MISSION VIEJO — First of all, let's say this about Tim Manning. He is an outstanding athlete.

In three years on Trabuco Hills High School's football team, Manning has played defensive back, wide receiver, running back and, now, quarterback. He has excelled at all.

But there is another Tim Manning, one who, at times, is a little insane. The way he carries himself on the football field, it's a wonder he isn't carried off the football field sometimes.

Already this season, Manning has suffered a bruised sternum, a bruised shoulder, a bruised hip and a bruised forearm. And that was in one game.

"We're try to get Tim to concentrate a little more on the cerebral part of playing quarterback, like throwing the ball," Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. "But the last thing I want to do is suppress his instincts."

Instincts are everything for Manning. They are what make him more than a good high school player. They make him a great one.

Whether it's defensive back or quarterback, football or basketball, Manning plays with the abandon of a daredevil. Sure, it gets him into a little trouble on the field from time to time, but Manning more than makes up for that by sacrificing all for victory.

"Tim really doesn't think about his body in the heat of competition. We do, but he doesn't," Barnett said. "He's just one of those kids who is blessed with a lot of determination and a tremendous will to win."

Manning, who is 5-feet-11, 185 pounds, has come full circle since entering Trabuco Hills. He was the starting quarterback on a freshman team that finished 7-3, but as a sophomore he played defensive back on the varsity.

Last season, Manning was Trabuco Hills' No. 1 offensive threat. He scored touchdowns as a running back, receiver, punt returner and even threw a touchdown pass on an option play.

But the Mustangs were in need of a quarterback this season. David Lowery, who guided Trabuco Hills to the Southern Section Division VIII title last season, graduated and is now at San Diego State.

Barnett had Manning waiting in the wings. He began to train for the job last season, taking a few turns at quarterback during practice once a week.

"I've always known I would be the quarterback my senior year," Manning said. "There was no one else, unless someone transferred in. It wasn't my favorite position, but I'll do it."