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TUPATALK: Serendipity is like a mud wallow, Part 2

Mike Tupa, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
·4 min read

Another unforgettable occurrence during my time in Southern California happened when I covered the 1991 California high school state track meet. One of the schools I covered boasted one of the top eight triple-jumpers in the state -- no small feat in California. I had a photo pass to get right on the infield and cover the happenings.

As an aside, more for my pleasure than the newspaper's needs, I applied for passes to cover the 1990 Holiday Bowl and the 1991 Kick-off game, both held at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego.

At the Holiday Bowl, BYU quarterback Ty Detmer -- freshly named Heisman Trophy winner -- got shredded by the Texas A&M defense. Both his left and right shoulders were separated and he came out of the game, ending his streak of consecutive 300-yard passing games at 25.

I recall standing near the BYU bench and looking over at Detmer sitting down, a couple of teammates surrounding him and what looked like a grin on his face, although perhaps it was a grimace. Either way, Detmer was a tough guy who, in my opinion, didn't get a full chance to create his NFL legacy potential.

Part 1: TUPATALK: Serendipity is like a mud puddle; memories of a lucky writer

Prior to the game, I walked through the BYU tunnel (the tunnels, as far as I remember, were the only way for photographers to get on the field). I was only six feet, or so, behind BYU coach LaVel Edwards, but felt it wouldn't be the right time to talk to him -- and certainly not after the game.

Mike Tupa
Mike Tupa

But, perhaps my most memorable sports-reporting experience in Southern California revolved around a high school player.

A junior running back named David Dotson was coming off a 1,200-plus rushing season, in which he either set or tied a state record for the most carries in a game (50-plus).

During that season of 1990, Dotson again provided almost all the offense for Valley View High School. It was amazing.

The Valley View head coach Leo Brouhard -- who had played football at Kansas State and in 1971 made five tackles against BYU during a 23-7 KSU win -- ran practically a single-wing attack the year I covered the Eagles.

It wasn't a textbook single-wing -- he did have a quarterback take a snap and hand the ball off to David. But, I think Valley View probably attempted a total of 10 passes that season -- and that included two-point conversion plays.

David finished with 2,498 yards (a state record) that season and the Eagles -- who were still almost a new high school -- finished 6-4.

Through his sophomore (1989) and junior (1990) seasons (his freshman year didn't factor in), Dotson had rushed for 3,741 yards.

Just before the 1991 season -- literally just a few days -- I took a job at a newspaper in Northern California and missed covering David his senior season.

But, I kept track of it -- what a display!

He set the state single-game rushing record with 507 yards (27 carries, 8 touchdowns) against Rim of the World High School. Ironically, he broke the record of Ryan Knight (Rubidoux High, 501 yards), who also had been coached by Brouhard.

That performance boosted his career mark to 6,009 yards, a new California state mark. He surpassed Russell White (Encino Crespi High), 5,998 yards).

David Dotson snares the ball during football practice in 1991 for Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, Calif. E-E sports editor Mike Tupa covered Dotson, who went on to come California's all-time leading career rusher and considered offers from Penn State, Southern Cal and elsewhere.
David Dotson snares the ball during football practice in 1991 for Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, Calif. E-E sports editor Mike Tupa covered Dotson, who went on to come California's all-time leading career rusher and considered offers from Penn State, Southern Cal and elsewhere.

Dotson would go on to rush for 3,515 yards in 1991, finishing his prep career with more than 7,200 yards rushing -- in just three seasons!

He would go to the University of Southern California on a scholarship, but never really blossomed. In his only varsity season, he ran for 204 yards on offense and returned kickoffs for an 17.9-yard average.

I recall interviewing him during his junior season and he indicated Penn State had expressed interest in him. I always thought that would have been a better fit for this phenomenal athlete.

But, it was what it was.

As I mentioned, I was working up north during David's explosive 1991 season and had to follow it from afar.

But, I'm thankful to the sports destiny that allowed me to cover this once-in-a-generation talented warrior. We were the only newspaper in the Moreno Valley area that gave full coverage treatment for Valley View High. It's just another example of my charmed career journey.

There's a bit of irony here, however, which makes the story take a Twilight Zone turn.

Another Valley View student during that 1990-91 school year was a sophomore named Kyle Turley. Turley wouldn't play football until his senior year (1992) but went on to become an NFL First-Team All-Pro. He played for the Saints, St. Louis Rams and Chiefs. Turley later formed the Kyle Turley Band.

Writer's note: This column theme will continue.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: TUPATALK: Serendipity is like a mud wallow, Part 2