Orange County Prep Player of the Week : Estes Makes Points Through His Anger

Someone ought to get Dorian Estes of Valencia High School really angry this week. Someone, that is, who wants to see him play spectacular football again.

Estes, The Times’ Player of the Week, led the Tigers to a 33-10 victory over Bolsa Grande Friday night by scoring four touchdowns and making three interceptions. He scored on runs of 4, 10 and 55 yards and returned an interception 40 yards for another touchdown. A feat, Estes says, that resulted from the anger he built up before the game.

“I was pretty mad for this one,� said Estes, a senior running back. “That’s how I play best. I have to get mad about something first.�

Estes doesn’t appear to be the angry type. If anything, he might be one to raise an eyebrow at people being too noisy in the school library.

When game time draws near, however, Estes turns into a Tiger via his special strategy.

“I try all week to come up with something that makes me really mad,� said Estes. “Usually, I can think up something if nothing bad has really happened. Sometimes I wait all week for something to happen, when nothing does, I’ll have to create it.�

Like what, for instance?

“Girls, sometimes. Or it was my mother last week. I’m supposed to be getting a car and I haven’t gotten it yet. That’s what did it for me last Friday.�

That, and the third-quarter tackle that took teammate Tony Goulet off the field and to the hospital with a torn knee ligament. After already scoring three touchdowns during the first quarter, Estes let Goulet’s injury spark some additional anger.

“I knew it was just an accident,� said Estes. “But still . . . it made me even madder. And then the coach (Mike Marrujo) told me it (running back position) would be my responsibility now. It helped me get that last touchdown.�

After he lets his emotions quiet down, Estes enjoys lifting weights. Not just for football’s sake, but for a sport he wishes to become competitive in after high school: body building.

“I really like it,� he said. “I read books and articles on body building. . . . I like the way it looks. I’ll probably still play football too, though, if I can.�

Estes admits he hasn’t received any letters of interest from major universities, so he says he’ll be content to play at a community college.

“I’ll probably go to Fullerton (College),� he said.

This week, Estes has to prepare for Valencia’s first Orange League game against Magnolia Thursday. “I want us to run over them,� he said. “I’ll probably keep thinking about not getting my car yet.�