Juan Garcia

School: Century High

Sport: Football

Position: Running back/linebacker

Class: Senior

In only its second season of varsity football, Century has gone from football neophyte to 4-1, and Garcia is one of the main reasons. Garcia, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound, first-team All-Pacific Coast League running back, plays almost every down during Century games and he certainly makes his presence known. “He’s probably the best all-around player I’ve ever coached,” Coach Bill Brown said. “He’s not our whole team but he’s certainly a big part of it.” Saturday, Garcia rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in Century’s 35-14 victory over Troy. But he also was in on 13 tackles--including two for losses--and intercepted a pass from his middle linebacker position. It’s that sort of well-rounded play--Garcia has gained 521 yards and has one sack, one blocked punt, one caused fumble and two fumble recoveries this season--that will help the Centurions when league play starts at 7 p.m. Friday against Estancia at Orange Coast College.

Other top performers:

* Billy Blanton, who passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a touchdown in Mater Dei’s 42-7 victory over then-No. 1 Mission Viejo.

* Chris Lynch, who won the Manhattan (N.Y.) cross-country invitational, covering 2.5 miles in 13 minutes 2 seconds, and helping Laguna Hills to the team title.

* Josh Ricard, who had a blocked punt, three fumble recoveries and two sacks in Fountain Valley’s 14-3 victory over Westminster.

* Ted Simpkins, who scored six goals in No. 1-ranked Corona del Mar’s 18-3 water polo victory over University and five in the Sea Kings’ 19-5 victory over El Dorado.