Second in a sequence of tales profiling high highschool soccer gamers by place. At the moment, Brian Bonner, Valencia operating again.
There are a lot of methods Brian Bonner of Valencia Excessive impacts a soccer recreation. As a operating again, utilizing his 10.48-second pace within the 100 meters, any form of opening creates the chance for a landing.
Ditto catching a ball out of the backfield and being allowed to improvise as he makes defenders miss. After which there’s kickoff returns, the place he builds up pace like a locomotive and heads to the tip zone quicker than placing mustard on a sizzling canine.
“I think being versatile is very important,” he stated. “A lot of teams in college look for a running back that can do more than run the ball. They want you to be able to catch and block.”
At 6 ft and 190 kilos, Bonner is able to take a spot among the many many nice Valencia backs of the previous, from Manuel White to Shane Vereen to Steven Manfro, all of whom made it to the faculty ranks.
“It’s really cool to learn about the history of the other running backs and it would be an honor to be part of that group,” Bonner stated. “I’ve learned all the great things they’ve done at Valencia.”
Nobody has been quicker in Valencia historical past than Bonner, who began attracting consideration when he ran 100 meters in 10.85 seconds throughout his final race as a freshman. A stampede of soccer affords began coming after his 10.48 time final yr.
Brian Bonner of Valencia runs for yardage in opposition to West Ranch throughout his sophomore season.
(Craig Weston)
“My recruitment started to blow up,” he stated. “They were really impressed by speed and my football form backed up my speed. The best way to determine how fast someone is by track times. People can see how fast you are as a player and it shows how important speed is to coaches.”
Bonner rushed for 1,493 yards and 25 touchdowns final season and in addition caught 40 passes for 498 yards and 4 touchdowns. He dedicated to Washington final month.
His mixture of pace, measurement and flexibility makes him a worthwhile offensive weapon. Add to that his endurance and youth. He simply turned 17 in July and was completely nice with taking part in junior varsity soccer as a freshman.
“I think everybody wants to play varsity as freshman,” he stated. “Now that I look back, it was good. I learned things that I brought to varsity. I knew what to expect instead of being a freshman and not knowing what to expect.”
Valencia coach Larry Muir is plotting the way to finest use Bonner’s versatility and quickness.
“When you’re special, you have a skill set to catch the ball out of the backfield and he does that as well as anyone,” Muir stated. “His speed is incredible, but when you get him in the open field and get him in open space, it’s fun to watch.”
It’s Bonner’s senior yr, and he has no intention on relying what he’s executed up to now or what 100-meter time he ran.
“You have to work hard, because everyone is going to get better,” he stated. “You have to stand out and do things a lot of people won’t do to be the best. Putting in extra hours, learning the plays, learning defenses, becoming a student off the game.”
Thursday: St. John Bosco receiver Madden Williams.
Working backs to observe
Maliq Allen, St. John Bosco, 5-8, 180, Jr.: Confirmed flashes of brilliance with 1,003 yards speeding
Brian Bonner, Valencia, 6-0, 190, Sr.: Pace and arms make him explosive weapon
Justin Lewis, Mater Dei, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Thousand Oaks switch gained 1,306 yards as junior
AJ McBean, Mira Costa, 5-11, 208, Jr.: Huge again with pace and energy
Sean Morris, Orange Lutheran, 5-10, 195, Sr.: Northwestern commit transfers from Loyola
Deshonne Redeaux, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 185, Sr.: USC commit has excessive expectations for senior season
Edward Rivera, Compton, 6-0, 185, Jr.: Metropolis Part switch gained 1,843 yards and 21 TDs final season
Ceasar Reyes, Garfield, 5-11, 175, Jr.: Rushed for 1,520 yards, 22 TDs with relentless vitality in 2024
Journee Tonga, Leuzinger, 5-8, 175, Sr.: Rushed for two,267 yards, 29 TDs final season
Jorden Wells, Servite, 5-7, 150, So.: Let’s see what observe speedster can do in first varsity season
