Daily Pilot Football Player of the Week, Dave Weir: Without frills

Barry Faulkner

Though he plays what most consider football’s most high-profile

position, Dave Weir remains Costa Mesa High’s subliminal star.

Like easy-listening in an MTV world, documentary footage spliced into Tim

Burton dailies, or rice cakes strewn throughout an ornamental Bel-Air

buffet, Weir is most noticeable by contrast.

“He’s almost invisible,” said Mesa Coach Jerry Howell, who, admittedly,

has committed Weir’s monotonous on-field mastery to his subconcious.

But those able to replay the videotape, or absorb the 6-foot,

185-pounder’s mind-numbing consistency on repeated occasions, can

appreciate the substance, sans style, with which he excels.

“We have players who are more athletic, more spectacular, bigger and

faster than Dave,” Howell said. “But he comes to work every day and, on

every play, he’s in the right place, doing the right thing. When he runs,

he runs over people; he throws the ball where it needs to be thrown; he

makes every tackle he’s supposed to; he never forgets to cover a

receiver; he saves touchdowns as our safety on kickoffs; and he punts the

ball away from anyone who might try to return it.

“There are times when I’ll grumble in the coaches’ office about why I

can’t get this guy or that guy to do what I want. But Dave is never one

of those guys. I know I don’t have to coach Dave.”

The Mustangs’ metronome was, in fact, hard to miss during Friday’s 45-21

Pacific Coast League triumph over University at Newport Harbor High.

He completed a career-high 10 passes in 15 attempts, producing 120

passing yards. He also carried 12 times for 52 rushing yards and ran for

a two-point conversion.

Those, however, were only the statistical contributions for the Daily

Pilot Player of the Week, whose play, as usual, transcended the tangible

evidence.

“He played a heck of a game,” Howell said. “Two of his audibles (changing

the direction of a running play) went for touchdowns. He blocked well all

night and he played so well on defense (at outside linebacker).”

Weir completed just 31% of his 54 pass attempts last season, when he

split time between wingback and quarterback. This fall, however, he has

triggered Mesa’s revamped offense by completing 41 of 76 attempts (54%).

His 573 passing yards and four touchdown passes have surpassed last

year’s totals (383 yards and three TDs), with at least three games

remaining.

He has also rushed for 291 yards and six TDs, the latter matching last

year’s total.

“I worked hard all summer with the coaches to improve my passing,” Weir

said. “We changed our offense, because we wanted to throw the ball more

to keep teams from stacking their defenses against our run. I didn’t

throw the ball very well last year, so I’m proud of what I’ve been able

to do this season. I’d say (Friday) was my best game throwing the ball

all year. I’m feeling really comfortable (in the pocket).”

On defense, he has flourished at the strong-side outside linebacker spot,

where he frequently shadows the tight end in coverage while his

linebacking cohorts beeline to the quarterback on blitzes.

Though hardly imposing, Weir is among the league’s most punishing and

efficient tacklers.

He split time between outside ‘backer and free safety last year, when he

was selected first-team All-PCL and All-Newport-Mesa District on defense.

But, as comprehensive as these contributions can be, Howell said his work

ethic, dedication, and maniacal focus on preparation and improvement,

might be his biggest gifts to the team.

“He doesn’t say a whole lot,” Howell said. “But he’s the first guy out

and the last guy in and he’s always working to get better. You couldn’t

ask any more of a kid and I think the other players are motivated by the

example Dave sets.”

Most forecast his collegiate future at safety and Weir said he will

likely begin at Orange Coast College, from where he hopes to catch the

discerning eye of a four-year college recruiter.

“There are plenty of (four-year) schools who have safeties who aren’t any

bigger or better than Dave is,” Howell said. “I don’t think he’ll play in

the Pac-10, but he can help someone.”

For now, Weir plans to help the Mustangs (5-2, 1-1 in league) toward

their goals of winning a PCL title and advancing to the CIF Southern

Section playoffs for a school-record fourth straight year.

“When graduation comes around, I never want to look back and say I could

have tried any harder,” Weir said.