By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor What a difference a couple years has made in the life of Cameron McFarlane. McFarlane, who just turned 17, acknowledged when he walked on campus for the first time, he was anything but imposing or confident. He stood about 5-foot-6 and weighed 135 pounds, and he had no interest in […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
What a difference a couple years has made in the life of Cameron McFarlane.
McFarlane, who just turned 17, acknowledged when he walked on campus for the first time, he was anything but imposing or confident.
He stood about 5-foot-6 and weighed 135 pounds, and he had no interest in taking hits, let alone dishing them out.
McFarlane said he had zero confidence at the time that he could be what he is today, and that’s the most well-rounded and imposing figure in coach Chris Schmoke’s football program.
The two-way Panthers’ starter is now just over 6-feet tall and nearly 200 pounds.
He is Poly’s best running back and he makes his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball just as much as he does with the rock in his hands.
McFarlane’s numbers don’t come close to defining how much he does for Poly (3-1-1), because the Panthers are so versatile when it comes to their scoring plays.
He has 207 yards on 32 carries and 3 rushing touchdowns.
On defense, McFarlane has 40 tackles, including 9 of those for loss. He’s also blocked a punt and recovered a fumble.
“I don’t need 30 carries or a bunch of touchdowns, because I’m not looking for any glory,” he said. “I care about doing whatever is asked of me to help our team win games. We have so many guys who contribute to our success and I trust each and every one of them to do their jobs.”
Quarterback Graham Olson, receivers Christian Henderson and Jackson Hayes, and running back Jackson Treister are all two-way starters, and they’re quality young men who McFarlane himself would say contribute as much to the Panthers success as he does.
But if there was someone that was considered ‘the guy,’ it would be McFarlane, and he accepts the challenge and pressure.
McFarlane can pinpoint the day he began to believe he might turn out to be a decent football player.
“When Coach Schmoke asked me to come up for the playoffs in my sophomore year, he made me believe that maybe this was possible and he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time,” McFarlane said.
He went on to say he was terrified of tackle football at first, and that he didn’t have the body then to do what he’s doing now, so he’s transformed through hard work a physique that any high school player would love to have.
In 2016, McFarlane rushed for 664 yards and 9 TD’s, and on defense, he had 68 tackles, including 6 sacks.
He’s also a guy that can make a huge play any time he touches the ball and anywhere on the field.
But as impressive and he is on the football field, he’s even more so in the classroom and as a person.
McFarlane has a 3.83 grade-point average and he’s an Ivy League, Stanford or Duke-like student and human being.
And as successful as he is with his studies, he’s the second most impressive student in his own household.
McFarlane’s 15-year old sister, Cayla, also a student-athlete at Poly, is someone who pushes her big brother to be the best person and student he can be.
Said McFarlane: “Cayla is the most important person in my life. She pushes me to a point where we always strive to do our best. She’s always talking to me about how we can do well together. We used to compete with each other in grades. She does better than I do. I help her and she helps me, and she inspires me.”
The feeling is mutual for Cayla McFarlane:
“My brother is my best friend. He’s loyal and he’s kind. I’m already sad about him going to college and leaving us next year,” Cayla said. “He’s tough on the football field, but really kind off the field. He hates bullies and people who take advantage of others. He volunteered with the Special Olympic World Games and he brought one of the athletes to school, a guy named Dustin. The night before he was worried about how the kids would treat Dustin. It was really important to Cam that the kids make him feel comfortable.”
McFarlane’s parents Stacey and Kevin instilled the work ethic that all three of their kids (Cameron, Cayla and Catherine) have, but McFarlane said that as high as the expectations are from his parents, he and Cayla expect even more out of each other.’
“My parents really just built such a strong foundation for academics and life in general, and our approach to school. You can’t bring bad grades in this house,” McFarlane said. They really pushed me and my sister to be where we are today. Athletically, they always introduced us to sports, and we are forever grateful.”
His teammates aren’t the only one’s who draw inspiration from the star athlete.
“Cam is a kid who has really transformed himself since his freshman year. He has done a ton of work in the offseason to make himself bigger, faster and stronger and has traveled all over for opportunities to get better,” Poly coach Chris Schmoke said. “He is an excellent student and player, and he leads by example. Cam has stepped up big to accept his role, whether it be carrying the load, containing the edge or stepping up big in pass protection.”
Perhaps the most intriguing part about McFarlane, at least to this reporter, is how unpredictable and driven he is for a kid who just turned 17 a couple weeks back.
How many kids do you know that were born after 2000 that would say Hall & Oates were their favorite band?
He can name song after song by bands like Toto and other classic rock icons, which is usually something people 30 or more years his senior would mention or know.
But what is most impressive is, that around age 13, he decided for himself that he was going to attend Poly, because of the respect he has for the school, and how important a superior education would mean to his present and future successes.
He loves his classmates and respects the diversity of race, culture, belief systems and everything that is surrounding him at the school.
McFarlane hopes to be running his own company by the age of 30 in some form or technology and something that improves the daily lives of others.
He wants to one day be a father and raise children like his parents have done with his two siblings and himself.
He isn’t sure yet where he’ll continue his football career, but one thing is for certain, it will be at a prestigious institution, and any school that gets him to sign on the dotted line automatically becomes better for having him.
But for today, he is looking forward to kickoff Thursday night at Maranatha at 7, and he really cherishes the time he spends with his teammates and coaches.
It is the Panthers’ last game before their bye week
McFarlane couldn’t be more thankful for his time at Poly and he says his coaches, especially Chris Schmoke have changed his life for the better.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if Coach Schmoke didn’t see it in me, and if he didn’t push me beyond what my comfort level was,” McFarlane said. “He and Coach Harrison have encouraged me and to be part of the team. Coach Schmoke brings out the best in everyone. He’s a father-figure to everyone he comes in contact with and I will love him forever because of that.”
Lastly, what does he hope his younger teammates remember about him when he’s off to college?
“I hope they remember that I was the senior they could come up to and talk, and that if I was ever telling them the way to do something, it wasn’t because I was talking down to them, it was because I saw something in them and that I believed in them.”
Quotable:
Poly coach Chris Schmoke: “His size, strength and athleticism made him a threat any time he is on the field. He’s a touch match up in any situation because he can run with both speed and power. Cam is a great kid and an amazing student, and as a father, you hope your kids model after a kid like Cam.”
Poly quarterback Graham Olson: ” I have had the pleasure of playing football with Cam for four years now, and he is like a brother to me. He is an exceptional student, a very passionate teammate, and one of the best athletes that I have ever played sports with. The school, the football team, and the community have been lucky to have him these past four years.”
Poly defensive back-kicker Matt Queen: “Cameron is an all around talented guy. He is not only an extremely talented football player, but also very accomplished in the classroom. On the field, he pushes us all to be better players through his unrelenting efforts in practice and during games.”
Poly receiver-defensive back Jackson Hayes: “I really admire Cam’s work ethic and preparation for each game. Not only is he a great football player physically, but he is super smart and it shows the field.”
Poly soccer player, sister (of Cam) Cayla McFarlane: “He’s the hardest worker I know. He’s really smart and witty. When he sets his mind to accomplishing something, no matter how tough, he makes it happen. That makes me work harder. Also, he never follows the crowd. He’ll make the unpopular decision if he believes it’s the right thing to do. That makes me want to be like him.”
Getting To Know Cameron McFarlane:
Favorite Team: Bears
Favorite Athlete: Kam Chancellor
Favorite Movie: The Godfather
Favorite Musical Artist: Hall and Oates
Band or Song People Might Be Surprised I Like: Toto
Famous Person (Alive or Dead) I’d Most Want A Conversation: Muhammad Ali
Prep League Standings:
Rio Hondo Prep (3-1)
Poly (3-1-1)
Trinity Classical (2-2)
Firebaugh (2-3)
Poly 2017 Football Schedule/Results:
August 25: Temple City 20, Poly 7
September 2: Poly 55, Mission of British Columbia 0
September 8: Poly 14, Brentwood 14 (triple overtime)
September 16: Poly 60, Mary Star of the Sea 0
September 22: Poly 33, Rosamond 6
September 28: Poly at Maranatha at 7
October 13: Poly at Boron at 7
October 19: Poly at Trinity Classical Academy at 7:30
October 27: Firebaugh vs Poly at South Pasadena High School at 7
November 3: Rio Hondo Prep at Poly at 2:30
