2012 FB Preview: SAN FRANCISCO

By MITCH STEPHENS | Contributor

They are affectionately known as The Oreo Trio, but at one point this tightly knit cookie almost crumbled.

The Galileo High football trio of fullback/linebacker Ronzel Fox (black), quarterback/safety Kyle Nelson (white) and running back/strong safety Dontell Jackson (black) survived a minor skirmish three years ago and came out all the stronger.

Now they are running roughshod on the Academic Athletic Association and hope to return to glory after a two-season hiccup.

Galileo had lost 18 straight games and 28 of 29 before winning the San Francisco Section title with a 35-0 win over Lincoln in the 2009 Turkey Day Game.

Youth, injuries and attrition led to seasons of 6-6 and 4-6, but now with this talented trio leading the way, the Lions appear ready to battle for the AAA crown.

“I think we’ve paid some dues and are ready for this moment,” said Jackson, a fleet 5-foot-8, 150-pound standout.

Nothing could have prepared Jackson for his run-in with Fox, arguably the league’s top returning two-way player, during an eighth-grade basketball game.

Fox, according to Jackson, decided to take an ill advised 3-pointer at the buzzer when other players were open. “Man, it was out of his range,” Jackson said with a laugh. “We argued about it and we had a little tussle. We laugh about it now, but at the time it seemed like a big deal.

Said Nelson:  “Yeah, it was a little awkward for awhile. But we all got over it. We became even better friends.”

Nelson and Jackson have been best pals since kindergarten and when Fox moved from Mississippi as a sixth greater, the Oreo Trio was formed. They all laugh and take pride in their ethnic mix, and embrace their differences.

Jackson is upbeat and very chatty. Fox is the strong and quiet sort. And Nelson is book smart and picks his spots.

Jackson and Nelson, however, concede to Fox’s massive football abilities. Last year Fox was the only sophomore on the All-AAA first team after rushing for 903 yards and eight touchdowns and leading the team with 108 tackles. He also averaged almost 20 yards (19.84) per his 13 catches, three that went for touchdowns.

“He’s a man among boys,” Nelson said. “It’s not really fair against most of the other kids because of how big and strong he is. He’s fun to watch.”

Galileo coach Mark Huynh first laid eyes on Fox as a freshman and knew he had something special. He brought him up to varsity very early. 

“You could just tell he was a football player,” Huynh said. “His entire family played football. He wasn’t intimidated at all.”

 The Lions figure to recover nicely from giving up 36.2 points per game and missing the playoffs. Gone is offensive coordinator Don Harris, who left for Lincoln, so Huynh has switched from the spread offense to a more run-oriented pro attack.

With Jackson and Fox getting the brunt of the carries, the Lions should be in good shape. Huynh said he’s not fearful at all to give the keys to his junior trio.

“I wish these guys would drive the car even more,” Huynh said. “It’s tough when you’re sophomores to lead. But it’s their time now. We’re a year stronger and faster. Hopefully that means better.”

WE CALL IT

Our predicted finish for the AAA. (2011 record)

1 Mission (9-3)

2 Galileo (4-6)

3 Lowell (5-5)

4 Washington (9-3)

5 Lincoln  (4-7)

6 Balboa (4-6)

7 Marshall (2-8)

8 Burton (1-7)

BEST OF THE CITY

10 AAA players to keep an eye on. 

TOP MVP CANDIDATE: Ronzel Fox, RB-LB, Galileo

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Antoine Porter, QB, Mission

TOP DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Many Fale, DT, Mission.

TOP NEWCOMER: Armani McFarland, RB, Mission

BEST IN THE TRENCHES: Sergio Alvarado, OL-DL, Washington

TOP LINEBACKER: Fox, Galileo

TOP TWO-WAY JUNIORS: Fox, RB-LB; Dontell Jackson, RB-SS; Kyle Nelson QB-S.

BIGGEST BREAKOUT POTENTIAL: Jerron Williams, RB-LB, Washington.

BEST QB TANDEM: Will Frankel and Michael McCarthy, QB, Lowell.

COACH WITH LARGEST TARGET: Rookie coach Nicholas Wilson (Marshall), who told SanFranPreps.com: “We’re going to win league this year.” Marshall has won five league games in a decade.

TOP 5 GAMES

Our pick of the top five AAA-related games on the regular schedule

9/7 Tennyson-Hayward at Lowell, 3:30 pm

9/15 Mission at Riordan-S.F., 1 pm 

9/22 Kennedy-Richmond at Galileo, 1:30 pm

10/5  Mission at Galileo, 3 pm

11/11 Mission vs. Washington (@ Kezar), 2 pm