9:55 AM. Main football training field, Mater Dei High School.
The morning sun bathed the perfectly trimd grass of the main training field. In the empty stands, Bruce Rollinson, wearing his signature sunglasses and a red cap with the Monarchs logo, stood with his arms crossed, silently observing the field.
Next to him, Rick Flores, one of his most trusted assistants for over a decade, reviewed a clipboard filled with player nas, spring training schedules, and scattered notes.
"We’re in for an interesting preseason, Bruce," Rick comnted, breaking the silence as he leaned on the tal railing. "A lot of hungry kids out there, and now if this kid Andrew joins us..."
Rollinson didn’t respond right away. His eyes remained fixed on the field, as if envisioning plays yet to be run.
"Did you see his highlights?" he finally asked, not shifting his gaze.
"Yeah, easy to watch, he uploads them to his YouTube channel with great quality, editing, and music... Sixty touchdowns, undefeated, and that’s at Palisades, where they don’t have even half of what we have, no facilities, no infrastructure, no staff," Rick nodded.
"Exactly. I watched a few of his videos. The kid’s disciplined. Shows how he eats, how he trains, you can tell it’s not just raw talent. Plus, he’s been a leader since freshman year. You can see it in how he talks to his teammates during the prega routines," Bruce said with a thoughtful expression.
"He’s a rare profile," Rick added, "He doesn’t just play. He influences. I’ve never seen a kid with that much presence both on the field and online. He’s got over a million followers. All about training, discipline, mindset, and yeah, charisma."
He checked another stat and added:
"He’s 6’1" and weighs 190 pounds. And he’s not even sixteen yet. If he keeps developing physically, he could easily clear 6’3". And it’s not just his arm, he runs well, he’s agile, has great reflexes, knows how to move outside the pocket, and can use his body like a running back when the play calls for it."
Bruce crossed his arms again, thinking aloud. "Leadership, a good arm, vision, physicality, mobility, character... That’s a rare combo. Almost no weak points, I’d say."
Then, he looked out across the empty field in front of them.
"But we’ll see if he can keep all that up here. This league doesn’t forgive. He’ll have to earn every yard. Nothing’s handed out here."
Rick nodded silently.
Mater Dei’s competitiveness and demands couldn’t be compared to Palisades, no matter how miraculous Andrew’s back-to-back championships there had been.
"He’ll still have competition," Rick noted. "Max is in his senior year and at his peak. Dylan’s the sa age as Andrew and doesn’t want to fall behind. Three QBs... Last year, Max had a solid season... even if the overall team performance wasn’t great."
Bruce nodded, expression unchanged. "It was a mid-to-low season. We finished with a decent record, but for Mater Dei, 6-5 is not good enough. We didn’t win league, didn’t get past quarterfinals in playoffs. Servite crushed us. Plain and simple."
Rick sighed, arms crossed. "That lit a fire under them. They’re training harder and more focused than ever. Dylan’s more technical, Max more physical. And now, with Andrew’s arrival... well, he’s got his work cut out for him, especially because of Max."
"That’s just how I like it. I don’t care how many touchdowns he’s got, or how many followers he brings. Here, the starting job is earned on the field," Bruce said firmly.
Just as Rick was about to respond, both coaches noticed movent.
"There they co," Rick pointed out.
Ms. Moore walked gracefully, still holding her clipboard. Next to her, a tall boy in a black hoodie walked calmly, though his eyes scanned everything around him with a gleam, clearly impressed by the facilities. It was Andrew.
Behind him walked Jay, stern-faced, and Cam, visibly more animated and expressive, unable to hide the excitent of the mont.
"There he is," Rick said, recognizing Andrew’s face.
Bruce gave a slight nod, studying the boy with a coach’s eye. He could feel the kid’s presence, and in person, it was even stronger than in the videos.
Moore raised a hand to greet the coaches with professional poise.
Bruce and Rick began walking toward the group.
"Andrew, Mr. Pritchett, Mr. Tucker," Moore said with a warm yet institutional tone. "Let introduce you to Mater Dei’s head football coach, Coach Bruce Rollinson. And beside him, Rick Donahue, part of the coaching staff for over a decade, specializing in offense and scouting."
Bruce stepped forward and shook Jay’s hand firmly, then Cam’s, and finally Andrew’s.
"Pleasure to et you, kid," Bruce said in his seasoned coach voice.
"Pleasure’s mine, sir. It’s an honor to et you," Andrew responded sincerely as he shook his hand.
He took a good look at Bruce. He seed to be around Jay’s age, probably between 60 and 65.
Bruce was the kind of man who didn’t need to raise his voice to command respect. He had a solid build, broad shoulders, a firm chest, and the steady stride of soone who had lived in the trenches of football for a long ti.
He stood about 5’9" (1.75 ters), but sohow felt taller because of the way he carried himself, straight posture, head held high, arms firm at his sides, like a general inspecting his troops.
’He kinda reminds of Jay...’ Andrew thought, glancing at his grandfather, who stood with the sa straight posture and silent presence, just taller and without a mustache.
Bruce raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Oh? You know who I am?"
Andrew nodded, holding back a smile. "Of course I do. You were a defensive back at Mater Dei in the ’60s, played at USC, and ca back ho as a coach. Took over the team in ’89 and since then have won more than fourteen league titles, several sectional championships, and kept the program in the national elite. If I’m not mistaken, you had a nine-year league streak from ’91 to ’99. Back then it wasn’t called the Trinity League, I think it was the South Coast League."
Bruce narrowed his eyes, curious. "And what was the league called between 2000 and 2005?"
"Serra League," Andrew answered confidently after a brief pause. "Then in 2006, the Trinity League was officially established. Since then, Mater Dei won it in 2007 and 2008."
For a mont, no one said a word. Bruce looked at him as if seeing him for the first ti, a mix of surprise and respect in his eyes.
Not many players knew football high school history. And almost none knew the personal history of a coach they had just t.
"Well damn," Rick said with a short laugh, glancing at Bruce. "Looks like we’ve got a quarterback with a built-in encyclopedia."
Cam burst out laughing, clearly proud. Jay rely raised an eyebrow, but it was obvious he was impressed too.
"Uh... I just like knowing stats and gas, not just from the NFL or college," Andrew murmured with a nervous cough, dialing himself back a bit after getting carried away.
Bruce gave him a pat on the shoulder, firr this ti. There was a different look in his eyes now, like sothing in him had softened.
"Thanks for bringing them, Moore," he said, turning to the admissions director with a gracious nod. "We’ll take it from here."
"Perfect," Moore replied professionally, before looking at Andrew one last ti. "It was a pleasure eting you, Andrew. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing two years here."
With a smile, she said goodbye to the group and headed back the way they ca.
"Alright, let’s start the tour," said Bruce, adjusting the red Mater Dei cap on his head. He took a step forward and pointed to the wide stretch of grass to his right.
"This is our main practice field. It’s not where we play official gas, but this is where the real work happens. Where the job is earned."
The field was well maintained, with clearly marked lines and a small set of bleachers on the side for parents or curious students. It was a large space used daily, with designated areas for position-specific drills. Off to the side, there were carts filled with cones, tackling pads, and a sled for resistance training.
"We’ve got solid resources. We’re not a college, but for a high school, this is top-tier. New equipnt every season, automatic sprinkler system, and more than enough room for full team sessions."
As they walked along the edge of the field, Bruce began to talk about the program:
"The Mater Dei football team has been around since 1950. But since I took over in ’89, we’ve been working to bring the na back to the top. We’ve won a lot of league titles, sectional championships... although, as you probably know," he added, glancing sideways at Andrew with a half-smile, "the state championship is more recent, and still out of reach. They changed the format in 2006. We’ve co close, but haven’t taken it yet."
Andrew nodded.
They kept walking until they reached a side entrance to the athletic building. Bruce unlocked the door with a keycard, and as they stepped through the hallway, they found themselves in a modern, spacious, and quiet weight room. The place was empty, every student was in class.
The air slled of fresh rubber and tal. The floor was black rubber, divided into zones for lifting and functional training. On one side, there were bench press stations, squat racks, cable machines, neatly organized dumbbells by weight, and a section with machines targeting legs and back.
’This is over the top...’ Andrew thought. Over the top in the best way. Better than the gym he usually goes to near his house, he chooses it because it’s close and saves travel ti.
Palisades didn’t have a gym like this...
In another open section, there were battle ropes, kettlebells, dicine balls, resistance bands, and space for agility circuits.
"This is where the heavy lifting happens. It’s not just the field, you’ve got to co through here too."
Rick chid in with a practical tone, "Every player has an individual plan. Not just to gain mass, but to prevent injuries and improve performance. No lifting just for the sake of it. Everything’s programd."
Andrew nodded, though in truth, he was more amazed by the quality of the equipnt than by the concept of personalized training.
For him, soone who had been following an almost professional routine for years, combining weights, functional training, and cardio, all supported by a ticulously planned diet, none of this was new... but it was impressive to see a high school program with a college-level structure.
Bruce pointed to a wall where whiteboards displayed charts, weekly workout plans, and physical data.
"All of that is tailored to the position. We don’t train a lineman the sa way we train a quarterback. You, for example, will focus on explosive strength, hip and shoulder mobility, and core work."
Andrew instinctively stepped closer, as if inspecting a stat screen in an RPG video ga.
His eyes landed on the first na:
Max Wittek – QB
Squat: 130 kg x 5
Bench press: 85 kg x 5
Deadlift: 120 kg x 5
40-yard dash: 4.83 s
Weekly routine:
Monday: Explosive lower body mobility
Wednesday: Core agility
Friday: Upper body throwing footwork technique
VICTOR BLACKWELL – WR
Squat: 155 kg x 5
Bench press: 90 kg x 5
Deadlift: 125 kg x 5
40-yard dash: 4.58 s
Weekly routine:
Monday: Explosive starts plyotrics
Tuesday: Upper body with emphasis on pulling
Thursday: Mixed day route running work
NICK RICHARDSON – RB
Squat: 165 kg x 5
Bench press: 95 kg x 5
Deadlift: 150 kg x 5
40-yard dash: 4.50 s
Weekly routine:
Monday: Lower body sled pulls
Wednesday: Upper body core
Saturday: Anaerobic endurance circuit pass protection
Andrew raised his eyebrows slightly, impressed not so much by the numbers (he surpassed them in every category), but by the detail, the structure, and the purpose behind every data point.
Rick approached with his hands in his pockets and a half-smile. "So, what do you think of our athletes’ level? At least in terms of physical condition... and routine structure."
"The idea of position-specific routines is excellent. That really makes a difference. Everything has a purpose..." said Andrew.
Rick nodded, satisfied, though clearly expecting sothing more. He looked at him, eyebrows slightly raised, waiting.
Andrew hesitated for a second. Then he exhaled, almost as if apologizing in advance. "As for the numbers... I don’t an to sound arrogant, really, that’s not my intention. But compared to this guy Matt, who’s also a quarterback, well... I surpass him in everything."
There was a brief silence.
Jay was watching with a faint smile, rare for him.
Cam, for his part, looked like he was holding back a proud laugh, enjoying how Andrew walked the fine line between confidence and cockiness... without crossing it.
"Seriously?" Rick asked, both intrigued and surprised. He wasn’t expecting such a direct answer.
Andrew nodded calmly. "I posted my latest numbers last month in a vlog on my YouTube channel, there’s proof... They were..."
He tapped a finger against his chin, ntally reviewing the numbers. "Squat: 150 kilos for six reps. Bench press: 105 kilos for five. Deadlift: 170 for seven. And my 40-yard dash was 4.54 seconds."
They hadn’t seen it, it was a 15-minute vlog, and those numbers weren’t even the main topic. With all the content on his channel, it wasn’t exactly easy to stumble upon that specific video.
Rick looked at him closely, silently making the comparison. "One fifty on squat?" he repeated, almost in disbelief.
"Yeah. The video’s on my channel if you want to check it. I also explain how I got to that point," Andrew nodded.
Bruce remained silent, but his eyes stayed locked on the boy, analyzing him deeply. There was no arrogance or urgency in his tone. Just conviction.
Rick let out a low whistle. He believed him.
Saying sothing like that in front of Bruce, with that level of confidence and no hint of doubt, didn’t sound like bragging. Especially not if the proof was published and recorded.
"Excellent numbers," Bruce said at last, his voice deep and steady. "But gas aren’t won on whiteboards or in videos. They’re won when helts collide. We’ll see if you can turn those kilos and seconds into practices, into gas... and into touchdowns."
Andrew nodded. "Sure. I did it at Palisades. I’ll do it here too," he said in a calm, matter-of-fact tone.
Bruce didn’t respond. He just gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and resud the tour.
They continued through the rest of the gym, passing by the sled zone, Olympic platforms, bench press stations, power racks, pulley machines, and pull systems. Everything was clean and organized.
Then they crossed the hallway leading to the academic building, where they saw specialized classrooms, the athletes’ study hall, and the video analysis offices. There, Rick explained how each player receives weekly performance breakdowns, with technical corrections and opponent scouting.
They talked about the ga system, the competitive culture, the legacy of Mater Dei, and what’s expected of those who wear the red and gold uniform.
Finally, they returned to the administrative area, where Moore was already waiting with a folder in hand.
"Perfect," she said with a professional smile. "Bruce told everything’s clear. We just need to finish the formal part."
They entered a office, and Cam, as Andrew’s legal adoptive father, proceeded to sign the enrollnt contract for the 2010–2011 school year, accepting the full scholarship Mater Dei was offering Andrew.
Moore handed them a folder with the final pending forms:
–A dical authorization and vaccination record.
–A form requesting Andrew’s official transcripts from Palisades.
"With this, enrollnt is secured," Moore explained. "We just need you to bring the dical and academic docunts over the next few weeks. In the anti, he’s officially registered as an incoming eleventh grader."
Cam and Jay thanked her, shaking her hand. Andrew did the sa.
"See you in August when preseason starts," said Bruce, just before saying goodbye. "But feel free to reach out if you have any questions. And if you want to start studying the playbook... I’m sure Rick can get you a copy."
Andrew smiled with barely contained excitent. "I’d love that."
The level was completely different from Palisades.
With that, the Mater Dei tour ca to an end.
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