In the fall of 2021, the most amazing union began. Tracey Sanders bought a new hybrid car so he could drive his freshman son, John, from the family home in Mojave to St. Francis High in La Cañada six days a week. It’s 80 miles one way and the ride on the 14 Freeway takes 90 minutes.
Two years later, his other son, Shawn, accompanied John to go to St. Francis, making the 160-mile round trip. Both are quarterbacks and have been trained by St. Francis coach Dean Herrington since they were youth athletes.
“We do whatever we have to do for the kids,” says Tracey, a contractor who also helps coach at St. Francis.
As temperatures in Mojave approached 100 degrees, John, now a senior, enjoyed summer training at St. Francis last week. And he was ready to answer the question: “Did you think you’d be doing this for four years from Mojave?”
“Well, honestly, before I came here, I didn’t think it would take this long,” he said. “But here we are. I’ve got another year.”
The long commute has been good for both Sanders boys. They have a GPA of over 4.0 and use their car time to do homework or sleep. John is coming off a junior season in which he was one of the most versatile quarterbacks, with 2,032 yards and 21 touchdowns and 778 yards and eight touchdowns.
Herrington has compared him to the coach’s former quarterback pupil, Vernon Adams, who was not widely recruited out of Bishop Alemany but went on to play for Eastern Washington and Oregon. Adams now plays in the Canadian Football League.
“Colleges made a mistake by not going after Vernon,” Herrington said. “It’s the same story now. I don’t get it. John can run, he can throw, he’s smart, he’s tough. I see a lot of bad quarterbacks at colleges. Somebody’s got to pull the trigger.”
Sanders ran the 40-meter dash in 4.6 seconds at a football camp this summer and ran an 11.2-second 100 meters for the track team. He thinks he is faster and stronger.
“I can just feel it,” he said.
The Golden Knights are expected to pass the ball a lot more with the addition of new receivers who are quicker than last year’s group. Demari Nunley, a transfer from St. Pius X-St. Matthias, and sophomores Mason Maddox and Daveon Blaylock could benefit from Sanders’ arm and experience.
Then there’s Shawn, a junior who serves as a backup quarterback, receiver, kicker and punter. With the scorching temperatures last week, John was outside to serve as the holder while his little brother attempted field goals. Think of the potential fake field goal plays that could be set up with the kicker and holder as quarterbacks. Think of laterals, but who’s supposed to throw the ball?
“Neither of us,” John said. “Whoever gets it first.”
With dad as a faithful chauffeur, the Sanders family can discuss their ideas. Tracey said the hybrid is still holding up and should last until 2026 when Shawn graduates. That would mean five years of commuting from Mojave to La Cañada.
“Their grades are great,” Tracey said. “I’m not going to break that.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
