Playing in a new league and division doesn’t phase West Torrance running back Brett Ojiyi. He feels he can score every time he touches the ball.
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior has rushed for more than 800 yards and has scored 20 touchdowns in seven games this season, leading the Warriors to a 7-0 record which has kept the team atop the CIF-SS Western Division polls.
West moved from the Bay to the Pioneer League this season where all four Torrance schools battle for league – and city – supremacy.
“I don’t feel any different in changing leagues,” Ojiyi said. “We should compete the same way each week no matter who the opponent is.”
West is coming off a 49-39 win at rival North and hosts Centennial Friday at 7 p.m. before hosting ninth-ranked South and playing at eighth-ranked Torrance to conclude the Pioneer League schedule.
Known for his burst of speed and long touchdown runs, Ojiyi showed his durability against North, gaining 122 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 29 carries.
Ojiyi looks forward to any challenge while always trying to improve his game.
“My strength is lateral explosiveness,” Ojiyi explained. “I like to bounce outside. It’s been my style since I started playing Pop Warner football for the Torrance Panthers when I was nine.
“I’d like to improve my downhill running, though. I feel I can become a tougher running back, run all my routes at full speed and not take any plays off, I’ll be more effective. I’m trying to put on more weight, hitting the squat racks to improve my endurance.”
Ojiyi expects to improve on his 2013 season when he rushed for 1,037 and 21 touchdowns on 141 carries in 10 games before missing West’s playoff run to the Northern Division semifinals.
“I think this is the most talented team I’ve been on,” Ojiyi said. “We have talented skill sets and our offensive line, although not big, is very well conditioned and can wear down opponents. We keep improving and our guys aren’t afraid of any challenge. I’m really impressed with the sophomores on the team. They play at a much higher level than I did when I was sophomore.”
West head coach Greg Holt believes Ojiyi, who is a quiet leader on the team, will only get better.
“Offensively, he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball,” Holt said. “Sometimes his run will turn into a negative play because he wants to score on every play. In those instances, he just needs to settle for two yards and be happy with it.
“Brett is a dangerous receiver and just a real nice threat to have. We’re starting to get other threats around him so other teams can’t focus on him. He’s got natural talent and if soaks up our coaching, he’ll do fine. When things go well with other players, things will work out fine for him.”
Holt said his team began the season young and inexperienced, but is pleased with the constant improvement of his players, particularly the offensive line.
“We’re playing better all the time,” Holt said. “But we have to stay healthy. Our depth is not real good.”
The lack of depth has required Ojiyi to become a two-way starter this season, playing cornerback on the defensive side of the ball.
“I like playing defense now,” Ojiyi said. “I wasn’t a big fan of playing cornerback but I like the position now. I haven’t really been challenged yet and would like to be involved in more plays.”
Holt commended Ojiyi for shutting down receivers and being in on many tackles.
“He’s a good athlete who can quickly change direction and has a burst of speed,” Holt said.
Ojiyi utilizes his speed as a member of the Warrior’s track team, running the 4×100 relay, 200 meters and as a long jumper. He said he is considering trying out for the basketball team once the football season is over.
Like most high school football players, Ojiyi has dreams of playing in the NFL. He has had interest from schools such as Montana State, Wyoming, Utah, Utah State and Colorado State.
“I’m working on getting my ACT and SAT scores higher,” Ojiyi said. “I would like to get a full ride to a Division 1 school. I feel I have the talent to get my education paid for.”
Ojiyi said he is interested in majoring in pharmacy, following in the footsteps of his father, Eric, and mother, Caroline who both work in the medical field.
Ojiyi said the biggest influence on his football career has been his older brother Bradley.
“He’s my No. 1 fan,” Ojiyi said. “He has a real passion for football.”
Ojiyi, who grew up in Houston, is an avid fan of the Houston Texans and running back Arian Foster although his favorite player is another running back, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
He said his dad has also been a major influence on him and his siblings that include Brittany, 13, and Brandon, 5.
“Dad advises us that life is a race,” Ojiyi said. “He knows how to get under my skin to help me succeed.”
