Sea Hawks' Star To Miss Season With Knee Injury

Brandon Boyd was running a deep post pattern, went up and caught the pass in midair just as he was tackled. The Redondo Union High receiver couldn't properly balance himself before he came down and landed awkwardly, with all of the pressure on his right leg.

The result was a dislocated patella, a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a torn medial collateral ligament and torn cartilage. "Sadly to say, I'm going to be out for the whole football season," Boyd said.

The injury to Boyd, suffered earlier this summer in a passing league game in Pismo Beach, is a big blow to the Sea Hawks, who are coming off a 6-6 season and harbor aspirations of contending for a Bay League championship in the fall. As a senior, the speedy Boyd was expected to be a big contributor at wide receiver, running back and cornerback this season.

"The team knew that every game, they could depend on me to bring my A-game and not back down," Boyd said. "One injured player just means the guys have to step up now and fill that big role.''

There are several players that will get a chance to step into that role, starting with Davion Goodall, and Boyd said that he is committed to helping teach him the keys to success that he has acquired playing varsity football. "They say he is a little me and has the ability to play the positions I play," Boyd said.

There is a large void in the Redondo offense without Boyd, who in the spring helped the Redondo Union 4x400 relay team obliterate the school record in the event and qualify for the state championship meet.

"He [Boyd] was a big part of our offense, he would have been a threat in our passing game and would've made plays all around," said senior John Miller.

"We lost a very talented player and we feel terrible for him, there is no way we can make up for his abilities, but now someone has to step up for him and make some of the plays," said assistant coach Tim Ammentorp.

Boyd's desire to play will help him to a speedy recovery – he came back from a knee injury last football season in time to compete on the track team. However unlikely he can make it back before the end of the season, Boyd is confident the Sea Hawks will find ways to win football games.

"This year, I believe the team will be very good and a force to be reckoned with in the Bay League," he said.