Danville HS    is looking ahead to a big game in Northern California as the 4-0 Oaks take on North Bay.

It seems every game is a big one for Danville this season as they look at trying to overhaul Jesuit in the NorCal club Varsity Gold Division. If they are going to make it happen, it’s going to be thanks to a deep and talented squad, but one that’s led by some players with real potential. Matt Snyder is the team’s captain and will be lost to rugby during college as he has accepted a scholarship to play football at Nebraska.

There’s also Keanu Andrade and Kyle Makaiwi are HSAA-level players. But perhaps the biggest influence on Danville’s success could be Lorenzo Richardson.

“He has a great attitude and is the ultimate team player,” said Coach John Straka. “Last year, he was our starting 13 and also started some wing at a high level. This year, we switched him to the forwards where he's been a standout 6 or 7. We are pretty light in the front row so he volunteered to play prop when we need him and is very strong there. With our hooker going down for maybe the season against Hayward, he is going to play there now. I believe he'll be a surprise candidate to play hooker for the HSAA team this year.”

Richardson made the transition from back to forward nicely, and in fact seems more at home in the rucks, often the first to loom over the ball and steal it in the tackle. We asked him about his development as a player, and it all came back down to the team.

“All of us as a team are playing pretty well,” said Richardson. “We’re coming off some tough, physical games against Peninsula Green and Hayward, and I think we’re feeing really good about our performance. The thing about our team is that we’re sharing the load. We’re not just a one-headed monster.”

Richardson said that perhaps the team relied a bit too much on HSAA star Vili Helu last year (Helu is now starting as a freshman for St. Mary’s). But without Helu on the team everyone has decided to try to fill his shoes.

“We made a commitment to being fundamentally sound and we’re sharing the wealth. We like playing the best teams, and we know we have to play as a team to get there.”

Smart words from a player who, through all the changes he’s undergone, has epitomized the Danville approach.

Lorenzo Richardson is our Aircraft Charter Solutions Player of the Week.