LOS ANGELES TIMES 1994 : ALL-Valley / Football Team : Back of the Year : Aches, Pains Are Just Price of His Success

A fractured shoulder, migraine headaches and a bout with strep throat.

None of these ailments could keep Sylmar High junior running back Durell Price out of the game he loves so dearly.

Although Price suffered a hairline fracture in his right shoulder early in the season, he didn’t miss a game and finished with a City Section-high 1,936 yards and 30 touchdowns and led the Spartans to their second City 4-A Division title in three years.

Even with strep throat and intense headaches in the City 4-A final, Price rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns in 19 carries to lead the Spartans’ 38-6 rout over Crenshaw. His efforts earned him City 4-A player of the year honors.

Add to his accomplishments being named the Times Valley Back of the Year.

Price is another on a list of running backs to excel under the tutelage of Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman. But at 6 feet 1, 215 pounds, Price is a much-bulkier--albeit stronger--version of the three tailbacks who preceded him. Jerome Casey (1987-89), Tobaise Brookins (89-91) and Tyrone Crenshaw (91-93)--all of whom had 1,000-yard seasons as the primary back--provided Price with a mission.

“I was the biggest back at Sylmar and there was talk that I was just a fullback,” said Price, who attributes much of his success to his off-season workouts with personal trainer Louis Jones. “But this proves that I can be as good as those quick little tailbacks.”

To be sure, no other area running back has numbers that can compare to Price’s impressive 10.5 yards-per-carry average.

Recruiters took notice last season, when Price gained 540 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 50 carries in the shadow of Crenshaw, who rushed for 1,785 yards and was named the co-City 4-A player of the year, his second such distinction in as many years.

The recruiting letters and questionnaires haven’t stopped coming in since USC sent the first at midseason last year. Price must be on the permanent mailing list of Nebraska recruiters because he receives a letter from the Cornhuskers just about every week now.

“If he can improve his quickness, I think he is going to be the best running back in this state next year,” Engilman said. “He’s a natural.”

Although Price would have liked to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark, he isn’t complaining. In fact, this season turned out to be everything he wanted--and just a little more.

“I didn’t even expect it to be this good,” he said.