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
