Grootegoed Is Davis Award Winner

Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson realized Matt Grootegoed’s potential three years ago, when he made it a point to watch the freshman compete in junior varsity games.

“We would go out to those games just to see him dominate,” Rollinson recalled. “He was scoring four or five touchdowns and was leveling 14- and 15-year-old kids with a viciousness I had never seen.”

Not wanting to miss out on the freshman’s abilities, Rollinson installed Grootegoed as a part-time kicker on the varsity team when there wasn’t a conflict between varsity and junior varsity games. Grootegoed went on to play a starring role on the varsity team the following three seasons.

This year, as a defensive back and running back, Grootegoed led the Monarchs to a share of the Southern Section Division I title after Mater Dei tied Long Beach Poly, 21-21.

Rollinson’s assertion that Grootegoed is the greatest player in school history is supported by the star’s postseason accolades.

This week, Grootegoed was named The Times’ Orange County Player of the Year.

Today he is being announced as winner of The Times’ 1999 Glenn Davis Award, presented annually to the top prep football player in Southern California. The award is named for the 1946 Heisman Trophy winner, who attended La Verne Bonita and West Point.

Grootegoed is the second Mater Dei player to earn the award since its inception in 1987. Quarterback Billy Blanton won it in 1991.

Despite all the attention, Grootegoed said he is focused on the future; he plans to play at either UCLA, USC, Michigan, Washington or Notre Dame.

“I have a lot more to accomplish,” Grootegoed said. “It’s all ahead of me now.”

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Davis Award Winners

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Year Name High School Pos. 1999 Matt Grootegoed Mater Dei RB/DB 1998 Chris Lewis Long Beach Poly QB 1997 DeShaun Foster Tustin RB/DB 1996 Antoine Harris Loyola TE/DL 1995 Chris Claiborne Riverside North LB/RB 1994 Daylon McCutcheon La Puente Bishop Amat RB/DB 1993 Glenn Thompkins Rialto Eisenhower QB/DB 1992 Travis Kirschke Esperanza DL 1991 Billy Blanton Mater Dei QB 1990 John Walsh Carson QB 1989 Kevin Copeland Dorsey WR 1988 Derek Brown Servite RB 1987 Russell White Crespi RB

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