High school football: Heimuli no longer relying simply on natural ability
Last season, however, they also saw a great athlete who depended solely on his natural ability. They knew that unless Heimuli started putting a little more effort into his training and preparation that he'd end up being a good high school football player only.
But his coaches and family members knew he was capable of more — so they challenged him.
"I asked him after last season what he wanted out of football, and he told me he wanted to play on the college level," Bruins coach Teko Johnson said "So I told him that if that's what he really wanted, then he better get to work and be a little more devoted."
After a very good season last year, Heimuli spent the summer in a strength program and working on his conditioning. He lost weight, increased his speed and durability and became even a stronger runner this season than he was last season.
"After he was challenged, he accepted the challenge," Johnson said. "And honestly, I have never seen a kid work so hard in my life to get what he wanted. And it's not just in football. He's worked hard to be better in every aspect of his life."
"My whole life I have wanted to play football for BYU," Heimuli said. "My family and my coaches have encouraged me to do what I needed to do to reach that goal. Without all of that, it never would have happened."
When BYU's coaches saw a stronger and leaner Heimuli going up against their best recruits in summer camps, and winning those battles, they quickly gained interest in the Bruins' bruising back. Late this summer Heimuli received a call to stop by BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall's office. When Heimuli arrived, Mendenhall offered him a scholarship.
"That was the happiest day of my life. It was the best thing to ever happen to me. My dream is going to come true," Heimuli said.
Heimuli has all the tools the good power backs possess. He's strong, very difficult to tackle, can bowl over defenders, and can also break away for the big gain. At 5-feet-11 and 230 pounds, Heimuli can outrun most defensive backs once he gets past the line of scrimmage.
"He has very deceptive speed," Johnson said. "If he gets into the secondary and gets a step ahead, you're not going to catch him."
Still, his biggest strength is his power — which is the main reason Heimuli's number is called on a good percentage of Mountain View's plays.
"When you have a guy who can get eight yards on a simple dive, it makes play calling pretty easy," Johnson said.
With the 218 yards that Heimuli gained last Thursday against Springville, he now has 1,044 rushing yards on the season — making him the second Bruin ever to pass the 1,000-yard mark. With the Bruins in good position to finish Region 7 play in second place, Heimuli will have at least three more games to add to that total.
"I love this team and I love this school," he said. "Playing football this season is the most fun I have ever had."
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com
Recent comments
Where did you get the stat that Heimuli is only the 2nd Bruin to…
MV Bruin | Oct. 13, 2008 at 10:49 a.m.
