Football: Don’t forget about these guys
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If the defensive coordinators at Upland and Los Osos gear their game plans too heavily toward stopping the other team’s quarterback on Friday night when the Baseline League rivals meet at Los Osos, they could be in trouble.
Sure, both Upland’s Josh Nunes and Los Osos’ Richard Brehaut are among the best quarterbacks in the nation, but both teams also feature excellent running games.
Upland running back Davion Fleming, who has received a scholarship offer from Northwestern, has rushed for 479 yards in six games. He’s averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has eight touchdowns.
‘He’s a hard-nosed runner who runs with a lot of power,’ Upland Coach Tim Salter said. ‘You put him on another team that doesn’t throw the ball as much as we do and his numbers go way up.’
Los Osos’ Arby Fields is his team’s top running back and receiver. He’s rushed for 377 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also caught 27 passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns.
‘It’s great because we have a dual threat,’ Los Osos Coach Tom Martinez said. ‘If someone tries to take away the pass, we run it. If someone tries to take away the run, we pass it.’
Los Osos (5-1), ranked No. 10 in the Southland by The Times, has won the last three meetings in the series. No. 12 Upland is 6-0. The game will be televised by FSN Prime Ticket.
--Ben Bolch