Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The phone that wouldn't quit ringing.
Vista Murrieta would win the toss and start the game with the ball. On fourth down Connor would toss up an INT giving the Nighthawks the ball. Murrieta Valley would fail on a fourth down conversion giving the ball back to Connor with 52 seconds left in the first quarter. In which Connor would waste no time sending Weisbecker on a streak with no safety over top for a 78 yard touchdown pass. (7-0 VMHS)
The second quarter would start with a weak drive by the Nighthawks forcing them to punt it away. Out of the Wing-T Connor would run a speed option in for a 4 yard touchdown. (14-0 VMHS) With 20 seconds left on the clock Murrieta Valley would find the endzone with an 8 yard pass. (14-7 VMHS) But there would be no fear after a 13 yard pass to Cano, Connor would connect with Big Mike Weisbecker one more time for a 63 yard touchdown pass. (21-7 VMHS)
Murrieta Valley would come out with the ball and try to make something happen in the third, however a turnover on downs would end that hope. After failing to move the ball for more then two yards the Nighthawks would have another shot as Vista Murrieta would punt it away. The Valley boys would bring the game within a touchdown with 13 seconds left in the third quarter on a 5 yard pass. (21-14 VMHS)
The first play in the fourth quarter would be a VMHS punt. Which would allow MVHS to tie it up on a 55 yard touchdown pass. (21-21 TIE) But Connor would have none of that as he used play-action to suck in the Nighthawk defense before going over their head for an outstanding 50 yard touchdown pass. (28-21 VMHS) After a near pick from Connor and a drive ending tackle, Connor would lead the offense back onto the field. With 40 seconds left to go Nguyen would take it for a 29 yard rushing touchdown. (35-21 VMHS) Not going away MVHS would connect on a huge pass to bring the game within seven. (35-28 VMHS) VMHS would recover the onside kick and run out the clock going home with the victory.
W 35-28 (6-2)
9 tkls, 3 tfl
12/17 328 yds 3 tds, 22 yds 1 td rushing
"GOOD MORNING MURRIETA!!! Unless your from the Valley then I'd try to sleep til next week as Connor Newman was not letting you take it home last night." Blasted the radio first thing in the morning. "Ya know that after last night ESPN moved Connor up to 97th on their top 150, Along with moving him to a 5-star quarterback prospect and a 2-star CB. I'm starting to believe we could have a state championship team right here in our town." Connor clicked off the radio and headed down stairs.
"Mom have you got the mail yet?" shouted Connor, "Yes, dear, it's on the kitchen table." explained Mrs. Newman. Connor went to the table and saw an Arizona State letter along with an Auburn letter. Arizona State expressed a serious interest in Connor as a cornerback and Auburn did everything but offer a scholarship to play quarterback. Arizona State has some sharp uniforms but the chance to be the next Cam Newton also played a role in Connors mind he wore two for two reason, one Deion Sanders number at Florida State, and Cam Newtons number at Auburn.
Later on while hanging out at the junior varsity game with Jessica Connors phone began to ring, "Aloha I'm Norm Chow with Hawai'i and we just wanted to offer you a scholarship to play corner-back for us." said the former professional football coach. "WOW! thanks coach I was hoping to hear from you I plan on announcing what college I will be attending after we wrap up this season." Just as Connor hung up a beep came from his phone so he went to check his voice-mail but as he did he heard someone shouting, "Hey thats my ear your dialing into," it was Bobby Hauck who was offer a scholarship to play cornerback at UNLV. Finally Connor was getting some looks at his favorite position.
Before climbing into bed Connor happen to look at his phone and remembered he still had a voice-mail that he never checked, so he quickly pressed star-nine-nine and listened, "Chip Kelly here, from Oregon I just wanted to extend an offer to play Quarterback hopefully I'll hear from you soon son." A chance to play under Chip Kelly on that explosive Oregon offense sounded great.
None the less with all the hoop all around Connors recruitment he still had to finish out High School and next on the list was (5-3) Murrieta Mesa who was hoping with a win could take the conference title from Vista Murrieta, and if there was a team that could do it... It was the Rams of Murrieta Mesa, a team built with an explosive great offensive and a good defense to go with it. (6-2) Could Connor take the Conference title and lock in a playoff spot or would he need another game to do it.
Homecoming
On the opening drive for the Broncos Connor drove it down field connecting with Wesbecker for a 30 yard touchdown pass. (7-0 VMHS) Great Oak would be forced to punt on their opening drive. After a sack on fourth down Great Oaks would take over with the ball on their 26 yard line to start the second quarter.
After connecting on a 48 yard screen Great Oaks would tie it up. (7-7 TIE) After some excellent work with the triple option Connor would connect with Heddlesten for a 27 yard touchdown pass with 38 seconds left on the clock. (14-7 VMHS)
Great Oaks would start the second half with the ball. After a short lived drive the Broncos would take over at the 50 yard line. Connor would take over and nail Cano on a 10 yard touchdown pass. (21-7 VMHS) The Wolfpack couldn't seem to do anything right as they would once again punt the ball away. However their defense would make a stand taking the ball back on fourth down.
Yet again the Wolfpack offense would fail giving the Broncos back the ball to start the fourth quarter. As the game kept going back and forth the Broncos couldn't seem to get things clicking and were forced to punt it away. Mcleod would try to get Vista Murrieta on the move with a quick INT. But after three straight sacks by Great Oaks, the Broncos would punt it away. Another INT this time by Archie would take it 60 yards to put away the game and a missed extra point. (27-7 VMHS) Another INT by French would allow VMHS to run out the clock.
W 27-7
4 Tkls
12/21 169 yds 3 tds, 48 yds rushing
The next day was going to be a business one for Connor as it was the night of the Homecoming dance. He woke up and sitting on his night stand were two letters. One was from Oregon and another one was from San Diego State. Oregon was looking for him to come in and play quarterback and San Diego State would hunting for a CB. Running tossed the covers off him and ran down stairs. "Dad, I think I'm getting good at this quarterback thing Oregon is coming to my next game." to which Mr. Newman replied "Did you know that your on ESPN's top 150?" "No way, where do they have me ranked?" asked Connor. "132." said Mr. Newman as Connor smiled and grabbed his keys.
Later that day while at lunch with his tight-end, Mike Weisbecker, Connor's phone rang and it was Jim Mora offering a corner-back scholarship at UCLA. "Dude you are seriously under looked at CB teams don't even throw at you," said Mike. "Tell me about it man, I have a love for CB, but Oregon has me thinking," replied Connor. "What time you coming by to pick me up tonight?" asked Mike, "Prolly around 5:00 the 'rents want to take pictures."
Later on at the dance Connor's phone rang once again, "Hey this is the Bronco had coach at BYU we'd like you to know that we will be sending out your Scholarship information to play quarterback at BYU." After a long night Connor brought Jessica back to his house and tried to post up another touchdown.
Next week would be Connors first real challenge since Carheoral Catholic in the Murrieta Valley Nighthawks Vista Murrieta's crosstown rival. The Nighthawks have a good offense but a great defense. Can Connor keep the Broncos winning or will the Nighthawks prove to be just too much for him.
Bronco Country
Vista Murrieta Broncos would start with the ball after a long drive Connor would toss a 2 yard touchdown into Weisbecker to take the lead (7-0 VMHS) TVHS would come in and try to pound the ball until on 4th and 2 Connor nailed Breedlove for a turnover on downs. And on the very next play Connor on a play-action fake connects with Kenney for a 79 yard touchdown. (14-0 VMHS)
TVHS would start with the ball on their 20 as the second quarter began. After connecting on a huge 52 yard pass TVHS would bring the game with in 7. (14-7 VHMS) Only to have Connor fire back with another play-action pass this time for 67 yards. (21-7 VHMS) After a huge VHMS stop on fourth down Connor would have 48 seconds to go 99 yards. But he would only need 12 after another play-action Connor would nail Kenney for a 99 yard touchdown. (28-7 VMHS)
TV would start with the ball in the second half, however they would end up punting it away as VMHS' defense would tighten up. Another play-action fake would lead to Connors fifth touchdown pass this time for 18 yards. (35-7 VMHS) Just as TVHS punted it away the third quarter came to a close.
To begin the forth quarter TVHS students were already headed to the parking lot. Instead of play-action this time Connor handed it off to Nguyen for a 4 yard touchdown. (42-7 VMHS) TVHS would continue with their punting ways as Connor took over once again with the Bronco offense. Following several huge runs by Connor he would this time pitch it away for a 4 yard touchdown run (49-7 VMHS) After a short unless drive by TVHS the game would finally come to an end.
W 49-7
4 tkls
14/17 379 yds 5 tds, 108 yds rushing
The next day Connor woke up with a sore arm and to breakfast in bed that Jessica had made for him. "You played amazing last night you were on all the TV channels," said Jessica. "Did they get my hit on Breedlove?" asked an excited Connor. "No but all your big runs and passes," explained Jessica. "Damn," said Connor as he chowed down on breakfast.
After heading down stairs Connor grabbed his mail before hopping in the car with Jessica to head down to the JV game. "BYU wants to check me out at QB, I'm not even Mormon, what the heck?" asked Connor "Didn't that Steve Young guy go there," ask Jessica. "Not the point... Cool! Cal wants to check me out at CB," went on Connor. "What do you even want to play in college?" asked Jessica. "Hmmm..." thought Connor.
As things went on the MVHS JV team ended up winning just as Connor looked to see he had two missed calls and two voice-mails. "Hi this is Pep Hamilton from Stanford University, and I just wanted to tell you that we have officially sent you a Scholarship Offer to play QB for us." Connor went on to press 9, "Chris Petersen here from Boise State we saw what you did last week and would love for you to come to Boise to carry on our and your winning tradition with you at QB." The offer from Stanford had it's perks as his grades themselves would not be able to get him into Stanford alone, but Boise State had that cool blue turf.
This week Vista Murrieta (4-2) would take on the Great Oak Wolfpack (1-5) the Wolfpack had a very weak defense and only an average offense, but finally Connor had the town off his back and wanted to keep it that way. Two more wins and they could count on being in the playoffs while a loss for Great Oak would certainly kick them out for the year.
Ring... Ring...
The first quarter started with Vista Murrieta moving the ball well against Palisades. The Dolphins defense seemed to have no answer as Connor tossed an 8 yard pass into the endzone. (7-0 VMHS) PHS would be forced to punt on their opening drive. As Connor would use both his legs and his arm to keep the drive going until he nailed a 1 yard pass in for another VHS touchdown. (14-0 VMHS)
The second quarter PHS would get some offense going but stall hitting a 37 yard field goal to get on the scoreboard. (14-3 VMHS) After Connor moved the ball once again well on the ground and in the air he would hand it off to increase the lead. (21-3 VMHS) The Dolphins seemed to get how to move the ball down field but failed in getting it into the endzone cranking out another field goal. (21-6 VMHS) With only 41 seconds left in the half Connor would connect on a 64 yard touchdown grab from Kenney. (28-6 VMHS)
The opening drive for Palisades would prove no different as once again they only managed to come up with another field goal. (28-9 VMHS) Connor would come out to a defense with something to prove as they ended the drive with an INT. But could only manage yet another field goal to close out the third quarter. (28-12 VMHS)
The Broncos would turn into an all run offense to open the forth quarter turning the ball over on downs. The Dolphins would use their new founded momentum to run it in for a score after failing on the two point conversion (28-18 VMHS) they would attempt an onside kick. After PHS illegally touched the ball before it went ten yards VHMS was awarded the ball. After a couple first downs and three burned time outs by PHS, Connor would take a knee ending PHS' undefeated season. (28-18 VMHS)
W 28-18
2 tkls
16/21 224 yds 3 tds, 43 yds rushing
After the game Connor met with Bunch Jones who went on to make it clear that he was offering him a scholarship at QB for UC. Connor hugged Coach Jones and said thank you before excusing himself, to go get changed in the locker room. After hanging out with the team in the lockroom Connor left and headed to Jessica's.
After waking up in a panic at Jessica's Connor ran home before her parents woke up, and his. Just as he was trying to sneak in his phone went off while his parents were in the kitchen cooking breakfast, "BUSTED!" yelled Mr. Newman as Connor answered his phone, "Hi, this is Rich Rodriguez last night my offensive coordinator Rod Smith was at your game. I'm just letting you know that we're offering you a scholarship to come play QB for us." Before his dad could even start on him Connor started bursting with excitement about how Rich Rod wanted him. Without missing a beat Mr. Newman fired back with, "So was she that good or are you that excited about Arizona?" Connor laughed and went up stairs.
Later on in the week Connor received two more letters from colleges wanting film of him. UNLV had been waiting a long time to get a chance to reach out to Connor and finally will be receiving game film from now on. Boise State had decided to take a look at Connor and will be attending his upcoming games.
While everything was looking up Connor had to focus on Temecula Valley High School Golden Bears (1-4) who were just as bad as the Dolphins were last week. A good showing and he could impress more colleges a weak showing and he could seriously hurt his chances to bring home a state title.
Never back down.
In one of the best games of the year VM and CCHS go back and forth. VM jumped out to an early lead. Connor powered the ball in for the games first touchdown. CCHS would come back and take the lead just before the 1:30 mark. Connor battled back to bring the game with in a touchdown. Then after a big stop by the defense VM would drive down the field with a hurry up no huddle offense to tie the game up, with :45 seconds left VM would stop CCHS from getting a first down and would be forced to punt. With :34 seconds and two timeout Connor lead his team onto the field. BOOM! 55 yard pass the Bronco's were in field goal range. After a time out Connor would hit another 35 yard pass to put the Bronco's on the one yard line, Connor let the clock tick down and called a timeout with :01 left on the clock. The kicker would nail the field goal and down went the Dons.
W 38-35
4 tkls
18/28 279 yds 1 td, 50 yds 2 tds rushing
After the field goal counted VM went off and the campus was buzzing with excitement. As Connor was walking into the locker room Jim Mora stopped him, and handed him an envelope containing his official scholarship offer from UCLA. After changing Connor walked out where in front of his car where two men one dressed in green and another in orange that seemed to know each other. When Connor approached they introduced them selves Dave Clawson as Bowling Green State's head coach and Frank Solich as Ohio's head coach, both came barring Scholarships to play Quarterback.
The next day at breakfast Connor was talking with his father and just as they were talking about how he's a corner-back and everyone is inviting him to play quarterback, that old San Jose State fight song began to play once again. It was once against MacIntyre this time offering a corner-back scholarship at SJSU, it seemed as if MacIntyre didn't care what Connor played as long as he played for him. Just after hanging up with MacIntyre Mrs. Newman came in and dropped some mail on the table.
The first two envelopes were dated for the week prior. The first one came from Arizona it was a notification of interest in Connor for quarterback. Connor thought playing for Rich Rod's system could be good for him if he decided to play quarterback. The other one came from Hawai'i with pictures of beautiful scenery included along with a letter of interest for Connor to play corner-back from them. Connor smirked and said, "Beautiful girls, beautiful place, and they are checking me out at corner-back." With two more envelopes to open he looked at both of them Stanford and Arizona. Arizona extended their interest to corner-back also, as Stanford went on to explain they would be visiting to watch Connor play quarterback. Connor couldn't wait to tell Jessica that he got 3 scholarship offers and 4 more letters of interest.
Palisades High School Dolphins probably one of the worst teams in California had some how managed to go 4-0 and with VMHS only being 2-2 this could be a big change in things to come. Palisade not only offered one of the worst offenses but one of the worst defenses. This game should be a showing off of all Connor's skills as the Dolphins had no one that could match up with Connor. Just before leaving for the game a 513 number came across Connor's phone, 513 it has to be one of his old friends right. WRONG! It's Coach Butch Jones from the University of Cincinnati and he was coming out to watch Connor play this weekend!
Let's try this another way.
Undefeated Redlands came into VM to meet Connor Newman with a change up for them. Instead of focusing on his running ability he throw the ball and boy did he ever. VM went up on REVHS and never looked back. Connor using his legs only when he had to put up 269 yards passing on just 13 completions. Maybe mom was right he just needed to get his mind off the game for a while.
W 35-28
3 tkls, 1 tfl
13/17 269 yds 4 tds, 34 yds rushing
Connor awoke to his cell phone ringing the San Jose State fight song, it was Coach MacIntyre, "I told you if you played well this week I'd send you a scholarship offer, it's in the mail kid. Great job hopefully we'll see you here in the fall." Connor was blown away about it and ran downstairs to tell his dad. While all his dad said was, "There will be more..." But for Connor this was the first time he ever received a scholarship offer while it wasn't a CB spot like he wanted he knew from this point on, no matter what, he was going to college and going for free.
Monday morning at school Connor was pulled out of class and called into the office. Upon arrival the secretary sent him into the principal office where his father and Jim Mora, UCLA head coach stood. UCLA was not ready to offer a scholarship yet but Coach Mora was going to stay in town to watch Connor play Friday against Carheoral Catholic aka The Dons. The Don's boost one of the best teams around with a great offense and defense this one be an easy for Connor.
Before the game against the Don's Jessica showed up to tell Connor she was actually coming to her first football game. Can Connor deal with the stress of Jim Mora, The Dons, and Jessica being there, only time will tell.
What's it going to take...
Connor and VM seem to have this one in the bag, VM took the lead from South (AK) High School with a huge touchdown run. However SHS just didn't want to go away tying it back up before half. SHS would come out with the swagger VM has been missing for the past two weeks and take a 17-7 lead. As Coach Newman tried everything in his playbook to escape with a W Connor could only toss a touchdown as the game ended to bring it to a 17-14 loss.
17-14 L
4 tkls, 1 Tfl
8/17 137 yds 1 td, 54 yrds 1 td rushing
Connor watched as his team fell apart and the harder he tried to keep them in it the more abuse he took. He couldn't figure out what it was going to take for him to turn this team around. Heading into a game against Redlands with their solid offense and average defense he had to figure it out and figure it out quick, or the town was going to lynch him from the flag post.
There was so much to focus on he spent most of his time at home or in school trying to get better. Mrs. Newman decided it was time for Connor to get out and take his mind off the game. Connor was focused on the game, but thought maybe if he took his mind off of it for a while it would help. While shopping at the mall Connor spotted a group of girls staring at him, but he ignored it and keep to his own. Until one of them walked over, after a few minutes he and a Jessica girl had decided to go see a movie and the best thing about her was she was the only girl in the whole city that didn't know who he was.
Connor came back focused and ready to go for this week's practice, and made sure to bring his linemen donuts hoping the blocking would get a little bit better. After practice Connor was called into the coaches office where stood San Jose State Head Coach Mike MacIntyre. After an hour of conversation MacIntyre made it clear that if Connor played well this week he could be receiving a scholarship to play QB at San Jose State and if he kept up his play on defense he could possibly play corner-back there if he wanted.
A Long Ride Home...
Heading to Colorado was a blast Connor spent most of his time with his father has they went over the game plan to go up against a juggernaut in high school football, ThunderRidge. Great on both sides of the ball Connor figured his day wasn't going to be a walk in the park. They had a great QB that was going to take advantage of Connor at any opening, and a fast defensive line that would negate Connors top end speed.
As the game began VM came out fast getting stops on defense and moving the ball on offense. Until THS decided it was enough, the began to spy Connor and kept hitting him sometimes even after the ball was thrown. VM staid in the game and sat themselves up with a chance to win with a stop on forth down, however that stop would never come and a sweep to the opposite side of the field would allow them to score. After a few sacks and shutdown cover Connor had failed to lead his team to a victory.
L 14-24
8 Tkls, 1 Tfl
6/12 37 Yds 2 Tds, 96 Yds Rushing
On the ride home the bus was silent, so quite that a drop Gatorade sounded like a gun shot going off. Coach Newman was focused on his Ipad as he was trying to figure out what could have went wrong. While Connor beat up, bruised, and battered laid slumped over against the window trying to think about what he could have done better himself, feeling as though he had not just let his team down, but his father.
The next week seemed to go on forever. VM was not use to losing, and everyone wanted to blame the newcomers, for the loss. Connor spent extra time in the wight-room and on the track trying to be a step fast a bit stronger. Then came a piece of mail, on it was a stamp from UCLA. UCLA wanted to express an interest in Connor not only at corner-back but at quarterback. Connor who seemed to have only one person in the town believe in him just found out that just maybe someone else might as well.
Connor and College
Before the season began Mr. Newman was going over recruiting forms he had all the players fill out, and checking them with the roster to make sure everyone had filled theirs out. Most of them said USC, UCLA, Oregon, Standford. One said UMass and he had to look it up to make sure they were even a school.
After checking all the paperwork and sending them out he noticed Connor never did fill out his. So he began filling out his information until it came to what colleges are you interested in. While he believed he knew his son he didn't want to start send them out until he knew what Connor wanted. Knowing Connor had class til 1:15 pm because he got out early he figured he'd catch him then or after practice.
During practice Connor was looking pretty solid both at corner-back and quarterback. So much so Mr. Newman was believing that they could win this weekend. Connor was exceedingly good at running the ball. But it was expected as Mr. Newman installed much of the option portion of his playbook hoping to use Connor's speed at QB.
After practice, back at home. Mr. Newman finally had time to ask Connor where he wanted to go to college at. After a pause, Connor replied, "I'd kinda like to go back home to Cincinnati, or a small school in Ohio like Ohio, or Bowling Green." Mr. Newman simply thanked him and preceded to send off his recruitment guides to college.
Finally it was time for SPARQ combine, Connor had be preparing for this off-season. It was the last thing before the begining of the season. Connor had preformed well scoring an 82.00 while he had hoped to score higher to get the attention of UC, he decided his play would have to do the talking for him. Not that he would ever shut up on the field even when he was getting shut up.
The Connor Newman Story
Connor Newman was for the most part just like any other from Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a High School football coach which meant he moved around a lot when he was younger. His freshmen season at St. Xavier Connor was only good enough to play special teams and dime corner-back playing only a small role on Friday nights. His sophomore season he moved up the depth chart and on to nickle corner and part time punt returner. After his junior year where he was out shined by his team mate and star corner he would have his chance to step up and make a name for himself.
At the end of his junior year Mr. Newman got a call that would change Connors life forever. Vista Murrieta had offered Mr. Newman their head coaching job as Coley Candaele was moving up into the college ranks. Vista Murrieta is the number two program in California, behind De Le Salle, and arguably the nation. Connor fought and argued to stay in Cincinnati but one thing would change his mind.
Mr. Newman would change Connors mind with one sentence, "Fine, you can come play for me." Connor in his 17 years had never got to actually play for his dad. He was often coached at home and worked out with his dad, but this could finally be his one, and probably his last chance to play for him. Connor with a smirk on his face shot back with, "Fine, we're taking state then." Mr. Newman was a good coach but had never won a state championship.
Vista Murrieta was a very talented program so talented a matter a fact that their first game wasn't even in the state of California or even a neighboring state it was in Colorado, and it's second game, a home game, was against South High School, no not South High School California, but South High School from Anchorage, AK.
When Mr. Newman showed up at practice one thing was sticking out at him. And that was that this school had one of the best defense's he had ever seen, and along with that a strong offense that was missing one thing. Nothing to big but a quarterback, his strongest armed QB could only throw the ball 35 yards. No one warned him about this, now along with having weak QB's he had to teach one of them his system and try to win state.
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