SAN MARCOS – Zamar Reese is sitting at a table inside the San Marcos High School football coaches’ office. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior running back is sharing the stage with his twin brother Judah, a 6-2, 290-pound offensive tackle.
Of his brother’s significant size difference, Zamar Reese says: “It just happened.”
Reese doesn’t display much emotion. He answers questions earnestly and directly.
“I’m just like, one step and I take off,” he said when asked to describe his running style. “I’m real explosive and agile. I can move fast in a small amount of time.”
He isn’t braggadocious. He’s succinct, matter-of-fact and honest.
But on one subject, Reese’s honesty bubbles to the surface. While he started at strong safety for the Knights last season, he was limited to 20 carries in 13 games at running back. There were seniors ahead of him on the depth chart.
Reese has always identified himself as a running back first.
“I have a lot of pent-up frustration this year to show that I’m one of the best running backs in San Diego County,” he said.
Through five games, Reese has made a case that if he’s not the best running back in the county, he may be the best all-purpose offensive player in the section.
He has carried the ball 67 times for 655 yards, a 9.8 yards-per-carry average. He has caught 11 passes for 235 yards, a 21.4 yards-per-catch average. He has returned two punts for touchdowns, one for 70 yards against Santa Margarita Tesoro and another for 58 yards against Mater Dei Catholic, and returned a blocked punt for a score against San Pasqual.
In total, Reese is averaging 230.8 all-purpose yards per game.
The object in football is simple: score touchdowns and prevent the other team from doing so. Reese has scored 15 times — nine rushing, three receiving and three on returns. Only one player in the section, Imperial’s Deren Hueso (16), has more.
Said San Marcos coach Tom Carroll: “We just put the ball in his hands and we’re a better football team.”
The Knights, 4-1 and ranked No. 7 in the San Diego Section, are idle this week. They visit Oceanside next week.
You don’t have to be a football coach to understand what makes Reese special. His burst is exceptional. He gets from Point A to Point B in the blink of an eye.
“He’s legitimately fast,” said Carroll, who has timed Reese running 40 yards in 4.44 seconds. “By his third or fifth step, he’s separating from the defense.”
There are few plays more exciting in football than the long touchdown. Reese has given Knights fans reason to burst out of their seats and cheer, scoring on touchdown runs of 80, 67 and 67 yards. He has scored on punt returns of 70 and 58 yards and on a 44-yard catch.
“He’s talented,” said Poway coach Brandon Harris, whose Titans suffered a 45-28 loss to the Knights. “They put him in opportunities to make plays and he makes plays. He can get behind his tackles and run. They can put him in space and do damage, line him up in the slot and get him in the passing game. He’s a player who can do it at all three levels.”
Reese comes from athletic stock. His brother, Nacion, played linebacker at Division II Minot State in North Dakota. Another brother, Xavion, played defensive back at San Jose State. A third brother, Kaleb, is a freshman DB at Sacramento State. Judah is being recruited at the NAIA level.
“We’re a family that’s real competitive with each other,” Zamar Reese said.
“Playing sports means a lot to each and every one of us.”
Reese has drawn attention from the University of San Diego. Because Reese’s running-back skills haven’t been on display until this year, Carroll thinks college interest will “start to heat up.”
As to what college level Zamar might play, Carroll said: “I’m not going to limit him. I don’t think there’s a level he can’t play at.”
Zamar and Judah are young for their class, having turned 17 on Aug. 29 — the night Zamar scored four touchdowns against Tesoro. The twins would be strong candidates to redshirt next year in college.
Judah Reese starts at right tackle for San Marcos. His blocking helps clear the path for Zamar’s jaunts.
“My O-line, they’re definitely a big part of my success,” said Zamar.
One of football’s coolest celebrations is when a running back or receiver leaps in front of an offensive lineman, who lifts him high into the air. Zamar and Judah tried it once, but Judah got too close for Zamar to properly propel him off the ground.
Zamar Reese said his other linemen, particularly Cooper Meyer, routinely beat his brother into the end zone.
“If he wants to celebrate,” said Zamar, “he’s got to hurry up.”
Another popular celebration after a touchdown is for the back or receiver to lean at the goal line, mimicking a sprinter leaning at the tape.
Reese tried that one, too, but butchered it when his lean came well into the end zone.
“I’ve got to work on my timing,” he said.
He’d like to plan an end zone handshake celebration with teammates. Or he might pay homage to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and break out the “griddy.”
One thing is certain. At his current pace, Reese figures to earn a lot of practice reveling in the end zone.