Richardson Becomes Receptive to His New Life in the Desert

San Diego Charger quarterback coach Mike Johnson has seen many flashy receivers. When he met Terry Richardson, the Corona Centennial receiver with the stylish appearance, he nicknamed the highly touted senior “Hollywood.”

Richardson was living a fast-paced life in Long Beach before he moved his freshman year to Corona, a suburb about 60 miles away.

“At first I hated it,” he said. “I didn’t have my friends and it was boring--nothing to do out in the desert.

“I was mad for a long time.”

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver turned to football and left many, including Centennial Coach Matt Logan, impressed with his ability.

USC, Oregon State, Wisconsin and Ohio State are among the schools that have offered him a scholarship.

“He’s by far the purest athlete to ever come through our school,” Logan said. “Athletically he moves effortlessly.”

Richardson made so many spectacular catches in practice, even as a freshman, that coaches would look at each other and shake their heads in disbelief.

Logan knew Centennial had something special.

“In my sophomore year [Logan] sat down with my father and I and told us I could make my mark at Centennial,” Richardson said. “I just had to focus on what I wanted.”

Last season he had 55 receptions for more than 900 yards and seven touchdowns, and was invited to two elite summer camps. One was Johnson’s First and Ten Foundation, which brings together 40 top high school players from Southern California.

Richardson was reunited at the camp with childhood friends Hershel Dennis and Marcedes Lewis, standouts for national power Long Beach Poly, where he probably could have basked in more limelight.

“Maybe, but this is a better situation, better place for me,” he said. “There’s less violence here, less serious stuff I can be threatened by.”

He likes visiting the hip L.A. scene but the only thing Hollywood about him these days is his nickname--he has learned to embrace his new home in the desert. “I like coming home.” he said. “I have more peace of mind.”

*

Corona Centennial will play host to Corona on Thursday, Oct. 18. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net 2.