Screenshot from ESPN2 of Najee Harris, #22 Alabama, stretching for the goal line during the 2nd Quarter of the National Championship game against Clemson Monday night, Jan. 7, 2019.

Najee Harris. Courtesy of rolltide.com

By Luke Johnson

“When he gets the ball, watch out,” said Shaun Alexander, former All-Pro running back.

Alexander was referring to Alabama running back Najee Harris when they bumped into each other at media day Saturday.

However, Harris did not get the ball too often come gametime.

Alabama lost to Clemson, 44-16, in the CFP National Championship at Levi’s Stadium.

In his Bay Area homecoming, Harris rushed for 59 yards via nine carries Monday evening.

“I just have a feeling that I didn’t do a very good job,” said Nick Saban, Crimson Tide head coach, in the postgame press conference. “I always feel that way. Even sometimes when we win, I think there are things that we could have done better or that I could have done better.”

Screenshot of Najee Harris falling just one yard short of the goal line. Alabama scored a touchdown on their next play.

With Alabama facing a large deficit in the second half, its offense ran mostly passing plays. Harris last touched the ball with 8:19 remaining in the third quarter. His 6.6 yards per carry led all rushers.

The Antioch-hometown running back had not played in the Bay Area since December 2016 – his final game in high school.

Harris was vital in Alabama’s comeback victory during last year’s national championship. His 64 rushing yards in the fourth quarter helped the Crimson Tide overcome a 13-point deficit.

He finished second on his team for rushing yards this season with 783. Senior Damien Harris had the most with 876.

Since Najee Harris won’t be eligible to enter the NFL draft until 2020, he could be the featured back for Alabama next season.

Nsimba Webster, #5

By Antioch Sports Legends

In Saturday’s FSC Championship game, Deer Valley High School’s twin brothers, Nsimba and Nzuzi Webster ‘14 will play for the Eastern Washington University Eagles against the North Dakota Bisons, 9:00 am.

On Monday January 7th, Antioch High School’s Najee Harris ‘16 will be in the CF Championship game at Levi Stadium as top nationally ranked, Alabama takes on the Crimson Tigers, 5:00 pm on ESPN 2.

Here are the backgrounds on our unprecedented three athletes from Antioch playing in National Championship games:

Nzuzi Webster, #6

Nsimba Webster, 5’10 180 lbs. – First Team WR in the Big Sky Conference, hauled in nine passes for 188 yards, and tied a EWU single-game playoff touchdown receptions record with four in the December 15th quarterfinals. The former MaxPreps All-Northern California QB’s regular seasons numbers at WR, 71 receptions, 1,099 yards, 15.48 YPR and 7 TDs.

Nzuzi Webster, 5’9 180, Honorable Mention at Corner Back in the Big Sky Conference, had an interception in the UC Davis quarterfinal game in the Eagles come from behind 34-29 win over UC Davis.

Najee Harris

Alabama’s Najee Harris, 6’2 230, the Tides second leading running back with 724 yards, on 108 carries and adding four scores. From the Bama website he “averaged a team-high 6.7 yards per carry with 17 of his carries going for 12-plus yards and 33 of his rushes resulting in a first down or a touchdown”.

That’s the rundown on these amazing young men with bright futures, let’s support them no matter the outcome, as it’s the character they represent to our community that makes them and ourselves victors.

Go Bama! Go Eagles!

The Antioch Sports Legends is located inside the Antioch Historical Society Museum, 1500 W 4th Street, Antioch and is open Wednesday and Saturday 1-4. Free admission. http://www.antiochsportslegends.com/

Screenshot of video of Lions Head Coach Ryan Partridge holding the state championship trophy following his team’s victory Saturday night, Dec. 15, 2018. By Jesus Cano

Beat elite private school team from So Cal

By Jesus Cano, Herald Sports Reporter

NORWALK, Calif. — As soon as then-first year head coach Ryan Partridge and his Liberty High School football team won the 2017 NCS Division I Championship, they set their eyes on the next prize. And Saturday night, Dec. 15 at Cerritos College in Southern California, the Lions’ historic two-season run came to an end with a 19-17 victory over the Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) Trailblazers, allowing them to hoist the CIF Division 1-A State Championship.

“Every one of these kids deserve it. Every player is extremely important to this program. It’s just unbelievable, I can’t even put my thoughts into words right now.” said Partridge.

Sierra Canyon is a private pre-K through 12th grade day and boarding school where a variety of famous individuals have attended or send their children, including members of the Kardashian family, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s daughter Willow and Ireland Baldwin the daughter of actors Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger, to name a few.

Tyerell Sturges-Cofer made his last high school football game memorable, rushing for all three of Liberty’s touchdowns on his 188-yard night. With quarterback Jay Butterfield struggling, the Lions’ traditionally pass-heavy offense was forced to turn to the ground attack, with Sturges-Cofer leading the comeback from down 17-7.

“Our O-line was doing an amazing job. We just kept fighting and going for the first down.” said Sturges-Cofer. “In the beginning of the season, coach said we were going for state. We won D-one last year, so we had to take another step and we did it.”

Sierra Canyon got on the board first with an 87-yard drive, capping off with a Chayden Peery one-yard sneak. Sturges-Cofer responded one play later, escaping for a 72-yard touchdown to tie the game.

The Trailblazers went on to light up the scoreboard in the rest of the first half. Josh Bryan added a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-7 in the second quarter. Brendon Gamble tackled on a 22-yard rushing touchdown, giving Sierra Canyon the 17-7 lead heading into halftime.

Sturges-Cofer was set up with the defense’s second touchdown of game, as they forced Sierra Canyon to fumble for a second time. It only took two plays for Sturges-Cofer to score with a 31-yard touchdown run that saw him knock down a pack of Traiblazer linemen to make it 17-13.

Liberty quarterback Jay Butterfield was rattled, unable to complete passes to his receivers, but stepped up when it was necessary by hitting Adrik Lamar to set up Sturges-Cofer for his game winning touchdown drive.

“Our defense picked me up especially throughout the whole game,” said Butterfield. “You never give up anytime, you always trust your receivers. No matter if it’s your top guy or your bottom guy.”

It’s been a whirlwind for Liberty over the past two seasons. The Lions won the NCS Division I championship in 2017, and in 2018 were able to finish the regular season 10-0, and win the BVAL for the first time in school history, while beating powerhouse Pittsburg for the first time since 2005.

As the Lions arrived from Southern California, they were greeted with roaring Liberty fans in the downtown Brentwood campus.

“We have the best fans supporting us at every game.” Butterfield said.

“We have such great community support. It just means everything. We set the culture of service and love.” Partridge added.

Eddie Hart and co-author Dave Newhouse will be at Barnes & Noble located at 5709 Lone Tree Way in Antioch on Monday evening, Dec. 17 to autograph Hart’s book “Disqualified”. Having previously equaled the World Record, Eddie Hart was a strong favorite to win the 100-Meter Dash at the 1972 Olympics in Munich Germany. The inexplicable happened, he was disqualified after arriving seconds after his quarterfinal heat. Ten years of training to become the “World’s Fastest Human”. The title attached to the Olympic 100-Meter champion was lost in a heartbeat. How could this have possibly happened on athletics biggest stage, the Olympic Games?

Eddie Hart is an American track and field sprinter, winning the Gold Medal while anchoring the U.S. 4 X 100-meter relay team at the 1972 Summer Olympics. 

Eddie Hart

Born in Martinez, California Eddie won the 100 and 200 at the 1969 California Community College State Track Meet, and the NCAA Championships in the 100 yard dash as a University of California, Berkeley student. Running the anchor leg on the 4 X 100-Meter relay, the team also broke the existing United States World Record, running 38.19.

Hart continued to run and in 1989, he captured the 100 and 200 titles at the World’s Masters Championships. Later that year he set a new World Record in the 100 meters that lasted for more than 14 years.

Newhouse is the former sports writer and columnist for the Oakland Tribune who retired in 2011. He continues to author books.

The book signing is part of a fundraiser for the Delta Contra Costa Branch of the American Association of University Women. Please see the voucher above or click her and print out and bring with you. Hart AAUW Book Signing bnvoucherflyer2018

The CIS Division 1-A NorCal Champions to face Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth

By Jesus Cano

Liberty has been making history for the past two seasons, and now they are finally on the big stage, and want to leave Norwalk with gold.

The Lions took home a 33-21 victory over Valley Christian and were crowned the California Interscholastic Federation Division 1-A NorCal champions. Liberty also sealed its ticket to state and will take on the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers of Chatsworth this Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. for the CIF Division 1-A championship 372 miles away at Cerritos College.

The aerial duo of quarterback Jay Butterfield and receiver Sione Vaki have been making it a nightmare for opposing teams’ secondaries. But receivers Adrik Lamar and Jerrin Easter-Williams have been stepping up to the occasion, as well. They each caught one touchdown in Liberty’s victory over Valley Christian.

The Lions run game is also as productive, with lineman like Josh McKey, Payton Zdroik and Reese Watkins, running back Tyerell Sturges-Cofer has been able to find the gaps and turn on the wheels. The senior carried the ball for 1,343 yards. And after a slow game against Pittsburg where he only ran for 59 yards, Sturges-Cofer bounced back. Brenden Bell can also carry the ball whe needed.

Liberty will be without key play, linebacker Nicky Einess, who suffered a concussion against Valley Christian. The defense is still stacked with many of its defensive lineman playing both ways. Vaki, Bell and Sturges-Cofer also play defense. Mason Padilla is a player that could lead the linebacker core.

On their way to the Bay Valley Athletic League championship, the Lions defeated most of their rivals by large margins including the Deer Valley Wolverines 60-12, the Freedom Falcons 55-21 and blanking both the Antioch High Panthers with a score of 52-0 and the Heritage Patriots 49-0.

AHS Panthers baseball coaches, Athletic Director Steve Sanchez (in hat) and Principal Louie Rocha hold the replica check at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Photo by AUSD.

From Antioch High School Twitter Feed @Antioch_High

Antioch High School Panther baseball was awarded $5,000 from Step Up to the Plate (Wells Fargo/KNBR). Money bought supplies plus uniforms and catcher’s gear for the JV. The check was presented by Giants’ Brandon Crawford to the coaches and principal. @AntiochUnified @roAr_crew @AntiochLinkCrew.

Antioch resident and 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader Kayla Morris takes a knee Thurs., Nov. 1, 2018. Photo source unidentified

Protest before the Battle of the Bay

By Luke Johnson

It happened at the Battle of the Bay, which should come as no surprise.

From Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ black panther salute during the 1968 Summer Olympics to Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem — sports activism is ingrained in the Bay Area culture

Kayla Morris became the first NFL cheerleader to take a knee during the Star Spangled Banner, according to Business Insider. It happened during Thursday’s nationally-televised game between the 49ers and Raiders at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers Gold Rush member is from Antioch and graduated from Deer Valley High School in 2012.

49er cheerleader kneels. Screenshot from a KTVU Fox2 News report.

Her action is presumably in support of the aforementioned Kaepernick, who began protesting in effort to bring attention to racial oppression and police brutality in 2016.

The 49ers have yet to comment about Morris.

In the past, 49ers Owner Jed York has been supportive of players who protest.

This was not the first time a 49ers cheerleader took a knee. In another photo online, former 49ers cheerleader Maria Mendez, dressed in a Santa’s Helper Christmas outfit, can be seen taking a knee before the Dec. 24, 2017 game according to a report by KTVU Fox2 News.

Read more on KRON4.com

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

A photo posted on the @gatorlenny Twitter feed shows Morris kneeling before the game at Levi’s Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.