Bee’s Best prep football: No. 18 Inderkum expects a stronger showing after bulking up
The Sacramento Bee will unveil our Top 25 football rankings from No. 25 to No. 1, a team every weekday, right up to the Aug. 19 kickoff.
No. 18 Inderkum
City: Sacramento
School opened: 2004
League: Capital Valley Conference
Division: I/II
Enrollment: 2,150
2021 record: 5-5
Coach: Reggie Harris
Outlook: The telling moment for Reggie Harris last season was a late-September game at Jesuit, on the eve of the league campaign. It was a sweaty bloodbath and the Inderkum Tigers departed Carmichael with bruised pride and rubbery legs.
Jesuit walloped Inderkum 45-0, the worst setback for Inderkum since its early days as a program and the worst for Harris in a career that included years as a defensive coordinator for powerhouse Grant teams and a stretch of success as an assistant in Florida.
“It hit me that we needed to be in the weight room a lot more, and we just got bullied,” Harris said. “At that time, we had one kid who could bench press 225 pounds. Now I have 20 guys who can (on a 35-man roster). Now we have players who can be strong in the fourth quarter. It’ll make a big difference.”
Inderkum was a regional power for years under coach Terry Stark and can rise again after a 5-5 showing in 2021, Harris said, starting with the weight room. The Tigers’ lines will be strong this season, led by 6-foot-5 rush-ends Shamante Brown and Tremell Miles, both of whom double as receivers. Miles has been offered a scholarship by Washington State.
Jeremah Tutielini was “our freshman sensation” last season, Harris said, and plays on the edge and on the offensive line. He recently won the MVP at a national football camp.
“The nicest kid, but once he puts that helmet on, he’s ferocious,” Harris said.
And more bulk: Josiah Sharma is 6-4 and 300 pounds, a two-way tackle.
Carlos Wilson is a skilled two-way player, mostly known for his secondary work and potential. He has given a verbal pledge to play at Utah on scholarship, but he hasn’t been a regular to summer conditioning. Some wonder if he will transfer, or already has. Harris said he isn’t sure but has been told by Wilson he will see him for early morning practice workouts that start this week.
A player expected to play a ton of downs if Christian Harris, son of the coach, a rising junior who can play quarterback, receiver, linebacker and free safety and had a 3.9 grade-point average last year.
“I’m hard and I’m honest with him and he’s receptive because it’s not easy playing for your dad,” Harris said.
As for coaching and why he does it, Harris said, “When I look into the eyes of these young men and see some of the struggles they’ve endured, I’m honored to be able to help transform their minds, to work with them. We say to take it one day at a time. They know I’m tough on them but they know it comes from a great place. I tell them every day that I love them.”
He added, “They know I’m honest. I tell my parents to be careful what they ask for. I’m very transparent. I don’t talk about playing time. I tell our players that if they can look in the mirror and at their family and now they gave their best, then fine, otherwise keep working. I had a parent last year tell me that I have favorites. Well, yes. I like the ones who work hard, make it to practice on time, are good students and good teammates. Those are my favorites. Those are the guys I put on the field.”
Inderkum will be in the running for the Capital Valley Conference championship along with defending champion Antelope and 2021 playoff teams Yuba City, Woodcreek and Roseville.