Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Chris Billar of De La Salle High
Chris Billar
Grade: Senior
School: De La Salle High
Sports: Rugby, Football
Cal Berkeley’s legendary rugby program won a fierce recruiting battle with local rivals Saint Mary’s College along with other teams from around the county to land a commitment from De La Salle’s Chris Biller.
The Concord athlete was a two-sport standout for the Spartans. He was an all-league lineman on the football team while his rugby coach Derek Holmberg says he was “considered the most dominant No. 12 (inside center) in the entire state” this season.
And the coach knows of what he speaks as De La Salle was the consensus No. 1 team in California and ranked third in the nation this spring. Biller led the way for the Spartans in tackles and was a repeat NorCal all-star. Holmberg adds, “Chris was a two-time captain and three-year varsity player who will go down as one of the most dominant players on both sides of the ball we’ve ever had. He has the potential to be a star at Cal for the Bears and might even be able to put on the USA jersey when all is said and done.”
To get their high rankings the Spartans went 14-1, won the Northern California premier Championship and the California State Championship. The local squad beat the #3, #5, #8, #10, #12 and #15 ranked teams in the country. They also defeated one of the top teams in British Columbia who finished 2023 ranked #1.
A true Spartan
Biller attended Ayers Elementary and Pine Hollow Middle School before De La Salle. DLS football coach Justin Alumbaugh says of his three-year player and all-EBAL lineman last fall for the Northern California champions, “Chris is one of the toughest, team oriented and versatile athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching. A true Spartan.”
The Pioneer congratulates Chris and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka. They have served the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who deserves recognition? Perhaps they have shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement, or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.