Oakdale High School

House Carries On Proud Oakdale Mustang Tradition


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July 20, 2010

By Ike Dodson


Tim House may very well go on to deliver a tremendous four-year career with Fresno State University’s reputable NCAA Division I football program, but the Bulldog on his chest will never cover the Mustang in his heart.The 2010 Oakdale High graduate, two-time all Sac-Joaquin Section football player, discus school record holder and talented wrestler will always bleed scarlet and gold.The Mustang standout accumulated a spectacular four-year prep career, closed by a superb senior season in three sports, paving way for his selection as the 2009-10 Oakdale Leader Male Athlete of the Year.“I will always be a Mustang ‘til the day I am dead,” House said on Sunday. “There is nothing like Oakdale football and the crowds we played for.”An all-section linebacker as a junior, House transitioned to fullback for his senior season and watched stellar linemen teammates open holes for a huge 13-game season under the lights.And House was best in the team’s biggest games of the season. He ran for over 100 yards against Novato, 114 against East Union, 94 against Manteca, 129 on Sierra, and 141 at Sonora.In the playoffs, House rattled of consecutive games of 126 (Natomas), 118 (Vanden) and 181 (Inderkum) yards. Inderkum had injured both Blake Raham and Devin Brooks early in the SJS semi-final and watched House bully his way to bruising gain after gain up the middle of the field.House attributes his success in that game and all other Mustang contests to a tenacious offensive line that brutalized defenders throughout the season.“We were really blessed with an offensive line that knew how to work together and lead the way,” House said. “They pushed people around and they were able to open holes for all of our running backs.”With linemen like Monty Monlux, Tim Bernard and Joey Machado opening holes, House thrived in quick handoffs up the middle or deceptive attacks behind his offense tackles. He earned first team al league honors for his efforts and was recognized as an all-section running back.“Just being a Mustang and playing football with all the friends you have grown up with was a truly awesome experience,” House said. “The whole atmosphere in The Corral with people cheering and huge crowds is something I will never forget.”The loss to Inderkum one game shy of the section finals signaled an end to a successful prep football career, and the start to a wrestling season that saw House make his return to the mat for the first time since junior high.But House showed little signs of rust, winning big matches including all but one Valley Oak League dual in a sharp season with the Mustangs.An illness just before the league finals kept House from the grappling postseason, but his big wins on the mat played a huge role in Oakdale’s team section title and superb 2009-10 season.In track and field, House got a rude awakening to the strength of local throwers when he was handily beaten by Escalon’s Brandon Cavanaugh in both the shot put and discus during the preseason.Months later, House had repeatedly broken the school discus record and heaved an astounding 176-foot discus toss to finish second at the SJS Masters and advance to state. House was also second in the discus and shot at the Division III championships.“Tim is a big, athletic kid who really came on his senior year,” Oakdale track coach Dave Bacigalupi said. “It took him a while to take advantage of his power, but he showed a lot of dedication and resolve this past season.”House had to make some big improvements among a serious crop of 2010 throwers. He was one of three Division III discus throwers to set new records at the D-III championships and joined several locals (including fourth in state Markus Sanders of Pitman) at the state meet.“It was a huge year for throwers, and I was lucky to have great competition all year long,” House said. “I had a grudge to get better after losing to the guy from Escalon and it really motivated me.”The Oakdale grad has been convinced to walk on to the Fresno State football team by the Bulldog coaching staff. He begins camps and workouts with the team in August.“Of course I have a new team and new colors to wear, but it won’t change anything as far as my loyalty to Oakdale,” House said. “It feels weird just to be in town and see the football team running without me.”
 

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