When Brentwood’s football team routed Marshall High of Pasadena on October 3, 50-7, Charlie James kicked his 11th field goal of the season. That’s the most of any high school kicker in the state.
James’ 51-yard boot was also a school record for distance. The previous best was 49 yards for Jimmy Rotstein, who now kicks off for UCLA.
James would be a major contributor for Brentwood even if kicking was all he did. But the 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior also excels on offense and defense.
He’s strong at defensive end and hard to stop at tight end. Against Marshall, he caught five passes for 165 yards, including three for touchdowns. The scoring tosses, all thrown by Josh Amster, were for 35, 65, and 30 yards.
Amster also threw a fourth TD pass to Ben Green, and reserve quarterback Greg Caruso completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Greg Oliva. It was Caruso’s first pass of the season.
Oliva, younger brother of Ben Oliva, one of the Eagles’ stars last season, scored again on an interception return.
Another defensive highlight of Brentwood’s seventh win in eight games was senior Brett Pierce’s eighth interception.
Brentwood hopes to have linebacker Matt Greenberg back from a shoulder injury for a home game against Kilpatrick on Saturday afternoon, November 8.
Maranatha and Brentwood are undefeated in their Alpha League games and will meet November 14, at Brentwood.