Deer Valley quarterback Nsimba Webster is "electrifying"

ANTIOCH, Calif. — In a sea of Deer Valley (Antioch, Calif.) black, white and teal stands one bright red practice jersey. It's the quarterback Nsimba Webster and clearly he is special.

Not because his jersey color, but because zips one long pass after another right on the money, escapes pressure with ultra-quick feet, and directs the offense clearly and directly.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior is in complete command of the Bay Area's No. 5 team (8-0) which travels to longtime nemesis and No. 6 Pittsburg (6-2) on Friday.

And as comforting that is to Deer Valley coach Rich Woods it is un-nerving to Pittsburg coach Vic Galli.

"He's freaking phenomenal," Galli said of Webster. "He's one of the best athletes I've ever coached against. He extends plays. He's extremely accurate with his throws. I admit, he's just exciting to watch. He's RG4. "

Galli has coached against and with De La Salle-Concord over the last 20 years and San Leandro's Dennis Dixon and easily recalls Pittsburg standouts like Ken Simonton, Lu Hearns and Steve Hines.

But it's hard to recall an athlete who controls the game more with his arm and legs that the three-sport standout Webster, who has passed for 1,335 yards and 13 touchdowns this season and rushed for 809 yards and 17 more scores.

Last season, he accounted for 3,058 yards and 34 touchdowns. But it's not the numbers that necessarily standout out. It's how he does it, utilizing the athleticism he showed as a starting guard in basketball and as a long jumper (top mark is 22 feet, 8 inches) and triple jump (45-8½) in track and field.

"I don't say it often, but the kid is electrifying," Galli said.

Woods didn't use that phrase but said he's regularly left a gasped following a Webster scramble.

"He's very fast and very elusive and just hard to tackle," Woods said. "He makes people miss and before you know it he's in the end zone."

Despite speaking with a slight stutter, he's in the ear of teammates constantly, making life easier for Woods and his staff.

"He's a great leader," Woods said. "When he speaks the kids listen. He says just the right things at halftime and team dinners. And he helps police the team which takes a huge burden off my plate."

Despite it all, Webster and his twin Nzuzi Webster, a starting receiver and safety, have received only college offers from Portland State and Sacramento State. Both are recruiting Nsimba as an athlete and not a quarterback.

"Honestly, I'll play wherever they want me I'll play," Nsimba said.

But his heart is at quarterback, where he's played since he was 10. His football idols are Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III.

Nsimba's lack of height certainly is a detriment for recruiting, but Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, at roughly the same height, "gives me hope," he said with a smile.

Said Woods: "No matter where Nsimba ends up at whatever position he's going to make a college coach very, very happy."

For now, he's focused on Pittsburg, which has been an arrow in Deer Valley's side for years, a fact Nsimba remembers back when three older brothers played for the Wolverines.

Pittsburg's Harris Ross is the Bay Area's leading rusher and Pittsburg's record-setting back. He's questionable for the game after injuring his lower right leg at practice Wednesday. Nsimba and Ross are front-runners for Bay Area Player of the Year.

"Pittsburg is a great program and Harris Ross is a great back, but when we play Pitt it's sort of personal," Nsimba said.

Games of the Week

Concord (6-2) at #15 Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, Calif.) (7-1), 7 p.m. Friday — There’s no love lost between these two programs. Predicted score: Clayton Valley 45, Concord 28.

#5 Deer Valley-Antioch (8-0) at #6 Pittsburg (6-2), 7 p.m. Friday — Great matchup lf linebackers: Deer Valley senior Malik Hutchings (6-3, 245, 89 tackles) and Pittsburg junior Noah Palega (66 tackles). Deer Valley DE Chibueze Onyeukwu a Pittsburg transfer, has seven sacks. Much of this game will depend on Ross's health. We're betting he won't play. Predicted score: Deer Valley 27, Pittsburg 24.

#14 El Cerrito (6-2) vs. Saint Mary's (Albany, Calif.) (6-2) at De Anza, 7 p.m. Friday — St. Mary's can make their season with a good showing. Predicted score: El Cerrito 45, St. Mary's 14.

Encinal (Alameda) (7-1) vs. San Leandro  (4-4) at Burrell Field, 7 p.m. Friday — Encinal has been on a role since a lopsided loss to Serra, but San Leandro might be just too big and physical. Predicted score: San Leandro 17, Encinal 14.

#8 Foothill (Pleasanton) (7-1) at #23 San Ramon Valley (Danville) (4-4) — Great matchup of quarterbacks in Foothill junior Kyle Kearns and San Ramon Valley senior Matt Winaker. With the season-ending loss to Foothill dynamic RB/CB Jamirr Holland, the Falcons are severely handicapped. They also don't match up well up front either with the Wolves. Predicted score: San Ramon Valley 35, Foothill 21.

Las Lomas (Walnut Creek) (5-3) at #25 Miramonte (Orinda) (6-2), 7 p.m. Friday — Miramonte's only two losses are to No. 3 Marin Catholic and No. 13 Campolindo. Predicted score: Miramonte 35, Las Lomas 21.

Menlo-Atherton (Atherton) (5-2) at #9 Terra Nova (Pacifica) (7-0), 7 p.m. Friday — The brawn and balance of Menlo-Atherton could give Terra Nova trouble. Predicted score: Terra Nova 38, Menlo-Atherton 21.

#2 Serra (San Mateo) (6-1) at #10 St. Francis (Mountain View) (5-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday — Former St. Francis assistants Steve Lo and Chris Vasseur are now Serra’s offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, giving this game even more juice. Predicted score: Serra 21, St. Francis 7.

St. Ignatius (San Francisco) (1-6) vs. #4 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (7-0) at Foothill College, 7 p.m. Friday — The records indicated a one-sided affair but St. Ignatius might be the best 1-6 team in the state if not the country. Predicted score: Mitty 35, St. Ignatius 21.

#19 Wilcox (Santa Clara) (6-1) at Los Gatos (5-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday — New Los Gatos coach Mark Krail has righted the ship and Wildcats have won five straight. Predicted score: Los Gatos 21, Wilcox 20.

E-mail MaxPreps national columnist Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchMashMax