Paramount’s Neal Enjoys His Second Chance of a Lifetime

After mugging for the cameras, hugging well-wishers and relishing the moment with a hefty sigh of relief, Leon Neal tried to describe his feelings after helping Paramount High School to a 26-20 victory over El Toro for the Division III championship, Paramount’s second in a row.

“Back-to-back championships,” Neal said slowly, enjoying every syllable. “Most people never win a title ever. This is the best.”

For Neal, the best--in high school terms, anyway--could still be ahead.

Only a junior, Neal will probably be considered one of the most dangerous offensive threats next year as a senior.

Of course, the present hasn’t exactly been a wash for the 5-foot-9, 165-pound tailback/defensive back.

Saturday night, Neal gained 182 yards in 14 carries and scored a touchdown. Neal, who entered the game with 1,539 yards in 152 carries--an impressive 10.1-yard average--also added an interception, the second of two thrown by El Toro’s Steve Stenstrom Saturday night.

Although Neal got off to a slow start in the first quarter, he began to show his tremendous ability in the second. His impressive quickness helped him break several tackles, and a 360-degree spin enabled him to zip around another--plus a scrambling referee--for a 17-yard run to bring Paramount to the El Toro 12-yard line.

On that series, Neal went 10 yards for the touchdown, boosting the Pirates’ lead to 13-6.

“Last year (in Paramount’s 30-20 victory over Los Alamitos in the title game), coach (Ken Sutch) promised me I would get a touchdown this year if we got here, so I got it,” Neal said.

After finishing the first half with just 38 yards on five carries, Neal’s second-half performance really hurt El Toro. A 39-yard sprint by Neal down the sidelines set up Paramount’s next touchdown, giving it a 20-6 lead.

After seven plays on El Toro’s ensuing possession, Neal canceled the drive by intercepting Stenstrom at the Paramount 29.

“Coach just told me to stay in there and watch the ball,” Neal said. “I just read the quarterback’s eyes.”

But when Neal came down with the interception, his third of the year, he didn’t get up for several minutes. He was helped off the field--mugging for the camera crews along the way--and treated for cramps in his calf.

He came back in, but after several more impressive runs, Neal fumbled on the El Toro 15-yard line, giving the Chargers new hope.

“Yeah, that was a big mistake,” Neal said. “I should’ve been carrying the ball with two hands. I wasn’t. No excuses.”

And, on the whole, little need for apology.