Playing the role of Monday morning quarterback, Derek Largent would have done things differently. Although he made tremendous strides in what amounted to only one full season of playing football, Largent can’t help but second guess at what could have been.
After seeing limited playing time during his junior year – and first year playing organized football – Largent became a two-way starter as a tight end and linebacker as a senior this year and, much to his surprise, was named the Bay League’s Defensive Player of the Year.
It seemed only fitting that Largent would play the final game of his short prep career on his home field Saturday as a member of the White Team at the 46th annual West Torrance Lions Club Senior All-Star Game held at Mira Costa.
“I definitely regret not playing football starting in my freshman year because I haven’t had very much time to develop,” Largent said. “I’ve really only played one season of football so to get where I am is pretty incredible considering how complicated the sport of football is.”
Serving as head coach for the third time, Redondo head coach Gene Simon led the White Team which included five of Largent’s teammates from Bay League champion Mira Costa. Kicker Brendan Sofen, running back-defensive back Deon Morris, linebacker J.R. Tavai, linebacker Noah Rossi and receiver-defensive back Sam Stekol represented the Mustangs.
Sea Hawks playing one last game under their head coach were receiver-defensive back Kem Richards, defensive back Jon Catsavas, lineman Adam Ammentorp, tight end-linebacker L.J. Ben-Amor and wide receiver Brandon Engel.
Tavai, the Bay League’s MVP, continued his dominance on the gridiron scoring his team’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard run and was named Defensive Player of the Game in the contest that ended in a 7-7 tie and featured two blocked kicks and two goal-line stands.
The game marked the second straight tie for a Simon-led team (2004). The Redondo coach was victorious in 2001.
Although he practiced on both sides of the ball, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Largent played defense and on special teams during the contest. The Hermosa Beach resident said that having the opportunity to play in the game was an experience he’ll never forget.
“My favorite memory of playing in the Lions All-Star Game is being able to play with a bunch of very talented and fun people from different schools. I made a lot of new friends through that and I was just so excited to get to play another high school football game. Everyone on offense was having too much fun to switch out and I was enjoying my time on defense.”
As quickly as his prep football career came and went, Largent has shifted his focus to the baseball diamond where he is a right fielder and pitcher for Mira Costa. Yet he doesn’t feel his days on the gridiron are over.Â
“I went into the season foaming at the mouth wanting to play football for really the first time,” Largent said. “Being named Defensive Player of the Year was just a huge thing for me because I hadn’t even thought about it or any other awards throughout the year. I just want to give credit to my team and coaches — particularly coach Ray Lee, our defensive coordinator — for everything they have done to get me where I am now in such a short period of time.”
Largent said that San Diego State, Colorado, Montana State and North Carolina Central have expressed interest in his football abilities but he would like to attend a school where he could play both sports.
“I believe that if I began playing football at an earlier age I would be more on the map for college recruiting,” Largent said. “But I’m not looking back but focusing on what’s ahead of me.” ER
