For Devin’s sake
Simi Valley’s senior running back puts team goals ahead of personal accomplishments
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers FULL SPEED AHEAD—Once Pioneer running back Devin Kelley opted to run with more power and less finesse, his stats started to take off. Now the senior hopes to power Simi Valley into the playoffs for the first time since 1991, and only the sixth time since 1945.

Devin Kelley is all about the team concept.

Oh sure, Kelley wouldn’t mind leading the Marmonte League in rushing this season. In fact, that’s one of his goals.

But more importantly, the senior ball carrier wants to help lead his team into the postseason, something Simi Valley hasn’t accomplished since 1991.

“I’d be more important to me to make the playoffs and have the rushing title,” Kelley said. “And if I could choose one, obviously it would be the playoffs. I’m just like any of my other teammates, we’re all out there trying to play football and trying to have fun and go to the playoffs. . . .

“If I get a rushing record, then my name will go up there,” Kelley said. “But I’m more interested in being known for playing on a good team than I am of me being known as a good running back.”

Kelley has been nothing short of spectacular for the Pioneers this season, particularly over the last four games.

After compiling 276 rushing yards and scoring six touchdowns through the first three games of the year, Kelley has wracked up 728 yards on the ground and scored eight touchdowns over Simi’s past four contests.

Prior to Simi’s game against Moorpark Thursday night, Kelley ranked second in the league in rushing with 1,004 yards, 28 yards behind Royal running back Curtis Marsh.

Kelley had also hauled in 15 receptions for 184 yards prior to Thursday’s game.

“He’s been solid all year,” head coach Todd Borowski said. “But just recently he’s been running downhill. He’s been going forward on everything and not trying to have the mindset that he’s going to break a long run every time he touches the ball.

“There are times when you need to duck your shoulder and get three, four, five yards,” the coach said. “Lately he’s been doing that.”

Kelley admits that he had to adjust his approach to running the ball early in the season.

“The ball should be run hard or not run at all,” he said. “The first couple of games, I was more into trying to make the highlight reel by juking people. Now I’ve brought my game from a dancing style to more of a sprinter.”

Offensive right tackle Nick Marlas said with Kelley in the backfield, Simi’s offense can score from any point on the field at any time.

“He gets through the line quick and makes me look good,” Marlas said. “Even if I miss a block, he’ll still break it 10 yards or more.”

With Kelley running the ball and quarterback Bryan Randolph controlling the passing attack, the Pioneer offense has averaged a league-best 34 points per game this season.

Kelley even started playing free safety for the Pioneer defense a month ago. Borowski said he made the move as a way to get his best playmakers in the defensive backfield. Lorne Bell and T.J. Washington, the team’s top two wide receivers, also play in the Pioneer secondary.

“I like the free safety position, but it’s just new to me,” Kelley said. “I’ve never played it. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Wow’ just trying to learn all the new things.”

Against two of the finest passing offenses in Ventura County— Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks—the Pioneers suffered two last-second defeats after the defensive secondary was beaten deep on both occasions.

Kelley said the unit can’t dwell on those tough plays because there’s still a lot of work to do to qualify for the postseason.

“It’s in the past,” Kelley said. “We just need to learn from it and try to improve. If we do that, we’ll be alright.”

Kelley would like to continue his football career at the college level, and he has had the opportunity to speak with several Division II coaches over the past few months, although a final decision remains up in the air.

As for the future, Kelley said he sees himself working with kids, either as a schoolteacher, counselor, coach or all of the above.

Whether it’s helping out with homework or showing a youngster how to carry themselves on the field of play, Kelley wants to make a difference in whichever community he resides in.

“Sitting down and talking with kids, going over school stuff with them, that would be playing an important role and making a difference in somebody’s life,” he said. “That’s just something I take very seriously.”