One of the most consistent running backs Orange County football has seen will likely hang it up for good late tonight, four quarters seemingly separating him from the end of an illustrious playing career.
At this moment in time, St. Margaret’s do-it-all halfback, Oscar Gomez, is unlikely to play college football.
While the statistics suggest otherwise, the measurables aren’t necessarily there.
Standing 5-foot-7 on a good day, the senior back isn’t necessarily wowing recruiters with his 180-pound frame. And there’s no doubting he’s fast, but his top gear is just a step or two behind the elite group of athletes at the tailback position.
What makes Gomez such a stud on the gridiron, though, isn’t quantified on a scale, and it’s not calculated on a stopwatch.
The back’s effort and heart comes across when you see him on film, however.
That’s all he’s ever known.
“I’m relaxed about it,” Gomez said of his nerves headed into tonight’s showdown against unbeaten Grace Brethren of Simi Valley in the CIF-SS East Valley Division championship game at St. Margaret’s High. “I always play like it’s my last game, so I know what I have to do.”
This season alone, Gomez has eclipsed the 2,000-yard plateau. His 2,184 rushing yards are good enough for second in the area behind only Los Amigos’ Moby Contreras (2,382). He does rank atop the county this year in touchdowns (38) and 100-plus yard rushing performances (12).
Last week’s 28-7 win over Saddleback Valley Christian was the only game this season Gomez was held to double-digit rushing yards.
Entering tonight’s championship contest, Gomez has started 34 varsity games. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in all but eight of those outings.
As a sophomore, Gomez burst onto the scene with 1,252 rushing yards. His junior campaign saw him accumulate 1,630 yards. This final go-round – his beast season to date – has officially pushed him into rarefied air: the 5,000-yard club.
No current player in the county has come close to that career number, nor his staggering 81 touchdown runs.
But in a day and age where some high schoolers are quick to post their stats and highlight clips on Twitter, Gomez is on the opposite end of the spectrum. At the CIF-SS Finals luncheon this week, any praise that came the running back’s way was immediately dished off to his teammates.
“Oscar’s the first one to tell you he wouldn’t be there without the line,” St. Margaret’s coach Stephen Barbee said. “It’s one of those things where he may get all the yardage, but he’s getting the yardage because of his hard work as well as the whole offensive line and receivers blocking for him.
“Our receivers understand they have an incredible running back and they know that they have to play a selfless role. But they’re going to be the first ones celebrating when they block a guy and Oscar runs behind them and breaks it free.”
St. Margaret’s leading receiver, Nick Shanks, has 20 catches on the entire season. Gomez has touched the ball at least that many times in eights of the Tartans’ 13 games.
“The receivers, we all know we have to sell out on every play to get our running back space,” senior wide receiver Fernando Delgado said. “We’re grateful when we do get our stats, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a team thing. We just love to get the ‘W’ anyway we can.”
Selflessness is what this year’s St. Margaret’s team is built around. Gomez is merely the embodiment of it.
Mention his stats and he’ll counter by naming the team’s offensive linemen – Dalan Cragun, Nick Amoukhteh, John McGlinn, Jake Bradley and Stewart Toubia.
“Without them, I can’t go anywhere,” Gomez said. “I’m really connected with them. The chemistry we have just helps how we move things.”
As much as the senior back has accomplished over his storied career at St. Margaret’s, really only one achievement remains: a CIF championship.
Gomez and his teammates hope to change that tonight in front of their home crowd.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
