The Preps : Double-Threat Quarterback Running Up Big Yardage

Greg Angelovic was born to run. And he does every chance he gets, even though he plays quarterback for Edison High School.

“Greg is really a nifty open-field runner,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “He’s not the type of guy that will run over people, but he’s a great scrambler.”

Angelovic, The Times’ athlete of the week, not only passed for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also rushed for 74 yards and 1 touchdown. He finished with 283 of his team’s 484 total yards, as Edison defeated St. John Bosco, 42-0. It was the Chargers’ fifth consecutive victory.

Angelovic has completed 64 of 109 passes for 688 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. He has also rushed for 315 yards, including a 99-yard performance against Long Beach Jordan.

So what is he, a runner or a thrower?

“Sometimes I wish I was a running back,” said Angelovic, a senior. “It doesn’t take much to get me to pull the ball down and take off.”

Said White: “He misses a few reads every now and then because he takes off. But with the success he’s had running, how can you find fault with it? I just worry he’ll get hurt.”

Angelovic has been running out of the pocket since becoming a starter as a junior.

Against Santa Monica last season, Angelovic dropped back to pass, didn’t like what he saw and took off. He went 86 yards for a touchdown.

“They blitzed the linebackers, so I pulled the ball down,” Angelovic said. “I headed up the sideline and everybody thought I stepped out of bounds. But the referee didn’t blow the whistle, so I just kept going.”

Against Fountain Valley last season, Angelovic had 80 yards rushing and had a 40-yard run called back because of a penalty.

At times, his running has come out of necessity. This season, Edison’s offensive line is improved so Angelovic can pick and choose when he wants to run.

“It keeps a defense honest,” Angelovic said. “Like when Mater Dei was dropping eight guys back on pass plays this year. You run a few quarterback draws and they have to start watching for the run.”

It has been successful strategy, yet there are some who are opposed to it.

“My offensive linemen have told me I should stay put more,” Angelovic said. “Especially my center, Mark Hawkins. I listen to him. I don’t want him letting the nose guard go free.”

But if that did happen, Angelovic probably would just run away from him.

TOP PERFORMERS

Steve DePhillips of Fullerton rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Indians’ 36-7 victory over Western Friday.

Troy Kopp of Mission Viejo completed 14 of 22 passes for 318 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Diablos defeated Westminster, 39-6, Friday.

Eddie Lavelle of Corona del Mar placed third out of more than 200 runners at the Stanford Invitational Monday. Lavelle ran the 5,000-meter course in 15:55.

David Lowery of Trabuco Hills completed 14 of 26 passes for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Mustangs defeated St. Joseph of Santa Maria, 43-0, Saturday.

Steve Montera of Kennedy completed 13 of 21 passes for 251 yards and 1 touchdown as the Fighting Irish defeated La Quinta, 18-7, Friday.

Jimmy Rodriguez of Santa Ana Valley broke the course record at Irvine Park in a dual meet against El Modena Thursday. Rodriguez ran the 3-mile course in 14:27, breaking the record of 14:50.

Greg Angelovic

Edison High School

*Position: Quarterback

*Height, Weight, Class: 6-1, 188, Senior

*Last Week: Angelovic threw for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 74 yards and 1 touchdown.

*Season: Angelovic has completed 64 of 109 for 688 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 315 yards.