Video: Kendall Milton 2018 highlights vs. De La Salle
Milton is a five-star running back headed to Georgia.
Normally, a week after a big showdown win would be reason for concern.
Not this week for
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) football coach Justin Alumbaugh.
There will be no letdown when the Spartans, ranked 13th nationally by MaxPreps, host
Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) in a Friday night tilt at Owen Owens Stadium and broadcast on CBS Sports Digital.
Last season, Buchanan and
Kendall Milton gave De La Salle all it could handle, though the Spartans prevailed 31-24.
Milton, a rugged 6-foot-2, 215-pound running back who is headed to Georgia, rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns as the Bears jumped out early, fell behind 28-13 at halftime, then actually outscored the Spartans 11-3 in the second half to make it a one-score game.
Kendall Milton (2) during a season-opening loss to Narbonne.
File photo by Bobby Medellin
"Buchanan is tough," said Alumbaugh, who on Sunday will be inducted into the De La Salle Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments as a football and baseball standout. "They play hard. They're well coached. They're strong up front and athletic in the secondary and skill positions. And Milton is obviously unreal."
He's a 5-star recruit, according to 247Sports, ranked the No. 4 running back overall in the country and No. 23 recruit overall. Buchanan is ranked 24th in California.
"He's strong, fast, elusive," Alumbaugh said of Milton. "He ran all over us last year."
But he's also been slowed by a quad injury that has kept him out for much of Buchanan's 3-1 start. He's questionable heading into Friday's game.
De La Salle (3-1) unquestionably showed its strength in the first 23 minutes of last week's 42-27 victory at Folsom, then ranked 22nd nationally.
Lifted by the play of quarterback
Dorian Hale, who rushed for four touchdowns including a 69-yarder in the first two minutes to set the tone, and strong offensive line play, the Spartans raced to a 28-0 lead and were never truly threatened.
James Coby added 94 yards rushing on 10 carries and
Shamar Garrett 88 yards on 25 carries as the Spartans piled up 290 yards in 52 carries overall.
De La Salle quarterback Dorian Hale rushed for 94 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 42-27 win at nationally-ranked Folsom.
Photo by Dennis Lee
Folsom scored a touchdown on the final play of the first half, had a long scoring drive to start the second half and recovered two onside kicks late, to definitely tighten things up.
But De La Salle largely controlled the scoreboard, despite being outgained, 381-345. The Spartans committed no turnovers.
"I'm pleased with our effort, our physicality and I thought our offensive line won the day," Alumbaugh said after the game.. "But I wasn't pleased with the scores late or onside kicks. Those things we have to work on, Give Folsom credit. They're a great team and program."
De La Salle has partnered with CBS Sports Digital to stream nine of its 10 regular season game this season, including Friday's home game. Pat O'Rourke, the voice of De La Salle, and 30-year journalist Damin Esper will call the action.
Through the partnership, fans throughout the country can watch the nation's No. 15 team along with more than 40 other De La Salle sporting events over the next 10 months via the SportsLive subscription OTT service online and via mobile and Roku apps.
James Coby rushed for a team-high 110 yards and a touchdown last week in the win over Folsom.
Photo by Dennis Lee
