Long before they became known as “Thunder & Lightning,” Nick O’Sullivan and Brandon Monroe of Del Oro High School lined up in football obscurity.
They were centers.
That’s right. The area’s best 1-2 backfield combination used to engage in the dirty work of a three-point stance, snapping the ball, surging ahead and paving the way for others to make first downs.
That was in youth ball, and it’s no wonder all these years later why O’Sullivan and Monroe appreciate their linemen so much.
These days, “Thunder & Lightning” as they are known by coaches, friends, fans and foes are well-suited with a ball under their arm. The Golden Eagles’ game plan is to keep defenses gassed and guessing by having O’Sullivan run between the tackles and Monroe providing the outside attack.
O’Sullivan and Monroe have produced nearly identical numbers while harboring a “one for all, all for one” team motto. They have propelled Del Oro (13-1) into Saturday’s State Division II championship game in Carson against San Diego Section juggernaut Helix of La Mesa (12-1).
This is the pinnacle for Del Oro, which has won eight Sac-Joaquin Section titles since 1989, three since 2005.
“I liked playing center,” said O’Sullivan, a senior, adding a grin. “I like this better. And we love the nickname. I’ll run hard and run over a guy, and Brandon has that great quickness and burst.”
Said Monroe, a junior: “It’s a fun nickname and it’s perfect. Nick is great at pounding the ball, and he’s fast, and I’m more of a zigzag guy.”
This season, O’Sullivan has rushed for 1,342 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 5.89 yards a pop. Monroe has 1,605 yards, 22 scores and a 6.86 average.
Imagine the glee of Del Oro offensive coordinator Jeff Dietrich, who also has a steady quarterback in Bobby Heatherington (2,133 passing yards, 22 touchdowns).
“Their competition is for every rep,” Dietrich said. “That’s how competitive they are if one breaks a run, the other wants to one-up on the very next play.
“As a play caller, getting in rhythm with a guy was important, but I learned that this competition thing is even better.”
Both entered the season wanting to be the primary back, but after a feeling-out process, they soon emerged as co-primaries.
While they push each other during practices, their respect for one another runs deep.
“He’s one of my best buds,” O’Sullivan says of Monroe.
“We look for each other to do well,” Monroe said. “I’ll point at him and he’ll point at me. It’s a great partnership. If we let the competition get to us in a wrong way, it would’ve turned out bad. But we know we need each other.”
Dietrich said the “Thunder & Lightning” tag perfectly fits the running style.
“It’s a great nickname,” he said. “Nick is exceptionally tough, and we have leaned on him. He gets the tough inside call and Brandon the explosive calls. Brandon sees things develop and sets up his blocks in the open field better than anyone I have seen at our level.”
It doesn’t end on offense.
“We love them on defense, too,” said Del Oro defensive coordinator Steve Birch.
Monroe’s closing speed at safety and O’Sullivan’s penchant for hitting and making interceptions at linebacker have been valuable to Birch’s defense. O’Sullivan has 68 tackles and two interceptions. Monroe has 56 stops and six sacks.
O’Sullivan’s dad, John, is Del Oro’s linebacker coach and his mother, Wendy, holds “Wendy’s Truckee Tacos” night every Tuesday, when the linebackers and their position coach dive in for seconds and thirds.
Involvement and camaraderie are staples for Del Oro head coach Casey Taylor. His players read to elementary school children in Loomis or take special-needs teenagers to a dance as part of the “Evening of Dreams” through the highly regarded Character Combine program.
Last spring, O’Sullivan escorted a date who was unable to speak. Her jumping for joy at the sight of O’Sullivan spoke volumes.
“He focused solely on her,” Wendy O’Sullivan said, glowingly. “She was nominated as a prom princess and Nick tended to her, walked her to the stage, holding her, comforting her when she was scared from the lights. Nick danced with her, just the two of them.
“That night was so powerful, for everyone. I cried. What I saw spoke volumes about Nick and his beautiful heart.”
O’Sullivan said he will attend the “Evening of Dreams” dance again in the spring. Monroe will, too.
Taking handoffs, supporting each other, giving back. It’s all part of the “Thunder & Lightning” package.
TALE OF THE TAPE
A look at Del Oro’s “Thunder & Lightning” backfield duo:
Nick Brandon / O’Sullivan Monroe
Thunder – Nickname – Lightning
6-0 – Height – 6-1
180 – Weight – 185
Senior – Year – Junior
228 – Attempts – 234
1,342 – Yards – 1,605
5.89 – Average – 6.86
23 – TDs – 22
161 – Most yards, game – 190
3 – Most TDs, game – 3
Source: maxpreps.com
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