Canyon’s Evan Watts is star of stars at San Fernando Valley San Gabriel Valley high school football all-star game
SIMI VALLEY – On a night that saw both defenses shine in the San Fernando Valley San Gabriel Valley high school football all-star game, no defender stood out more than Canyon’s Evan Watts.
Watts earned defensive MVP honors as he racked up four sacks in a 15-9 win for the West all-stars on Saturday night at Simi Valley High School.
“We knew on Monday at the first practice that we had something special there,” said West coach Ben McEnroe, who is also the coach of Thousand Oaks High School. “We were excited to coach him and he just made plays. He earned the MVP.”
Watt, a senior, recorded back-to-back safeties late in the first quarter.
“This is just a blessing, man,” Watts said. “This opportunity here, it’s just pretty surreal being an all-star with such a great group of guys.”
Simi Valley star running back Bryce Hawkins made the most of his final game at Bob James Memorial Stadium. As part of game that saw him rush for 138 yards, Hawkins scored a touchdown on the drive following the safety.
“So happy for him,” McEnroe said. “Great kid. Really enjoyed getting to know him. He’s definitely got some new fans at Thousand Oaks High School. Our coaching staff loved him. The energy he brings every day to practice and to the locker room, to see it on the field was a lot of fun to be a part of.”
Grace Brethren quarterback Ethan LaSecla used his blazing speed to score a game-winning 9-yard touchdown run in the second half.
“He is a dynamic football player,” McEnroe said. “He’s one of those guys, very few guys like that that you just hold your breath every time they touch the ball.”
The West had a pair of interceptions in the win. Lance Olivares had one in the first half and Hoover’s Javon Lyman added another on the final play of the game as the East was threatening to score. Lyman secured the ball at the 2-yard line.
“Our linebackers, our D-line to our safeties, we all did our jobs tonight,” Watts said.