“ALL-EVERYTHING” HONORS Two RHS Football Players Honored

Left to right: Kevin Lloyd, Tom Valencia and Stanley Shurson. Photo by Darrel Kinney

By Jim Evans

Junior kicker Stanley Shurson and senior defensive back Kevin Lloyd of have won their share of honors this year — First Team All-Valley League, First Team All-North County, First Team All-CIF, First Team Hall of Champions All-San Diego Section — contributing greatly to the successful 8-4 season for the Ramona Bulldogs under first-year coach Damon Baldwin.

Most recently the two were selected to the Second Team of the Union Tribune’s All-San Diego Section football team. “They are both outstanding players,” says RHS kicking coach Tom Valencia, “and deserve all of the recognition that they are receiving.”

The 5’10” — 180 lb. Shurson was consistent all season. Playing in his third year, Shurson, who kicks soccer-style, has already kicked his way into the section record books including a dramatic 29-yard field goal with just 2 minutes, 15 seconds to play against San Pasqual in a narrow 17-16 victory to win a share of the Valley League Championship.

Shurson follows in the footsteps of Valencia’s son Tim who is still celebrated for kicking 5 field goals in one game for Ramona against Poway in 2001. Tim has been kicking for San Diego Mesa College for the past two years and will be transferring to Fresno State for the start of the 2006 season.

“Stanley is a great talent,” says Coach Valencia, “and by practicing his kicking off a 1/2” block instead of the standard 2” block used in high school, he will be well-prepared to play college ball (where blocks are not used). “And, of course, Stan would be the first to give credit to his snapper Chris Lohman and his holder Derrick Bishop who have both done a terrific job too.”

In his capacity as kicking coach — both at Ramona and Julian High Schools — Coach Valencia has naturally worked more closely with Shurson but describes the 6’3” Lloyd as “very gifted physically, a fast runner, and a fearless team leader." RHS opponents would undoubtedly agree. His 6 receptions for 120 yards against San Pasqual helped the Bulldogs to a share of the Valley League Championship capped by Shurson’s winning field goal.

Says Valencia, “I have to give a lot of credit for our team’s success to Coach Baldwin who introduced us to a whole new system this season — more along the lines of what they use in college — and the players responded well to it.”

Congrats to Stan and Kevin and to the entire Ramona football team for a great season!