Deshaun Foster

RB TUSTIN SR. Foster (6-1, 205) scored a section-record 59 touchdowns and became the first county back to break 3,000 yards (3,398 yards) in a season, averaging 10.5 yards per carry. He ends his high school career as the county's second all-time leading rusher (5,808 yards).

5 SUREST HANDS OVER THE MIDDLE Hines Ward Pittsburgh * Hands down -- or hands up -- the NFL's best blocking WR. -- Antonio Gates San Diego * This ex-hoops standout wins just about every jump ball. -- Derrick Mason Baltimore * He's a seasoned veteran who knows all the tricks. -- David Givens New England * Stocky like a running back and extremely strong. -- Anquan Boldin Arizona * Runs ultra-precise routes and fearlessly takes big hits.

UCLA's biggest offensive threat is on the defensive, a new concept. One of the Bruins' few proven weapons, he feels as if he has everything to prove, an even newer idea. All because in the old season, a sprained ankle and a broken offensive line ruined DeShaun Foster's 1999, not to mention his reputation. The damage has been months in the mending and still is not close to being healed. Oh, the right ankle is OK.

The Carolina Panthers lost any hope that DeShaun Foster would play again this season when it was determined Monday the running back needed surgery for a broken collarbone. The former UCLA standout was expected to sit out six to 10 weeks after he was injured in the Panthers' loss to Denver on Oct. 10. "The way it was healing -- it's a medical term and it's not doing a certain thing -- we are going to do the surgery and get it fixed," Coach John Fox said.

You are the head football coach. You make the call. It is seven days before the season opener, a statement game against the nation's No. 3-ranked team. You wake up to learn that, a couple of weeks earlier, your star tailback pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possessing one ounce or less of marijuana. You summon the tailback to a Saturday morning meeting. There is anger, scolding, an apology. You ask if he was smoking the marijuana. He says no.

OL TUSTIN SR. Most effective running games feature a terrific lineman, and Alston led the way for DeShaun Foster. Alston's size (6-5, 310), speed and quickness make him an effective run-blocker. His outstanding footwork should allow him to learn pass-blocking quickly in college.

Career rushing totals of Laguna Hills' Michael Jones and Tustin's DeShaun Foster, and where they rank among Southern Section and Orange County leaders: SOUTHERN SECTION *--* 1. David Dotson 7,257 Moreno Valley Valley View, 1989-91 2. George Keiaho 6,615 Ventura Buena, 1990-93 3. Michael Jones 6,331 Laguna Hills, 1995- 4. Russell White 5,998 Encino Crespi, 1986-88 5. Eliel Swinton 5,904 Van Nuys Montclair Prep, 1990-92 6. Deonce Whitaker 5,667 Ventura Buena, 1990-93 *--* ORANGE COUNTY *--* 1.

It is hard to imagine, watching DeShaun Foster sitting on his makeshift throne at media day, diamond earrings, diamond bracelet, sparkling smile. It is hard to envision, watching him tug at his teal and white Carolina Panther jersey, bursting out of his uniform and into the coolest Sunday in sports. But, you know, this could have happened three years ago. His crown could have been the Heisman Trophy. His championship contender could have been UCLA.

Tustin running back DeShaun Foster has narrowed his college choices to UCLA and Texas but is not planning to announce his choice until Wednesday, the first day players can sign letters of intent, his father, Al, said. "He still hasn't made up his mind except to eliminate Arizona State," Al Foster said, adding that the family took another--and unofficial--trip to UCLA over the weekend.

Carolina Panther rookie running back DeShaun Foster will be sidelined the first month of the season because of a knee injury. Foster damaged cartilage and suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during a 23-3 loss to the New England Patriots in an exhibition game Friday. The second-round draft pick from UCLA is expected to be out four or five weeks. The Panthers hope to have Foster back for their Oct. 6 home game against Arizona. Lamar Smith takes over as the team's starting running back.

DeShaun Foster joined Carolina's growing list of injured offensive stars and will be out six to 10 weeks because of a broken collarbone. After remaining fairly injury-free last season en route to the NFC championship, the bumps, bruises and breaks have piled up early this year. Star receiver Steve Smith is out indefinitely because of a broken leg, top running back Stephen Davis has sat out three games after knee surgery and kick returner Rod Smart, also the No.

DeShaun Foster showed the Carolina Panthers should be just fine without Stephen Davis. Running around and through Kansas City's soft defense, Foster carried 32 times for 174 yards, including a team-record 71-yard burst, in leading the defending NFC champion Panthers to a 28-17 victory over the Chiefs on Sunday at Kansas City, Mo. The total was four yards short of the team record held by Davis, who is out indefinitely after spraining his knee in practice last week.

It is hard to imagine, watching DeShaun Foster sitting on his makeshift throne at media day, diamond earrings, diamond bracelet, sparkling smile. It is hard to envision, watching him tug at his teal and white Carolina Panther jersey, bursting out of his uniform and into the coolest Sunday in sports. But, you know, this could have happened three years ago. His crown could have been the Heisman Trophy. His championship contender could have been UCLA.

If video games are any indication, DeShaun Foster thinks he should be able to help the Carolina Panthers beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game. Foster has already gone through a preview of today's game by playing "Madden 2004" on video, pitting his Panthers against the Eagles. "We won," he said. "And I made a couple of plays." Foster might get called on to do a lot more than that if leading rusher Stephen Davis can't play.

Carolina Panther rookie running back DeShaun Foster, a former UCLA standout, is out for the season because of a left knee injury and was put on injured reserve Friday. Foster, who was the Panthers' second-round draft choice in April, tore cartilage in his left knee in an exhibition game and has not played. "DeShaun is obviously a guy that we thought would bring a dimension to our offense that we were excited about," Coach John Fox said.

Carolina Panther rookie running back DeShaun Foster will be sidelined the first month of the season because of a knee injury. Foster damaged cartilage and suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during a 23-3 loss to the New England Patriots in an exhibition game Friday. The second-round draft pick from UCLA is expected to be out four or five weeks. The Panthers hope to have Foster back for their Oct. 6 home game against Arizona. Lamar Smith takes over as the team's starting running back.

RUSHING *--* 1. Francis Johnson Katella vs. Century 282 yards in 16 carries 2. DeShaun Foster Tustin vs. Servite 263 yards in 23 carries 3. Brett Baker Newport Harbor vs. Irvine 208 yards in 25 carries 4. Bryant Wolfsberger Santa Margarita vs. Woodbridge 208 yards in 24 carries 5. James Dawkins Estancia vs. Laguna Beach 204 yards in 25 carries *--* PASSING *--* 1. Jason Whieldon Orange Lutheran vs. Calvary Chapel 17 of 28, 295 yards 2. Zach Blazek Los Alamitos vs. Edison 17 of 28, 282 yards 3.

Tustin (11-0) vs. Foothill (6-5) 7:30 TONIGHT TUSTIN HIGH One of the county's most intense rivalries takes on another dimension in the playoffs. When they faced each other in the first week of the season, Tustin won, 47-6, as DeShaun Foster rushed for 214 yards and scored four touchdowns--one on an interception return. Last week, Foster set the county single-season rushing record (2,602) and section public school touchdown mark (49). Julius Williams, with 23 catches, has 16 touchdowns.

St. Louis and Charlotte, N.C., are separated by about 700 miles, but on the football map, they're worlds apart. The Rams, last season's NFC champions, are one of the best teams in the NFL, while the Panthers won all of two games in 2001. The teams gained some common ground Saturday when St. Louis selected UCLA linebacker Robert Thomas in the first round and the Panthers took UCLA running back DeShaun Foster in the second round. Thomas was the 31st pick overall; Foster was the 34th.

Just as it is bad when college athletes come to campus and leave having not learned the lessons of the classroom, it is sad when they come to play college football and leave having missed out on the lessons the game offers. The soul has gone missing from UCLA football. The meaning of what it is to be a football player, the sense of team and responsibility, the idea of one man among 85 being no better than the others, all the good lessons that can be learned from being part of a team ...