INLAND FIELDHOUSE

Deayon is a front-runner for Inland Area Player Of The Year honors. / Dennis Pope Photography

Take a closer look at Fontana Summit senior Donte Deayon and you’ll see one of the best, most articulate players the Inland Area has ever produced.

A world-class athlete, Deayon will be taking his considerable talents to Boise State next season.

He’ll take with him an extensive prep resume that includes back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons as well as the Inland Area all-time record with 16 interceptions.

I caught up with Deayon after Fontana Summit’s 42-10 victory over Victorville Silverado in a CIF-Southern Section Eastern Division quarterfinal playoff game.

What can you take from this victory into next week?

“We need to take this confidence into next week,” Deayon said. “To go out and attack, especially on defense, and take over the game in the first quarter. We spread out (Silverado’s) defense and they couldn’t stop us. We ran the ball and they couldn’t stop us. Serrano’s a good team. We beat them last year in the semifinals so we know what were up against.”

What’s it going to take to win a CIF title, in your mind?

“Unbelievable hard work,” Deayon said. “I think the will is there, among the team, to do it this season because we didn’t do it last season. We want more of ourselves.”

What are you looking forward to most about Boise State?

“I’m not sure. I want to win a CIF title first.”

As you can read, he answered each of my questions thoughtfully and without slang or cliché, a real irregularity among today’s prep athletes.

Rumor has it he was born in Africa, perhaps Ghana, and that his speech is a reflection of his proper English background. Whatever the case, he’s clearly capable and confident, and a front-runner for Inland Area Player Of The Year.