Preston Oliver continues to rack up records
HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK
During L.A. Marshall's rout of Eagle Rock, the junior broke his own school single-season rushing record and shattered a 66-year-old single-season record for touchdowns rushing.
When it comes to Preston Oliver, numbers are the only things that add up.
It's hard to understand why there isn't a bigger recruiting buzz surrounding the L.A. Marshall High running back, who became his school's career rushing leader less than halfway through his junior season.
Oliver has rushed for 2,571 yards and 38 touchdowns -- another school record -- in his varsity career. During Marshall's 64-34 victory over Eagle Rock last week, Oliver broke his own school single-season rushing record and shattered Vic Mastro's 66-year-old single-season rushing touchdown record. Oliver has 1,304 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
"He is an Eddie George-type runner, a big, slashing back who's hard to bring down," Marshall Coach Andy Moran said. "He's elusive. He doesn't run full speed every play. He runs just as fast as he needs to get past you."
Oliver, 6 feet 1 and 185 pounds, last week also set a career record with 242 points, and with 4,000 yards of total offense needs only 230 more to set that career mark.
Keep in mind that Oliver has at least 13 more games left in his varsity career -- possibly more if the Barristers (6-1 overall, 1-1 Northern League) advance to the playoffs this season and in 2009.
Marshall historian Pete Arbogast, whose father has been watching the Barristers since the 1930s, said the family consensus is that Oliver is the best high school football player to come through the school. And this includes NFL Hall of Famer Mike Haynes, the former cornerback with the New England Patriots and L.A. Raiders.
Moran said college recruiters haven't showed up to watch Oliver. But that should change if the numbers keep adding up.
Coliseum showdown
If recent results are an indication, the winner between L.A. Crenshaw and L.A. Dorsey on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium seems assured of an undefeated record in Coliseum League play.
Since 2002, the winner of the rivalry game has won the league title with a 5-0 league record. Crenshaw also finished with a 5-0 league record in 2001, although it took a forfeit victory over L.A. Fremont to get there.
"Ever since it's been the Coliseum League [in 1998], it's been the two of us," said Dorsey Coach Paul Knox, whose team has split its last four meetings with the Cougars.
