In De La Salle's Sumner Houston, Folsom has a problem

CONCORD, Calif. — At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Sumner Houston is the second smallest member of the new-age behemoth linemen from De La Salle (Concord).

Sticking up for the old-school "small" guys, the Oregon State-bound standout is still public enemy No. 1.

Houston, who yes, presents plenty of problems, was voted the East Bay Athletic League Player of the Year for his play on both sides of the ball at tackle.

On a team that likely boasts five future Division I linemen and averages 273 pounds on both sides, that's quite a compliment.

The last De La Salle linemen to garner such post season awards is seven-year NFL pro Derek Landri, the San Francisco Chronicle's 2001 Metro Player of the Year who is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

De La Salle (13-0), the nation's No. 5 team according to MaxPreps.com, plays No. 16 Folsom (14-0) for the Northern California Open title 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Diablo Valley College. The game, a rematch of a De La Salle 49-15 championship win last season, will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

"It was definitely nice to get that award but it really should have been given to all of us," Houston said. "We all in this together."

The linemen have always been a particularly tight group at De La Salle, literally and emotionally. They've been confused for swimmers or gymnasts for their lean, smallish frames, and known for their quickness, speed, power and technique.

"We still do those things," Houston said. "But we're all just a lot bigger and stronger."

That's resulted in one of the most prolific ground games in the school's history. The Spartans average 364 yards per game on the ground following a career high 565 yards last week in a 49-17 North Coast Section Division I title win over California, the Spartans' 22nd straight section crown and 39th consecutive victory overall.

It doesn't matter whose running behind the line.

John Velasquez (1,853 yards, 24 TDs) has done the brunt of the damage, but last week six players rushed for scores. The average yard per carry is 9.0. Often backs aren't even touched en route to TDs.

"I think practicing against one another helps," Houston said. "We're all big guys so there's a lot of competition. We obviously have good coaching as well."

One of the new defensive line coaches is former legendary head coach Bob Ladouceur, who also helps with the running backs. "He doesn't get down and show us how to do things anymore, but he pinpoints problems immediately and constantly. He's helping us try to perfect an imperfect game."

Houston, the younger brother of former De La Salle quarterback and current Wisconsin backup Bart Houston, has improved immensely on defense with use of hands.

"He's as strong as an Ox and tough as nails," defensive coordinator Terry Eidson said. "He's been dominating on defense all year. He's a much better pass rusher this year because of his experience and strength and ability to use his hands. He's playing with so much more confidence."

It helps to be playing next to Kahlil McKenzie, a transfer from Wisconsin and son of former NFL lineman and Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie.

McKenzie, a 6-3, 316-pound junior and major recruit, demands so much attention, Houston often avoids double teams which helped him record 52 tackles, 12 for loss, including eight sacks.

"I was the strongest guy on the team until Kahlil came along," said Houston, noting that McKenzie bench presses 400 pounds. "He's a beast."

Joining Houston on the defensive line is Larry Ross (6-2, 232) and Boss Tagaloa (6-2, 286), considered one of the top sophomores in the country. Last season the defensive front sacked Folsom record-setting quarterback Jake Browning six times and hurried him into three interceptions to key the victory.

Folsom's emphasis is to protect Browning better on Saturday. That won't be easy, said Folsom co-coach Kris Richardson.

"This is the best defensive line we've ever seen," he said. "The second best was the De La Salle team from last year."

Houston starts both ways for the first four series, before spending most of the second half on defense. Other offensive lineman are guards Larry Allen (6-3, 285), son of the NFL Hall of Fame lineman, and Drew Sullivan (6-2, 306), tackle Tagaloa and center Brian Joyce (6-2, 225).

Another elite sophomore Devin Asiasi (6-4, 225) is a tight end and backup defensive end. He reminds Houston of Stanford freshman Austin Hooper, who had three sacks last year against Folsom.

"(Folsom) is obviously a lot better this year," Houston said. "They've improved in a lot of areas. We can see that. They had a lot of young guys last year and made a lot of mistakes that are going to be corrected. We had a lot as well. We had 11 penalties and turned the ball over. We can't do that again.

"We're going to have to out-hit and out-physical them and hopefully make them quit."