San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Cal commit a spectacular playmaker
De La Salle cornerback is a returner like his hero, Sanders
De La SalleConcord football coach Justin Alumbaugh couldn’t wait to share it with someone. Anyone. But it was 1 a.m., so he woke his wife, Teresita.
It was a video of LuMagia Hearns’ dazzling, spinning, juking 72yard firsthalf kickoff return for touchdown in a 6327 win over Monte VistaDanville.
“It was ridiculous,” Alumbaugh said. “He must have broke six tackles. You don’t see moves like that very often. Even she was impressed.”
Hearns, The Chronicle’s 2021 Metro Player of the Year and a Cal commit, makes quite an impression. A fast one.
A sprinter on the track team, the 5foot11, 180pound senior defensive back, receiver and returner revs to topend speed instantly. He changes directions in a flash. He closes on the ball in a snap. He makes tacklers miss.
Earlier in the half against Monte Vista, he took a swing pass, made one defender miss, took two cuts and scored from 35 yards out. A few minutes later, he wasn’t touched on a 95yard kickoff return for a score. And later in the quarter, Hearns pulled off the “ridiculous” return.
After that one, a referee approached Alumbaugh and muttered under his breath: “I don’t think I’d kick it to that kid.”
Monte Vista hadn’t, actually. The squib kick just got to Hearns, who made the most out of it, which he’s always done.
His dad by the same name was a CalHi AllState defensive back at Pittsburg in 1993, and his mom, Sheena Glover, “was a good athlete, too,” Hearns said. Hearns played and followed most sports, idolizing sports heroes, his favorite being Deion Sanders.
“I always loved the way he played,” Hearns said. “He had a swagger and cockiness. My dad had that style, too.”
Hearns’ No. 21, along with his bigplay and highlightreel prowess, mirrors Sanders as well. “But I don’t talk on the field nearly as much as him,” Hearns said.
Not to opponents, anyway. Alumbaugh said the thirdyear starter is like having a coach on the field. He was a unanimous choice as a team captain who calls defensive plays and checks.
He arrived at De La Salle never having played defense. But now, with the influence of defensive coordinator and conditioning coach Nate Kenion, he prefers it. The threestar recruit will likely play both cornerback and safety at Cal and likely contribute as a returner. “Special teams are special,” Hearns said. Alumbaugh says Hearns is special in all regards, flashing sparks during an abbreviated 60 spring season in all facets, including as a quiet but thoughtful and confident leader.
He had two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, averaged 42.6 yards per eight kick returns, and turned three of his four receptions into touchdowns. “He was electric and dynamic on the field, and a strong presence off of it,” Alumbaugh said.