Hard Work Pays Off
LANCASTER - Imagine playing you're first varsity football game against Kilpatrick High School, the juvenile detention center that was the inspiration for the Hollywood movie "The Gridiron Gang," starring the Rock.
Then imagine you are the quarterback in your first varsity game having to deal with the speed of those big bodies flying at you.
That was what Tim Ennis had to go through when he was called up to Lancaster High School's varsity football team in his sophomore year.
"Those were some big guys and it was definitely intimidating," Ennis said.
Ennis was the junior varsity quarterback that year, but was called up for the one game when varsity starter Bobby Thomas was suspended after receiving two personal fouls in the game before.
In the first half, Ennis did not complete a pass and threw an interception, and though his team wasn't losing his coach Jeff Cortez was worried about the lack of production in the passing game.
"Can you throw the ball?" Cortez asked him bluntly.
"Yes coach," was all that came out of Ennis' mouth.
He proved it, completing all five of his pass attempts and throwing a touchdown in the second half to help the Eagles to a 21-6 victory.
It was the only game Ennis started on varsity that year, but it foreshadowed what would be an impressive career for the young arm.
And now as a graduate of Lancaster, his football days are far from over.
He started the High Desert Football Coaches Association All-Star Game on June 2, and later in the week signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Division II University of Minnesota, Crookston.
"He was a great player but also a great individual who will be missed by this school," assistant coach Matt Anderson said.
Ennis will compete with two junior quarterbacks and one freshman at Crookston. Depending on how the workouts go, the coaching staff might decide to have one of the new quarterbacks redshirt his first year and learn the new system.
"If I have to do that it won't be so bad," Ennis said. "Some players redshirted and it was the best thing that could happen to them."
Ennis led Lancaster to the postseason in each of his two seasons starting at quarterback the Eagles' varsity. Last season, the Eagles won their first road playoff game in school history, defeating Beverly Hills, 35-34, in overtime.
On the first drive of the game, Ennis took pressure of his team, the supposed underdogs, by scrambling for a 35-yard run.
"If it turns out he needs to tuck it and go then he's good at getting out and running," Anderson said.
Ennis ended completed 6-of-7 passes for 71 yards.
The Eagle's lost their second playoff game, 26-19, to Chaminade in double overtime.
"Those two games were unforgettable," Ennis said. "(Chaminade) was supposed to crush us and we were right there in a position to win."
Ennis was the Ccptain of the Eagles and also the winner of the team's leadership award.
"His leadership skills are what sets him apart," Anderson said. "He always had kids motivated whether they were in the game or not. It takes more than 11 players to win a football game, and he was good at getting everyone to play hard."
In his junior year, Ennis took the snaps in the first game for the Eagles in a tough matchup against Orange Lutheran led by Aaron Corp, who has received a lot of hype over the past two years. Aaron Corp recently accepted a scholarship to play at USC, but Ennis outplayed him, throwing for more yards and touchdowns in a 26-17 loss to the Lancers.
"I was very proud of that," Ennis said.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound athlete also went out for the Eagle's track and field team to stay in shape for the football season.
"He's one of the hardest workers I've ever coached," said Anderson, who is also the head coach of Lancaster's track team. "I wish some of the track athletes had his work ethic."
Ennis' work habits will come in handy right away, as he already has a workout regiment he must start to prepare for the upcoming season.
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