Second in a sequence of tales profiling high highschool soccer gamers by place. Right now, Brian Bonner, Valencia operating again.
There are various methods Brian Bonner of Valencia Excessive impacts a soccer sport. As a operating again, utilizing his 10.48-second pace within the 100 meters, any sort of opening creates the chance for a landing.
Ditto catching a ball out of the backfield and being allowed to improvise as he makes defenders miss. After which there’s kickoff returns, the place he builds up pace like a locomotive and heads to the top zone quicker than placing mustard on a scorching canine.
“I feel being versatile is essential,” he mentioned. “A variety of groups in school search for a operating again that may do greater than run the ball. They need you to have the ability to catch and block.”
At 6 toes and 190 kilos, Bonner is able to take a spot among the many many nice Valencia backs of the previous, from Manuel White to Shane Vereen to Steven Manfro, all of whom made it to the school ranks.
“It’s actually cool to be taught concerning the historical past of the opposite operating backs and it might be an honor to be a part of that group,” Bonner mentioned. “I’ve discovered all the good issues they’ve carried out at Valencia.”
Nobody has been quicker in Valencia historical past than Bonner, who began attracting consideration when he ran 100 meters in 10.85 seconds throughout his final race as a freshman. A stampede of soccer provides began coming after his 10.48 time final 12 months.
Brian Bonner of Valencia runs for yardage towards West Ranch throughout his sophomore season.
(Craig Weston)
“My recruitment began to explode,” he mentioned. “They have been actually impressed by pace and my soccer type backed up my pace. One of the simplest ways to find out how briskly somebody is by monitor instances. Individuals can see how briskly you might be as a participant and it reveals how necessary pace is to coaches.”
Bonner rushed for 1,493 yards and 25 touchdowns final season and in addition caught 40 passes for 498 yards and 4 touchdowns. He dedicated to Washington final month.
His mixture of pace, dimension and flexibility makes him a invaluable offensive weapon. Add to that his persistence and youth. He simply turned 17 in July and was completely effective with enjoying junior varsity soccer as a freshman.
“I feel all people needs to play varsity as freshman,” he mentioned. “Now that I look again, it was good. I discovered issues that I delivered to varsity. I knew what to anticipate as a substitute of being a freshman and never realizing what to anticipate.”
Valencia coach Larry Muir is plotting methods to greatest use Bonner’s versatility and quickness.
“While you’re particular, you’ve a ability set to catch the ball out of the backfield and he does that in addition to anybody,” Muir mentioned. “His pace is unimaginable, however whenever you get him within the open area and get him in open house, it’s enjoyable to observe.”
It’s Bonner’s senior 12 months, and he has no intention on relying what he’s carried out up to now or what 100-meter time he ran.
“You need to work arduous, as a result of everybody goes to get higher,” he mentioned. “You need to stand out and do issues lots of people received’t do to be the perfect. Placing in further hours, studying the performs, studying defenses, turning into a scholar off the sport.”
Thursday: St. John Bosco receiver Madden Williams.
Operating backs to observe
Maliq Allen, St. John Bosco, 5-8, 180, Jr.: Confirmed flashes of brilliance with 1,003 yards speeding
Brian Bonner, Valencia, 6-0, 190, Sr.: Velocity and fingers make him explosive weapon
Justin Lewis, Mater Dei, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Thousand Oaks switch gained 1,306 yards as junior
AJ McBean, Mira Costa, 5-11, 208, Jr.: Huge again with pace and energy
Sean Morris, Orange Lutheran, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Northwestern commit transfers from Loyola
Deshonne Redeaux, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 185, Sr.: USC commit has excessive expectations for senior season
Edward Rivera, Compton, 6-0, 185, Jr.: Metropolis Part switch gained 1,843 yards and 21 TDs final season
Ceasar Reyes, Garfield, 5-11, 175, Jr.: Rushed for 1,520 yards, 22 TDs with relentless power in 2024
Journee Tonga, Leuzinger, 5-8, 175, Sr.: Rushed for two,267 yards, 29 TDs final season
Jorden Wells, Servite, 5-7, 150, So.: Let’s see what monitor speedster can do in first varsity season
