Beckman coach Glen Fisher believes Sebastian Valerio has the potential to be one of the best football players on the Patriots roster.
“He’s one of the most athletic kids on the team,” Fisher explained. “He’d be a great receiver. He’s strong and has some great football attributes.”
Valerio’s greatest trait, however, is what limits his time on the gridiron.
The Beckman senior is a kicker, and an excellent one.
On Friday, he booted the winning 51-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots a 20-17 win over Tustin.
“I pulled Sebastian over right before he ran on the field and said, ‘How about you go win us a football game,’” Fisher added. “It was one heck of a kick. It would’ve been good from 55.”
Valerio is widely regarded as one of the best kickers in the Southern Section. Washington and Wisconsin have shown interest in him, as have a number of Ivy League schools.
“He’s going to go to college and it’ll be paid for,” Fisher said. “It’s good for him. He’s put in a lot of hard work and it’s paying off.”
SMALL SCHOOLS SHOOTOUT
Whittier Christian scored 74 points Friday in a nonleague game against Western Christian of Upland.
Somehow, the Heralds still lost the game.
In a game fantasy football owners can only dream of, Whittier Christian remained winless after a 78-74 loss to Western Christian.
The 152 combined points set a record for the most points in a Southern Section contest. The state record belongs to Porterville and Tulare, which turned in an 86-79 showing in 2012.
Whittier Christian quarterback Cooper Hughes tossed six touchdown passes and accumulated 361 yards through the air Friday. The Heralds offense racked up 750 total yards.
Western Christian compiled 735 yards, including 462 yards on the ground.
Entering Friday’s contest, Western Christian had not scored more than 14 points in a game this season.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
With most of the county’s teams beginning league play next week, a lot of teams are on a bye this week, resting up for the second half of the season.
Two of the week’s best game will be played Thursday night, as Tesoro takes on San Clemente in a battle of south county powers, while Mater Dei will head north to play Westlake of Westlake Village.
The Monarchs (4-0) are ranked No. 2 in this week’s Pac-5 Division poll and Westlake (3-1) is ranked No. 9.
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
The nonleague showdown between San Clemente and Tesoro on Thursday will also serve as the Tritons’ first Military Appreciation Night.
The San Clemente football program will be hosting 75 active marines from Camp Pendleton. The military personnel in attendance will be on the field for the national anthem at the start of the game and will be honored at halftime.
The Tesoro and San Clemente student bodies have been collecting socks for the Socks For Heroes Sock Drive. Fans in attendance are being asked to bring donations to the game Thursday night.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
