Giddens Is Taking No Offense at College Projections

Arthur Giddens is certain he will be patrolling the secondary as a cornerback, instead of picking it apart as a quarterback, when he plays college football next fall.

That’s fine with Giddens, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior, who is making the most of his opportunities on offense this season for Manual Arts High.

Giddens has passed for 660 yards and rushed for 290 while leading the Toilers to a 2-1 record heading into Friday’s intersectional game against Corona Centennial (3-0), ranked No. 9 in the Southland by The Times.

Giddens enjoys playing defense and concurs with college recruiters who project him as a defensive back. But as one of Manual Arts’ best all-around athletes, he is happy to run the Toilers’ big-play offense.

“I just do whatever it takes out there,” Giddens said. “Our offensive coordinator gives us a lot of freedom. If I see something we can take advantage of when I’m at the line, I can check off and run another play.”

Giddens’ skills as a decision-maker and playmaker have helped Manual Arts average 36 points in victories over Van Nuys Grant and Jordan, and in a loss to Westchester.

“He’s a student of the game and he really works at it,” Manual Arts Coach Glenn Bell said. “He’s shown emotional maturity and he’s very coachable.

“He has his own mind, so he’ll question things, but always in an appropriate manner. He doesn’t get negative or pout when things aren’t going our way.”

Giddens started at cornerback and alternated at quarterback in 1999 and 2000 before becoming a full-time starter at both positions this season.

In a 39-20 victory against Grant, he completed eight of 15 passes for 221 yards and rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown. He also intercepted a pass.

Two weeks later, he passed for 161 yards and rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-23 loss to Westchester. He also forced two fumbles.

Friday, with several NCAA Division I coaches looking on, Giddens completed 14 of 19 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 114 yards in a 46-42 victory over Jordan.

Giddens and his teammates--including cousin James Finley, who is regarded as one of the top receivers on the West Coast--are preparing this week for Centennial, the defending Southern Section Division V champion. Last season, Centennial defeated Manual Arts, 56-21, in a game Giddens missed because of injury.

“I’ve seen him on tape and he’s a great athlete,” Centennial Coach Matt Logan said. “Most running quarterbacks don’t throw as well as he does.

“We have to contain him.”

Regardless of the outcome against Centennial, Giddens is confident that Manual Arts can compete for the Coliseum League title and more.

Manual Arts has won 17 City Section football titles--more than any school--but the Toilers have not won a championship since 1984 and have not won a major-division title since 1962.

“This is a Manual Arts team that can get to the playoffs and go all the way,” Giddens said. “If we all stay focused, we’re going to be all right.”