Expecting Greatness

The name is familiar and, the way Marcus McCutcheon figures, so are the expectations.

That’s inherent with being the son of Lawrence McCutcheon and half-brother of Daylon McCutcheon. People tend to make comparisons when members of your family have been in the NFL.

“[The name] boosts expectations,” said McCutcheon, a sophomore at Edison High. “People hear the name and they’ve seen the success of my dad and my brother, and I’m sure they expect the same thing from me.

“I expect the same thing from myself.”

Only two games into his first full varsity season and less than two months past his 15th birthday, McCutcheon is on his way to fulfilling those expectations.

In last Friday’s 62-14 victory over Cypress, McCutcheon scored three touchdowns--one each as a runner, receiver and defensive back--as Edison set a school scoring record, with all the points coming in the first half.

McCutcheon played, and started, three varsity games last season.

“You’re really at a whole different level,” said McCutcheon, who spent most of last season on the freshman team. “When you move up to varsity, besides the name, there’s a notable difference in the intensity of the game and the speed.

“I was excited [to play varsity]. I want to do the best I can, and at this level, varsity is the best I can do. The sooner I had the chance to make that jump and make my presence known, the better. That’s how I saw it.”

That’s how his coach saw it too.

“He was the first freshman in school history to play varsity football,” Edison Coach Dave White said. “And he’s a young sophomore (born July 22). He was only 14 last year when he played. We actually had to get a note from his parents to let him play.”

But White likes what he has seen. McCutcheon starts at defensive back and rotates at running back with Daryl Poston. McCutcheon also returns punts and kickoffs.

“He and Daryl give us a lot of threats on the offensive side, and [McCutcheon] plays defense,” White said. “I think Daryl Poston is a heck of a tailback. If Daryl wasn’t here, Marcus would be crawling off the field, we’d use him so much. He’s an integral part of our defense right now.”

McCutcheon rushed five times for 30 yards and a five-yard score against Cypress. He also caught a 43-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.

The performance helped move Edison (2-0), which finished last in the Sunset League last year, into this week’s Orange County top 10 poll. The sixth-ranked Chargers will play at Capistrano Valley tonight.

McCutcheon’s father is expected to attend. Lawrence McCutcheon starred for the Rams and rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four of five seasons between 1973 and ’77. Daylon McCutcheon played at La Puente Bishop Amat, starred at defensive back for USC and is with the Cleveland Browns.

“Before his [high school] career is over, I believe Marcus will make an impact on both sides of the ball,” White said. “I believe he can be a college defensive back. That might be his ticket to get a scholarship, but who knows? If you can do both, it makes it better for recruiting.”

Marcus had no interest in following Daylon’s lead and attending a Catholic school.

“I would much rather come here,” Marcus said of Edison. “As important as football is in my life, it’s not everything. I would much rather be at a school where I feel more comfortable. I know more people here, it’s got a good program, a good educational reputation. That’s more important than football.”

But make no mistake, he is a football player. And he is definitely out to win.

“Winning is everything--nobody plays the sport to lose,” McCutcheon said. “That’s the name of the game--winning.

“[But] being in an organized sport, especially a team sport, you learn to accept your responsibilities. That will carry you through life. You’ll always have your role to play in the big picture. If everyone doesn’t do their job on the team, then the team doesn’t function like it should. You’ll find that true throughout your life.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

EDISON VS. CAPISTRANO VALLEY

Featured Game

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Capistrano Valley High

Records: Edison (2-0); Capistrano Valley (0-1)

Rankings: Edison is No. 6 in Orange County; Capistrano Valley is unranked.

Noteworthy: The Chargers will be the only team in Orange County with three victories if they defeatthe Cougars. Edison is coming off a school-record 62-point performance, all scored in the first half of a 62-14 victory over Cypress. Capistrano Valley held a 14-7 halftime lead against Aliso Niguel but never recovered after the second-half kickoff was returned for a touchdown in a 24-14 loss. Dan Chapman carried eight times for 108 yards, a 12.8-yard average that ranks fifth among Orange County rushers.