Bishop Diego High School’s Qu’Ran Gossett is eager to have a big year and show his stuff against the other star running backs and teams of the rugged Marmonte League.
The Cardinals’ powerful back has increased his strength in the weight room, and improved his speed and athleticism by training at P3, the renowned athletic performance center in Santa Barbara.
“I can already feel myself getting faster and stronger and more athletic,” he said.
He’s worked on becoming a better receiver and route runner, which will make him even more dangerous to opposing defenses.
“I’m extremely excited about it,” said Gossett of playing in the Marmonte League. “I can’t wait to play the competition. There are D1 players (in the league), and there will be a lot of exposure.
“I can’t wait to see what our team can do. We’re already a small school as it is, so nobody believes in us. It’s going to be big for us (playing in this league).”
Gossett tore it up in the Camino League last season, leading Bishop Diego to the title. He rushed for more than 120 yards in the Cardinals’ three league wins, capped by an 182-yard, three-touchdown performance against Camarillo.
He was named the league’s offensive MVP.
He had a memorable game against a strong Bakersfield-Liberty team as he became the primary running back after senior Marcus Chan went down with an injury. He rushed for 167 yards on 23 carries, and scored four touchdowns, including the game winner in a 28-21 victory at La Playa Stadium.
He bounced off defenders and bolted down the sideline for a 45-yard score in the fourth quarter.
“Qu’Ran had a phenomenal fall when you realize his carries were shared through the Liberty game until Marcus Chan got hurt,” said coach Tom Crawford.
He had a terrific winter, too, helping Bishop Diego win a CIF-SS basketball title.
With all the training he’s put in to get ready for his final football season at Bishop, the 5-foot-11 Gossett is a rock-hard 206 pounds.
“Qu’Ran is stronger than he’s ever been,” said Crawford. “He’s going to be a guy we’re going to have to lean on pretty heavily, particularly in league.
“He’s worked on his quickness, he catches the ball well. I’m excited for him, to see what he’s like and how he performs this year. I know he’s been chomping at the bit to get to his senior year.”
He is coming off a big junior year, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns on the ground.
In league play, he’ll be going against standout running backs such as Delon Thompson of St. Bonaventure, Simi Valley’s Caleb Alvary, King Miller of Calabasas, and Johnny Thompson of Oaks Christian.
“We’re expecting big things from him,” Crawford said. “In the Marmonte, you’ve got a lot of really good runners. I think every team has a returner who was a big yardage-per-game-type ball carrier.”
Crawford said in the ball-control, clock-eating offense the Cardinals run, “it’s critical for us to have a guy who can carry a big load, running the ball in the power game.
“Qu’Ran is that type of ball carrier.”