White Grows in Stature

Manuel White remembers watching the run during film session the day after the game.

The Valencia High running back ran a sweep left against Burbank, but was bumped back to the right and zigzagged up the field for an apparent 80-yard touchdown. A clipping call nullified the play, but, in a season filled with memorable runs by White, that one remains his favorite.

“It was like somebody was playing a video game,” White said. “I just kept cutting back and forth, back and forth across the screen.”

White’s Sega-like assault on opposing defenses doesn’t end with that run against Burbank. The sophomore has 2,002 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. He has helped Valencia vault from the bottom of the Foothill League to its first playoff appearance.

The Vikings (8-2) play Antelope Valley in a Southern Section Division II first-round game Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Canyon High.

“I didn’t expect this,” White said of his success. “I just did it the first game and didn’t stop.”

White’s rushing yardage is second among players in the region behind Justin Fargas of Notre Dame. He has six games of more than 200 yards, including the only 200-yard rushing game allowed by Hart.

His career-high 300 yards against Canyon last Friday was the best Foothill League game this season by 70 yards and earned him state player of the week honors from Cal Hi Sports.

“We knew he was a good football player and he could contribute,” Viking Coach Brian Stiman said. “But never in my wildest dreams did I think he would get 2,000 yards. Nobody in their right mind would have thought that.”

White is quick to credit Valencia’s offensive line for his success.

“The line opens up some big holes sometimes,” he said. “They heard about Justin Fargas buying his line some presents last year so they throw that in my face. I’ll probably do something for them.”

The Vikings have other weapons.

Brian Hamilton has 1,008 yards passing and 660 yards rushing. Mike Swanson has 35 catches for 568 yards.

“Sometimes I feel bad for Swanson,” White said. “If we threw the ball more he has the talent to make [All-Southern Section]. But since I’m doing what I’m doing, I became the go-to guy.”

White also plays on the basketball team. He was called up to the varsity at the end of his freshman season in both sports.

Some say White’s true calling is basketball, citing a doctor’s prediction that the 6-foot-2, 200-pound White will grow to 6-8 over the next two years.

White, who also competes in the shotput for the Valencia track team, said football is his first love.

“If I grow that tall, I could play receiver or tight end,” he said.

Stiman isn’t convinced.

“That’s a hell of a growth spurt,” Stiman said. “I think the only people that say that are opposing coaches who don’t want to have to stop him as a running back any more.”