Bass Earns His Place at Corona Centennial

His quick, remarkable journey gained more steam with Centennial's 42-21 upset of Fresno Clovis West, which was ranked No. 2 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, on Friday. This Friday, Bass and the Huskies meet up with Norco and its running back Toby Gerhart, whose 7,438 career yards are third-most in state history.

While Bass (5 feet 10, 185 pounds) has filled in for injured Tracy Johnson, he has:

* Scored on his first carry in two games, covering 34 yards against Rialto Eisenhower and 70 yards against Clovis West. He scored on the first series against Rancho Cucamonga, taking his fourth carry 44 yards.

* Rushed 16 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns in his first varsity start, against Eisenhower.

* Rushed 40 times for 401 yards and six touchdowns in his second start, against Rancho Cucamonga.

* Rushed 27 times for 289 yards and four touchdowns against Clovis West, which was ranked No. 18 in the nation, had given up only 21 points in four games and shut out Concord De La Salle in its opener.

Among Bass' 12 touchdown runs, six have been of 23 yards or more, five of 34 and beyond.

Johnson probably won't be in the lineup against Norco, but when he does return, Coach Matt Logan will find a way to allow Bass and him to play. Johnson will probably move to slot receiver, which should make the offense -- already averaging 39.4 points and held to a season-low 27 against Long Beach Poly -- even more dynamic.

"It will be a bigger impact getting both those guys on the field at the same time," Logan said.

When that happens, Bass said, "I think the offense is going to be unstoppable."

Bass is the fourth of five brothers to play at Centennial.

"I told the parents [Cynthia and Rickey], when the last one comes through, I can retire," Logan said.

Dion Bass is in seventh grade.

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Senior De Vohn Moutra and his sophomore brother, Antwon, never played alongside each other on the football field, but they did play against each other two weeks ago when Culver City beat Gardena, 20-6.

In front of 50 family members, Antwon earned bragging rights with three interceptions, including a 77-yard interception return for Culver City. His interception of a pass intended for De Vohn, a tight end/linebacker at Gardena, was the play to remember. Antwon outjumped his brother on the underthrown pass.