The Southern California weather appears to be its biggest recruiting tool for would-be college freshmen. Take Eastlake’s Jordan Hines and Chris Fletcher for example.
The pair of Titan football standouts recently signed scholarship offers to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — a beach front college town located along California’s scenic Central Coast.
Think of Big Sur, dazzling ocean views, redwoods and nearby Santa Barbara.
“I liked the whole atmosphere about the school,” said Hines, who caught 11 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns in leading EHS to an appearance in last fall’s San Diego Section Division I semifinals.
Fletcher had similar reasons for electing to suit up for the Mustangs.
“By far the No. 1 reason was the locality — the weather is pretty much the same as it is here and it’s not too far away to come down on certain weekends to be with my family,” he said.
The Mustangs appear to have snared a couple of players who should help them down the line.
Besides excelling this past season, Hines owns the distinction of catching the game-winning touchdown in the Titans’ 21-14 victory over Vista to capture the 2009 Division I championship. He caught 13 passes for 266 yards that season.
Fletcher has likewise been a dynamo for the Titans. In 2009, he rushed for 538 yards, tacked on 503 receiving yards, totaled 14 touchdowns and four interceptions on defense. Last season, as the Mesa League Offensive Player of the Year, he rushed for 666 yards, with 389 receiving yards,10 touchdowns and three picks.
Besides the amenable weather, both Eastlake standouts said their second reason for signing was the hospitable feelings they received from the coaching staff.
“They made you feel like family,” Fletcher said.
“I liked the whole school — it’s a great school for academics,” Hines added.
Both players received input from the Cal Poly coaching staff that they would have an opportunity to challenge for playing time as true freshmen.
That was also a big drawing card.
Fletcher said he had a choice to pick a position — either running back or defensive back. He chose defensive back.
“I like scoring touchdowns but I also like stopping touchdowns,” he said.
Hines is looking to continue his success at the collegiate level as a receiver.
Both players look to lend support to one another as their college football careers unfold. They had made a pact to follow the other wherever the first one landed.
“It was a goal to go there,” Hines said.
Hines appears to have all the right athletic moves after placing fifth in the state in the triple jump at last year’s state track and field championship meet in Clovis. He also earned selection to the second team All-Mesa League team in roller hockey during the winter sports season.
Fletcher is competing in the sprint distances this spring on the Titan track team.
“My best memories at Eastlake?” Hines mused. “Winning CIF, catching the game-winning touchdown, going to state in the triple jump.”
There expects to be many more golden moments for both EHS standouts down the line.
Local fans could be in for a preview when Cal Poly opens the 2011 season against San Diego State University Sept. 3 at Qualcomm Stadium.
