High School Football Scene & Heard: Former Maverick returns to fire up LCC team

CARLSBAD — Nearly two hours before fourth-ranked La Costa Canyon kicked off against No. 7 San Marcos on Friday night, Mavericks coach Sean Sovacool was holding court in the team room.

Eighty-nine players squeezed inside. The testosterone was off the charts. All eyes were on the screen as Sovacool played and rewound San Marcos video.

“Pursuit has got to be terrific,” said Sovacool. “They’ve got good skill people.”

Then Sovacool’s voice rose, sharply and loudly. The intensity in his face was palpable.

“GET OFF BLOCKS! BEAT THE DOUBLE TEAM WITH SPEED! DON’T DANCE WITH THE DUDE!”

LCC suffered a heartbreaking 35-34 loss last week to Mission Hills, scoring with 37 seconds to play, then botching a two-point conversion that would’ve won it.

“We’ve gotta wash this taste out of our mouth,” said Sovacool. “Spend five minutes with the toothbrush. Clean it up.”

Bruce Schram, LCC Class of 2015 and a former starting offensive lineman, served as the Mavericks’ honorary captain on Friday. He talked to the team the way you’d think an offensive lineman would.

“Fun is fun” is a popular line by Sovacool.

“You know what’s more fun than fun?” said Schram. “Knocking someone’s (bleeping) teeth out.”

The Mavericks pounded tables and stomped their feet.

“This is a crazy game,” said Schram. “You’ve got to be crazy to play it. It takes heart and it takes belief. If you don’t have those two things, you’re not a winner. But I believe you’re a winner. Your coach believes you’re a winner.”

Tables rocked. Feet stomped.

Sovacool talked about how much he loved Schram.

“He’s a grown-ass man. I’m proud of you, man,” said Sovacool

Then he told his players that Schram is an arborist.

“You have problems with trees,” Sovacool told his players, “you go to Bruce.”

La Costa Canyon won, 49-35.

Thespian lineman

La Costa Canyon starting left offensive tackle Justin Lee sports a 4.67 GPA. He’s considering going to the Air Force Academy and has been accepted at Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon. A senior, Lee has played the lead role in multiple school theater productions.

He also acts in community theater, prefers musicals and has played Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” and Prince Charming in “Cinderella.”

“He has the best voice I’ve ever heard,” said running back Coby Herman. “He sings like an angel.”

Penn State coach impressed

Much was made about Penn State coach James Franklin showing up at the Mission Hills-LCC game last Friday to watch Mission Hills senior quarterback Troy Huhn.

Franklin also gushed about Herman, who rushed 18 times for 159 yards, caught nine passes for 131 yards and scored three TDs.

According to Sovacool, Franklin said that Herman — jersey No. 0 — was the best running back he’s seen in years, and asked, “How tall is zero?”

To which Sovacool’s father, retired Marine Lt. Col. Michael Sovacool said: “He’s 300 yards of offense tall. Who gives a (bleep)?”

Smallish O-line

In his 16 seasons at La Costa Canyon, Sovacool has suffered only three losing seasons.  His career record is 104-67. The Mavericks are noted for producing athletic, quick and creative teams. But to the naked eye, LCC’s offensive lines are usually modest in size by Open and Division 1 standards.

This year’s team is no exception. Average weight of the five starters: 232 pounds. By comparison, No. 1-ranked Lincoln’s O-line averages 283 pounds. Cathedral Catholic and Mission Hills typically feature bigger lines, too.

Sovacool has a simple explanation.

“We do a weird thing at LCC,” he said.  “We coach the kids who show up and don’t recruit them.”

Food review

Passed on Chick-Fil-A because in favor of a cheeseburger. It was warm, cheese perfectly melted, soft bun. Next time at LCC, bring your own lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. Four belches on the U-T five-belch meter.

By the numbers

0: Herman’s number. His nickname? “Agent Zero.”

230: Football players at La Costa Canyon, including the varsity, JV and freshman teams. One out of every four boys on campus plays football.

1,424: All-purpose yards for San Marcos’ Zamar Reese coming Friday’s game, an average of 237 yards per game.