Braveheart II: The Story of (Another) Helix Highlander

Grid Iron · 04-14-2006, 01:22 PM

The Highlanders: the nickname of my high school alma mater, which I attended from 1983 until 1987. I always thought the name was cool, derived from the word used to describe the natives of the Highlands of Scotland.

Located in La Mesa, California, a suburb of San Diego, Helix High School claims former NBA star Bill Walton as its most famous alum. More recently, however, the school is responsible for two top college players: Utah quarterback Alex Smith, drafted first overall by the 49ers in 2005, and USC running back Reggie Bush, who should be selected by the Texans with the first overall pick in 2006. Both players helped lead the “Fighting Scotties” to San Diego County football championships in 2000 and 2001.

Using my connection to Helix as inspiration, I am now embarking on another Helix Highlander "Braveheart" TCY-FOF2K4 Dynasty. The original Braveheart Dynasty was a disaster for running back Kevin Pritchard. In 2006, he was on academic probation. In 2007, me missed most of the season with a torn knee ligament. In 2008, he played only two games before suffering a season-ending torn wrist tendon. In 2009, he was on academic probation again and in 2010, he went undrafted.

In this dynasty, I will follow the career of Vernon Olivo, the current starting quarterback for the Helix Highlanders. Will he follow in the footsteps of Bill, Alex and Reggie? Or will he fall flat on his face like Kevin Pritchard? Only time will tell.

This dynasty is just for fun, so I don’t intend on telling a complicated story of intrigue. So, sit back and relax and we’ll see how far Vernon can go. . .

Grid Iron · 04-14-2006, 07:21 PM

Helix QB commits to Stanford

By Tom Krasovic
San Diego Union-Tribune

December 30, 2006

Following weeks of speculation, Helix High’s All-State quarterback Vernon Olivo announced today that he has accepted a scholarship to Stanford University.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Cardinal,” said Olivo, who completed 93 of 169 passes for 1,539 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions to lead the Highlanders to the county championship. “I think Stanford has a program that is on the rise.”

Ranked the 127th high school prospect in the nation, Olivo was widely recruited before picking Stanford. The 6-4, 213 pound QB received scholarship offers from three top-25 schools, including Texas (#10), Virginia Tech (#13), and West Virginia (#16). Why, then did the third-ranked QB in California choose to join a 6-5 team that finished 2005 tied for sixth with UCLA in the Pac-10?

“Being close to home was my primary consideration, and academics second,” Olivo explained the press conference held in front of his La Mesa home where he grew up. “Stanford was the perfect fit for me, and I like the direction the team is going.”

Joining Olivo at Standford will be Clyde Rau, the top high school running back in the state. “We met during a recruiting visit and he’s a great guy,” Olivo said of Rau, who rushed for 1,923 yards, caught 56 passes for 1,398 yards and scored 23 touchdowns (10 rush, 13 rec) in 2005. “I think we could be a deadly combination.”

Grid Iron · 04-14-2006, 07:35 PM

Top recruits red-shirted

By Mark Purdy
San Jose Mercury News

August 5, 2007

Stanford head coach Brady Osborne announced today that the team’s two top recruits, quarterback Vernon Olivo and tailback Clyde Rau, will be red-shirted for the 2006 season.

“These guys have tremendous potential but we want to give them each a year to learn the system,” Osborne said at his team’s summer workout in Palo Alto. “If they develop like we hope, they should be able to compete for starting jobs in 2007.”

Olivo took the announcement in stride. “It’s not surprising, really,” he said after practice. “It gives me more time to study and focus on academics.”

More time hitting the books might be good for Olivo, who finished his senior year at Helix High School with an un-Stanford like 2.49 GPA. He also scored just 737 on his SAT.

Grid Iron · 04-14-2006, 08:29 PM

Redshirts win starting jobs

By Mark Purdy
San Jose Mercury News

August 20, 2008

Stanford coach Brady Osborne announced today that their two top recruits from the 2007 class, quarterback Vernon Olivo and Clyde Rau, will be in the starting lineup in 2008.

"They're young, but they've worked hard all year and really showed maturity beyond their years," Osborne said of the Stanford roommates. "They earned the right to be out there."

Stanford finished 10-2 last year, tied with UCLA and USC for first place in the Pac-10. After beating Maryland (8-4) in the Liberty Bowl to finish the season ranked #15 overall, expecations for the Cardinal are high.

"I think we have a great chance to take our team to the next level," Olivo said after watching film with Rau last night. "I can't wait to get the season started."

Grid Iron · 04-15-2006, 12:43 AM

Weeks 2-4

Week 2: Stanford (0-0) at #8 North Carolina (1-0) (-7)

Vernon Olivo pulled his team to within four points at 27-23 halfway through the fourth quarter but proceeded to throw three interceptions in the final 6:22, as North Carolina defeated Stanford 35-26. Olivo was 17-of-34 for 265 yards, 2 TD and 4 INT in his first NCAA game, and earned one stoke.

Week 3: Stanford (0-1) at San Jose State (0-0) (-1)

Vernon bounced back with a great game against Stanford’s Silicon Valley rival San Jose State, completing 21-of-33 for 351 yards, 2 TD, and 0 INT in a 39-10 Cardinal victory. He received one stoke for his effort.

Week 4: Stanford (1-1) (-5) vs. Ohio (0-2)

Olivo earned his first Player of the Game award in a 37-3 victory of Ohio after completing 15-of-20 for 202 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT. He also nabbed four stokes.

Pre-Conference Season Review

At 2-1 and leading the conference in points scored, Stanford is primed and ready for the Pac-10 schedule.

Vernon seems to be on his way to fulfilling the promise that made him so sought after, completing 53-of-87 (60.9%) for 818 yards, 7 TD and 4 INT through three games.

School                   W  L  T  Pct   PF  PA  W  L  T  Pct   PF  PA  Stk  
Southern California      2  0  0  1.000 77  28  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W3      
Washington State         2  0  0  1.000 55  19  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W3      
California               2  0  0  1.000 43  24  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W3      
Washington               2  1  0  .666  75  43  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W2      
Stanford                 2  1  0  .666  102 48  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W2      
Oregon State             2  1  0  .666  57  71  0  0  0  .000  0   0   L1     
Oregon                   1  1  0  .500  42  56  0  0  0  .000  0   0   W1      
California-Los Angeles   1  2  0  .333  83  61  0  0  0  .000  0   0   L2     
Arizona                  1  2  0  .333  66  86  0  0  0  .000  0   0   L2     
Arizona State            0  3  0  .000  45  114 0  0  0  .000  0   0   L3

Grid Iron · 04-15-2006, 12:41 PM

Weeks 5-8

Week 5: Stanford (2-1) at Oregon (1-1) (-11)

Vernon Olivo was 16 of 32 for 256 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT as Oregon drubbed Stanford 42-18. Olivo was on the run the entire day, getting sacked six times.

Week 6: Stanford (2-2) at Washington State (2-1) (-3)

Vernon completed 16-of-30 for 179 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT, in a 28-13 Cardinal victory.

Week 7: Stanford (3-2) (-8) vs. Oregon State (2-2)

Olivo was in rare form, completing 17-of-30 for 256 yards, 4 TD, and 0 INT to lead the Cardinal in a 41-10 rout of Oregon State.

Week 8: Stanford (4-2) (-7) vs. Arizona (2-4)

Vernon won his second Player of the Game award in Stanford’s 31-0 victory over Arizona. On the day, he was 25 of 42 for 293 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT.

Games 1-7 Review

In seven starts, Vernon 127-of-221 (57.4%) for 1802 yards, 18 TD and 11 INT. He has earned 20 stokes on the year.

Stanford (3-1) is just one game behind USC (4-0) for the Pac-10 lead, setting up a showdown next week when Southern California travels to Palo Alto to face the Cardinal.

School                   W  L  T  Pct   PF  PA  W  L  T  Pct   PF  PA  Strk 
Southern California      6  0  0  1.000 221 93  4  0  0  1.000 144 65  W7      
California               5  1  0  .833  159 83  3  1  0  .750  116 59  W1      
Stanford                 5  2  0  .714  220 113 3  1  0  .750  118 65  W3      
California-Los Angeles   4  3  0  .571  171 121 3  1  0  .750  88  60  W2      
Washington               4  2  0  .666  139 74  2  1  0  .666  64  31  L1     
Washington State         4  2  0  .666  168 107 1  2  0  .333  47  75  W2      
Arizona                  2  5  0  .285  124 171 1  3  0  .250  58  85  L2     
Oregon                   2  4  0  .333  103 177 1  3  0  .250  61  121 L3     
Oregon State             2  4  0  .333  109 188 0  3  0  .000  52  117 L4     
Arizona State            0  6  0  .000  79  218 0  3  0  .000  34  104 L6

04-14-2006, 07:21 PM	#2
Grid Iron Ice Cream Man Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bay Area	Helix QB commits to Stanford By Tom Krasovic San Diego Union-Tribune December 30, 2006 Following weeks of speculation, Helix High’s All-State quarterback Vernon Olivo announced today that he has accepted a scholarship to Stanford University. “I’m very excited to be joining the Cardinal,” said Olivo, who completed 93 of 169 passes for 1,539 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions to lead the Highlanders to the county championship. “I think Stanford has a program that is on the rise.” Ranked the 127th high school prospect in the nation, Olivo was widely recruited before picking Stanford. The 6-4, 213 pound QB received scholarship offers from three top-25 schools, including Texas (#10), Virginia Tech (#13), and West Virginia (#16). Why, then did the third-ranked QB in California choose to join a 6-5 team that finished 2005 tied for sixth with UCLA in the Pac-10? “Being close to home was my primary consideration, and academics second,” Olivo explained the press conference held in front of his La Mesa home where he grew up. “Stanford was the perfect fit for me, and I like the direction the team is going.” Joining Olivo at Standford will be Clyde Rau, the top high school running back in the state. “We met during a recruiting visit and he’s a great guy,” Olivo said of Rau, who rushed for 1,923 yards, caught 56 passes for 1,398 yards and scored 23 touchdowns (10 rush, 13 rec) in 2005. “I think we could be a deadly combination.” __________________ Follow the story of the Oregon Ice of the Continental Football League. Last edited by Grid Iron : 04-14-2006 at 08:18 PM.

04-14-2006, 07:35 PM	#3
Grid Iron Ice Cream Man Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bay Area	Top recruits red-shirted By Mark Purdy San Jose Mercury News August 5, 2007 Stanford head coach Brady Osborne announced today that the team’s two top recruits, quarterback Vernon Olivo and tailback Clyde Rau, will be red-shirted for the 2006 season. “These guys have tremendous potential but we want to give them each a year to learn the system,” Osborne said at his team’s summer workout in Palo Alto. “If they develop like we hope, they should be able to compete for starting jobs in 2007.” Olivo took the announcement in stride. “It’s not surprising, really,” he said after practice. “It gives me more time to study and focus on academics.” More time hitting the books might be good for Olivo, who finished his senior year at Helix High School with an un-Stanford like 2.49 GPA. He also scored just 737 on his SAT. __________________ Follow the story of the Oregon Ice of the Continental Football League. Last edited by Grid Iron : 04-14-2006 at 08:18 PM.

04-14-2006, 08:29 PM	#4
Grid Iron Ice Cream Man Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bay Area	Redshirts win starting jobs By Mark Purdy San Jose Mercury News August 20, 2008 Stanford coach Brady Osborne announced today that their two top recruits from the 2007 class, quarterback Vernon Olivo and Clyde Rau, will be in the starting lineup in 2008. "They're young, but they've worked hard all year and really showed maturity beyond their years," Osborne said of the Stanford roommates. "They earned the right to be out there." Stanford finished 10-2 last year, tied with UCLA and USC for first place in the Pac-10. After beating Maryland (8-4) in the Liberty Bowl to finish the season ranked #15 overall, expecations for the Cardinal are high. "I think we have a great chance to take our team to the next level," Olivo said after watching film with Rau last night. "I can't wait to get the season started." __________________ Follow the story of the Oregon Ice of the Continental Football League. Last edited by Grid Iron : 04-14-2006 at 08:30 PM.

04-15-2006, 12:43 AM	#5
Grid Iron Ice Cream Man Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bay Area	Weeks 2-4 Week 2: Stanford (0-0) at #8 North Carolina (1-0) (-7) Vernon Olivo pulled his team to within four points at 27-23 halfway through the fourth quarter but proceeded to throw three interceptions in the final 6:22, as North Carolina defeated Stanford 35-26. Olivo was 17-of-34 for 265 yards, 2 TD and 4 INT in his first NCAA game, and earned one stoke. Week 3: Stanford (0-1) at San Jose State (0-0) (-1) Vernon bounced back with a great game against Stanford’s Silicon Valley rival San Jose State, completing 21-of-33 for 351 yards, 2 TD, and 0 INT in a 39-10 Cardinal victory. He received one stoke for his effort. Week 4: Stanford (1-1) (-5) vs. Ohio (0-2) Olivo earned his first Player of the Game award in a 37-3 victory of Ohio after completing 15-of-20 for 202 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT. He also nabbed four stokes. Pre-Conference Season Review At 2-1 and leading the conference in points scored, Stanford is primed and ready for the Pac-10 schedule. Vernon seems to be on his way to fulfilling the promise that made him so sought after, completing 53-of-87 (60.9%) for 818 yards, 7 TD and 4 INT through three games. School W L T Pct PF PA W L T Pct PF PA Stk Southern California 2 0 0 1.000 77 28 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W3 Washington State 2 0 0 1.000 55 19 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W3 California 2 0 0 1.000 43 24 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W3 Washington 2 1 0 .666 75 43 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W2 Stanford 2 1 0 .666 102 48 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W2 Oregon State 2 1 0 .666 57 71 0 0 0 .000 0 0 L1 Oregon 1 1 0 .500 42 56 0 0 0 .000 0 0 W1 California-Los Angeles 1 2 0 .333 83 61 0 0 0 .000 0 0 L2 Arizona 1 2 0 .333 66 86 0 0 0 .000 0 0 L2 Arizona State 0 3 0 .000 45 114 0 0 0 .000 0 0 L3 __________________ Follow the story of the Oregon Ice of the Continental Football League.

04-15-2006, 12:41 PM	#6
Grid Iron Ice Cream Man Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Bay Area	Weeks 5-8 Week 5: Stanford (2-1) at Oregon (1-1) (-11) Vernon Olivo was 16 of 32 for 256 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT as Oregon drubbed Stanford 42-18. Olivo was on the run the entire day, getting sacked six times. Week 6: Stanford (2-2) at Washington State (2-1) (-3) Vernon completed 16-of-30 for 179 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT, in a 28-13 Cardinal victory. Week 7: Stanford (3-2) (-8) vs. Oregon State (2-2) Olivo was in rare form, completing 17-of-30 for 256 yards, 4 TD, and 0 INT to lead the Cardinal in a 41-10 rout of Oregon State. Week 8: Stanford (4-2) (-7) vs. Arizona (2-4) Vernon won his second Player of the Game award in Stanford’s 31-0 victory over Arizona. On the day, he was 25 of 42 for 293 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. Games 1-7 Review In seven starts, Vernon 127-of-221 (57.4%) for 1802 yards, 18 TD and 11 INT. He has earned 20 stokes on the year. Stanford (3-1) is just one game behind USC (4-0) for the Pac-10 lead, setting up a showdown next week when Southern California travels to Palo Alto to face the Cardinal. School W L T Pct PF PA W L T Pct PF PA Strk Southern California 6 0 0 1.000 221 93 4 0 0 1.000 144 65 W7 California 5 1 0 .833 159 83 3 1 0 .750 116 59 W1 Stanford 5 2 0 .714 220 113 3 1 0 .750 118 65 W3 California-Los Angeles 4 3 0 .571 171 121 3 1 0 .750 88 60 W2 Washington 4 2 0 .666 139 74 2 1 0 .666 64 31 L1 Washington State 4 2 0 .666 168 107 1 2 0 .333 47 75 W2 Arizona 2 5 0 .285 124 171 1 3 0 .250 58 85 L2 Oregon 2 4 0 .333 103 177 1 3 0 .250 61 121 L3 Oregon State 2 4 0 .333 109 188 0 3 0 .000 52 117 L4 Arizona State 0 6 0 .000 79 218 0 3 0 .000 34 104 L6 __________________ Follow the story of the Oregon Ice of the Continental Football League. Last edited by Grid Iron : 04-15-2006 at 12:42 PM.

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