Former College of the Sequoias head football coach Curtis Allen has helped send more than 160 players to four-year universities to continue their education while playing football.

One of the reasons Allen has been successful in sending his players to four-year schools is the relationships and connections he has developed with people over the years.

One of those relationships paid off big for four of Allen’s players off his 2010 COS team.

Defensive tackle Louvan Green, running back Eric Johnson, offensive lineman Allen Carroll and defensive back Kenneth Spigner have all signed their national letters of intent to play football at UNLV next season.

They are four of at least 20 players from the Giants’ 2010 team who will move on to a four-year university.

Allen’s connection to UNLV is J.D. Williams, the assistant head coach, the pass defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.

Williams was a former Fresno State player who spent seven seasons in the NFL. Allen coached him while a member of the Fresno State coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

“They got a lot of top-notch players from us,” said Allen, who stepped down as COS head coach in November. “They have some guys who can come in and contribute in big ways.”

Williams, who went to Coalinga High School, was familiar with players from California’s San Joaquin Valley and he knew Allen had some players who were capable of playing for the Rebels right away.

“Those guys are going to come in and play for us right now,” Williams said. “We’re a young team and needed some guys who could hold up physically.”

Green, a defensive tackle out of Fresno High School, earned All-American honors for the Giants. Some of the other schools that showed a lot of interest in him were Washington State, Iowa State, Baylor, Oregon State and Nevada, but at the last minute, he decided UNLV was the best fit for him.

“I have a chance to start right off the bat. I like the coaches and I had a good vibe from them,” Green said about why he chose UNLV over the other schools.  Going with three other teammates from COS also helped make his decision.

Spigner, from Miami, Fla., is also excited about going to UNLV with his COS teammates.

“We expect to do big things because they [coaches] expect a lot out of us,” Spigner said. “We’re going to show up and over the summer try to build up that championship mentality we’re going to need.”

Johnson, an explosive and dynamic running back from Green Cove Springs, Fla., is already at UNLV, and Carroll, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman out of Oakland, was not at the COS signing day press conference.

Last season, the Rebels went just 2-13 in head coach Bobby Hauck’s first season.

“These have to be the guys that get this team going in the right direction,” Williams said. “We went through last year with a lot of high school players. We thought they could hold up physically but we were unfortunate to have to deal with some injuries. These guys have been around college football and know the demands. They know what to expect.”

Green also expects things to be different for UNLV in 2011.

“This is a class that will change the program,” he said.

UNLV wasn’t the only Division I football program to recruit to players from COS.

Tyler Houk announced Monday that he would be signing with the University of Nevada, and he made it official on Wednesday.

Defensive back Kenny Morton signed with Baylor and quarterback/linebacker Kipeli Koniseti signed with Arizona State.

Delta State, the Division II runner-up, will have two COS players next season in wide receiver Kevin Jackson and running back Brant Botill.

Delta State, which is located in Cleveland, Miss., is coached by former Mt. Whitney High School coach and former COS linebacker Ron Roberts.

“I wanted to play for a good team,” Botill said about choosing Delta State. “I wanted to play for something like a national championship. I want to win something.”

Botill had some issues with his paperwork and wasn’t able to fax it to Delta State Wednesday morning so Roberts was unable to comment on him other than confirming he was recruiting Botill.  Delta State features a pass-heavy offense, which was a big reason for Jackson wanting to go there.

“He’s a very talented skill player,” Roberts said. “We really like his athletic ability and we know he can come in and make plays for us.”

Roberts said his team relies on junior college players to fill out his roster so it was nothing new to find players from California.

“We recruit that area every year,” he said. “And Robert [Dougherty] and Curtis [Allen] are two guys we know very well.”

Offensive lineman Olukayaode Akinmoladun was also at the signing day press conference and he is headed to Western Carolina.

Several other COS players have already signed their letters of intent and joined their programs during the early signing period.

Sheldon Richardson, a top-rated defensive lineman, signed with Missouri.

Some local products who are at four-year schools via COS are Mt. Whitney defensive end Kyle Bell and El Diamante kicker Earvin Gonzalez, who are both at Morgan State (Baltimore). Tulare Western product defensive lineman Joseph Edwards is at Jamestown (North Dakota), and he was joined by two COS teammates in linebacker C.J. Costello and wide receiver A.J. Downs.

Damen Vargas, a defensive end out of Hanford West, is at Rhode Island. Vargas had his sophomore season derailed early because of a broken leg.

Rounding out the Giants signees are wide receiver Mark Foster (Menlo) and wide receiver Jimyane Christian (Prairie View A&M-Houston) and wide receiver Dominique Mitchell (West Virginia Tech).

COS has had several other players receive offers, but they have decided to wait to make their decision. Those players include quarterback Phillip Brandt, cornerback Miguel Rodriguez, cornerback Isiah Crunk and offensive lineman Marquis Gray.

For the players who signed, there has been a big weight lifted off their shoulders, said Robert Dougherty who was promoted to the COS head coaching position in December.

Dougherty, a former Mt. Whitney High School and COS standout, can relate to what the players are going through.

“There is a lot of relief for these players today,” said Dougherty who played quarterback at Boston University. “It is a nervous feeling because even though you’ve made your decision, there is still some uncertainty if it is a good decision or not. But there is also a lot of excitement. They are dealing with a lot of anxiety and excitement.”

Signing day has been a busy time at COS over the last few years, and Dougherty plans on keeping it that way by continuing the COS tradition of moving players on to four-year schools.

“I don’t feel any pressure because everything has been set into place,” Dougherty said. “I just need to keep it going. Colleges know to come here and recruit our players, and the athletes know to come here if they want to move on.”

article courtesy of the Visalia Times Delta, to view the article, click here.

Rising Prep Star Xavier Stephens has been selected to play in the 2011 Cal State High School Game

Rising star Xavier Stephens plays out of Tulare Union High School. At 6 ft, 220 lbs. this athlete runs a 4.6 in the 40 yard dash and quickly became a standout player in his hometown as both a star running back and an outside linebacker. In his junior season with the Redskins, Stephens rushed for a thrilling 1,481 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. On the defensive end of the ball Stephens was equally as impressive registering 56 solo tackles.

Quick Twitch is a hands-on training program designed to inspire any competitor.  Athletes seeking to improve their speed, agility, core training, strength & conditioning, explosiveness, footwork, running form, balance and flexibility can benefit by training on a consistent basis.  Three to four days per week is considered to be an optimum speed-training regimen.

Quick Twitch derives its training techniques, drills and program designed from successful division 1 college programs and Professional Leagues of all sports.

Quick Twitch can help anyone improve his or her athletic ability by improving running technique, posture, providing regular nutrition information and increasing cardiovascular endurance.

If you’re an athlete who wants to play at the next level, here is your opportunity to learn individual and team techniques on how to become a great athlete from the team members of Quick Twitch.

Rising Star Jake Smeltzer will participate in the 2011 Cal State Underclassmen Showcase

Two time FBU All American Jake Smeltzer is a talented young athlete from Orange County, California. He will be attending So Cal power house Tesoro High School in 2011 as an incoming freshman. Smeltzer played wide receiver for the 8^th grade South in the 2010 California Youth All-State Game and has been selected as a rising star in the 2011 Underclassmen Showcase. His performance as a standout receiver has landed him a spot in the FBU All-American Game at the Alamo dome in San Antonio, Texas which will be played on January 9, 2011.

The California All State Youth Football game was recently created to bring the best youth football players in the State of California together once a year to showcase our States rich talent. The game will be played in Central California during Thanksgiving weekend. Hosting the game in a Central location makes traveling easy and inexpensive for selected participants and their families.

The QT Staff will travel through the State of California and conduct combines to assist them in selecting the top youth football players. Once selected the youth will be placed on either a north or south roster depending on their respected regions. The regions will start with Bakersfield to Redding being considered north and the Grapevine to San Diego will be Considerd south. Once the teams are selected they will compete to see who will be crowned Californias top region.

Underclassmen Showcase Camp

The Underclassmen Showcase Camp is comprised of the top 200 juniors, sophomores, and freshmen allowing them to practice and compete against top underclassmen players. This is an opportunity for high school athletes to be coached and trained by former professional, college and elite high school coaches and showcases their talents in front of major college coaches in attendance.

San Diego Stand out QB Mozes Mooney was the hot topic at the 2010 Cal State Game in Nov. Mooney is the little brother of USC running back Dillon Baxter and his efforts during the Cal State Game showed why he is one of California’s top youth football players.

“He is an amazing talent”, stated FBU National Director Thomas Nickerson who was in attendance at the 2010 game. Mooney’s swift moves and rocket arm helped the 6^th grade South All Stars blow past the 6^th Grade North 26-0.

Cal State Game director Derek Burrell Stated “Mooney is one of the best talents that I have seen at his age.” “This kid is special and I look forward to seeing him progress in the future.”

Mooney along with 7 other players has been selected to attend the 2011 Cal State Game because of his stellar performances during the event.

Burrell is confident that Mooney will turn heads during the 2011 season. Burrell Stated “If Mooney continues to progress he will be the next FBU All American to come out of the Cal State Game. “ “I have spoken with FBU National Director Eric Richards and we now have Mooney on the watch list for the 2012 game.

Oak Grove Youth Football Star Vincent Fernandez crowned MVP at the 2010 Cal State Game

Vincent Fernandez was selected as the 2010 California Youth All-State MVP representing the seventh grade north. Hailing from San Jose, Fernandez plays in the Oak Grove Youth Football League, one of the top sections in all of Northern California. This young athlete had an all-around outstanding performance in the 2010 All-State Game returning kicks as well as carrying duties as a leading running back. His sheer toughness, strong heart and obvious talents shined brightly during the game as he led his team to victory. In addition to his achievements in the 2010 All-State Game, Fernandez has led his youth team from San Jose all the way to a Pop Warner National Championship in Florida for two years running. We are looking forward to Fernandez continuing his astonishing achievements as he plays in our upcoming 2011 California Youth All-State Game.

There will be 4 divisions for the California All State Game and 3 divisions for the FBU All American Youth Bowl. A player must go through the proper selection process to be considered for the games. A canidate must also meet the following criteria to be eligible for the game.

5th and 6th grade

To be eligible to play in this age division a player must meet the following criteria.

1. Player must be enrolled in the 5th or 6th grade from 8-1-2010 to 12-31-2010.
2. Player must have went through the All State selection process.
3. Player must supply Director with updated school records to verify eligibillity.
4. Player must not weigh more then 150 lbs stripped.
5. Player must be enrolled in a California School.
6. May not turn 13 prior to Dec 1, 2010.

7th Grade

To be eligible to play in this age division a player must meet the following criteria.

1. Player must be enrolled in the 7th grade from 8-1-2010 to 12-31-2010.
2. Player must have went through the All State selection process.
3. Player must supply Director with updated school records to verify eligibillity.
4. Player must not weigh more then 170 lbs stripped.
5. Player must be enrolled in a California School.
6. May not turn 14 years old prior to Dec 1, 2010.

8th Grade Wieght

To be eligible to play in this age division a player must meet the following criteria.

1. Player must be enrolled in the 8th grade from 8-1-2010 to 12-31-2010.
2. Player must have went through the All State selection process.
3. Player must supply Director with updated school records to verify eligibillity.
4. Player must not weigh more then 185 lbs stripped.
5. Player must be enrolled in a California School.
6. Player may not turn 15 prior to Dec 1, 2010.

8th Grade Unlimited

To be eligible to play in this age division a player must meet the following criteria.

1. Player must be enrolled in the 8th grade from 8-1-2010 to 12-31-2010.
2. Player must have went through the All State selection process.
3. Player must supply Director with updated school records to verify eligibillity.
4. Player must be enrolled in a California School.
5. Player may not turn 15 prior to Dec 1 2010.

California All State Selection:

The California All State selection process starts with the QT Sports Scouts traveling throughout the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of California identifying the top youth football talent in the state. The scouts will conduct combines in each region, speak with area coaches and review player highlight DVD’s to find the top players. Players will be ranked by their performance in the combine and top canidates will be selected as finalist. All finalist will interview with the State Director and they will be asked to provide a short highlight DVD showcasing their ability. The State Director will then forward the DVD’s along with the finalist’s combine rank to the QT selection committee. Each finalist will be carefully evaluated by the committee and the top 60 players per division (30 South and 30 North) will be selected All California Team.

FBU All American Selection:

All 7th and 8th grade players that have been selected to the California All State Game will have their information along with their DVD’s sent to Football University for Jr All American review. The FBU staff will review each All State players DVD and decide if they are distinguished Jr All American.

Once selected a number of players will be profiled in SI for Kids as Junior All-Americans. They will also be featured in other media outlets both local and national. The games will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and will be televised live via web cast. The youth All-Americans will participate in a host of true bowl week activities; hearing from Hall of Famers, current and former NFL stars and meeting and spending time with the nation’s top high school All-Americans during the biggest week of football in their careers.