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Central Valleys Lumpkin makes a name for himself
Jamarea participates in Rotary All-Star Game
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Jamarea Lumpkin had a breakout season with Central Valleys varsity football team last fall. Lumpkin rushed for 1,001 yards and 14 touchdowns. - photo by DALE BUTLER/Courier file photo

Jamarea Lumpkin enjoyed the experience of representing Central Valley High School at the 31st Annual North-South Rotary All-Star Football Game this past month in Merced.

Two years earlier, Lumpkin was a spectator.

Ja'Quan Gardner, Jamarea's older brother, was a participant.

"Neither of us are too emotional," Lumpkin said. "When he does something good, he knows I'm proud of him. It's a silently brother love."

Jamarea picked up a first down on a short run in the third quarter during the North's 29-7 pasting of the South on June 24 at Golden Valley's Veterans Stadium.

Ja'Quan's team won the 2014 contest, 35-13.

Gardner ran for two scores and hauled in one touchdown pass.

"I wasn't expecting to be picked to play in the game," Lumpkin said. "It's always something I wanted to do. Not just because my brother played in it. It was a good experience. It was fun. I wish I was handed the ball more. But I missed practice."

Jamarea's family members, including his brother, mother and grandfather, attended the all-star game.

Central Valley coaches Scott Edwards and Jr. Johnson were also in the stands.

"A whole bunch of people that have never seen me play got to see what I could do," Lumpkin said. "It's a nice honor knowing the best of the best were chosen for the game. The coaching staff was great. Everybody got along. I was expecting more of a battle. We had more discipline."

Lumpkin had a productive two-year career with Central Valley's varsity football team.

Jamarea totaled 1,525 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground as the Hawks posted a combined record of 12-9 (7-5 in the Western Athletic Conference) and participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs once.

Ja'Quan broke the Stanislaus District's career and single-season rushing yard records during his three-year varsity career.

He rumbled for 2,467 yards and 27 touchdowns his senior year.

Gardner totaled 6,014 yards and 67 TDs in 31 career games.

Ja'Quan earned a scholarship to Humboldt State.

"I exceeded my expectations," Lumpkin said. "I never felt any pressure following in my brother's footsteps. We're two different types of running backs. He has more speed and agility. He's used to shaking people out of their shoes. He gets away from contact. I run towards it. I'm used to breaking tackles. We kind of do our own thing."

Jamarea had a breakout season for the Hawks this past fall.

"I was faster and stronger," said Lumpkin, who rushed for 1,001 yards and 14 TDs in 11 games. "I was more patient. I had better vision."

Lumpkin was named to the WAC First Team.

Central Valley compiled a 7-4 overall record, placed second in the WAC standings (5-1) and qualified for the playoffs.

"I contributed more this year," Jamarea said. "That was the most enjoyable part."

Lumpkin teamed up with fellow 2016 Central Valley grad Moses Ghiorso at the Rotary All-Star Game.

Ghiorso intercepted one pass while contributing at defensive back.

"I almost had three more," said Moses, who also forced a fumble. "The ball slipped through my hands."

Ghiorso improved his record to 2-0 as a player in all-star contests.

Moses broke up a third-down pass, had a 45-yard punt return and rushed for 15 yards on two carries during the South's 28-20 win over the North at the 43rd Annual Central California Conference Lions All-Star Game on June 18 in Tracy.

"They're my last high-school games," Ghiorso said. "I enjoyed getting to know the other players. It was amazing."

Adrian Badillo, a third standout from Central Valley, earned an invitation to the Rotary All-Star Game.

Badillo couldn't play because he had to work.