Picking Up the Option : Lampkin Gave Birmingham a Boost After Moving to Quarterback

When Birmingham High football Coach Chick Epstein first approached Vince Lampkin about the prospect of playing quarterback, Lampkin was less than enthusiastic. That was one of the few positions in which he had no experience.

Lampkin had played flanker and middle linebacker in his youth-football days, then tailback and free safety for Birmingham’s B team as a sophomore. Still, Epstein was convinced that Lampkin filled the quarterback bill.

“I just knew that my type of quarterback is a guy who can run and throw. So that’s what I looked for,” he said.

And that is what Epstein found. The multitalented Lampkin has rushed for a team-high 403 yards (6.4 average) and eight touchdowns in 63 carries and has completed 41 of 64 passes (64.1%) for 689 yards and 10 touchdowns. In addition, he is averaging 40.9 yards as the punter.

“I think he would start on any team in the City,” Epstein said. “He’s that great. Not only that, (but) he’s a great kid. They don’t come any better. He’s a genuine, honest kid.”

Lampkin, one of the area’s finest option quarterbacks, indeed is a genuinely likable athlete. Although quiet and bashful, he is far from timid. The 17-year-old senior dislikes talking about himself but isn’t short on confidence. “He’s just a quiet fella . . . always been that way,” said Geraldine Lampkin, Vince’s mother.

Birmingham (7-0, 5-0 in East Valley League play) is enjoying its best season since winning the City Section title in 1963. The Braves have prospered since Lampkin took over as quarterback in Birmingham’s third game last season.

His record as starting quarterback is 14-1. The only setback was a 28-15 loss to Fairfax in the quarterfinal round of the City 3-A Division playoffs last year. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever coached. No question about it,” said Epstein, who is in his 12th season at Birmingham.

As a junior, Lampkin completed 51 of 98 (52%) for 689 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. He also rushed for a team-high 636 yards in 123 carries (5.2 average) and scored 14 touchdowns.

One eye-catching statistic is that Lampkin has scored a touchdown or thrown for one in each of the 17 games he has played. Furthermore, he has either thrown or rushed for 35 of the Braves’ 58 offensive touchdowns in the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

College recruiters have noticed. Arizona, Colorado, Fresno State, Nebraska, San Diego State and Washington State are among the schools looking at him.

Although Lampkin (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) is considered too small by some college scouts to play quarterback at the NCAA Division I level, Epstein said several recruiters have suggested otherwise, comparing Lampkin to Colorado’s Darian Hagan, a 5-10, 185-pound option quarterback.

“His passing is really coming along,” Epstein said. “He’s really throwing the ball well. He can throw a 35-40 yard out, which is a critical (pass to throw).”

Not surprisingly, Lampkin’s favorite athlete is Hagan, one of the nation’s top option quarterbacks. “(Lampkin’s) versatility is terrific,” Epstein said. “I think as an option quarterback, he would do an outstanding job. He has great hands. He’s extremely strong in his lower body. He has great leg strength. Really, exceptionally strong.”

A solid feel for the game makes Lampkin a strong candidate for other positions. He has soft hands and quick feet, making him a candidate for wide receiver. His strength and speed suggest potential as a tailback or cornerback. Lampkin ran a 4.5 in the 40 this season and Epstein believes Lampkin is capable of a 4.4.

Lampkin’s running ability isn’t predicated on speed alone. “He has great vision and balance on his runs,” Epstein said.

Actually, Lampkin’s vision is perhaps a little fuzzier than Epstein would care to admit. Lampkin is nearsighted and wears his wire-rimmed glasses only off the field. He concedes that trying to spot receivers downfield, especially during night games, presents problems. Just how bad is his vision?

“Pretty bad, I’d have to say,” Lampkin said with a laugh. “I can see a body. I can’t see his numbers, but I can see him.”

Lampkin’s parents purchased prescription goggles for their son a month ago, but he has not worn them because he doesn’t trust their durability.

Preston and Geraldine Lampkin have always taken an interest in their son’s athleticism. Lampkin began playing football when he was 7, but after one season, Geraldine pulled him from the league because she worried about his safety.

By age 12, Lampkin was back in pads. He played two years with the North Valley Golden Bears before joining the San Fernando Braves for the 1987 and 1988 seasons. Also on that team, which lost just two games in two years, were San Fernando High’s LaKarlos Townsend and Lenny Avalos, Sylmar’s Tobaise Brookins, Poly’s Jermaine Pledger, and Leon Gable, who rushed for 1,777 yards for North Hollywood last season.

Lampkin started last season at tailback, but Epstein moved him to quarterback in hopes of finding a spark for the offense. In Lampkin’s first start, Birmingham posted a 27-13 win over Poly, the eventual City 3-A champion.

He completed seven of 12 for 104 yards, rushed for 62 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Poly had not prepared for the option, and Lampkin took advantage. “He makes their engine run on that football team,” Poly Coach Fred Cuccia said.

Birmingham is entering the toughest phase of the season, meeting Sylmar (5-0, 6-1) on Friday and Poly (4-1, 6-2) a week later.

Birmingham senior John Smith, an offensive tackle and nose guard, admires Lampkin’s ability to run the team. “He takes control,” Smith said, “but he never yells. He’s not the type.”

Lampkin laughs a lot and smiles even more. Perhaps that is one of the reasons he is so well liked by teammates and classmates. Much to his surprise, Lampkin has acquired a few new fans on campus.

“It’s kind of weird,” he said. “These girls are coming up to me now and hugging me. Sometimes it’s fun, but sometimes it’s too much. I get tired of it sometimes.”