Manderino to start for Cal

Former Newport Harbor High football star Chris Manderino, a

redshirt freshman at UC Berkeley, has been named the starting

fullback for the Golden Bears’ opener Saturday against visiting

Baylor.

Manderino, who received no Division I-A scholarship offers after

amassing 2,141 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior tailback

in 2000, has also been awarded a full scholarship by first-year coach

Jeff Tedford, said Chris’ father, Paul Manderino.

The younger Manderino, who quarterbacked the 1999 Sailors to the

CIF Southern Section Division VI title, then led the Tars to the 2000

Division VI championship game en route to being named All-CIF and the

Newport-Mesa District Most Valuable Player, won the job with an

impressive spring and fall camp. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, who wears

jersey No. 27, has gained about 20 pounds since high school.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 12:30 p.m.

-- by Barry Faulkner