Offensive Player

Basketball buffs, brace yourselves. Steve Smith, The Times’ Valley offensive player of the year, is about to profess his love of football.

“I’m concentrating on basketball right now because football season is over, but I like football more,” he said. “It’s more of a challenge for me.

“I’m pretty sure football is what I will pursue in college.”

That won’t keep college basketball coaches from pursuing Smith. Not when his ability on the court is every bit as impressive as it is on the football field.

But Smith, a sophomore, is beginning to think for himself and draw conclusions.

Troy Starr was waiting for the day to come. The Taft football coach marveled at Smith’s ability all season. He marvels even more at how good Smith will be when he becomes attentive to details.

“It’s scary, he’s so good,” Starr said. “When he understands all the little things that go into being a great player, then he will really be scary.”

Every fall Friday was fright night for opponents. Smith led the region with 94 receptions for 1,595 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He had two touchdown catches in his first game, a victory over eventual City Section champion Banning, and never slowed.

“That first game got me over the hump,” Smith said. “The season just built from there.

“I came into varsity not knowing anything. The seniors helped me out a lot. I learned something new every week, like how to trick the cornerback and to get position when the ball is in the air.”

He also became a difficult-to-trick cornerback. Smith had seven interceptions, returning them for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

“I like defense, too,” he said. “I like everything about football.”

Smith was especially attached to Rick Clausen, a senior who passed for 3,486 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Taft had a 9-3 record and tied for the West Valley League title.

Next season, Clausen will be gone. Receiver Clarence Simpson probably will be the quarterback.

“I might not have the numbers I had this year,” Smith said. “But we should all be fine. Clarence is cool. He’s an active runner. It will give us a whole different dimension.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

OFFENSIVE TEAM

Demetre Booker / Antelope Valley

5-10, 170, Sr.

Quarterback

The Golden League most valuable player passed for 971 yards and rushed for 843 yards.

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Perry Clayton / Grant

5-8, 175, Sr.

Running back

Clayton rushed for 2,362 yards, more than any City Section back in more than 10 years, and had 27 touchdowns.

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Jason Hogan / Crescenta Valley

5-10, 175, Sr.

Running back

Hogan ran for 651 yards and nine touchdowns, and caught 76 passes for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns.

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John Sciarra / St. Francis

6-2, 190, Sr.

Quarterback

UCLA-bound Sciarra threw for 2,664 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 60% of his passes.

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James Norris / Kennedy

5-6, 150, Sr.

Receiver

Norris, a repeat selection, averaged 17.8 yards on 47 catches, rushed for 609 yards and returned four kicks for scores.

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Robert Avina / Kennedy

6-0, 240, Sr.

Lineman

The only four-year starter in school history, Avina’s blocking helped Kennedy average 402.7 yards a game.

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Nestor Robles / Sylmar

6-3, 300, Sr.

Lineman

Robles rarely left the field the last two seasons, anchoring Sylmar’s offensive and defensive lines.

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Michael Graves / Antelope Valley

6-4, 305, Sr.

Lineman

Two-way starter was one of the region’s biggest and most dominant players. He also anchored defense.

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Chris Frome / Hart

6-5 1/2, 235, Jr.

Lineman

Frome grew into one of the region’s elite two-way linemen, leading an offensive line that got better each week.

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Jason Tompkins / Frazier Mountain

6-0, 170, Sr.

Kicker

Tompkins, who kicked without a tee, made 12 of 21 field goals, including a school-record 57-yarder.