Coming up strong

Andre Valenzuela is one of the few players to come up through the

ranks in the Ocean View High football program.

It has been a four-year journey, but in this his senior year, the

6-foot, 210-pound Valenzuela is looked upon as one of the leaders on

the Seahawk squad.

He has not disappointed.

“Andre’s just a real consistent player,” Ocean View coach Harold

Eggers said of Valenzuela, the Independent’s Player of the Week. “He

is a solid kid who works really, really hard.”

Valenzuela, a two-way starter who also plays at middle linebacker,

was one of the few bright spots for Ocean View Friday night during a

35-12 Golden West League loss to Westminster.

The game was billed as “Senior Night” for the Seahawks, where each

senior was honored along with his parents. Valenzuela was one such

honoree. He proceeded to rush for a game-best 124 yards on just 11

carries.

He scored Ocean View’s first touchdown on a short, four-yard run

in the first quarter, and later had another touchdown run nullified

by penalty.

“He ran really hard and put on some really good moves out there,”

Eggers said. “Andre’s one of our key players and I hope he continues

to have success in his senior year.”