INLAND FIELDHOUSE

Take a closer look at Norco senior LB Scott Starr and behind the bombast and you’ll see one intensely focused individual.

I spoke to Starr following the Cougars’ 42-38 victory over Etiwanda in Week 2 and I met a guy as intense as his reputation has suggested, which was that of a 6-foot-3, 220-pound physical freak who plays on the edge.

Some reputations don’t live up to the hype, especially in the world of prep football.

That was definitely not the case with Starr, who came into the game a prized USC commit with a Twitter feed description that includes the words “mind-blowing hair,” among other things.

Well, the hair didn’t completely check out, but his penchant for verbal confidence certainly did.

I caught up with him on the sideline following a second half in which Norco had rallied from a 30-28 halftime deficit.

So what happened at halftime? Did the Cougars flip a switch?

“We told ourselves we weren’t going to let the offense score. Unfortunately,  the scored six points after the half. We just need to be able to come out fast. That’s pretty much it,” Starr said.

Who said what at halftime?

“The coaches kind of set us in our place. They let us know were not out here playing for the fab.” … (I have no idea what he means here. I figure it’s youthful exuberance and/or complete gibberish) … “were out here to play football. And that’s what we love to do.”

You’re the leader of the defense, right? What’d you say to your guys? 

“They were pumped. We just need to keep working. I see a lot of potential in this team. All off our secondary is young. They’ve had a hard time stepping up to the varsity level. They’re great kids, and they’re great athletes, so they’re gonna step up. The game will slow down for them.”

Where does the train end for this team?

“CIF. That’s all we talk about. CIF ring and possibly state, but we’re focused on CIF first.”

Brash talk is clearly nothing new for Starr. He tweeted “Etiwandaaaaaaa,” anda minute later “Alter Ego slowly coming out,” before Friday’s game.

Neither, apparently, has been the ability to back it up. He had seven solo tackles — two for losses — and a sack in the victory for Norco (2-0), FOMB’s No. 1 team for a second consecutive week.

Bigger test await for the Cougars, who play perennial formidable Upland this week and Corona Centennial a few weeks later.

For now, though, Starr has passed at least one test. (Albeit completely subjective.)

He lived up to his reputation.