He Gives Highland a Golden Touch

PALMDALE —  On the eve of the 1996 football season, Will Demps was nothing more than a name on a short list of returning letterman at Highland High, which was 3-7 last year and was not listed among probable contenders for the Golden League championship.

So many surprises were in store.

Demps, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound all-purpose back who played sparingly on both offense and defense, had only two carries, two receptions and no interceptions as a junior.

One year later, Demps leads all players in the region with eight interceptions. He leads the Bulldogs with 12 touchdowns and 72 points, twice as many as Brian Floyd, the team’s No. 2 scorer, in leading Highland (6-3) to a 2-1 record in league. The Bulldogs have a chance to earn a tie for the title with two other teams.

Demps leads Highland with 37 receptions for 513 yards, and ranks second in rushing with 242 yards in 41 carries.

He has five touchdowns receiving, three rushing, three on interception returns and one on a kick return.

His latest touchdown--a 70-yard reception that beat Antelope Valley, 7-0, last week--was the most important catch in school history, according to Coach Lin Parker. The victory was the biggest in Highland’s six-year history, the coach added.

“Almost every time we break the huddle, you hear the opposing team either yell out his name or his number,” Parker said of Demps, who primarily plays fullback and strong safety but has been used at five positions.

Parker is somewhat surprised by Demps’ knack for finding the ball and then finding the end zone. Why the dramatic change?

“I guess I’m a late bloomer,” Demps said. “This year I really worked my butt off to help my team do good.

“I went to camps, I learned techniques on how to get better sense of where the ball is at and to get a better jump on it. I came out of those camps believing in myself.”

At the urging of the Highland coaching staff, Demps started lifting weights seriously during the off-season and gained 20 pounds.

“Too bad I didn’t think of this before my junior year,” Demps said. “I really regret that. I just wasn’t as dedicated.”

College recruiters are showing interest in Demps, who carries a 3.3 grade-point average and hopes to study medicine. Until now, Demps was in the shadow of Highland free safety Marcus Prevost, a two-time All-Golden League selection who has five interceptions.

“All the Pac-10 coaches are calling [for Demps],” Parker said. “All of a sudden his stacks of mail are the same as for Marcus Prevost.

“I don’t mean this as a crack against [Cal State] Northridge, because I played there. But Will could start for them now.”

Demps’ No. 1 priority is winning Friday night’s game against Littlerock--the last game of the regular season for Highland--and getting the Bulldogs into the playoffs.

A victory over the Lobos will clinch a playoff berth. If Antelope Valley simultaneously beats Palmdale, the three will share the league title.