Athlete Highlight

Kendall Allen

‘Dog mentality’ carries Allen into three-sport sensation

September 13, 2020/Chris Jackson/No Comments

The simplest way for Vacaville Christian head football coach Manny Tarango to describe three-sport sensation Kendall Allen is to look back at one of his former players.

Tarango remembers back when he was coaching Javin White. The two had started working together from when White was 11 or 12 years old all the way yp to White’s junior season at Vanden, where Tarango was on the staff until becoming Vacaville Christian’s newest leader, before White moved over to McClymonds.

White ended up shining at McClymonds, where he developed into a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was a first team all-league selection while ending up at UNLV to play college football at the next level.

Now, White just wrapped up a remarkable stint at UNLV, winning Mountain Defensive Player of the Year honors and signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders last month.

“I got to go to all his games, as many as I could go, graduation, the whole thing,” Tarango said. “That’s like my son. We used to workout at 4 o’clock in the morning. I would take him to school and then I would see him at football practice. He would come over on the weekends, and so because of that relationship I always knew that Javin was going to end up being in the league because he is, and I say that because he and Kendall share that same.”

What made White special is exactly what has Allen destined for a career in athletics beyond high school, too. 

Even if the success is there, Allen is going full throttle every single rep in practice and every single time he’s competing – whether that’s on the football field, on the basketball court or on the track.

“These guys are just dogs,” Tarango said. “Javin and Kendall hold themselves to a standard that I don’t think anybody could ever touch. When Kendall works out, Kendall is going a 100 miles an hour and nothing is good enough for him. And now some people may be like, ‘Well, that’s kind of obsessive, compulsive, but no.’ He just understands, ‘If I want to be the best, I have to work like I’m No. 2 chasing No. 1.’ And he is out there, and on game day he is the ultimate competitor.”

It’s simply like watching Russell Westbrook, whose aggression and will to win every single play has helped him morph into an NBA All-Star.

Kendall Allen was an award winner at the Exposure Academy Boys Basketball Showcase. Chris Jackson / Staff Photo

In basketball alone, Allen’s stardom has guided Vacaville Christian to unprecedented heights every single time he and his teammates step foot on the hardwood. As a freshman, Allen averaged 13.9 points per game while coming off the bench in the Falcons’ run to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship.

His sophomore year saw those numbers skyrocket, amassing 21.8 points per contest and being named the MVP of the squad as Vacaville Christian was a Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI semifinalist.

“When he goes up and dunks, he’s trying to break the rim off,” Tarango said. “He plays with an anger but at the same time he’s just a good hearted kid, and he’s constantly working on his craft. He just wants to compete and he doesn’t do it in a disrespectful manner.”

This type of athleticism was noticed a couple of years ago from Allen, citing a conversation with his mother when they understood that the sky was the limit for him.

“Seventh grade summer going into eighth grade,” Allen said. “I kind of hit a little bit of a growth spurt and I started getting my athleticism and stuff. It was always born with me, but I was always a small kid. That’s when I knew. I told my Mom I could actually do something with this athleticism and my God given talent, too.”

Meanwhile, Allen’s talents in every other sport he competes in are evident each and every night.

During his first year at VCS, Allen recorded 994 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, following that up with 992 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore to bump the Falcons’ win total from one to seven while appearing in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII semifinals.

And Allen’s resume also features being a Junior Olympian.

“He works his butt off,” said Vacaville Christian senior receiver Jaron Leaks, whose offer list includes UC Davis. “That guy – what an athlete. He’s just wonderful. I love that kid to death. He just knows how to work hard.”

It’s all that “dog mentality” Tarango alluded to, with his constant hours perfecting his craft with fellow teammates paying enormous dividends.

Allen, Leaks and others have worked out three and four times per day. They’re getting up early to run a few miles. 

Plus, Allen is attending every showcase and camp he can, most recently having a three-showcase weekend over Labor Day with the xposure Academy Football Showcase on Friday night in Vacaville, the Xclusive Speed Bay Area Top 100 Showcase Saturday morning and the Exposure Academy Boys Basketball Showcase on Sunday – the latter being a day when he also earned an award from the coaching staff.

“He does it to the point where if he lines up at wide receiver, he’ll tell you I have to make this corner know that I’m the best receiver that he’s going to guard all year,” Tarango said. “That’s his mentality every single day, on the basketball court, when we’re doing 400s on the track, when he’s out at practice just going up against his teammates in 1 on 1s or whatever.”

No schools have offered Allen yet, but schools from across the region are interested, like Hawaii, Sacramento State and Utah, to name a few.

But all Allen is focused on is continuing his progress as an athlete and adding more banners to Vacaville Christian’s athletic department.

“For myself I want to make the all-state nominee again,” Allen said. “I want to win Offensive Player of the Year. I’m trying to get 1,200-plus receiving yards, and then as a team I want to win state. I want to win. I don’t want to lose more than two games at all. We shouldn’t. We’re one of the best teams in this area and proved it already, too.”

Leaks develops into VCS star, college recruit

August 13, 2020/Chris Jackson/No Comments

Two months ago, Vacaville Christian senior athlete Jaron Leaks felt the moment that all of the work was worth it.

Going through some challenging days, Leaks received a call that showed he was next level. Whittier, a Division III school in Southern California, sent an offer his way to play college football.

“It’s a blessing because all my hard work, my family and I went through a hard time with all the corona stuff and my grandpa being sick, so everything was falling apart,” Leaks said. “And then I get a call from a coach and he gave me a full scholarship. It opened my eyes more.”

That moment was indicative of what those around him saw early on: a budding star just waiting to be unleashed.

Leaks’ cousin, Latrelle Smith, who is a cornerback at William & Mary, saw something in Leaks right away.

He knew he was different.

“He had been telling me all the time to just keep working hard,” Leaks said. “‘It’s in you. You got it.’ So when I first got my offer from Whittier about two months ago, I was like, ‘Alright, I can really get used to this type of stuff.’ Just got to keep working hard.”

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Allen football photo

Vacaville Christian High’s Kendall Allen turns weaknesses into strengths

By MATT SIEGER | msieger@thereporter.com | Vacaville Reporter June 2, 2020 at 12:43 p.m.

Kendall Allen could have let the coronavirus pandemic get him down.

The Vacaville Christian High School student-athlete, who will be a junior in the fall, was all set to compete in track and field for his school when COVID-19 shut down the schools and his season.

He received an invitation from 365 Sports on behalf of FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) to represent the United States as a member of Team California in a special international tournament this summer. Then the tournament was canceled because of the pandemic.

He would have been playing AAU basketball for his travel team this summer, journeying to Los Angeles, Arizona, Portland, Texas and Las Vegas. But the virus closed down that opportunity as well.

But the three-sport athlete, who also excels in football, refused to shut down his own personal goals in the midst of the virus. He practices three times a day, 90 minutes each session, in basketball, football and weight training. And he maintained his excellence in the classroom as well…

Sierra Delta League logo

Congratulations Spring Academic All-League Athletes

VCS is proud to announce the spring 2020 SDL Academic All-League student-athletes. These student-athletes have maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA. We congratulate you and thank you for your hardwork and dedication, demonstrating academic and athletic success. GO FALCONS!

GOLF

Albert Chi, Joshua Giracca, Joshua Gorton, Ruotong Hua, and Nani Tabura

SWIMMING

Elaina Craig, Anthony Delgado, Jordan Holden, Nakaya Peters, Stephen Reed, Grace Richards, Jiayi “Sara” Ruan, Scotty Slater, Sean Stocksick, and Yiru “Ruby” Wang

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Sanket “Sunny” Dadhwal, Max Kroll, Garrett Kuch, Dragon He, Sam Serrano, Sean Tracy, Dillon Webb, Paul Wei, Zexia “Jack” Shen

BASEBALL

Houston Bradeson, Tanner Conyers, Will Harris, Joshua Holden, Jack Worthan, Isaiah Eads, Marcus Linton, John Elliott, Bryce Pazdel, Steven Dingman, Thomas Lane, Cole Robinson, Tanner Tripp

SOFTBALL

Lilya Gardner, Mirah Jackson, Jerrah Lopez, Emerson Meggers, Lillianna Ojeda, Samantha Salas, Macy Webb

TRACK & FIELD

Aaron Laxamana, Andrew Piehl, Joshua Shelby, Malia Abrenica, Laura Everett, Katrina Husby, Jolee Langill, Christine Llave, Katherine Stanek

Sierra Delta League logo

Congratulations to the Sierra Delta League Scholar Athlete Selections: Lilya Gardner & Houston Bradeson

The SDL selected Lilya Gardner and Houston Bradeson as SDL Scholar Athlete Scholarship recipients, awarding each of them with a $100 scholarship. The criteria, in addition to academic success, was based on athletic performance, sportsmanship, leadership, and excellence of character. VCS Falcons congratulate you – WE ARE SO PROUD!

Lilya spent her high school career dedicated to volleyball and softball.Her coaches spoke very highly of her and ability to be the spirit leader for her team. Coach Munar and Coach Borges continued to share how she could be counted on to ” shift the energy on the court to one of encouragement.”   

“[Lilya] played with heart and stepped up as a key defender for our team.  Her positive spirit radiated from the court.” Coach Munar

Lilya Gardner image

Coach Barrows, Head Coach for the Women’s Softball program echoed the sentiments, “she’s there for her teammates, always ready to help out with encouraging words or to help them through drills.” 

“She’s a great kid, always willing to put in the work to get the job done, doesn’t need shortcuts.”Coach Barrows

Lilya plans to attend James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in the fall.  She will pursue a degree in Justice Studies.  We wish her the best as she plans to tryout for their softball, volleyball, and equestrian teams.

Houston could be found on the basketball court and the baseball field.  Coach Kuch commented that “Houston’s understanding of the game [of basketball] and awareness of his teammates enabled the team to play to its optimal level.”  Baseball Coach Motta described him as “a pleasure to coach and a true friend on and off the field.”  Houston’s teacher’s describe him as a young man with a great deal of integity and compassion for others.

“Houston Bradeson, a young man of few words, yet his actions are plentiful.”Coach Motta

Houstn Bradeson image

Houston plans to attend Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, in the fall. He will be pursuing a degree in Sports Management and plans to stay involved in athletics.

“His dedication and selflessness improved his individual play and the performance of the team.”Coach Kuch

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