Gridiron Greats: The cream keeps rising

“Round up the usual suspects.” It’s one of the most famous lines from “Casablanca,” delivered by Claude Rains’ Capt. Renault.

Not only did that line give us the title of another fine film, from 1995, it also reflects more or less where we are at this point in the high school football season with regard to our weekly Gridiron Greats ballot.

Many of the same names keep showing up, but only now there are fewer of them. That’s not because there were only four ballot-worthy performances this past weekend, but because a player can only win once in a season.

Simply put, the cream keeps rising to the top. Cast your votes at www.ivpressonline.com/gridirongreats.

The winner will be announced in Friday’s edition of the Imperial Valley Press.

Michael Moreno, Brawley Union

Try this number on for size: 213. That’s how many rushing yards the Wildcat senior hung on Southwest High School Friday night in a 38-0 thrashing. Moreno also scored three touchdowns along the way while carrying 27 times. While we’re at it, try this number out, too: 1,340. That’s how many yards Moreno has gained with two games still left on the schedule.

Jonathan Medina, Central Union

The Spartan crew experienced a bit of a scare Friday night against a determined Imperial squad. Medina was among those who helped restore order and preserve Central’s perfect season.

The junior running back gained 190 yards and scored three TDs in a 28-23 come-frombehind victory.

Brandon Silva, Imperial

Silva was a major factor in what almost turned out to be the upset of the year in the Imperial Valley League. The junior linebacker recorded nine tackles, including two for a loss (one of those a sack). He also picked off a Deniro Osuna pass in the losing effort.

Juan Pablo Robinson, Vincent Memorial

Few people would have predicted Vincent Memorial’s Scots would be sitting at 7-1 with two games left in the regular season. After the exodus of talent from last year’s CIF-San Diego Section Division V-winning squad, most figured the Scots would need at least a year to rebuild. Instead, they reloaded with players like Robinson. The sophomore outside linebacker recorded 12 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, plus two passes defended, two quarterback hurries and a pick-six in Vincent’s 34-0 trouncing of Calipatria.