Opportunity knocks
Playing in the same division as local powerhouses Birmingham and Taft, El Camino Real is often the forgotten football team of the City Section.
Senior Andre Davis has given El Camino a receiver who can stretch the field and challenge opposing defenses. El Camino is off to a 2-1 league record, one of their best records in years.
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Standing 6-foot-5, Davis has been a major part El Camino's resurgence. With 4.50 speed, Davis is a large target as a receiver.
In eight games this season Davis has accounted for almost all of El Camino's passing yards, pulling in 20 catches for more than 500 yards, and five touchdowns.
The multidimensional Davis also plays defense and returns kicks. As a free safety he's had two interceptions, as well as returning a punt for a touchdown on special teams.
Davis has helped the ECR to a 2-1 league record, and the possibility of a playoff birth. Last week against Granada Hills High School, Davis led the ECR to their first homecoming victory in eight years.
Although he's a senior, this is Davis' first year playing football. For the past two years Davis has been ineligible due to poor grades. Now that those issues are in the past, Davis is taking advantage of his opportunity.
At receiver Davis has gone up against defensive backs like Sylmar's C.J. Gable and Cleveland's Cornorris Atkins, and will later face Taft's shutdown corner Jamere Holland.
Against Cleveland, Davis wasted no time showing his game breaking ability. On the first play from scrimmage against Atkins, Davis caught an 89-yard touchdown pass leading the way in a 35-0 blowout.
Against Sylmar's C.J. Gable, Davis was held to only two catches, but that was partly because El Camino abandoned the passing game early. "He [Gable] wasn't a great corner, he's a better running back."
"My coach told me that I got mail from Maryland, but that's it," he said.
Since Davis didn't play his junior year, or attend any summer camps, college recruiters have not had a chance to see him play.
Next season Davis is considering attending College of the Canyons, El Camino City College, or Santa Monica City College. For Davis, junior college will be his best avenue to a Division-I scholarship.
Davis also excels at basketball, but has decided to sit out this season to focus on his grades as he gets ready to move onto college, although he is considering running track in the spring to work on his speed.