Mtn. View football: Daniel Lau profile

In mid-April, I interviewed Mountain View (Idaho) running back Daniel Lau and we talked about the Mavericks' 2011 football season. Here is the article that will appear in this year's football yearbook.

Daniel Lau

His effort in Mavericks' win over Eagle

led a season full of great memories

By Bruce Smith
Matchup

            Daniel Lau had no trouble recalling the best memory of his high school athletic career.

            It was Mountain View’s final game of the regular season – at Eagle. Lau topped his 157-yard rushing night with two touchdowns, including a 50-yard scamper that gave the Mavericks some breathing room in their 37-16 victory.
            “It’s always good to beat Eagle,” he said. “They were unbeaten. That whole week our whole team was getting pumped. We knew we had the talent. We came out with a different attitude and brought it to them.”
            That long touchdown run was one of the big plays of the season. Lau remembered it well.
            “We were in a run package,” he said. “We had a motion guy go across the opposite way we were running, and ran a counter-left. I saw a big hole made by my O-line. I saw the safety and gave him a little shake and I was gone.”
            When he finished, he was immediately surrounded by his teammates, then he and his best friend, Logan Deroin, continued their tradition by exchanging high fives and hugs.
            “We did that every time I scored,” Lau said.
            Lau was Mountain View’s leading rusher. He rambled for 857 yards and crossed the goal line nine times. He started the season slowly, but had big games against Borah, Boise and then the 157-yard effort against Eagle.
            Afterward, it led to a celebration at Rudy’s, the restaurant across the street from Mountain View.
                “There were always bunch of parents at Rudy’s after the games,” Lau said. “Whenever a player would walk in, everybody would start applauding.”
                A first-round loss to Coeur d’Alene in the 5A state playoffs – or the Mavericks loss to Rocky Mountain on “Senior Night” couldn’t put a damper on all the good memories.
                “I thought it was a pretty good season,” he said. “Our record shows we did well. We beat Eagle and that was a big step, and we had never beaten Eagle or Centennial.”
            The Rocky loss might have actually been a blessing. The Mavericks came out to practice and seemed more focused than before. Lau said everyone was “clued in” and none of the players were goofing around.
            “Everyone just wanted to win,” he said.
            Thanks to Lau and Mountain View’s often-dominating offensive line, the Mavericks did win. Lau and quarterback Kai Turner combined for over 1,500 yards. Their ability to move the chains also helped Turner become more conservative with his throws. He tossed 11 touchdowns, and had just one interception all season.
            At the team’s post-season banquet, Lau was honored for his offensive production. His ability to use his 5-foot-11, 200-pound stature to not only run over tacklers, but run by them was a big advantage.
            “During the offseason, I mainly worked on lifting weights and getting bigger, faster and stronger,” he said. “I also worked a lot on footwork.
            “I’ll never be like Chase Hafer (the team’s fastest player), but there were several times when it was noticeable.”
            When the season ended, Lau placed his uniform (No. 24) on his bedroom wall beside his brother, Jake’s No. 62. He joined the track team and was competing in the sprints (100 meters, 400-meter relay) and the long jump.
            After graduation, he hoped to attend the College of Western Idaho and then move on to a four-year school and earn a radiology degree.
            “My mom works in a hospital,” he said. “She has a friend who is a radiologist and I got interested watching him.”