With an arm pressed over the defender’s chest, senior Maddox Bernardino escapes the tough defense for a touchdown, giving the Diamond Bar High School football team an upper hand in what has been a flurry of dominance.

With the first three games of the season being wins for the Brahmas, Bernardino has been the catalyst of it all. Scoring three touchdowns and 267 yards in the season opener vs. Esperanza, he cemented himself at the state level, having the most receiving yards in all of California. 

“It was fun going into my senior year playing with my friends and doing what I love,” Bernardino said. “I just tried my best to help the team win, and it was a fun feeling.”

The Rodeo Roundup game against Chino was not short of this brilliance as Bernardino led DB to a 27-7 blowout with his one touchdown. In the game against Covina, Bernardino scored yet another touchdown with the most receiving yards in the game, giving the Brahmas another win 23-14. 

“I train with our quarterback Ryan Lewis on weekends and weekdays,” Bernardino said. “[During] off season, I go to parks with my friends and work on routes.” 

Aside from the football commitment, Bernardino is also a star player on the Brahma Baseball team. 

Bernardino started his football career after his friends introduced him to the sport, wanting him to join the team. He then grew into a polished player, hoping for a future in the sport.

“[Football] taught me how to bond with a group and call people that aren’t blood-related family,” Bernardino said. “I plan to play football in college and hopefully professionally one day.” 

Over the past three years of playing for DB, Bernardino has obtained a very well- polished resume, being All-Hacienda League First Team and All-CIF. He was also named San Gabriel Valley Boys Athlete of the Week and voted as Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week. 

With the season just starting, Bernardino also has very high expectations for himself and the team this year, both during practices and the actual season.

“I want to finish top three in receiving yards in the state,” Bernardino said. “[And also] win a state title and CIF.”

Bernardino does not currently have any offers to college, but is looking to attend the University of North Carolina or University of Notre Dame.