Except for an unnecessarily dramatic renewal of head coach Rick Bray’s contract for this upcoming year, the last nine months have been bliss for the Colton High School football team, as the Yellowjackets won their first CIF-SS title since 1978 and have been on cloud nine riding the wave of congratulatory back slaps ever since.

But Bray knows that all the accolades that his team has gotten won’t help it this year. And he knows that a 2010 CIF title puts a big target on his team in 2011, even if he is trying to get creative in deflecting that target.

“The way we see it, Cajon High School should have the target because they were the San Andreas League champs last year,” Bray said. “They have a title that we want. But we do know that teams are going to be shooting for us this year.”

Colton loses several star components from last year’s squad, as all-CIF players Rodney Hardrick, Tyler Ervin, Devan Hussey and John Taylor are currently on college campuses. But the cupboard is hardly empty at Colton, as the Yellowjackets return starters on both lines and a talented secondary.
Continue reading “Colton getting ready for title defense” »

Share this

Colton High School will be hosting a recruiting seminar titled “The Realities of College Recruiting” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the school auditorium open to high school athletes and their parents. The seminar, presented by Jack Renkens, will hit on the methodology of college recruiters, NCAA Clearinghouse Guidelines and the best way to present yourself to colleges. For more information go to www.recruitingrealities.com.

Share this

Colton senior running back/defensive back Tyler Ervin made a verbal commitment to San Jose State this weekend on an official visit to the school, according to a text message I just received from Colton head coach Rick Bray. Ervin was a first-team all-Sun selection this past season, rushing for 1,436 yards and 13 touchdowns offensively while accumulating 34 tackles and three interceptions on defense.

The 5-foot-10, 167-pound Ervin chose the Spartans over offers from Utah State, Hawaii and Nevada. He becomes the second Yellowjacket to commit to a Division I-FBS school, joining tight end/linebacker Rodney Hardrick, who committed to Oregon.

Share this

A few days after being part of Colton’s first CIF-SS championship football team since 1978, Yellowjackets linebacker Rodney Hardrick made a verbal commitment to Oregon after an in-home visit with the Ducks Monday night according to Rivals.com.

Hardrick, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior who played tight end and outside linebacker for Colton, chose the Ducks over offers from Oregon State, Washington, New Mexico and Idaho. He is the second county player to commit to the Ducks, joining Chino Hills defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.

Share this