The 49ers High School Player of the Week Award for week seven goes to Demarii Blanks of Carlmont High School in Belmont, CA.
It is safe to say Demarii Blanks, Clarmont High School running back, is feeling good and ready to go. If he wasn't one-hundred percent the week before, one would've never guessed in Friday night's outing when the Mills High School Vikings came to town. The Carlmont Scots won the league matchup by a score of 44-41, largely due to the play of junior running back, Demarii Blanks.
Blanks missed last week's game against El Camino High School after being sidelined for precautionary reasons, but came back this week hungry for a big performance, and that he certainly had.
The Carlmont offense typically distributes the carries amongst three great running backs, but this week it was Blanks' number that was called upon.
"He has had several phenomenal games this season, but he was especially good in this one," said Carlmont High School Head Coach
Jake Messina. "He dominated the game."
"In this type of offense we usually spread the ball to our three backs, but with the way they chose to defend us, it made sense to give him the ball and he did his thing, which he usually tends to do," continued Coach.
The powerful back ran for 260 yards on just 16 carries. He accounted for four of the team's six touchdowns, including a 64-yard run. Blanks' ability to break off once he hits the second level is uncanny and certainly scary for opposing defenses. At 190 pounds, with his speed, the threat he poses is serious.
"He causes a lot of problems for teams. His ability to accelerate is probably what stands out the most. Over 190 pounds, and you can accelerate like that on a dime… that helps us quite a bit," said Coach Messina.
Blank was voted a team captain as a junior and first year varsity player. He is highly respected by his teammates and has quickly turned into a quite leader of the team.
"He is the glue that holds us together. The way he practices and the way he goes about preparing has helped us get to the point we are at now," said his head coach.
In addition to being a football star for Carlmont, Demarii is also an elite basketball player for the school. Demarii manages to balance his studies and excel in the classroom while maintaining a year-round practice schedule.
"He's a very intelligent football player, a good teammate, a captain, a great student; he does it all," praised Coach Messina.
As the home school of the 49ers High School Player of the Week, Carlmont High School will receive a $500 grant for their football program from the 49ers Foundation. As part of this award, Demarii will receive two tickets to a 49ers home game where he will be recognized on the field. At the end of the season, Demarii will be invited to the SAP Performance Facility to watch a closed practice where 49ers head coach, Chip Kelly, will officially present him with his award.
Congratulations, Demarii!
