605 All-Star Game to Showcase a New Trojan

Lamont Hollinquest ranged the defensive backfield on the East Los Angeles College artificial turf gingerly. The former star of Pius X High School, on his way to USC in the fall, was practicing with the West team for the 605 All-Star Football Game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at La Mirada High School.

Suddenly, the ball was snapped. Hollinquest backpedaled, reading the quarterback’s drop back. He reacted quickly to the throw over the middle from his left cornerback spot. It was too late for an interception but Hollinquest drove toward the receiver, put his headgear and shoulder into his foe’s chest and separated him from the football. The ball was smothered by the defense as Hollinquest lay over a collage of different colored helmets and jerseys.

When the 17-year-old Hollinquest rose from the pile, he really rose, all the way to his height of 6-3 or 6-4, depending on whom you believe. He weighs 210 pounds and runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.

If you think that sounds more like a linebacker than a defensive back, you are not alone.

Washington, Oregon and Iowa State had the same notion. Hollinquest visited those three schools, but eliminated them when they wanted him to play linebacker. Besides, said Hollinquest, who lives in Lynwood, “I wasn’t too fond of the cold weather (at Iowa.)”

USC defensive back coach Bobby April was happy to oblige Hollinquest. “I never, for one instant, mentioned him playing another position,” April said. “We think he’ll be a great one--at defensive back.

Pro-Sized in High School

“He’s a pro-sized defensive back coming out of high school,” said April, who recruited Hollinquest when he was 15. “He’s got everything I was looking for in a defensive back--size, speed and aggressiveness.”

USC also had everything Hollinquest was looking for. “I got into the tradition,” Hollinquest said the other day before practice. “I just grew up a USC fan.” Other factors that influenced Hollinquest were the chance of becoming All-American and playing in the NFL.

But Hollinquest realizes that football is not everything and much can happen between USC and a professional career, so he is prepared to cultivate another interest while at Troy. “I plan to major in computer science,” said Hollinquest, whose brother was a computer science major and basketball player at Cal State Chico. “In third grade my grandmother bought me a computer; ever since then I’ve liked them.”

For now, the erstwhile computer scientist is concerned with screens, but these come on football fields. Hollinquest lifts weights four days a week and runs every day, in addition to practice for the 605 game. Many coaches and players frown on all-star games, but coach April sees them as an opportunity to face good players.

“I think it’s a good thing for kids to play in all-star games,” April said. “It’s their first chance to play a game of college football and it’s their last chance to represent their high schools.”

Hollinquest is one of the biggest names in Friday’s game, but by no means the only one. Other top players on the West squad, coached by Montebello’s Doug Rihn, include All-CIF running back Adan Avina from Montebello, who rushed for 1,258 yards last season and scored 19 touchdowns, and All-CIF defensive back Jaime Fields of Lynwood, who made 227 tackles in two years and is headed to Washington. The East team, coached by Wayne Manzo of Cerritos, figures to be led by wide receiver/defensive back Marcus Tyrone of Millikan, who had 550 yards receiving and had three fumble recoveries and three interceptions, and is going to USC.

Ankle Injury Heals

Hollinquest is just as happy to be playing football at all. He broke his ankle on the first play of the season opener against El Rancho playing quarterback. He missed the next five weeks but returned to shine in the Warriors’ remaining four games of the regular season.

Apparently, Hollinquest suffered no ill effects. But, if anything, the injury assured him that USC was the place for him.

“Coach April called me the next night and let me know they were still interested in me,” Hollinquest said. “That made me feel good.”

April attended Hollinquest’s first game back from the injury, against St. Monica. On one of the first plays from scrimmage, April said, Hollinquest sprinted from the middle of the field to a screen play on the sideline, eluded a blocker, and put the ball carrier on his back.

“My 6-year-old son was with me and after that play he turned to me and said ‘That No. 2 is a good player, Daddy,’ so it wasn’t a stroke of genius that I recruited him,” April said. Many others have noticed Hollinquest’s talent. The 605 press guide lists him as first team All-Camino Real League, All-CIF, All-State, and All-Times Southeast. He was also selected as the 35th best prep prospect in the nation by the Sporting News scouting service.