Orange County Sports : Derek Sparks

School: Mater Dei High School

Sport: Football

Position: Running back

Class: Senior

It only took three carries for Sparks to establish himself as the most productive running back in Orange County. On each of his first three carries against Santa Ana Friday, Sparks, who is 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, scored a touchdown, on runs of 80, 80 and 62 yards. Three carries, 222 yards. Sparks, whose in-season transfer to Mater Dei from Montclair Prep has been highly scrutinized, finished with 281 yards in 13 carries--an average gain per attempt of 21.6 yards--and Mater Dei defeated Santa Ana, 38-21. “What he demonstrated is a quiet confidence,” Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “He expects to play at an extremely high level but also he’s a very humble team person, and I think that’s a credit to his mother, June, and his uncles. This is a character kid, but never did I expect a performance like that.

“To demonstrate that type of ability with the three weeks of presure that had been put on the young man is a tribute to his intestinal fortitude and his athletic ability.”

Other top performers:

Jason Johnson, who gained 234 in 29 carries, scored two touch-downs and made an interception to help La Habra to a 26-0 victory over Los Altos Friday.

J.P. Mathot, who scored four goals--three in the second quarter to tie the score, 3-3--to help El Toro upset Capistrano Valley, the top-ranked water polo team in the county, 12-8, and win the Villa Park tournament Saturday.

Derek Reaves, who had four interceptions--one of which he returned 69 yards for a touchdown--in Esperanza’s 21-0 victory over Westminster Friday.

Greg Windle, who completed 24 of 40 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns in Troy’s 26-16 victory over Brea-Olinda Friday.