Jeff Byrd

School: Rancho Alamitos High

Sport: Football

Position: Running back

Class: Senior

After the regular season, Byrd was the leading scorer in Orange County but only the second-leading rusher. Saturday against Lompoc in a Division VII semifinal, he proved he was second to no one. By rushing for 328 yards in the Vaqueros’ 21-7 victory, Byrd broke the county’s single-season rushing record by more than 100 yards. With one game remaining--against Sunny Hills for the division title--Byrd has 2,406 yards. The former record-holder, Derek Brown, had 2,301 for Servite in 1988. In the past two games Byrd, who scored on runs of 97, 75 and 28 yards against Lompoc, has scored each of Rancho Alamitos’ six touchdowns. Byrd is averaging 9.8 yards per carry and 185 yards per game, but because he is only 5 feet 9, 165 pounds, he hasn’t received as much attention from recruiters as Coach Mark Miller believes he deserves. “They all think he’s too small, but I’ve been doing this a while and I know when a kid can play,” Miller said. “It seems like every time we step up a level, he steps up two. Jeff just makes a lot of people miss. It’s great if you have a 6-2, 220-pound running back, but if he doesn’t make people miss, what’s the difference?”

Other top performers:

Dahrin Footman and Bill Ross, who each scored two touchdowns in Esperanza’s 28-7 victory over Pasadena Muir in the Division II semifinals. Footman rushed for 139 yards and Ross gained 108 yards.

Matt Krug, who saved California Lutheran’s 26-20 eight-man victory over Bloomington Christian by making a tackle as time expired. Krug also had two interceptions.

Steve Carbone, who was named most valuable player of the Western-Savanna tournament after scoring 29 points in Los Alamitos’ 81-73 victory over Paramount in the title game.

Don Ruberio, who caught seven passes from Tim Carey for 162 yards in Los Alamitos’ 28-10 victory over La Crescenta in a Division II semifinal game.