Branstetter Has a Lot of Incentive Tonight

The going-away present Vince Branstetter had in mind for retiring Western High football Coach Jim Howell did not quite materialize.

After the Pioneers finished the regular season as the county’s only undefeated team, Branstetter envisioned Howell finishing his career with 100 victories and a Division V championship. But El Toro spoiled those plans, defeating Western, 41-23, in the semifinals.

The loss left Howell one victory shy of 100.

Branstetter can’t do anything else about a section title, since he will be at Fresno State this fall.

But he will try to play a role in helping Howell be the winning coach in the North-South all-star football game at 7 tonight at Orange Coast College.

Actually the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Branstetter will have two roles. He will play tight end and defensive end for the North.

Winning tonight’s game would remove much of the sting of the El Toro loss, but not all of it.

“That playoff loss will always stick with me,” Branstetter said. “We almost had a perfect season. Plus, losing in the playoffs meant I would not be playing with my friends anymore; I have to go meet new people [in college].

“In this game, I want to have fun. But I also want to win for Coach Howell.”

Is that the lone motivation?

“Well, no. Many guys on the North lost to guys from the South in playoff games, so we’re looking for some revenge.”

Those watching Branstetter will be looking at one of the finer athletes in recent Western history.

In his three years of varsity athletics, Branstetter, 18, received 10 letters. His senior season was particularly bountiful, making all-league teams in football, basketball and volleyball. And this was his first time playing volleyball. He also has excelled in track and golf.

On the football field, though, is where Branstetter received the most attention, with 39 receptions for 552 yards and five touchdowns.

From Howell’s perspective, however, Branstetter’s true emergence was cerebral, not physical.

“He was always a good athlete, but this year he has matured as an individual,” Howell said. “His leadership value has increased.

“He’s always been a kid in a man’s body. He’s much smarter than the 3.1 grade-point average he carries, but before he just did enough to get by. And because of his size and excellent hands, we always had great expectations for him as a player.”

Howell believes Branstetter has only scratched the surface of his football potential. “When he starts lifting weights, plays just one sport, gets stronger and works on his speed, there’s no telling what he can do,” Howell said.

Fresno State Coach Jim Sweeney expressed a similar excitement.

“We feel he is one of the guys coming in who can play as a freshman,” Sweeney said. “Not as a starter, but we do have situations where we use two, even three tight ends. He has great athleticism; Not only can he catch the ball, he’s a good runner with great balance. One of those kids who finds a way to stay on his feet and make long runs.

“You can also see on film that he is well coached and from a disciplined program, so he should make the adjustment to college much faster. I think his comfort zone is large; I don’t believe he will be awed to play Oregon and Auburn, our first two games.”

That was not the only thing to impress Sweeney, an avid golfer who lives near a course in Fresno.

“Every Sunday morning during our recruiting, my wife cooks a big brunch for the players. One of things we do is hit practice balls across my backyard into the woods toward the course. Vince was shy about doing it, but when he got up there he just crushed the golf ball, sent it into orbit.”

Fresno State is down the road, however. First there is the all-star game. Branstetter saw his first game at 11, and it inspired a self-proclaimed “butterball” to lose weight and learn about football.

“I was chubby when I was little,” Branstetter said. “They always wanted me to play football; I did one year of Pop Warner but was told I had to lose weight.

“I finally went on a diet; lots of fish, toast and eggs. No butter. I dropped nearly 20 pounds.”

Football has given him a future. Now Branstetter hopes to pay off the debt he believes he still owes Howell.

“I think we’re ready. Coach’s offensive system is not hard; the guys have the plays memorized. Every once in a while a guy might forget where he’s supposed to be but we have some very good athletes.”

Present company included.