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Poly’s Austin Finally Finds the Spotlight

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Times Staff Writer

Now serving: No. 4.

The wait is over for Terrence Austin. Overshadowed the last two seasons as a receiver for the Long Beach Poly football team, he’s next in line to be the team’s main target and most valued commodity for college recruiters.

And some believe he could emerge as the best of the recent corps.

Austin, a senior who wears jersey No. 4, was the third receiver two years ago behind Derrick Jones and DeSean Jackson. After Jones left for USC, Austin spent last season playing alongside Jackson, who led the Jackrabbits to the Southern Section Division I title, was selected The Times’ player of the year and signed with California.

Though he caught only 12 passes as a sophomore, Austin had 39 receptions for 648 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Austin didn’t let his down time go to waste. He studied both receivers and peppered them with questions.

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Jackson, in particular, taught Austin such nuances as slipping past the line of scrimmage against tight coverage and effectively changing speeds on a stop-and-go route.

“I basically modeled myself after them,” Austin said. “I learned their tricks of the trade.”

Like Jones, a state champion in the 200 meters his senior year, and Jackson, a highly touted baseball player, Austin is also a two-sport standout.

He won a Southern Section Division I title in the high jump last spring and reached the state finals for the second consecutive year. He also qualified for the Masters meet in the 110-meter high hurdles and long jump.

Austin, at 6 feet and 170 pounds, is similar in size to Jones and Jackson though a step slower, said Poly Coach Raul Lara. He’s more physical, however, and runs more precise routes.

“He’s probably the strongest of the three,” Lara said. “What I mean by that is, he’s better at breaking tackles.”

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A prime example came last season in a 39-15 victory over Anaheim Esperanza in a Division I semifinal playoff game. After the Jackrabbits intercepted a pass at their 35-yard line with seven seconds left in the first half, Austin caught a short pass, broke two tackles and sped down the sideline for a touchdown, giving Poly a commanding 28-7 halftime lead.

Esperanza Coach Bill Pendleton said he remembered the play but wasn’t sure who scored. Like most opposing coaches, Pendleton had difficulty matching names with Poly’s numerous offensive weapons.

“They’re like stamped out of a mold,” he said.

In addition to Austin, the Jackrabbits also return senior receiver Travon Patterson, who caught 26 passes for 612 yards and three touchdowns last season. A solid group of junior receivers should also push for playing time, Lara said.

“It’s the second or third guys that always get you,” said Lakewood Coach Mike Christensen, whose team plays in the Moore League with the Jackrabbits. “If you take away [Austin], there will always be someone else there waiting.”

Jones and Jackson have gone in different directions since leaving Poly. Jones was an academic casualty at USC before he signed with Oregon in February, but he is again academically ineligible. Jackson, on the other hand, has been better than advertised since beginning practice with the Golden Bears in early August, making one acrobatic catch after another.

Lara said Austin is in good shape to qualify for his school of choice.

“He’s a pretty impressive kid,” Lara said. “Academically, he’s right on top of things.”

UCLA and Notre Dame are among the schools that have offered Austin a scholarship, Lara said. Jones and Jackson had cinched more offers at this point of their high school careers, but Lara expects Austin’s opportunities to swell as he gets more chances to display his skills.

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“Terrence has had to wait patiently for his turn,” Lara said. “Now, it’s his time to shine.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

How they rate

A look at the top wide receivers in the Southland:

*--* City Section Rk Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Comment 1. Jamere 6-1 175. Sr. One of the Holland, Taft fastest teenagers in America 2. Tyquan Knox, 6-0 180 Sr. Will be big-play Crenshaw performer 3. Jerome Lowe, 6-3 185 Sr. Could lead City Venice in catches 4. Chazz Vickers, 6-0 190 Sr. Watch him run Fairfax 5. Andre Garcia, 5-9 175 Jr. Has lots of speed San Fernando 6. Willie 5-10 170 Jr. Runs well, makes Chandler, catches Birmingham Southern Section Rk Player, School Ht. Wt. Yr. Comment 1. Terrence 6-0 170 Sr. Who needs DeSean Austin, Long Jackson? Beach Poly 2. Hayo 5-11 175 Sr. Caught 76 passes Carpenter, last season Ridgecrest Burroughs 3. Richard 6-1 165 Sr. He’s a 49-foot Sherman, triple jumper Dominguez 4. Sean Creadick, 6-2 195 Sr. Has speed, makes Camarillo tough catches 5. Dominique 6-4 210 Sr. Committed to UCLA Johnson, Valley View 6. Matt Luft, 6-5 200 Sr. Made 73 Thousand Oaks receptions as a junior 7. Sean Wiser, 6-2 195 Jr. Should be Oaks Christian Clausen’s top target 8. Travon 5-10 165 Sr. Another fast, Patterson, dependable player Long Beach Poly 9. Chris Brown, 6-2 190 Jr. All-league as a Millikan sophomore 10. Marcus 5-11 175 Sr. Fast, athletic Lawrence, player Loyola 11. Zion Baab, 6-3 180 Jr. Averaged 17 yards Alhambra a catch 12. Sean 6-4 190 Sr. Has size, hands Fitzgerald, to be standout Mission Viejo 13. Steve 6-5 195 Sr. Big target who Gonzalez, goes after the Foothill ball 14. Brandon Bryan, 6-3 190 Sr. Caught 62 passes Glendora 15. Austin Pettis, 6-1 180 Jr. All-league pick Orange as a sophomore Lutheran 16. Aaron Long, 6-2 190 Jr. Rising young Aliso Niguel prospect 17. Jordan 6-5 200 Sr. Three-sport Cameron, athlete makes big Newbury Park catches 18. Tomek 5-11 165 Sr. Runs 40 yards in Czerwinski, 4.5 seconds Rio Mesa 19. Beau Poteet, 6-3 185 Sr. Returning San Clemente all-leaguer 20. Robbie Leith, 6-3 190 Sr. Standout in Ventura summer passing tourneys 21. Spencer 6-3 200 Sr. Will dominate if Paysinger, he gets the ball Beverly Hills 22. Troy Yudin, 6-0 180 Sr. Makes difficult Hart catches 23. Jamar Brown, 6-1 210 Sr. Big target who St. John Bosco can run

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Compiled by Eric Sondheimer

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