2 FACES OF DEPAIVA; HE'S FRIENDLY, HE'S INTENSE; EITHER WAY, CENTURIONS BENEFIT.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

Jared DePaiva is listed at 6-foot and 200 pounds on the Saugus High roster, but he will tell you he is more like 5-11 and 185. Most players like to add an inch or two and five or 10 pounds.

But that's DePaiva, honest, hard working, genial.

Oh, and if you are on the other side of the football from him, he'll knock the stuffing out of you.

So much for Mr. Nice Guy.

``Jared is phenomenal,'' teammate Corey Pearson said. ``He plays with an unbelievable amount of emotion. All the time. You can tell he loves the game, just by the way he plays.''

Said coach Ron Hilton:``We think he is one of the best linebackers in Southern California. His intensity is unparalleled.''

DePaiva simply enjoys the competition, with himself and his opponent.

``Playing football is a good way to test yourself,'' DePaiva said. ``The competition. The battle. It a good feeling to know that you beat the other guy.''

DePaiva has been testing himself on the varsity since last season as a sophomore, when he earned the Centurions' defensive MVP award. Recently, he set a school record with 22 tackles against Canyon.

``I was surprised when I heard I had the record,'' DePaiva said. ``I didn't think I had that many. But a lot of it had to do with the defensive scheme we were running. The defensive line was taking care of what they had to and everything came at me and (linebacker) Brian Kalb.''

His effort didn't surprise Hilton.

``Jared is a throwback,'' Hilton said. ``He goes 100 miles per hour on every play, without exception. He seldom gets any dings, because he is always the one delivering the blows.''

DePaiva likes his linebacker position, but he is always ready for any assignment.

He is on the Centurions' special teams and would play offense if the coaches asked him too.

``He helps run the other teams' defense in practice and he taunts our offense,'' Hilton said. ``He's into it, all the time. He raises everyones intensity level.''

Following his record game against Canyon, DePaiva played a big part in Saugus' victory over Valencia, which wrapped up second place in the Foothill League and gave the Centurions a school-record eight victories and the third seed in the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

``He was taking on some big people in that game,'' Hilton said. ``And going through them. He made it possible for our defense to keep (Valencia running back) Manuel White in check.''

DePaiva also delivered a hit that won't soon be forgotten.

It was on a kickoff return and DePaiva was blocking for teammate Brett Draimin.

``I saw four Valencia guys coming after him,'' DePaiva said. ``This one player looked right at me, he lowered and I lowered. We hit crown-to-crown.''

DePaiva bounced right up, but the Valencia player didn't. He was out. He started twitching and after several anxious moments was finally able to walk off the field.

``It was the loudest hit I've heard on a football field,'' Hilton said.

``There's always an adrenaline rush after a hit like that,'' DePaiva said. ``But I was a little worried about it at first, then I saw him get up and I knew he was all right, then I was proud of my hit again.''

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Photo

PHOTO Saugus junior linebacker Jared DePaiva won the team's defensive MVP award last season. Now, he leads the Centurions into the Division III playoffs.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer