Nathan Kuchera

School: Foothill High

Sport: Football

Position: Defensive back

Class: Senior

During the week preceding Friday’s game against Marina, Foothill Coach Marty McWhinney and his staff noticed a weaknesses in Marina’s kickoff return coverage. Kuchera didn’t waste any time exploiting that weakness, running back the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. Kuchera returned two more kickoffs in the first half, one for 38 yards and the other for 45 yards, the latter giving Foothill the ball on the 50 and setting up the tie-breaking touchdown in Foothill’s 21-14 victory. He had a total of 169 kickoff return yards, an average of more than 56 yards. In the second half, Kuchera, who was a first-team All-Century League defensive back last season, intercepted two passes, including one in the fourth quarter that stopped a Marina drive at the Foothill 15. After the interception--his third of the season--he returned the ball 35 yards.

Other top performers:

Alan Herman, who scored six goals for Dana Hills in a 15-7 victory over Peninsula in the Canyon water polo title game.

John Khamis, who passed for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Edison’s 32-26 victory over Las Vegas Eldorado.

Chris Lynch, who had the fastest time by an Orange County runner--15:09 for three miles--and helped Laguna Hills win the Dana Hills Cross-Country Invitational.

Jeff Ragos, who ran for 214 yards and scored two touchdowns for Savanna in a 37-17 victory over Cypress.

Ted Simpkins, who had 24 goals in five South Coast water polo tournament games and helped Corona del Mar win the title.