Prep notes: Gregori alum plays starring role in world record bid

Tyler Janitz needed less than a week to leave a mark on his new home in Salem, Ore.

The former three-sport star at Gregori High School showcased his athleticism during some first-week fun at Willamette University.

Janitz won what is believed to be the world’s largest game of Red Light/Green Light. The freshman baseball player crossed the campus quad in a blur, beating 1,202 participants to the finish line.

“I was going to have a good time with some friends. The next thing I know we start the race and, right out of the gate, I feel like I’m running toward the front,” Janitz said. “So I figured I had a shot.”

His victory was confirmed with a 3-foot trophy painted red and green, a plus-one lunch date with university president Steve Thorsett and an opportunity to sign his name in the cupola atop Waller Hall.

“They says it’s hard to get up there, let alone sign it. It’s literally on top of Waller Hall, which is the oldest building on campus,” Janitz said. “I’m just honored to be a part of history during my first week on campus. It wasn’t how I thought it would go, but I’ll take it.”

Willamette Director of Campus Recreation Bryan Schmidt said it may take up to six months to hear back from the Guinness Book of World Records.

This isn’t Willamette’s first brush with history.

The Bearcats held the mark for the largest Red Light/Green Light game – 1,068, set in 2013 – until they were usurped by the NFL last year. Drawing students from 17 elementary schools, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee fielded a game of 1,136 participants.

“This was our take-back record attempt,” Schmidt said.

Alberto pulls double-duty for Panthers: The Modesto boys soccer team captured the Hughson Husky Cup over the weekend, defeating Modesto Metro Conference rival Gregori in the final.

Serafin Alberto and Ramiro Lopez netted goals in a 2-1 victory over the Jaguars. The Panthers went 3-0-1 with resounding wins over host Hughson (9-0) and Waterford (3-1).

Goalie Anthony Mejia started the final three games and had 22 saves, including 10 in a scoreless draw with Gustine.

It was a great opening week to the fall season for Alberto, who played a role in the football team’s 42-21 victory over Ceres. The junior was 6-for-6 on extra points.

Patterson’s new offense potent: Rob Cozart was relieved more than anything following Patterson’s 53-34 win over Escalon.

The Tigers football coach took a risk in his return to the program, introducing a new offense inspired by his stops on the junior college circuit.

Cozart went into the laboratory and emerged with a Frankenstein offense that’s anything but slow and plodding. The triple option/spread mash-up was presumptuously dubbed “Spread ’em & Shred ’em” long before Patterson had played a down.

That could have blown up in Cozart’s face, but ... Patterson 53, Escalon 34.

Quarterback Kevin Todd was 6 of 10 for 154 yards and two touchdowns, and the Tigers produced two 100-yard rushers: Michael Lawson (nine carries, 140 yards) and Jamal Broussard (11 for 121).

The Tigers scored the most points on the Cougars in the last 11 years, according to MaxPreps, which began keeping statistics in 2004.

“I’m just glad the ‘Spread ’em & Shred ’em’ didn’t end up as 12 points,” said Cozart, whose team hosts Ripon, The Bee’s top-ranked small-school team.

De la Porte now at Delhi: Six months after stepping down as the Patterson boys basketball coach, Brian de la Porte reportedly has landed a new coaching position in the Stanislaus District. De la Porte announced on Twitter Monday that he has accepted a position at Delhi. Efforts to reach de la Porte and the Delhi athletic department were unsuccessful. De la Porte is 92-97 in seven seasons as a varsity coach, including the first five at Ceres.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Prep notes: Gregori alum plays starring role in world record bid."