Fans Aren’t Only Ones Doing Cartwheels Over Fargas’ Runs

Justin Fargas’ act has turned acrobatic.

“I saw that kid do a flip over a pile last week and keep on running,” said Lompoc Coach Robin Luken, who watched from the stands as Notre Dame defeated Righetti, 48-14, in a first-round Southern Section Division III playoff game.

It’s true. Fargas, who leads the region with 2,382 rushing yards, made a short-yardage leap that evolved into a cartwheel, landing the junior running back on the run for what turned out to be a 36-yard gain.

“His head went down and his feet came over and he literally landed on his feet,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. “I just shook my head.”

Breakout effort: Darius Brown’s offensive efforts for St. Francis might have been overshadowed by his defensive ones--at least until last week.

Brown (5 feet 7, 155 pounds), a junior defensive back with three interceptions, broke out of his backup tailback role and rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns in 16 carries as St. Francis upset Dos Pueblos, 35-21, in a first-round playoff game.

Brown has rushed for 594 yards and six touchdowns this season as a backup to senior Robert Milton.

“He can fly,” St. Francis Coach Bill Redell said. “We’ve brought him along really slow. Now we have every confidence him.”