Orange County Player of the Week : Goulet’s Scream Therapy Seems to Be Working for Valencia

You might say playing football is a real scream for Tony Goulet of Valencia High School. And it all begins with his pregame preparation.

“I’m always screaming and yelling,” said Goulet, a senior running back. “I’m always fired up and yelling for the team. I get real intense before the game. . . . It really helps me.”

If that’s the case, Goulet must have been hoarse after Friday night’s 41-10 victory over El Dorado. The Times’ Player of the Week rushed for 176 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 carries.

“It was a big shock to me,” said Goulet. “Well, five touchdowns is a lot for anyone. But our whole line did an awesome job. They make the holes.”

Goulet believes Valencia had extra incentive against El Dorado. Players on the two teams have shared a rivalry all the way back to elementary school.

“I’ve known some of those guys since Pop Warner and J.A. (junior All-American) days,” said Goulet. “We’ve been playing against them since we were kids, so that just fueled the fire even more.”

Goulet has also proven himself in track. He’s a three-year letterman competing in the 400 meters and the mile relay.

“I think running track has really helped my speed in football,” he said. “I do other things in the off-season like run stair climbs and ride my bike, but . . . track is probably the best for me.”

Soon, deciding what’s best for him will include choosing a college. Goulet has received letters of interest from schools including Notre Dame, Washington, Arizona and UCLA. If he has a choice, Goulet said he would like to be yelling it up in the Bruin locker room.

“I like all the Pac-10 schools,” he said. “But UCLA . . . that would be great.”

This week, Goulet has more immediate things on his mind, such as Thursday night’s game against Troy High School.

“We take every game step by step,” he said. “That’s the way we do it.”

That, plus plenty of screaming.