Three-sport versatility makes Porras
’ senior year one long highlight Asking Live Oak High senior
standout athlete Doug Porras to choose a highlight from this season
is like asking the Rolling Stones to pick their favorite song. Like
the Stones, Porras’ hits just kept on coming this year. Showing off
his athletic prowess by earning
all-league honors in three sports – football, basketball and
baseball – and creating a one-person highlight film earned Porras
the Morgan Hill Times’ Male Athlete of the Year award.
Three-sport versatility makes Porras’ senior year one long highlight
Asking Live Oak High senior standout athlete Doug Porras to choose a highlight from this season is like asking the Rolling Stones to pick their favorite song. Like the Stones, Porras’ hits just kept on coming this year.
Showing off his athletic prowess by earning all-league honors in three sports – football, basketball and baseball – and creating a one-person highlight film earned Porras the Morgan Hill Times’ Male Athlete of the Year award.
“It was a great time,” Porras said. “I found a way to play all three sports, and that was the best part about (my senior year). I had a few goals for myself this season – to have a good winning season and go for the league title in each sport, and I wanted to be all-league in each sport.”
Mission accomplished. Not only did Porras earn recognition as one of the area’s top individual high school athletes, but he helped lead all three Acorn sports teams he competed for into the Central Coast Section playoffs.
To top it off, Porras was named the Tri-County Athletic League MVP in baseball for the league champion Acorns and the Live Oak Team MVP in football for the resurgent Acorn football squad.
And, he accomplished all that while compiling a stellar 3.67 gpa, and establishing a reputation as a model teammate with a relentless work ethic to boot.
Just listen to his coaches.
“He’s a hard worker who set a great example,” LO baseball coach and Athletic Director Mark Cummins said. “When you have one of your best athletes go so hard in practice, it sets a great example.”
And …
“ He played all out in games and he had the same attitude in practice,” LO basketball coach Brett Paolucci said. “He’s one of my favorite kids I’ve ever coached. He’s going to be a great asset in whatever he does. Not too many Doug Porrases come along.”
After earning all-league honors in basketball and baseball as a junior, Porras decided to also play football going into his senior season. While the hiring of his older brother Jon Michael as an assistant coach had an influence on his decision, Porras said the opportunity to help end the Acorn football program’s long winless streak was a big incentive, too.
The rest is history, as Porras scored a TD in his first game to help LO whip Alvarez 28-0 to end the streak.
Porras said the feeling on campus the following Monday is something he’ll never forget.
The Acorns ended up going 8-3 overall and beating Gilroy in the regular season finale – aided by a crucial Porras interception – to qualify for the CCS playoffs.
After filling the role of defensive stopper and playmaker in basketball, Porras really turned it on in baseball.
Playing shortstop and leading off, Porras hit nearly .500 in league with an astounding 27 hits and 24 runs scored, and compiled a 3-0 record and 0.48 ERA as the team’s closer.
With so many individual accomplishments to choose from, the always team-minded Porras had a revealing highlight for his senior season. He chose a comeback victory at Hollister that clinched the league title in baseball for LO.
Porras will take his considerable baseball skills to West Valley next season.
