PREP FOOTBALL ’94 / ORANGE LEAGUE : Droughns Growing Into His Lead Role : Football: After making the grade as a sophomore, he wants to take the Colonists higher as a junior.

Reuben Droughns thought the feelings of self-doubt were gone, but the troubling questions rushed back into him like a blitzing linebacker as he stared nervously at the Glover Stadium stands on opening night last season.

Within minutes, Droughns, a sophomore, would debut as Anaheim High’s starting tailback. But as Droughns watched the stadium fill, he wondered, “What am I doing here?”

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I could have been taken out at any time. People were telling me I was good enough, but I didn’t think I was; a lot of pressure.”

But not enough to stop him.

Droughns rushed for 258 yards and scored three touchdowns in 25 carries, leading Anaheim to a 28-21 nonleague victory over Fullerton. Ever since, Anaheim’s opponents have felt the pressure.

With Droughns propelling the offense, the Colonists reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs. Droughns enters his junior season bigger and better--and gunning for Orange County’s all-time rushing record. And that’s just the news Orange League coaches didn’t need.

“Last year, being a sophomore on the varsity, I was just trying to get a little respect,” Droughns said. “This year, everybody is going to key on me. I know there might be some people saying, ‘He’s a one-time-only deal,’ but I’m going to do my best to prove them wrong.”

Droughns’ opening-night smash sparked a long-running hit, which culminated with his selection as Cal-Hi Sports sophomore player of the year.

He gained 2,039 yards last season, seventh-most in county history, with 18 touchdowns. Along with his brothers, Robert (defensive end), now a junior, and Killian Nowden (defensive back), a senior, Droughns helped inexperienced Anaheim succeed.

Droughns needs 1,643 yards to break Mickey Flynn’s all-time school record for rushing yards (3,681), established from 1954-56. Barring injury, Droughns has a shot at the all-time county rushing record of 5,396 yards, set by Valencia’s Ray Pallares (1983-85).

Only 16, Droughns is 6 feet 1 and 187 pounds, and he can bench-press 230 pounds. His long, muscular frame and fluid running style reminds first-year Coach Allen Carter, an Anaheim assistant for three seasons, of another talented running back, Marcus Allen.

“He’s very deceptive, just like Marcus,” said Carter, also a former USC tailback (1971-75). “He looks like he’s going one direction and then shoots another direction. Just when it looks like he’s going to be tackled, he straightens up and he’s off.”

Droughns was at his best in the playoffs, rushing for 361 yards in the visiting Colonists’ 34-32 upset of El Monte Arroyo in the opening round of the Division VI playoffs.

Despite this standout runner’s early success, Carter said Droughns still has much to learn.

“He needs to be more disciplined in reading his blockers,” Carter said. “He needs to become more mature as a runner.”

Droughns knows Carter is right, so he listens--and learns.

“I get along great with Coach Carter,” he said. “He teaches me a lot.”

Carter intends to keep the lessons fresh.

The Colonists ran about 90% of the time last season, but Carter wants more balance. Obviously, Droughns will get his carries, but Carter wants him to become a better receiver.

“We’d like to get him outside more with passes,” Carter said. “We definitely want to utilize his talents.”

If Droughns continues along his present path, Carter foresees a bright future for his pupil.

“If he just keeps working hard,” Carter said, “he can go a long way.”