By Dave Werstine
Staff Writer
CERRITOS - Over the past three years, Gahr High has been one of the top passing teams in the state and the nation. So, it's no real surprise that the Gladiators' aerial show is again putting up huge numbers.
The surprise is that Gahr isn't the same quarterback-driven offense as before, but rather it's all about the quality and depth of the Gladiators' receiving corps this year.
Gahr (3-2), which opens up the San Gabriel Valley League schedule tonight at Downey (3-2), has what is arguably the best quartet of receivers - Josh Perkins, Delshawn McClellon, Dwayne Washington and Quincy Dickens - in the state and among the tops in the nation.
"They are the best four receivers I've ever had at one time," said offensive coordinator Jon Nielsen. "All four are in the top of the stats. I'm happy about that. Usually you might have one stud guy, maybe two, but not four guys who have been consistent halfway through a football season. And I don't see that changing."
With 2,121 yards, Gahr owns the No. 1 passing offense in the state and is 31st in the nation. And it's third nationally in yards per game with 424. Those kinds of numbers aren't all that surprising, considering the Gladiators ranked No. 1 in the state two of the past three years in passing.
The difference is how they've gone about it. In years past, it was the quarterback, namely brothers Corey and Casey Nielsen, who made the offense go. Now, it's the receivers who are revving it up.
"It's the opposite this year," Nielsen said. "They (the receivers) didn't know how easy they had it (with the Nielsen brothers). They got used to the ball coming to a certain place. They got used to the ball coming out on time. They've had to adjust to that. (Quarterback) D.J. (Lopez) is a great high school player, but it's not the same (as Corey and Casey). It would be unfair to compare D.J. with Corey and Casey."
At the beginning of the season, the talk was who would take over at the quarterback spot at Gahr. Eric Richardson, who got the start in the opener, and Lopez were the prime candidates, but the Gahr coaching staff felt that the receivers were good enough to have either inexperienced QB get the job done. Lopez, in less than four full games, is No. 1 in the state in yards per game with 379 and ninth overall with 1,516 yards.
"We just needed to have someone get the ball to them," Nielsen said. "Eric and DJ have been doing a great job, but with what we've done with the carousel at quarterback shows just how good (the receivers) are."
Perkins, a 6-3, 200-pound senior who has already committed to Washington, has 40 catches for 656 yards and eight TDs, ranking him 15th in the state and sixth in the CIF Southern Section. He is also a solid blocker.
"He reminds me of Randy Moss," Nielsen said. "His vertical game and his ability to adjust to the football is the best I've ever coached. He has already surpassed last year's numbers. He brings some toughness and character to the team.
The 5-10, 165-pound McClellon, a speedy junior who works out of the slot, leads the team with 45 catches for 550 yards and three TDs. He is already receiving lots of interest from big-time college programs.
"He is the closest thing to what Desean Jackson looked like in high school," Nielsen said. "He's got that thing you can't coach. He has that 'wow' factor every time he touches the ball. He caught 74 passes last year and is on pace for 90-plus this year. Coming back next year, he has a chance to break the all-time state record for receptions by Steve Smith, with, I think, 271 over his career."
Dwayne Washington, a junior, has posted 26 catches for 433 yards and five TDs. He is just coming into his own and is also drawing plenty of interest from college scouts.
"He is one of the most unique players I've ever coached, one of the most complete physical players at 6-1 and 195 pounds. He runs a 4.4 (second) 40 (yards). He's just really raw," Nielsen said. "When he runs with the ball after he catches it, he's like Adrian Peterson. He's a violent runner ... and it takes two, three guys to bring him down."
Dickens, at 6-0 and 170 pounds, has come on strong his senior season. He has become a tougher player and that's helped him to 16 catches for 401 yards (team-leading 35-yards-per-reception average) and six TDS.
"He lacked some toughness last year and that's why Washington replaced him in the lineup last year," Nielsen said. "This year, half of his catches have come in a crowd, between two or three defenders. He works hard and I'm happy for him."
While all four are off to great starts, the best is yet still to come, according to Nielsen.
"The crazy part is, two of them still haven't had breakout games yet, but they are coming up soon," he said. "It's exciting. We still haven't unleashed the hounds yet."
Downey, which has defeated Gahr two of the past three years, is well acquainted with the Gladiators' offense and how to slow it down.
"Keep them off the field," said Vikings coach Jack Williams.
Easier said than done. In fact, the only way teams have beaten Gahr, which averages nearly 49 yards per game, this year is to just plain old outscore them. It worked for La Palma Kennedy, 69-51, and Trabuco Hills, 52-42.
The Gahr receivers, because of their quality and depth at the position, do a good job of creating mismatches against opponents. Usually, opponents stick their best cornerback on Perkins, second-best on McClellon and on down the line.
"Teams know what we want to do," Nielsen said. "It's like a chess match; who do you want to stop? That just opens it up for others. We are equal opportunity."
Williams feels his Vikings' defense is more apt to handle Gahr's spread offense than more conventional run-base offenses.
"I think we match up better because ... of the athletes we have," he said. "We are small but fast and linebacker and think we can match up there a little better against a team that wants to spread the ball. ... The do a good job of getting the ball to (the receivers) and letting those guys do work. We have our work cut out for us."
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