Opening statements: Week zero

Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna

Some notable under-the-radar running backs hit the ground running in the Central and Southern Section this past weekend. One team in Fresno loaded with potential future college football stars also made a significant early statement.

Here's what stood out in the eyes of Cali Gold Mine:

DEJONTE O' NEAL AND ISAIAH JUSTICE, BULLARD-FRESNO

* The running back and quarterback duo was responsible for all eight touchdowns in Bullard's 56-30 rout of Paso Robles. 

O' Neal (middle of photo), a 5-foot-7 running back, dashed through Paso's defense for three touchdowns and well over 150 yards on the night. O' Neal showed new toughness in the Saturday, Aug. 30 contest by bouncing off of tacklers and keeping his legs driving between the offensive tackles. He's still an ankle-breaking machine with the ball in his hands and had to have juked out at least four defenders total throughout the night. O' Neal will have to improve his patience as a runner as the year goes on, since he tends to make his cuts before the hole develops. Still, this could be one of the best kept secrets in the Central Section and now, O 'Neal landed a recent Sacramento State offer.

Justice, an undersized 5-foot-11 quarterback, was nearly Russell Wilson-like with his five touchdowns running and throwing. Justice ran for a 90 yard score, then found Jordan Ahart on a 79-yard touchdown pass. The jury is out on whether or not Justice can beat a team by throwing for 300-400 yards and become a true quarterback. One thing is for certain, though. Justice can make plays.

JOSH NEWMAN, BULLARD

* Defensively, Newman was the punishing hitter that set the tone for the Knights. He delivered two viscous sticks behind the line of scrimmage. Another player underneath six feet, Newman just sets an aggressive tone when he's on the field.

EDISON-FRESNO'S 2015 CLASS

* Edison High sent an early warning to the rest of the Central Section Division-I slate with its dominating 43-6 victory over powerhouse Clovis High. The Tigers dropped 43 on arguably the best defense in the section and saw their young players dominate early. A.J. Greeley and Tyler Horton were among those juniors who made statements.

Greeley combined for 241 yards throwing and running, including bursting through the Cougars for a 72 yard touchdown run. Horton doubles as a play maker wide receiver and cornerback. Also, on a night where Nevada Class of 2014 commits Blake Wright and Kevin Nutt combined for 145 yards and two touchdowns, Khai Williams, another 2015 player, showed a glimpse of the Tigers' backfield future by scoring his first varsity touchdown.

Also on defense, two punishing hitters in Xavier Hamilton and Vance Sams are at linebacker. Both helped disrupt Clovis's offense throughout the night. Sams recently received interest from Nebraska of the Big Ten.

RICHARD DOCTOR, LEMOORE

* Doctor had 294 yards on 22 carries for three touchdowns - all in three quarters and had one long touchdown run called back in Lemoore's 47-0 rout of Monache-Porterville. Doctor, who's another ankle-breaker at running back with his elusiveness, has gotten most of his interest from the Ivy Leagues.

BOLU OLURUNFUNMI, CLOVIS NORTH

* You could be looking at the next most highly-recruited Clovis North player. The powerful 5-foot-10, 200-pound Olurunfunmi gashed Atascadero on touchdown runs of 80, 67 and 98 yards on an evening where he finished with a school record 341 rushing yards in CN's 47-25 victory. Only a junior, Olurunfunmi has received interest from Washington and San Jose State.

BRANDON DAWKINS AND CHRIS DAVIS, OAKS CHRISTIAN-WESTLAKE VILLAGE

* Dawkins, the 6-foot-4 quarterback who's bound for Arizona, threw for 395 yards against an athletic Bakersfield defense and tossed six touchdowns in the thrilling 51-50 victory. Davis caught eight passes for 165 yards and touchdown scores of 70 and 23 yards.

A.J FLOREZ AND DERRICK PORTIS, LOMPOC

* Looks like the Braves won't miss too much of a beat in their backfield, even with Lavon Coleman committed to Washington. Florez, a senior, ran for 182 yards on 30 carries in Lompoc's 28-16 victory over traditional Central Coast power Arroyo Grande. Portis, a junior, gave the Braves' backfield a bright future with his 24 carry, 150 yard night.

CURRY PARHAM, ST. JOSEPH-SANTA MARIA

* Parham, an athletic 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback, combined for 213 yards running and throwing and scored four touchdowns in the Knights' 47-7 rout of Santa Barbara.