Rancho Bernardo’s Valencia a major factor in team’s strong defense this season

Gavin Valencia looks around at his Rancho Bernardo High teammates.

“I’ve played on the same teams as these guys since I was in Pop Warner football,” said the Broncos senior middle linebacker. “This is the brotherhood — it’s the reason I play.”

And, boy, does he play.

Through the first eight games, Valencia, who at 6-foot, 205-pounds is somewhat undersized, has 104 tackles, which ranks second in the section. That includes 61 solo tackles and 43 assists.

The defense has led the way as the No. 7-ranked Broncos compiled a seven-game winning streak before stumbling to Oceanside 24-21 last week, heading into the non-league showdown at No. 4 Mission Hills Friday night.

Going 7-0 to start the season was the first time RB was undefeated that late since going 11-0 in 2016 before losing to Helix in the section Open Division semifinals. 

Although that team was an offensive powerhouse, averaging better than 34 points a game, the current Broncos squad is scoring 25.6-points on average, but giving up only 16.4 per contest with Valencia being a major factor.

Among his biggest boosters is head coach Eric Weddle, who knows something about playing defense after spending 14 seasons on that side of the ball in the NFL.

“He’s got the ability,” said Weddle. “He’s savvy, he has instincts. He knows where the ball is going. There are times I don’t know how he makes a play, he just does.

“It’s read and react, but he also takes the proper angles. Some kids have it, some don’t. He makes plays only he could make, it’s a unique trait.

“I thought I had that but even I’m amazed sometimes. You trust what you see and in most cases he’s right, it usually ends up okay. He’s a quick-learner and he makes plays so fast — he can go do the job.

“The defense is why we’re 7-1; he’s part of a standout unit,” he said. “He’s an impact player and one of the very best in San Diego.”

Most teams have players who like to hit. Others who are good tacklers. Valencia is both.

“I prefer to play defense, I love defense,” said Valencia, 17, who also plays on fullback offense and even has a couple of pass receptions. “I like to hit; I’d rather do that than get hit. I think my strength is my eyes, I can read plays.

“We watch a lot of film, so I’m always looking for tendencies. I want to have some idea what play the other team is going to run and as a middle linebacker, I get to the play. I look at the formations and consider down and distance.”

With a better than 3.0 GPA, he even spends his down time studying how to get better.

“I watch a lot of football on Sunday,” said Valencia of viewing NFL game after game. “Sometimes I watch on Saturday, too. I look to see how the linebackers play to try to get better.”

He also gives 100 percent every practice but admits as the season has gone on, he eases up a little so he doesn’t hurt a teammate by accident. Injuries in a game happen but injuries at practice are a no-no.

Valencia credits new defensive coordinator Darnell Johnson for his improvement this year over last when he had an eye-opening total of 132 tackles.

“They’re both great coaches,” said Valencia, “but I’d say the difference is D.J. wants us to be super-aggressive, to be fast and physical.”

Valencia wants to play after high school, even if it’s JC, to prove he belongs but like a lot of high school seniors, he has a fallback position.

“I wouldn’t mind going to fire academy, either,” said Valencia, who is keeping his options open.

Weddle says he’s not surprised that Valencia hasn’t been hounded by colleges clamoring for him to be on their team.

“He’s a big hitter and plays sideline to sideline,” said Weddle. “He probably won’t get a lot of attention until January, but he has 1AA and Division II schools looking now. He’ll be an asset on and off the field, but he doesn’t meet the ‘tale of the tape’ with his height and weight.

“Some Division 1 school may take a chance but with the portal, whereas schools would look at 18 to 22 players before, now they get an experienced player from the portal without the risk. As far as Gavin is concerned, it’s their loss.”