By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO — When sophomore James Hutchins, sitting in the office of head San Bernardino Valley College football coach Pat Meech, responded to an inquiry about his height, the Wolverines defensive back responded 5-foot-7.
That answer brought a chuckle from offensive coordinator Ric Lucore.
Whether he is really 5-7, or something close to that, Hutchins is indeed a small athlete playing a big man’s game and welcomes the chance to challenge his doubters wrong. He has two tattoos etched on his stomach — one of Mighty Mouse and the other of Underdog.
“I’m always trying to prove people wrong,” said Hutchins, a 2007 graduate of Colony High School. “I have always thought of myself as the underdog. That’s what drives me to succeed.”
Hutchins and his SBVC teammates open a new season Saturday, traveling to San Jacinto and College of the Desert for a 6 p.m. showdown. They are looking to improve on a 3-7 campaign that included five straight losses at the end of the season.
Not only has Hutchins, 19, thrived despite his lack of size, he has also overcome a heart murmur that prevented him from competing in the sport until he was 12. He played baseball as a youngster but watching younger brother Keith (a junior at Colony) compete in football made him want to try that sport even more.
Mother Eugenia was understandably concerned so James pestered his father, James Sr. until he finally relented. He was cleared by a doctor and has gotten a passing review in several checkups since then.
“I always wanted to play but I never thought I could be as good as everyone else,” he said. “But I got the hang of it pretty fast.”
Hutchins got his first taste of the game in the Ontario Outlaws Junior All-American program where he excelled both at running back and at defensive back.
He learned so quickly that he earned a spot on the Colony varsity as a freshman. As a senior three years later he helped the Titans to their first CIF title in the sport.
Hutchins gave much of the credit for his progress to former Colony defensive coordinator Brian Gold.
“He took me under his wing,” Hutchins said. “I would go to his house and we would spend a lot of time breaking down film. He was a small guy when he played too so he knew what I was dealing with.”
Despite being on a title-winning team, Hutchins didn’t have a lot of options coming out of high school. He carries a lofty 3.5 grade-point average so that goes back to his size.
Several four-year schools including Idaho and UNLV wanted him to walk on but he knew his chance of getting significant playing time was slim.
He decided to stay close to home and first looked at Mt. SAC. He liked the atmosphere at SBVC better.
His coaches are happy he made that decision.
“He has a great work ethic and knowledge of the game,” defensive line coach Ernie Madrigal said. “He knows he isn’t big enough to battle a bigger guy going up for the ball so it comes down to how he positions himself.”
“He’s just a solid person and a solid football player,” added new defensive coordinator Ted Clarke. “Any superlative you want to use, it fits him perfectly.”
Last season as a freshman Hutchins played in nine games, totaling 24 solo tackles, 11 assists, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and blocked two kicks.
He is hoping another strong season will give him a shot with a four-year program. Meech said the reality is that his size will limit him to playing at the Division I-AA level at best.
But he adds that Hutchins boasts all the intangibles that make for a quality player and team leader. Hutchins plans to major in secondary education so he can teach and coach when his playing days are over.
“He’s very well-respected by everyone on this team,” said Meech, starting his sixth year at the helm. “He goes about his business, never complains and always puts in a workmanlike effort. And he plays bigger than his size.”
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