Esperanza’s Little Big Men Are Buddies Who Like to Battle

Most times, it was a friendly little war, a battle between buddies. One minute, it was a race to the nearest tree. The next, a motocross bicycle jump-off. It was fun and games, kiddie Olympics, a Huck Finn-styled decathlon.

But all that changed on the football field. Out there under the stares of coaches and parents and all their tiny tot teammates, Marcus Tayui and Ryan Corbett wanted to smash each other like cheap plates in a Greek restaurant.

Didn’t matter that they were just 7 years old. Didn’t matter that they were teammates. They were fighting for the same position--running back/cornerback--and if that meant showing who’s No. 1 by hammering each other into the dirt, so be it.

Of course, someone finally got smart, as someone usually does, and told the boys with similar size to go their separate ways--Tayui to the right side, Corbett to the left.

A new offense, a new defense. Smiles all around.

More than a decade later, Tayui and Corbett are still teammates, finding room enough for two at Esperanza High. Not that room is a problem in their case. Tayui is listed as 5 feet 7 and 140 pounds. Corbett is 5-7, 145. And yes, we’re talking about the mighty Esperanza varsity here.

The same Esperanza that churns out 300-pound linemen with 0% body fat, you ask? The same Esperanza that registers 7.0 on the Richter scale simply by stepping off the bus?

Yes, that Esperanza. The mighty Aztecs, 7-0 and ranked second in Orange County, have some mini-stars this year. Not just Corbett and Tayui, but 5-10, 150-pound Scott Beckett, the littlest linebacker in school history.

Unusual? Perhaps. But what they lack in density they make up for with intensity, mostly as ball carriers but in spots as defensive backs.

In Esperanza’s 28-7 victory over Los Alamitos Friday, Corbett caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Josh Buscaglio in the first quarter. At least 15 of those yards featured Corbett carrying half the Griffin defense on his shoulders. Tayui had 42 yards in seven carries, many of which consisted of running over and around would-be tacklers twice his size.

Both players realize their size severely limits their college football potential. Asked if they ever wished they were 6-4, 230 (and still growing) like teammate Travis Kirschke, both just shrug. No use wishing for something that won’t happen, they say.

Besides, it’s not as if no one appreciates their efforts.

“Those two guys are so valuable, they have a fantastic, positive influence,� Esperanza Coach Gary Meek said. “Everyone looks up to them.�

Even if they have to look down to do so.

Those who knew Corbett and Tayui as kids are not surprised by their success in football. They figured their fearless, intense nature would help them somewhere down the line.

Corbett was so amped as a kid, losing a neighborhood game of Chutes and Ladders would throw him in a tizzy. When he played T-ball, he played every position at once, fielding every ball and tagging out every player who dared to challenge. And when a batter slid into him and knocked out two of his teeth during his freshman baseball season, Corbett slammed down his catcher’s mask and chased the guy into the dugout to tell him, well, all sorts of wonderful things.

Tayui, perhaps a notch less intense as a child, is making up for it now. As a punt returner, he has called for a fair catch only three times this year, opting to run the ball even when a gang of defenders are within arm’s reach. And, even at 140 pounds, he isn’t afraid to tell an opposing lineman or two what’s on his mind. We’re not sure what he says, but it sometimes results in an unsportsmanlike penalty for Esperanza.

In fact, in Friday’s game, Tayui apparently said something to the Los Alamitos player who tackled him that caused a flag to be thrown. This, in turn, caused assistant coach Bill Pendleton to say things to Tayui that you wouldn’t hear on The Disney Channel. The end result? Tayui had to run laps Saturday morning.

But don’t get Tayui wrong. Other than a mouth that occasionally speaks for itself, he’s a class kid with a bright, creative mind. He credits his mother as his inspiration for everything--including sports--and wears a tiny ring on his finger given to him by a girl in a stroller at Disneyland, where he worked this summer dressed as Pluto.

“She said, ‘I love you, Pluto.’ And then she gave me her ring,� says Tayui, getting somewhat teary-eyed at the memory. A minute later, he’s describing how he loves getting smashed by tacklers twice his size.

“It’s like my natural high,� he says. “I need this challenge. I love it when they go ‘What does it take to take this guy out?’ Or when you get hit really hard and the whole crowd just goes ‘Ooooooh.’ That just makes you jump up so much quicker.�

“Yeah,� Corbett adds. “And that’s the biggest (insult) to the defensive player, getting right up after he thought he really hurt you.�

Tayui: “I would never hesitate to go against a guy like Kirschke. I’d say, come on! I may get smoked, that’s the logical reaction, but you’ve got to try. . . .�

Even if it means taking on your own teammate, as Corbett took on Tayui Friday night. Tayui was ready to make the catch on a kickoff return when Corbett rushed in front of him, caught the ball and streaked 83 yards to the end zone.

When Corbett looked back, he not only saw a mass of humiliated would-be tacklers lying on the field, but his friend and teammate, Tayui, writhing in pain. Corbett didn’t realize he had collided with Tayui and bent back his wrist when Corbett made the catch.

Tayui is fine now but says he’s looking for revenge.

“In fifth grade, Ryan got me in the ribs real bad during a game,� Tayui says, smiling at his teammate. “Now he’s 2-0 on me, and he’d better watch out.�

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. Readers may reach Ludovise by writing her at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626, or calling (714) 966-5847.