Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on D’Antonio Jerome
Name: D’Antonio Jerome
Team: Mt. Diablo High School
Grade: Senior
Sports: Football, Basketball
Coach Donald James is in his fourth year coaching Mt. Diablo football. One of the first players he met when he started in the fall of 2018 was freshman D’Antonio Jerome, one of five seniors on this year’s team who started on the junior varsity that first year and have been with the varsity the past three seasons. “D’A is a leader on and off the field. He’s one of those kids who works hard. He’s at practice every day, even when he’s injured,” his coach says.
The team’s quarterback and free safety has been a captain for three years. Jerome was all-Diablo Athletic League Valley Division his sophomore year when the team was 2-8 after James’ first team went winless the previous fall. Last year’s squad won the school’s first league football championship in decades.
There were no playoffs or all-league teams last year for the abbreviated spring season when Jerome led his team to an unbeaten record. In the DAL title game against crosstown rival Concord High Jerome threw five touchdown passes to freshman Willie Ward and ran for another TD in the 60-13 victory.
More than his success on the football field or basketball court, James looks forward to Jerome graduating next June and hopefully finding him a spot to continue playing in college. To demonstrate his player’s dedication, Coach DJ says Jerome is in the weight room with football teammates after his basketball practice. The Red Devils defeated American 16-6 last Friday in their first home game, but the QB was disappointed by his performance and told his coach, “I need to get back in the lab and watch film.”
The Pioneer congratulates D’Antonio and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.