Quentyn DeMara is a beast as University City’s quarterback: 2,490 yards passing on 148 of 214 attempts for 33 touchdowns. The junior may be one of the more unsung QBs in San Diego County. It probably is due partially to University City’s (10-1) uneven opposition and schedule this season.
Listed at 5 feet 11 inches tall, 170 pounds, his coach, Paul Lawrence, says, “(He’s) a great leader. He knows the playbook (which is pretty deep — the Centurions hold up two four-foot circles on the sidelines for the players to decode). We give him a lot of freedom (to make choices within the offense).”
DeMara has plenty of options to go to: besides himself, with eight rushing TDs on 439 yards, Nakeem Jones, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 215 pounds, is a big presence in the backfield. Early in an impressive 48-21 win at La Jolla in the final regular season game, UC was struggling, not calling Jones’ number.
But there was a method to Lawrence’s play-calling madness: the Cents did go to Nakeem eventually, and he pounded in three touchdowns on 85 yards rushing over the next two quarters. Number 5’s numbers include 95 carries in only seven games for 764 yards.
“He’ll do the dirty work. He gets the tough yards,” says the fourth-year coach.
University City’s other weapons include Dreyden Gardner, a fleet wide receiver who burned the Vikings for a 27-yard scoring reception, and another for 13 yards. “He’s a heck of an athlete,” says the head coach. “He’s been in this program a while, so he knows the plays.”
The next wave of offensive weapons includes running back Jahlon Adams, who has 51 carries for 316 yards. Through the air, receivers Tay Lockett (479 yards), Xavier Quintanar (455), and Matthew Bresko (367) give opponents fits.
And that’s only on the offensive side. The Cents’ defense, in its best moments, has pounded opponents physically: contributing both ways, Lockett is the leader of the unit with 103 tackles, 64 of those unassisted; Quintanar with 87, and Bresko 70. Many other athletes populate the defense, including seniors Brady Richardson (54 tackles), aptly named Gunnar Reyes (52), and Adams (51).
UC, earning a first-round bye in the Div. II playoffs, put its assault together to land a 41-28 win over Christian in the quarterfinals at home on Nov. 15. But earlier in the season, “The Mira Mesa game (edging a winless team 24-21) humbled us,” says Lawrence. “We have to be on our P’s and Q’s.”
Then, in weeks 8 and 9, the Cents had to face two undefeated teams back-to-back — Brawley (a 21-13 non-league win) and Scripps Ranch (their only loss, 31-13, at home). “It was a little bit of a roller coaster” during that phase. “The kids figured out this is what we have to do (to win),” says Lawrence.
They are now poised to take on Poway (4-7) at home in the semifinals of the Div. II playoffs on Nov. 22.
