For those who kept track of all the scoring plays in the Madison Warhawks’ 62-0 non-league victory against the Bonita Vista Barons last Friday night at Southwestern College, they were only witnesses to half a game.
While the Warhawks were busy scoring nine touchdowns and tacking on eight extra points, Bonita Vista senior C.J. Jennen was busy doing what he does best, which is quite a lot actually.
Jennen started the game at his usual middle linebacker position on defense but then moved to the offensive side of the ball as a fullback, blocking for ball carriers in the Baron backfield as well as carrying the ball himself at times.
He even lined up one play as a wide receiver.
He alternated between defense, offense and special teams, essentially never coming off the field for more than a few plays at a time.
About the only position he didn’t play in the game was quarterback.
“I was ready if they needed me in the wildcat,” he offered with a smile.
Tough as nails in a body half the size of some of players on the other side of the line of scrimmage, Jennen is the type of player who leads by example.
First-year BVHS head coach Sam Kirkland calls Jennen “a natural born leader.”
“C.J. has been that type of kid teams are always looking for,” Kirkland said. “He wants to be a leader and has shown it to his teammates. He has taken direction from his coaches and quickly demonstrates it on the field. On defense, he flies to the ball.
“His attitude is infectious. That’s the type of kid you need in your program. That’s the way we’d like our entire team to play the rest of the season.”
The Barons are playing one of the San Diego Section’s toughest schedules this season and have been out-scored 97-0 in their opening two games. Bonita Vista lost, 35-0, in its season opener to St. Augustine two weeks ago.
It doesn’t get any easier over the next two weeks. The Barons travel to Moreno Valley this Friday to play Rancho Verde, which is off to a 2-0 start after outscoring its opening two opponents 105-24.
Bonita Vista plays another road game Sept. 7 at Steele Canyon, which won last year’s Division II state championship. The Barons are currently riding an 0-14 winless streak.
Jennen is certainly doing everything he can to help his team in any way possible, which includes playing multiple positions in games.
He attributes that to the aggressive attitude he adopts while on the field. “I want to win every rep and give 110 percent every play,” he said.
Defense is his forte.
“At middle linebacker, I play on the weak side — my other linebacker Alfonso Rangel forces the play back into me and I make the tackle,” Jennen said. “We’re the dynamic duo.”
He takes that feisty mental attitude to the offensive side of the ball as well.
He plays with a lot of confidence, believing he can do the job and does it to the best of his ability.
“When the quarterback needs more time or when (the running back) need to gain more yards, they put me back there,” Jennen said. “When we need to grind out a few yards, they put me back there.”
He was particularly proud of his one play at the receiver position in which he laid down a block.
“I cracked the safety and Daevon Lanier busted for a 30-yard gain,” Jennen noted with an air of pride.
Kirkland shouldn’t fret too much about losing Jennen to graduation because there is another Jennen, younger brother Alexander, who is currently on the school’s freshman football team, training to take his place.
“Alexander is a carbon copy of C.J.,” Kirkland noted.
Jennen also wrestled before being sidelined by an injury. His focus is now on football. His goal is to play college football.
“I want to win every rep to show college teams they need a type of player like me on their team,” he said.
