As the playoffs begin, im making plans of going out to Antioch and watching Najee Harris. I think he is by far the most special talent to come out of the bay in a long time. Got me wondering whos the most dominant player youve ever seen at the prep level.
Saw in person: Ben Burr-Kirven. He was in The PAL during my time coaching within the league. What an animal. Hell of an athlete, smart player and extremely tenacious. I cant tell you how many times i chewed a kid out on the sideline: fumble, getting hawked from behind, missing a block only for them to respond with a deer and headlights look and say "Coach, Sunshine just came out of nowhere!"
Marcus Peters. Dominating in The OAL isnt exactly hard. I'll never forget the day McClymonds and Marcus Peters legitimized themselves in my eyes. I played against that McClymonds team with "The Big 3" (NaDerris Ward, Derrick Hill, Joshua Tatum). But as good as that team was and those guys were, none ever had a game while facing a challenge like Peters did the day McClymonds went to Pittsburg and upset the Pirates with only 19 guys in pads. And Peters was a man amongst boys that day. Been a fan of the kid ever since.
Saw on TV: Vontaze Burfict. First time i ever saw Burfict play with in the CIF Division1 game vs. De La Salle before the inauguration of the open division. All i could remember thinking was that the guy was unreal. Not only did he have a nose for the ball, he finished with authority. He was only a junior and i followed him closely the next year and he did not disappoint. He put on tackling clinics throughout the state his senior year.
Maurice Drew. Probably the first high school game i ever saw. Biggest memory i have of that game is Darnell Bing walking around with a "DREW WHO?" Tail pad and getting straight trucked by Drew on a 4th and short. I was in middle school around that time and was a fan of the guy from that point going forward. One of the most complete players i've ever seen.
Played with or Against: Jahvid Best. I tackled some really good backs in my time playing. Amongst them was Tyreece Jacks (Woodside), Matagni Tonga (Aragon) and Willie Griffin (McClymonds)...but none were as frustrating to tackle as Jahvid "The Jet" Best. You couldnt get a good enough angle on that guy to hit him and when you did his legs were strong enough to drive him another few yards. Really sad how his career panned out in the NFL. He would have been great.
Frank Summers. Behind every great player there is one in his shadow who was as good or better. Despite being the #2 back in the country and someone consistently said is better than Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch was not the hardest tackle in The OAL. That honor belonged to Frank "The Tank" Summers of John Beam's then powerhouse, Skyline Titans. Never played with or against Marshawn by Frank was at Laney College my freshman year and my fondest memory of him is seeing him knock out linebacker after linebacker during 2 a days. Ive seen prep highlights of both and as great as Marshawn is, I'd much rather try to tackle him than Frank Summers.
Saw in person: Ben Burr-Kirven. He was in The PAL during my time coaching within the league. What an animal. Hell of an athlete, smart player and extremely tenacious. I cant tell you how many times i chewed a kid out on the sideline: fumble, getting hawked from behind, missing a block only for them to respond with a deer and headlights look and say "Coach, Sunshine just came out of nowhere!"
Marcus Peters. Dominating in The OAL isnt exactly hard. I'll never forget the day McClymonds and Marcus Peters legitimized themselves in my eyes. I played against that McClymonds team with "The Big 3" (NaDerris Ward, Derrick Hill, Joshua Tatum). But as good as that team was and those guys were, none ever had a game while facing a challenge like Peters did the day McClymonds went to Pittsburg and upset the Pirates with only 19 guys in pads. And Peters was a man amongst boys that day. Been a fan of the kid ever since.
Saw on TV: Vontaze Burfict. First time i ever saw Burfict play with in the CIF Division1 game vs. De La Salle before the inauguration of the open division. All i could remember thinking was that the guy was unreal. Not only did he have a nose for the ball, he finished with authority. He was only a junior and i followed him closely the next year and he did not disappoint. He put on tackling clinics throughout the state his senior year.
Maurice Drew. Probably the first high school game i ever saw. Biggest memory i have of that game is Darnell Bing walking around with a "DREW WHO?" Tail pad and getting straight trucked by Drew on a 4th and short. I was in middle school around that time and was a fan of the guy from that point going forward. One of the most complete players i've ever seen.
Played with or Against: Jahvid Best. I tackled some really good backs in my time playing. Amongst them was Tyreece Jacks (Woodside), Matagni Tonga (Aragon) and Willie Griffin (McClymonds)...but none were as frustrating to tackle as Jahvid "The Jet" Best. You couldnt get a good enough angle on that guy to hit him and when you did his legs were strong enough to drive him another few yards. Really sad how his career panned out in the NFL. He would have been great.
Frank Summers. Behind every great player there is one in his shadow who was as good or better. Despite being the #2 back in the country and someone consistently said is better than Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch was not the hardest tackle in The OAL. That honor belonged to Frank "The Tank" Summers of John Beam's then powerhouse, Skyline Titans. Never played with or against Marshawn by Frank was at Laney College my freshman year and my fondest memory of him is seeing him knock out linebacker after linebacker during 2 a days. Ive seen prep highlights of both and as great as Marshawn is, I'd much rather try to tackle him than Frank Summers.
