Hammer and Glove

Bobby Otani would have fit in perfectly with the ancient ritual of a Samurai laying down his sword at the end of battle.

Otani, an inside linebacker for St. Bonaventure High, fancies himself a modern-day warrior in the tradition of the Samurai he has tattooed on his biceps to honor his Japanese heritage.

His partner is fellow inside linebacker David Garza. The two grew up a few doors from each other in north Oxnard and have known each other since they were 5. They’ve been side by side at St. Bonaventure since last year.

No one understands Otani’s Samurai mentality better than Garza.

And no one understands Garza’s tactical approach better than Otani.

They lead the Seraphs into the Southern Section Division XI final Saturday night against Orange Lutheran in what could be a defensive struggle.

“Orange Lutheran runs the option out of so many sets that it’ll be a challenge,” Seraph Coach Jon Mack said. “The question is can we be physical and think at the same time?”

Brains and brawn are what Garza and Otani bring to a defense that has allowed 95 points in 13 games.

“Otani and Garza really have an instinct for each other,” Mack said. “If one doesn’t get the hit, the other one will.”

They are opposites who rely on each other. Otani takes pride in terrorizing opponents. Garza is a field marshal who quickly adjusts St. Bonaventure’s 4-4 scheme at the line of scrimmage.

“Otani has great explosion on contact,” Mack said. “Garza is the real student. He understands the nuances and the concepts of defense. Bobby hits everything that moves and lets the [officials] sort it out.”

Garza understands what motivates Otani.

“Bobby has always been an animal,” Garza said. “For as long as I can remember, even when we were kids, he was always like that.”

Garza’s cunning complements Otani’s courage.

“Ever since I’ve known him, he’s been an analyst of the game,” Otani said. “I don’t think I’ve seen a guy on this level play with that kind of mentality.”

Garza often keeps Otani calm after a hit, helping his partner control his emotions.

“There’s nothing like putting someone on their [back],” Otani said. “I love it.”

Keeping the defense composed has become one of Garza’s most important tasks.

“Our defense hits people,” Garza said. “Cornerbacks, safeties, everyone’s a hitter. This defense lives to make big hits. Bobby is like that. Sometimes, you have to calm him down.”

Garza’s leadership sometimes overshadows his tackling abilities. Mack has pushed him to college recruiters, who have been hesitant to commit to a 5-foot-10, 197-pound linebacker.

“A lot of people underestimate Garza for his size, but by far, this is the best linebacker I’ve ever played with,” Otani said. “He makes our defense what it is.”

Otani, 6-1 and 219 pounds, emerged as a college prospect this season.

“We had a hard time with Otani,” Oak Park Coach Dick Billingsley said. “He’s a little bigger, faster and stronger. He’s extremely aggressive.”

Otani and Garza could wind up playing together in college. Both will take the same recruiting trip to Nevada Las Vegas.

“I’d love to play with him in college,” Garza said. “We know each other better than anyone.”

Billingsley agreed.

“They feed very well off each other,” he said. “They should be able to continue their careers in college.”

The two make a point of watching each other’s back on the field.

“What I do for him, he does for me,” Otani said. “I take the angle to push a [ball carrier] back at him for the tackle. He does the same for me. I know he’s better at the strategy. I’m the one that brings the boom. Truthfully, I take as much pride in the initial hit as I do the tackle.”

Otani had the Samurai tattoo affixed before the season.

“It [represents] the warrior mentality and to honor my heritage,” he said. “I put my body on the line. Hitting someone feels nice, ripe and pure.”

Garza wasn’t surprised when he saw the tattoo. It’s just the same old Bobby.

“We’re right next to each other on everything,” Garza said. “It’s always been that way.”

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Southern Section Championship Games

DIVISION III

HART vs.

MIRA COSTA

at College of the Canyons

Friday, 7 p.m.

DIVISION IV

VENTURA at

ARROYO GRANDE

Saturday

DIVISION XI

ST. BONAVENTURE vs.

ORANGE LUTHERAN

at Ventura High

Saturday

DIVISION XII

MONTCLAIR PREP vs.

PARACLETE

at Valley College

Saturday

All games at 7:30 p.m.

unless noted