Norton Thrived on Dirty Work

Patrick Norton of Hart High is not your typical high school football star.

He didn’t lead the region in passing or rushing. He didn’t lead the area in tackles or sacks.

To understand Norton’s talent for the game, it must be witnessed firsthand because statistics don’t always tell the story.

He is not finesse. He is not grace under fire.

He is a bulldozer. A battering ram. A one-man wrecking crew. He searches, then destroys. Usually in that order.

“As long as I get to hit somebody and make an impact, I’m happy,” Norton said.

Norton, The Times’ Valley player of the year, is the guy with the dirtiest uniform and the grass stuck in his facemask at the end of the game.

“My dad always told me that when you’re on the field, no one is your friend,” Norton said. “And I kind of take that to the next level.”

He can play almost anywhere ... and already has.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior has played offensive and defensive tackle, end, linebacker and fullback. He earned All-Foothill League honors as an offensive lineman as a sophomore, as a defensive lineman as a junior and as a linebacker this season.

“We’ve had some great position players, but I don’t know if we’ve ever had anyone better who plays both sides [of the line],” Coach Mike Herrington said.

Norton, who had 101 tackles, was the centerpiece of perhaps the region’s best defense.

Hart allowed an average of 215 yards, finished 14-0 and won its second consecutive Southern Section Division III title, defeating Valencia, 34-6, in the final.

Although defense seems to be his strength, Norton’s destiny is on offense. Norton, rated the No. 3 fullback prospect in the nation by SuperPrep magazine, committed to UCLA after receiving a handwritten scholarship offer from Coach Bob Toledo.

Norton was used at fullback in short-yardage situations and proved effective. He rushed for 124 yards in 42 carries and scored 10 touchdowns.

He was always ready when the Indians needed him.

“He’s a 250-pound guy who can run,” Herrington said. “And it’s a great weapon to have back there.”