Mims the word for linebacker Manuleleua, Manteca defense

For the last half decade, the sports scene at Manteca High has been dominated by the Manuleleua family.

Sia was a superb offensive player for the Manteca girls soccer team and eventually earned a scholarship to Cal State East Bay.

As her prep career came to a close, another was just beginning.

Leah was a freshman on a team captained by her older sister, then a senior. Even then, Leah, a striker with brute strength and an iron foot, had the ability to control a game.

Four years later, Leah led the state in goals, the Buffaloes to their first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section title and was named The Bee’s 2015 All-District Player of the Year.

Now, Ferrin takes his turn in the spotlight, attempting to do what even his older sisters could not: Win a state championship.

“My sisters have had a big impact on me as an athlete,” Ferrin said. “We’re really close and I want to be as good – if not better – than they were in high school. They push me everyday to be the best I can be.”

Ferrin is the starting middle linebacker for the Buffaloes, who make their second regional bowl appearance in four seasons.

Manteca (12-1) will travel to Menlo-Atherton (11-2) in the CIF Northern California Division III-AA bowl Friday. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

“His sisters were absolute studs,” coach Eric Reis said, “and it’s obviously in the genes. We always knew he’d be a special player and he’s lived up to the hype.”

Ferrin is a two-time all-Valley Oak League first-team selection and the Buffaloes’ top tackler with 107 stops. The 6-foot, 215-pound junior spins around the football field like the Tasmanian devil, shedding blocks and hunting the football.

Nineteen of his tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage, including 4.5 sacks. He has three pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

In the Buffaloes’ 50-28 victory over Placer in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III final, Ferrin had 16 tackles.

“He has phenomenal instincts,” Reis said. “He reads the block and processes that information, and is a great tackler. He definitely diagnosis what’s happening and craves contact. His bones are made of led.”

He captains a defense that is yielding just 10 points per game and didn’t allow a team to score three offensive touchdowns in the regular season.

Central Catholic defeated the Buffaloes on Oct. 14, 32-14, but two of those TDs came on an interception and kickoff return.

“I play with a mean-streak,” Ferrin said. “When I’m in pads, I believe I can do whatever I want. I believe there’s no one that can stop me; that I’m more physical and stronger than everyone on that field.”

Together, Ferrin and fellow middle linebacker James Thomas have carved out their place in program history.

Reis isn’t shy about heaping praise on the duo, who have redefined the position in coordinator Rick James’ defense with their speed.

Thomas has 71 tackles, including 17 for a loss. The senior also has four sacks, two fumble recoveries and a 96-yard interception return.

“They’re the best inside linebackers I’ve ever had,” said Reis, who is 138-38-2 with four Sac-Joaquin Section titles in 15 seasons. “It’s just their athleticism and their ability to read stuff, and the speed they bring. We have had tough, hard-hitting guys in the past, but we’ve never had guys that can cover that much ground.”

That athleticism will be put to the test Friday.

Menlo-Atherton leans on running back Jordan Mims, who gashed Milpitas in the Central Coast Section Open Division I final. Mims had 257 yards and both touchdowns in a 17-0 win.

Reis has searched his schedule and can’t find a running back compares to Mims, a third-year varsity star who measures out at 6 foot and 190 pounds. The 6-foot, 190-pound playmaker is fast-approaching a 2,000-yard season. He has 1,981 yards.

In three seasons, Mims has produced 3,673 yards and 47 total touchdowns.

“I think he’s a completely different athlete than the other athletes that we’ve faced. That’s why this is such a big challenge for our defense, to see how good we really are against the run,” Ferrin said. “He’s just so elusive and fast; he has speed we haven’t faced this year.”

Manteca can’t even simulate that speed in practice.

“There are guys that can give us a look,” Ferrin said, “but we don’t have anyone on the scout team that can run like that.”

Added Reis: “He’s a special athlete.”

One of many on the Bears’ rosters.

Quarterback Aajon Johnson provides balance. He’s thrown for 1,901 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for another 961 yards and 14 scores.

Johnson won’t lock in on one target, either. Six players have at least 10 receptions, while seven have caught at least one touchdown.

The key, though, will be slowing down Mims, who moves the chains with every touch of the ball.

Reis hopes Ferrin and Thomas’ athleticism will neutralize the fast-action running back and deliver Manteca’s first NorCal title.

“With the size of their line, you have to get around them. You don’t want to wrestle with them. They like to get on the ’backers and all (Mims) needs is a crease.

“It’s a unique challenge. We haven’t see someone as fast as their tailback. He’s fast, but he’s also got great instincts.”

Menlo-Atherton may be saying the same about Ferrin and Thomas.

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 8:50 AM with the headline "Mims the word for linebacker Manuleleua, Manteca defense."