Jason Lee, Downey
Photo by Marty Bicek
Though the Modesto Downey Knights compiled only a 2-8 record this year, they still left their mark on the California football record book with their explosive no-huddle, spread passing attack.
Senior quarterback Jason Lee (5-11, 185) completed 297 of 469 passes this year for a Sac-Joaquin Section and regular-season state-record 3,972 yards. He threw 18 interceptions. He also ran 81 times for 445 yards and four touchdowns.
The previous Sac-Joaquin record of 3,874 yards was set in 15 games – five more than Lee played in this year.
Downey coach Jeremy Plaa says Lee can do it all.
"He’s as smart as anyone I’ve ever had," Plaa said. "He was only sacked 15 times all year. He’s able to get out of trouble. He’s one of those guys who makes defensive players fall over – breaks their ankles.
“He’s got that intangible. He knows how to make plays and has no ego. He has a 3.4 (GPA). His height is the only thing holding him back (from a major college scholarship). He’s 5-11, but he plays like he’s 6-3. He’s going to make some (college) quarterback coach look real smart.”
Lee hooked up with a pair of senior wide receivers, who put up amazing numbers in their first year of high school football.
One of them, Javon Kelly, set Sac-Joaquin Section and regular-season state records with 105 catches this year. The 6-2, 165-pounder also set a section record with 1,565 receiving yards. He finished with 20 touchdowns.
The other first-year senior, Corey Keller, finished second to Kelly in both record categories with 103 receptions. The 6-2, 185-pounder totaled 1,471 yards and scored eight times. He might even have surpassed Kelly had he not missed one and one-half games and lost two 70-yard touchdowns due to penalties.
