In the National Football League, 18 quarterbacks have thrown for 500 yards. It’s an exclusive club.
Eric Melesio of Norte Vista (Riverside, Calif.) had 563 yards… on the ground. Yes, you read that correctly.
The running back was sensational in a 62-56 win against St. Margaret’s (San Juan Capistrano) in the CIF Southern Section Division 7 football playoffs. Melesio had 43 carries and eight rushing touchdowns.
His total ranks second in California history; Hueneme (Oxnard) back Ronney Jenkins had 619 yards in 1995.
Melesio has 3,945 yards on the season; the state record is 4,495 set by Ventura’s Tyler Ebell in 2000.
Norte Vista hosts St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) on Friday.
Melesio’s dominance leads the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Performances of the Week.
The rest of the performances of the week as fall sports continue around the country:
Katharine Walker, volleyball, Alemany (Calif.)
Walker, a senior who missed her junior season because of torn knee liagements, proved to be the difference in a victory against top-seeded Bakersfield Christian in the Southern California Regional semifinals. The senior had 14 kills and four blocks.
Victoria Taylor (Photo: Jennifer Corbett, DelawareOnline.com)
Victoria Taylor, volleyball, Delaware Military Academy (Delaware)
The Maryland-Baltimore County commit had 24 kills in a victory against Ursuline, a win that clinched a second consecutive state volleyball championship. “Victoria Taylor is the glue. She is the heart of DMA,” Seahawks coach Sydney Cook told Gannett partner DelawareOnline.com. “When we’re down, she’s picking everybody up. She’s got spirit like nobody else. When you watch her on the court, you just get excited.”
Fran Espinosa, girls soccer, Edgewood (Florida)
Espinosa she scored five goals and assisted two more in two victories last week – two goals and an assists against Melbourne Catholic and then three goals and an assist against Astronaut.
Ron Thompson (Photo: Special to the Clarion-Ledger)
Ron Thompson, football, Bassfield (Miss.)
Bassfield will not continue as a football program next year and Thompson is doing everything he can to make sure the program goes out on a high note, as it marches toward their its fifth consecutive title. Thompson rushed for 172 yards and four touchdowns in a quarterfinal win against Heidelberg.
Morgan Ellison, football, Pickerington Central (Ohio)
Ellison was outstanding in a 38-24, Division 1 regional semifinal win against North Pickerington. The running back had 23 carries for 269 yards and four touchdowns — two of which were longer than 80 yards.
Tim DeMorat (Photo: Craig Rubadaux, Florida Today)
Tim DeMorat, football, Viera (Florida)
DeMorat was sensational in a 53-45 Class 7A regional semifinal win against Martin County. The quarterback threw for 527 yards and five touchdowns.
Katie Kushner, girls swim and dive, New Canaan (Conn.)
Kushner won the CIAC Class L diving championship with a winning score of 447.30. The diver won the state title by a solid eight points. She had finished second in the conference championships a week earlier.
Elder Reyes, boys soccer, Carthage (Missouri)
Reyes was outstanding in a playoff win Nov. 11. The junior scored a hat trick in a 3-0 win in the semifinals of the Class 3 playoffs; the team lost in the championship game the following day. Reyes finished the season with 30 goals.
Blake Sentman, Cottage Grove (Oregon)
The senior quarterback threw for 244 yards and five touchdowns as the Lions upended defending state 4A champion Cascade 48-20 in the semifinals.