Golden Recruiting Wire: Grant and Placer Football Teams Bringing Sacramento Together

$ - subscription required

Pledges are marked w/ (Cal)

September 15, 2010 | September 9, 2010 | September 2, 2010

 

People's Park Story

• Many thanks to Joe Davidson of Sacramento Bee for his excellent story-telling on how two sides of Sacramento found common ground together through football.
  
  (In Blue & Gold) #55 Viliami Moala, #2 Shaq Thompson, #1 James Sample
  
  

  The Grant Pacers football team returned a favor to the Placer Hillmen last Friday. A year after Grant players accepted an invitation from the Placer community to attend a Hillmen game in Auburn, members of the Hillmen accepted an invitation to Del Paso Heights for what was deemed, "the experience of a lifetime."

  Not to play a game against the Pacers, who were playing Burbank. But to be fans and guests of the Pacers, whose regional reputation has now spread nationwide. There was a barbecue hosted by Grant boosters, who had befriended Placer supporters through social media to hatch the hospitality idea a year ago.

  The defining moment was a group photo. No one put on their game face. This was all grins and humility.

Friday Night Lights

• The Woodlands Highlanders (The Woodlands, TX) won against Tyler Lee 13-7 [1]. Daniel Lasco, RB (Cal) who sat out the last couple of games w/ an ankle sprain is planning to return this week [2].

  “We are very optimistic that he [Lasco] is going to play this week,” Schmid [Mark, Head Coach] said. “We want him to be 100 percent before he plays. He has been running around each day and he is progressing quite well. We are hopeful he will be ready for Saturday.”

• Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets (Lakeside, AZ) shut out Alchesay Falcons 47-0 [3][4]. Jordan Morgan, S (Cal) returned an INT for a TD and ran 4 times for 28 yds from the QB position.

• Archbishop Mitty Monarchs (San Jose, CA) lost to Palo Alto 7-20 [5][6][7][8]. Kyle Boehm, QB (Cal) was ineffective, going 7/15 for 63yds passing and 14 carries for 17yds rushing. Boehm was also sacked 4 times by Palo Alto.
  

• Cathedral Catholic Dons (San Diego, CA) lost 7-14 to Helix [9]. Mustafa Jalil, DT (Cal) will miss several games because of disciplinary reasons.

• St. John's Pioneers routed Longmeadow 38-7 Richard Rodgers, TE (Cal) caught 4 passes, 84 yds, and 1 TDs. Rodgers also kicked all the PTAs [10][11].

• The King's Academy Knights (San Jose, CA) defeated Scotts Valley 28-19 [12][13]. Amir Carlisle, RB carried the ball 24 times for 224 yds and 1 TD.

• Lakewood Lancers (Lakewood, CA) defeated Mayfair for the Milk Bucket Trophy 24-14 [14]. Todd Barr, DT recorded two sacks on the night.
  

  “Our defense needs to step up, our offense had a hell of a game,” Barr said. “Our coaches stress perfection and we needed that perfection against the run. We’ll get there, we just need to work more.
  
  “We didn’t do our assignments very well in the first half.  The line and our linebackers gave them a lot of gaps.  We’ll just have to get back to the playbook and be better.”

• Hillsboro Spartans (Hillsboro, OR) lost to Tualatin 13-17 [15]. Colt Lyerla, ATH sat out the 1st half after taking a hit to the back but carried the ball 10 times for 74 yds in the second half. Lyerla also had an INT on D.

• Saginaw Trojans (Saginaw, MI) are 0-4, losing to Bay City Western 27-57 [16]. DeAnthony Arnett, WR had an 85 yds kickoff return. Facing double-teams, Arnett finished w/ 6 catches for 83 yds.

• Palo Verdes Panthers (Las Vegas, NV) shut out Centennial 21-0 [17][18][19]. Brandon Wright, RB/DB ran for 2 TDs on 27 carries for 185 yds. He is averaging 13.3 yds/carry so far this season.
  

• Serra Cavaliers (Gardena, CA) raced past Mira Costa 35-13 [20][21][22]. Marqise Lee, ATH caught two passes for 120yds and a TD. Lee also had an INT on D. Jason Gibson, OLB had one tackle for loss.

• Chino Hills Huskies (Chino Hills, CA) raced back to win against Rancho Santa Margarita 14-13 [23][24]. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB was limited to 26 yds on 10 carries at RB.

• Paraclete Spirits (Lancaster, CA) prevailed against Barstow 29-6 [25][26][27]. Lavonte Barnett, DE caught two TD passes from 15 and 22 yds at TE.

• Central Catholic Rams (Portland, OR) lost to Jesuit 21-37 [28]. Brennan Scarlett, DE/TE left the game after 1st quarter with what appears to be a broken collarbone. He is out 6-8 weeks [29].

  The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker and tight end, one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation for the Class of 2011, sustained the injury after catching a pass on the team's second offensive series.
  
  “He went up over the cornerback and got it, but he just came down wrong and broke it,” Pyne said. “He'll see a specialist this week to see if he needs to have any surgery, but my guess is we might get him back for the playoffs.”
  
  It is the third season in a row that Scarlett has suffered a serious injury. His sophomore season was cut short by a broken tibia, and last year he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a playoff loss to Grant.
  

• Vista Panthers (Vista, CA) dominated University City 52-17 [30]. Ste fan McClure, CB caught a 57yds TD pass.

• Chaparral Pumas (Temecula, CA) lost to Central Lions (Fresno, CA) 12-27 [31][32]. Antoine Arnold, WR had 6 catches for 58 yds. Arnold played w/ shoulder and groin injuries. Tee Shepard, CB {2012} was responsible for defending Arnold. Game photos [33].

• St. John Bosco Braves (Bellflower, CA) blanked Gardena 37-0 [34]. Bryce Treggs, WR {2012} caught a TD pass.

• Valley Christian Warriors (San Jose, CA) shut-out Cardinal-Newman of Santa Rosa on the road 34-0 [35][36][37]. Byron Marshall, RB {2012} ran 16 times for 156 yds w/ one TD.
  
  Game recap
  
  

• Grant Union Pacers (Sacramento, CA) thrashed Lincoln 56-20 [38][39]. Shaq Thompson, ATH {2012} ran for only 56 yds but his teammates picked up the slack. Photo Gallery [40].

• San Ramon Valley (Danville, CA) rolled over Antioch 41-14 [41][42][43]. Zach Kline, QB (Cal) completed his first 7 out of 8 passes and finished the game 9/18, 147yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
  
  Game highlights (SRV in White)
  
  

Tedford & Company

• Bryce Treggs, WR St John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) {2012} named Cal, ASU, Stanford as his leaders [44]. Both ASU & Stanford have verbally offered Treggs scholarship for 2012.

  "I'm looking for a school with good academics and tradition," Treggs said. "Early playing time is a plus and I want a program that will win. I'm also looking for an offense that spreads the field with multiple wide outs."

• Jordan Morgan, S (Cal) and his Blue Ridge coaching staff have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Arizona Interscholastic Association [45][46][47][48]. His Yellow Jackets are looking forward to playing rival Show Low High on Oct 22nd [49][50][51]. The incidents surrounding the Morgans is an ugly chapter of the Arizona Prep Football [52].

  The situation is this: Show Low accused former Show Low defensive coordinator and current Blue Ridge assistant coach Danny Hawkins of recruiting quarterback/safety Jordan Morgan to come to Blue Ridge after Morgan left Chandler Valley Christian last spring with his father  resigning as head coach of the 2A championship team [53].

  The Arizona Interscholastic Association executive board ruled on Thursday that Blue Ridge High School did not recruit Jordan Morgan to play football. As a result of the ruling, Morgan, who had been held out of the team’s first two games, played for the Yellow Jackets in their 3A East opener against Alchesay on Friday.

  However, Show Low High, whose report to the AIA of concerns about a possible Blue Ridge violation concerning text messages from a Blue Ridge assistant coach to Morgan prompted the AIA to call for Blue Ridge to investigate itself, has now sent a report to the AIA about a possible recruiting violation of Morgan by itself [54].

• Brendon Bigelow, RB Central East (Fresno, CA) is out for his entire Senior season [55][56]. Bigelow suffered a repeat tear to his right anterior cruciate ligament. Washington's scholarship offer is still on the table. The loss of Bigelow also affects Central's track team [57].

• Todd Barr, DT Lakewood (Lakewood, CA) was impressed by the fan support during his visit to Washington [$58][$59].

  "I'm going to Florida when they play LSU," Barr said. "I'm going to Washington this weekend to watch them play Nebraska."

  Barr said he is also trying to schedule visits to Oregon and Miami for December, and is also expected to visit Cal when they host Arizona State [October 23rd].

  Barr said there are no leaders among Oregon, Cal, Miami, Florida, UCLA and Washington. Nebraska, TCU, Stanford and USC are also showing strong interest [60].

• Viliami Moala, DT, James Sample, S Grant Union (Sacramento, CA) visited Washington w/ Todd Barr and were also impressed by the crowd noise level [$61].

• Ben Goodman, DE West Brook (Beaumont, TX) profiled [62].

  While rushing the passer, West Brook defensive end Ben Goodman has to have good agility, use his hands and keep his balance while the opposing offensive lineman is trying to get low and knock him down.

  All those are skills he first learned in the rodeo arena, riding a horse and chasing after calves.

  "Being a rodeo kid helps (in football) because I have had to be tough my entire life," Goodman said. "They'll try and kick you, hoof you, knock you down. It's always a challenge. Last year against Baytown Sterling, I went up against a very physical offensive lineman and I think my rodeo experience really helped prepare me for that."

• Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Chino Hills (Chino Hills, CA), Lake Koa Ka'ai, DE Kamehameha (Honolulu, HI) both visited Oregon when the Ducks took on Portland State [63].

  Honolulu, HAWAII's Lake Koa-Ka'ai is a defensive end that would fit perfectly in Oregon's 3-4 defense that requires ends to have both speed and power. The 6' 4", 240lb. Koa-Kai has already visited WYOMING, COLORADO, STANFORD and Cal on an unofficial visit swing last month. He's also got offers from NEBRASKA, ARIZONA, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS TECH and several other schools. His 3-star rating may be a bit misleading given the volume of good schools that are after his signature.

  Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will be there as well. He's one of the best corners in the West and one of the top players on Coach John Neal's board. Ekpre-Olomu is a speedy 5' 10", 180lb. from Chino Hills, CA and has terrific length and upper body strength. In fact, his physique may allow him to play either corner or safety at the next level. By all accounts he has Oregon and Cal as his final two schools. Jairus Byrd comes to mind when thinking of his game. Easy to see why Coach Neal is so high on him. Ekpre-Olomu will be hosted by freshman defensive end Tony Washington.

  By all accounts, Olomu had a great visit to Oregon [64][65][$66].

• Stefan McClure, CB Vista (Vista, CA) clarified rumors regarding his imminent verbal commitment to UCLA [67][68][69]. McClure enjoyed his visit to Washington. He plans to take all five official visits and Colorado is up next on October 2nd [$70]. Arizona is fighting hard to get McClure's final official visit [71].

• Danny Shelton, DT Auburn (Auburn, WA) profiled [72]. Washington and Oregon lead.

  How is the recruiting process going for Shelton? "I still haven't made a decision," he said. "I have a top-four. I'd say U-Dub (Washington), Oregon, UCLA and Cal." He added that Washington and Oregon stand out. "U-Dub, there's a lot of players over there that I know, and I'm pretty cool with the coaches there. I'm pretty cool with the coaches too at Oregon, but I don't know that many people there."
  
  So is it safe to say that he expects to play in college somewhere in the Northwest? "Yeah, I think that's safe to say," Shelton said. "I'm going to try and do a couple (official visits) during the season, and then after the season do the last ones. I haven't set up any yet; I'm still in the process."
  

• Marqise Lee, ATH Serra (Gardena, CA) took over Robert Woods' jersey # and is dominating opponents on both sides of the ball. [73]. USC is the presumed leader since he would like to go to college w/ George Farmer.

• Aaron Green, RB James Madison (San Antonio, TX) had a good visit to Florida State [74].

  "I had a lot of fun this weekend," Green said. "I like the offense and how they play. It was a crazy environment, it was a lot different than Texas football. I talked to all of the coaches. I had a great conversation with coach Fisher in his office, and I also talked for a long time with coach Gran in his office."

• Jalen Jefferson, ATH St Bonaventure (Ventura, CA) has Boise State, Washington, Cal on top, but USC may still offer and jump back into the race [75]. Fresno State offered [76].

• Ray Drew, DE Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA) is planning to visit LSU on Oct 2nd against Tenn [77][$78]. He may also be planning to visit Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA.

• Lavonte Barnett, DE Paraclete (Lancaster, CA) offered by Oregon State [79].

• Patrick Flavin, OT Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) may have UCLA as his leader since Neuheisel's staff was the first to offer him a scholarship [$80]

• Viliami Moala, DT, James Sample, S, Jason Gibson, OLB, Todd Barr, DT projected to commit to Cal by ThaRinger.com [81].

• Devon Blackmon, ATH, Jason Gibson, OLB, Stefan McClure, CB visited UCLA unofficially for the Bruins against the Houston Cougers [82].

• Byron Marshall, RB Valley Christian (San Jose, CA) {2012} interviewed [83]. He's looking to get 2,000 yds rushing, 35 TDs, and 7 INTs on D this season.
  
  

• Arik Armstead, DE Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, CA) {2012} offered by Cal [84]. Arik's brother Armond starts at DE for USC. He has already verbally committed to USC.

• Jon Lewis, DE Klein Oak (Spring, TX) verbally committed to Texas Tech [85]. Cal eliminated.

 

Montgomery's Crew

• Jabari Brown, SG 6-3/205 Oakland (Oakland, CA) is high on Washington, Cal, and Oregon according to the SF Examiner [86]. Fan mixtape of Brown and Josiah Turner [87]. Brown visited Washington last weekend and will be at UConn this weekend [88]. Jahii Carson is recruiting Brown to go to Arizona State [89].

  Over the weekend, Brown took his first official visit and checked out what Lorenzo Romar and Washington had to offer.
  
  "I pretty much saw what I expected to see," Brown told Rivals.com. "I went out there and they are good guys. Coach Romar and the coaching staff are close to the players. It was a real nice family atmosphere."
  
  "One thing that is big for me, and just from hearing from other guys, is sitting in with the players," said Brown. "You have to be around those guys and live with them and you have to get along with them. Also seeing the type of access you are going to have to facilities so that you can work on your game and get better is important [90]."

• Juan Anderson, SF 6-6/200 Castro Valley (Castro Valley, CA) is officially visiting Oregon, Marquette, Arizona State for the next three weeks [91]. He also hosted Oregon for an in-home visit.

  "The coaches from Oregon came down and they spoke with me and my family about how they want to use me in the program, the chances I could start right away, and the academics they can provide me for my degree," said Anderson. "It went really well and I am excited to get up there and check out the program and see how I can fit in with the team."

• Ricardo Gathers, PF 6-6/235 Riverside Academy (Reserve, LA) {2012} named Slam's Top 50 recruits of 2012 [92].

• Norvel Pelle, PF 6-8/180 Price (Compton, CA) received in-home visits from UTEP, Washington, Kansas, Oregon, St. John’s, Arizona, UConn, UCLA [93][94]. Pelle will decide who to visit following his in-homes. Cal eliminated.

• Darius Nelson, SF 6-5/220 Sheldon (Sacramento, CA) verbally committed to UTEP [95][96]. Cal eliminated.

Previous Golden Recruiting Wires 

August 24, 2010 | August 19, 2010 | August 12, 2010 | August 5, 2010
July 28, 2010 | July 22, 2010 | July 15, 2010 | July 8, 2010