On the Block

Basic math is crucial to the survival of San Fernando High linemen.

During drills, they count how deep Steve Nevarez is in line, then make absolutely certain he pairs off against someone else.

Every college recruiter in the country wants to be face to face with Nevarez, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound, four-year starter at guard. But as much as his teammates appreciate his contributions, they don’t need him tearing their heads off during practice.

“Only a couple of guys would even go against him,” said David Ventura, a San Fernando lineman last season who is beginning his freshman year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. “Once in a while somebody would volunteer just to impress the coaches. But they’d always be sorry.”

Nevarez, doting older brother and congenial classmate, is a mega-sized menace in pads. That was clear to Coach Sean Blunt the day he promoted Nevarez to varsity as a 290-pound freshman.

“I told him I’d watch him for two or three practices and if he wasn’t good enough to start I’d send him back to the frosh-soph team,” Blunt said. “After one drill I laughed to myself. He was moving people around. I knew he’d start from that day on.”

Always aggressive on the field and a hard worker in the weight room, Nevarez became stronger as he got older, losing baby fat and gaining muscle. He spends a couple of hours in the weight room every day before practice.

“I’m still trying to get in better shape,” Nevarez said. “I lost a lot of my fat. I’m still 275, but a different kind of 275.”

The kind that draws recruiters to him like flies to a horse. Nevarez has his pick of nearly any Pacific 10 Conference or Big Ten school, as long as he improves his SAT score by 10 points.

His grade-point average is 3.37 in the core courses required by the NCAA, enabling him to qualify for a Division I scholarship with an SAT score of 820.

“I got an 810 and I’ll take it again in October,” he said. “The stuff on that test isn’t the stuff we learn in school.”

Blunt learned long ago the best way for the Tigers to move the ball is to run behind Nevarez. Major Caldwell rushed for a school-record 1,591 yards last season, and by Blunt’s count, 90% of it was gained in the shadow of his two-time All-City Section people mover.

“Either straight ahead or with Steve pulling,” Blunt said, “Steve always led the way.”

A succession of injuries slowed Nevarez only slightly. He twisted his neck against Grant, but missed only two plays. He sprained an ankle before the final regular-season game against Birmingham and didn’t play until San Fernando had the ball late in the fourth quarter, needing a touchdown to win and qualify for the playoffs.

Blunt called a counter trap, and Nevarez pulled to lead Caldwell downfield. However, the center had been knocked into the backfield, forcing Nevarez to hurdle him.

“Steve stayed in front of Major, turned the corner and not only hit the outside linebacker, but picked him up off the ground,” Blunt said.

The linebacker fell into the cornerback and both tumbled like bowling pins. Nevarez kept his feet and led Caldwell for a 32-yard gain. San Fernando went on to score.

This season, Nevarez must be as direct with his words as he is with his blocks. He realizes leadership is important for a senior.

“He’s a guy who will step up and speak,” said Noe Ramirez, the Tigers’ middle linebacker. “People listen to Steve.”

His actions speak volumes. Nevarez, who runs 40 yards in 4.9 seconds, revels in beating skill-position players in sprints, exhorting everyone to push harder.

“I’m a team player,” Nevarez said. “I don’t just worry about how I do. I worry about how good the team does.”

It’s an attitude cultivated by his role as the oldest of three brothers.

Ruben Nevarez, a San Fernando sophomore, is a 6-6, 220-pound right-handed baseball pitcher. Matt Nevarez, 12, is a 5-9 quarterback and linebacker on the North Valley Golden Bears youth team.

“I make them run and work out,” Nevarez said. “I’m real proud of my brothers.”

Too heavy to play youth football, Nevarez was whipped into reasonably good physical condition by his uncle, Joe Reyes.

“I couldn’t play football, but I always knew I would [in high school],” Nevarez said. “I played basketball.”

Suffice it to say, he filled the paint. Nobody could stop an eighth-grader who stood 6-2 and weighed more than 250 pounds.

Nevarez gave up basketball in high school until last season, when he gave in to the pestering of friends and joined the team at mid-season. He averaged 10 points and 13 rebounds, and plans to play again this season.

“It helped me lose weight and improve my quickness,” he said. “Plus, I like to rebound.”

Everybody wants Nevarez on their roster. Ventura, the Tigers’ star wrestler at 215 pounds, tried to convince him to take the mat last year.

“He didn’t want to wear those tights,” Ventura said.

Nevarez is trying something new this fall. In addition to guard, he will play defensive end for the first time.

“I like it more than offense,” he said. “You just go and hit people.”

Making an impact on both sides of the ball is Nevarez’s idea of an ideal senior year.

“He is a guy who will put pressure on himself to be better,” Blunt said.

“Steve is always up to a challenge.”