Farmerville, Calif., quarterback Sam Metcalf threw seven touchdowns and set a Central Section career record in a 50-21 defeat of Woodlake on Friday.
Photo by Rhea Quitasol/Visalia Times-Delta
Farmersville, Calif., quarterback Sam Metcalf is fast becoming comfortable with his team’s no-huddle spread offense. He threw for 481 yards and seven touchdowns in a 50-21 defeat of Woodlake on Friday, setting a Central Section career record for passing yards (9,411) in the process.
“Because Sam is a four-year starter, the game has really slowed down for him,” Farmersville coach Gil Gonzales said. “He’s most comfortable when things are going quickly. He’s like a hummingbird out there and he can see all of his reads.”
Metcalf has been a team captain since he was a sophomore. Now a 5-11, 180-pound senior, he’s adept at rolling out to his left and making a good throw across his body. That’s not by accident.
“My freshman year, I got criticized a lot because I couldn’t go to my left,” he said. “That’s something I’ve worked on. I have had the opportunity to play varsity for four years. The first year, you’re learning and the game seems so fast. You get a couple of years under your belt and the game slows down. I also have some good coaches in my ear.”
He led the Aztecs to the Central Section Division VI championship last season after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Though the team has moved up to Division V this year, Gonzalez said the Aztecs have the team to be successful again,
“We could still make a serious run,” Gonzales said. “We have two 1,000-yard receivers who came back. Sam is fitting into the role as the face of the program and that’s something we’ve talked a lot about.”
“Obviously, the goal is to get back to where we were, game by game,” Metcalf said.
Despite his record numbers, he hasn’t had a lot of interest from colleges, other than a look or two from Eastern Washington and Fresno State.
“He has the skill and the numbers and he has the heart,” Gonzales said. “He’s also been to a couple of camps. I’m kind of surprised he hasn’t had more looks.”
For his efforts, Metcalf leads the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Performances of the Week. The rest of the top performances:
Rylan Arihood, RB, Rensselaer, Ind.
Senior ran for five touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass, all in the first half of a 77-0 defeat of Tipton on Friday.
VIDEO: Arihood’s highlights against Tipton
Robert Brandt, cross country, Loyola, Los Angeles
Senior, who has committed to Cal, set a course record in the Rosemead (Calif.) Invitational on Saturday, finishing the three-mile course in 14 minutes, 1.14 seconds.
VIDEO: Brandt talks about his victory at Rosemead
Deshawn Capers-Smith, QB, Warren Easton, New Orleans
Senior, who has committed to Texas A&M, passed for 402 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 77 yards and two TDs in a 59-14 win Sunday vs. West Jefferson (Harvey).
VIDEO: Capers-Smith talks about game vs. West Jefferson
Jenna Collier, girls soccer, Timothy Christian, Piscataway, N.J.
Senior scored four goals in a 5-1 defeat of South Amboy on Friday. She scored three goals in a 4-1 defeat of South River on Sept. 8.
Kyler Murray, QB, Allen, Texas
Senior, who has committed to Texas A&M, passed for five touchdowns and ran for a touchdown in a 58-28 win Friday at McKinney Boyd (McKinney).
Tyric Solomon, DB, Jones County, Gray, Ga.
Junior had three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, in a 43-6 defeat of Greenbrier (Evans) on Friday.
Trent Stone, RB, Holt, Mich.
Junior ran for 301 yards and seven touchdowns in a half in a 69-28 defeat of Lansing Eastern (Lansing) on Friday.
VIDEO: Stone’s highlights against Lansing Eastern
Carson Williams, WR, Gruver, Texas
Senior had 15 catches for 355 yards and six touchdowns and kicked three extra points in a 45-28 defeat of Texhoma, Okla., on Friday.
Brandon Wimbush, QB, St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City
Senior, who has committed to Penn State, passed for 348 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a touchdown in a 49-20 win Thursday vs. Bergen Catholic (Oradell).