Chris Reed

Barry Faulkner

If success and failure were dictated by the tale of the tape,

Costa Mesa High inside linebacker Chris Reed would struggle to get

off the competitive canvas. But it’s the tale of the videotape each

week that helps the 5-foot-8, 205-pound catalyst continually defeat

larger, quicker and stronger opposing offensive linemen and

repeatedly find his way to the ball.

“I’m not exactly the fastest guy on the field or the tallest, so

studying videotape helps me feel more equal,” said Reed, who has few

equals when it comes to making plays for the Mustang defense.

“He knows the game plan as well as any of the coaches,” said Costa

Mesa Coach Dave Perkins, who admires Reed’s devotion to studying not

only his individual opponent, but the entire opposing offense.

“He’s really into film and he prepares so well,” Perkins said. “He

knows the guy he’s going to play against and he really has a good

feel for what the other team is trying to do. He’s not the biggest,

but he’s a very, very smart football player. What he lacks in size

and quickness, he makes up for with preparation and knowledge.”

Reed said he typically watches one of the upcoming opponent’s

games each day during his 35-minute lunch period, on video monitors

in the team room or coaches office. He eats his lunch, most often a

turkey sandwich and a sports drink, frequently alone, entrenched in

the images of the trenches, where he can usually find a handful of

clues to help him earn some advantage.

“I’ve always been interested in the strategic aspects of the game

and I try to pay a lot of attention to detail,” Reed said. “I look

for tendencies and I watch the linemen to see how they react on a

given play. Sometimes, you can see a lineman leaning back in his

stance (cheating to retreat in pass protection, or pull), or putting

a lot of weight forward (typically indicating a running play). You

can even see them pointing one way or another with their feet.”

Reed encourages his teammates to also watch videotape on opponents

and frequently interjects instructive insights to his fellow

defenders during practice.

Perkins credited Reed’s football IQ with helping establish some

early momentum in the Mustangs’ 36-7 victory over Santa Ana Friday to

clinch at least a share of the Golden West League championship.

“He has set the tone for us with big hits the last two games,”

Perkins said. “Santa Ana shifted into an unbalanced line with

everyone on one side of the center on the second play. Chris

recognized it, got the whole defense realigned, then made the hit on

the ball carrier for a 2-yard loss. They thought they could catch us

by surprise and maybe get a quick score, but Chris makes that play

and I’m sure it demoralized them a little.”

Reed caused one fumble, recovered another and was in on two other

tackles for losses against the Saints.

He might have been demoralized himself while struggling for an

identity -- and playing time -- since making his football debut as a

Mesa freshman.

“I didn’t start the first half of my freshman year as a defensive

tackle and offensive guard,” Reed recalled. “I got put straight to

the junior varsity as a sophomore and I didn’t play much at all last

season (on the varsity). I started one game (in 2001).”

But Reed, patiently waited his turn and continued to study his

position, which became inside linebacker midway through his freshman

campaign. He still sees spot duty on the offensive line at center and

guard and he has even lined up at fullback this season. He carried

once for a 2-yard gain late in the victory over the Saints.

In addition to his video work, Reed frequently peppers Mesa

coaches with questions about the game. He said his football

fascination may lead to a future career in coaching.

For now, however, he relishes the opportunity to put his growing

knowledge into practice on the field.

“This season has gone really well for me and I’m really proud of

what our team has been able to accomplish, so far,” he said. “To have

been a part of that has been really cool.”