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Hometown SportS HIGH SCHOOLS, RECREATION & SIGN-UPS

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Former Antioch athlete breaks records

University of Alabama running back Najee Harris, hailing from Antioch, took the ball during the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game on Dec. 19 and raced into the school’s record books.

Harris’ performance — 178 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns — made him the school’s all-time leader in career rushing yards (3,639), career rushing touchdowns (44), and total touchdowns (54). His five touchdowns in the game also set a SEC championship game record.

To nobody’s surprise, he was named the game’s MVP.

“It’s an honor to be in that position,” Harris said in a statement provided by the University after being asked about becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher. “But I can’t thank the line enough for really making this happen for me. I know my name is going to be on there. But just for the O-line to come and make those holes, really I feel like they should be on the all-time leading rusher Honor Bowl date set for September 2021 somewhere up there, too.”

Now a college senior, Harris, a 2017 Antioch High School graduate, is assumed to be a lock for the NFL. He’s expected to finish out his Alabama career with either one or

Photo courtesy of University of Alabama

Former Antioch High running back Najee Harris is now the University of Alabama’s all-time leader in career rushing yards (3,639), career rushing touchdowns (44) and total touchdowns (54) after a record-breaking performance in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 19.

two College Football Playoff games.

In his four-year college term, Harris has rushed 601 times for 3,639 yards and 44 touchdowns, in addition to hauling in 69 receptions for 672 more yards and 10 more scores.

He’s used the 2020 season to ensure he leaves college on a high note.

This season alone, he’s carried the ball 214 times for 1,262 yards and 24 touchdowns. He pulled in 32 receptions for 316 yards and three more scores.

Harris is currently the season leader in rushing touchdowns (24), total touchdowns (27), and sits third in rushing yards, only 174 yards behind leader Breece Hall of Iowa State.

The nation is taking notice.

Harris is a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. He’s at least in the conversation as a possible Heisman Trophy nominee, given to the top collegiate football player.

The humble Harris, however, downplayed being in consideration for the 2020 Heisman.

“I ain’t worried about that,” he said.

His personal achievements aside, Harris and the Crimson Tide, the nation’s topranked team, are gunning for their third national championship in six seasons in 2020.

Alabama plays Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, at 2 p.m. The winner of that contest will play the winner of Clemson and Ohio State for the national championship on Jan. 11.

Alabama’s game against Notre Dame

will be broadcast on ESPN.

The nonprofit Honor Group, which strives to create awareness and educate students and the community about the needs of military veterans, announced it will hold its 2021 Honor Bowl at Liberty High School in Brentwood.

The nonprofit uses the event, which features multiple games, as a venue to educate students, coaches and the community about patriotism while raising money for injured, ill and wounded veterans.

The 2021 event is set for Sept. 10 and 11, although match-ups haven’t been announced yet.

The 2020 event, which was canceled due to the pandemic-induced stoppage of play, was slated to feature five Southern California and five Northern California games, included a scheduled clash between Brentwood’s Liberty and Del Oro High out of Loomis.

The 2021 game will come about two years after Liberty High School’s Ohmstede Field was renovated, which ushered in new lights, expanded home-side bleachers, an improved press box, a new entrance and a new scoreboard.

For more information about the nonprofit and Honor Bowl, visit www. thehonorgroup.org.

From Lion to Bear

Photo courtesy of Brian Reel Liberty multisport star Akili Calhoun signed his letter of intent to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he will play football. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound athlete was named to the all-Bay Valley Athletic League first offensive and defensive teams in 2019, as well as the all-league second offensive team in 2018. He tallied 41 tackles, seven sacks and caused one fumble in 15 games, spanned over two stellar seasons on the varsity squad, according to www.Maxpreps.com. Calhoun is expected to join Cal in January 2021 as a mid-year enrollee, according to a Cal news release. “I love Liberty. It has taught me a lot about not only ball, but life as well,” Calhoun said in a statement earlier this year. “I love Brentwood, and I always will.”

Taking a look back at The Press’ sports history

In 2019, the Liberty High School girls’ wrestling team shined at the Brittany David Invitational, securing second place among 46 teams.

Hermelinda Mendoza (106 pounds), Jadyn Wilson (116 pounds) and Samantha Calkins (170 pounds) led the way by winning in their weight classes, but Lowell High edged out Liberty 151-144 in the team standings.

Freshman Sophia Yurkovich was also impressive, finishing second in the 150-pound weight class. In the final, she was bested by Santa Teresa’s Shaylene Lopez via fall (1:20). Gabby Twigg (235 pounds) grabbed fifth place; Carlie Droszcz (160 pounds) sixth; and Chloe Lira (121 pounds) seventh to round out the top eight finishers.

Wilson knocked off Arroyo’s Reyna Solis by fall (0:35) to capture her title as well as the tournament MVP honors.

In other key results involving Bay Valley Athletic League teams, Antioch High’s Desirea Tauluuluu Spadini (137 pounds) defeated Lowell High’s Daniela Romo by a 10-7 decision to capture her weight-class title.

Freedom’s Luz Lacayo battled back to reach the consolation A championship, but lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Maricella Barreto-Ray by fall (2:21).

Pittsburg’s Melesisi Malupo (235 pounds) took home her weight-class title with a win over Palo Alto’s Amelia Clough by fall (3:28). In 2019, the Liberty girls’ wrestling team notched a second-place finish at the Brittany David Invitational at Liberty High School.

Navigating social-media etiquette

Over the last who knows how many months, we have all been anxious for human contact and in-person communication. The age of technology has helped quite a bit with the virtual visits but hugs and those grandchildren kisses are missed by everyone. On the very rare occasion that we see each other, we settle for elbow taps or, in our case, tushy bumps, to

Senior Corner avoid the possibility of getting each other sick. Such crazy times. I am very lucky to have Grandpa here with me, but we both look forward to the Instacart guy and the Amazon delivery person to see how they are doing — to get another perspective! I enjoy social media, especially Facebook. It’s where I can stay in

Marla touch with people, reunite with old luCkhardt friends from my childhood and watch videos of dogs and babies as if life was quite normal outside of these doors.

As I sit with my phone and scroll though the pictures, jokes and comments I start to wonder if I’m commenting enough? Did I send too many smiley emojis? Do people I don’t know personally think I am too friendly or not friendly enough? The dilemma of social media’s social graces is perplexing. Perhaps I can share some of my thoughts that guide me through this so I avoid the faux pas pitfalls.

For me, there are three types of Facebook friendships. First there are the family and close friends who are just like family. We have actually met them on more than one occasion and know them to be real, living, breathing humans whom we have hugged and kissed. They are the group that we can depend on for a kind comment or in some cases an “Oy” and an eye roll. Acceptable behavior in either case, if you have seen our videos. Some days I get a call saying they missed a few posts and they will binge watch when they get time, which I find extremely gracious. The rule for comments and “likes etc.” are there are no rules with this group. Throw caution to the wind and tell it like it is, but make it always kind. Always add some X’s and O’s for those virtual hugs and kisses.

The second group is made up of friends far away. We may not have seen them as much, even when it was safer, because of distance. But there is a true mutual admiration society we all belong to. Many are people I knew in my school days and are reconnecting, which is truly amazing and fun. Again, the rules are pretty lax with group two as they know we are very happy to see their dog Theo in an armchair covered with blankets or their granddaughter Stinky baking cookies. Lots of people look forward to reactions, otherwise why post something? I say let them know you are enjoying what they share with a nice comment or a smiley face. X’s and O’s are also more than acceptable for group two, in my humble opinion.

Now we have the third group, which is much more popular in these times than before. This I call my “I bet we would have been friends growing up group” as a lot of the newer friendship requests have come from people who either know of me or know people I know. Confusing? Not really. There are many groups that you can join with common interests, like music from the ’60s, or wonderful hometown pages where the names are familiar but the faces have changed a bit in the last 50 years or so. Before I accept a friend request from someone I don’t know personally, I read their information and review our mutual friends.

I will comment and smile at everyone’s posts if I see them. If I see a political opinion that may be not in my personal wheelhouse of ideas, I tend to just scroll past it and look for something else that keeps us in the friend loop. Everyone in my sphere of kindness, gets X’s and O’s making that rule applicable across the spectrum for me.

Whatever your level of comfort is on social media, be aware that not everyone is a possible friend or even acquaintance. There are cat fishers out there who will try to take advantage of your kindness and your open heart. Be careful, and if you feel the slightest discomfort, remember your gut is usually right. To all my friends, near and far, thank you for keeping Grandpa and me in your thoughts, and we hope to see you soon. Stay safe and well. Peace.

Marla Luckhardt is a Brentwood resident who works with several local senior care and advocacy groups. Reach her at marla2054@aol.com.

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