He also led the Toreros in punting with a 36.3 yard average on 29
kicks, and was the leading punt returner with an 11.1 average (including one
TD) on 16 runbacks. In addition to scoring two touchdowns, Mora also booted a
field goal and was 3-for-3 on PAT kicks.

Other East County players in USD's plans include Grossmont College transfer
Ron Friedman and Grossmont High alum John Saffer, who will start at defensive
end and wide receiver, respectively.

The Toreros open the season on Saturday (Sept. 1), hosting Azusa Pacific
University at 7 p.m.
(08-30-01)

LOCAL 4-YEAR COLLEGE FTB STARS

Rams' Busch wins start against Buffs

For quarterback D.J. Busch, it doesn't get much bigger than this.

The Colorado State University sophomore, who shattered the majority of the
Grossmont Conference passing records his senior year at Santana High in 1999,
has received the starting nod from Rams' football coach
Sonny Lubick for Saturday's (Sept. 1) season opener against Colorado in
Denver. The game is scheduled to be televised in San Diego County by
KGTV-Channel 10 at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).

"I am excited to just go out and do the best that I can," Busch said. "I'm
excited to start and try to get the offense going in the direction we want it
to go. At the same time, I am humbled because Bradlee (Van Pelt) and I are
friends and had a battle throughout the spring and in two-a-days. We both
battled and competed hard to show what we could do."

Busch becomes the fifth sophomore to start at quarterback at CSU since 1951.
The left-hand throwing Busch held a slim edge over Michigan State transfer
Bradlee Van Pelt for the team's starting position.

"I felt D.J. had the upper hand in the one major scrimmage that we had,"
said Lubick, whose Rams are ranked No. 24 in most national polls. "We went
with the guy who had a little better grasp of the offense."

Nevertheless, the 6-foot-4 and 203-pound Busch has limited college
experience, completing 11 of 19 passes for 104 yards a year ago while backing
up Matt Newton.

Although Busch will start, Van Pelt will also play.

"Sometime during the game, he (Busch) will get a break," Lubick said. "They
both deserve to play."

Lubick emphasized he won't make a quarterback change after a series or two,
preferring instead to grasp the flow of the game and insert Van Pelt into the
lineup at an opportune time.

"I do not want Busch looking over his shoulder," the coach said. " We are not
going to go with the idea that you are in there one series or two series,
then if you screw up, you are out of there. As long as he is playing, leading
the team, not turning the ball over, that's fine."

Lubick and his team are looking forward to playing in new Mile High Stadium
on Saturday.

"All I've heard about is how great the stadium is, that it's very loud,"
Lubick said. "I'm sure when we arrive Saturday morning, we're going to have
some wide-eyed players."

ELSEWHERE

ENLIGHTNING START

Monte Vista High graduate Kalvin Barrett, (6-2, 316), the starting right
guard at the University of Wisconsin, had to be asking himself "what's a
nice Southern California boy like me doing in a place like this" as the
Badgers scurried for cover some 30 minutes prior to the start of the Eddie
Robinson Classic at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. on Saturday (Aug.
25).

Rain was falling in football-sized drops, lightning strikes were on 30-second
intervals, while the Badgers and Virginia Cavaliers had been sent to their
locker rooms, the fans had been banished to the underbelly of Camp Randall
Stadium and University of Wisconsin officials were scurrying about trying to
make a decision on when, or if, to kick off the season.

The game went on as scheduled and the Badgers prevailed 26-17.

IN THE HUNT

Former Patrick Henry High/Grossmont College standout Michael Brunker is
making a bid for playing time as a junior wide receiver at the University of
New Mexico. The Lobos, who open the season hosting UTEP before what local
officials believe will be a record crowd on Saturday (Sept. 1) lost their top
two receivers and four of their top six from last year. Thus Brunker figures
to see some playing time right off the bat. New Mexico officials are
expecting a crowd in excess of 35,000 fans at the newly-expanded University
Stadium. A sellout of 37,370 would be the largest crowd in school history,
surpassing a gate of 37,156 for the Rice game in 1997. (08-28-01)