White Carried the Load to the Top

If Manuel White of Valencia High ever aspired to be the region’s all-time leading rusher, it was his secret to keep.

White, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound tailback who is headed to UCLA, did not talk about personal goals or triumphs. Not before, during or even after the season.

But his legs spoke volumes.

White, who rushed for at least 100 yards in 31 games and more than 200 yards in 16, became only the third player in region history to rush for more than 6,000 career yards.

Like so many talented players, White, The Times’ Valley offensive co-player of the year, saved his best for last.

Averaging 8.2 yards a carry this season, he rushed for 2,503 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Staggering statistics considering White was marked by every defense.

With White plowing through defenses designed to stop him, Valencia, in its fifth varsity season, advanced to its first Southern Section championship game after upsetting Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.

“I think Manuel White is the biggest reason the program has excelled the way it has,” Coach Brian Stiman said. “He helped put our program on the map.”

In a semifinal against Saugus, White rushed for a school-record 305 yards and five touchdowns and surpassed George Keiaho of Buena as the region’s all-time leading rusher.

White finished with 6,745 yards, a career mark that ranks fourth in state history. He scored 78 touchdowns and averaged 7.8 yards a carry.

Stiman doesn’t expect to coach another back as talented and successful as White, who also started at safety.

But he does expect to see a little bit of White in the eyes and souls of every player to follow him.

“He’s the reason why our freshmen and junior varsity team went undefeated, just by his presence and level of play,” Stiman said.

“He raised expectations of how you play the game in this program. His impact will forever keep this program competitive.”