'He's bigger, faster and stronger': Golden West's Case Anders charges forward after injury

Case Anders is a multifaceted football player.

The Golden West High School senior running back can catch the ball, run the football and be counted on to make a big play when the Traiblazers need one.

Those are reasons why Anders is a two-time All-East Yosemite League first-team pick and a primary reason Golden West should be considered a dark horse to win a league championship this season.

When asked what Anders wanted to accomplish this season at the EYL media day in late July, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Trailblazers had an ambitious answer.

"I like to break at least 1,500 rushing yards this year," Anders said. "I want to win league. That's one big goal of mine."

More: Tulare County football: Everything you need to know for the 2024 season

Anders' junior season was cut short in 2023.

He dislocated his kneecap on the very first play of scrimmage against Mt. Whitney last October and missed Golden West's final four games.

The Trailblazers, however, did advance to the Central Section Division III playoffs but fell 30-29 to runner-up Kerman.

With Anders back in the fold and a cornerstone piece in Golden West's Air Raid offense, the Trailblazers may have the pieces in place to make a memorable run.

And it'll start with Anders, who enters his senior year with a career 885 yards rushing, 33 catches for 294 yards and eight total touchdowns.

"He's bigger, faster and stronger than he was the last two years," Golden West head coach Travis Anderson said. "That's just a testament to the type of player he is. The kind of kid he is, the kind of upbringing that he had. I'm super excited for him. It opens up a lot of possibilities in our offense to revolve around him."

How did Anders bounce back from his injury?

"I would do weight training," Anders said. "I did a lot of physical therapy. I would go get massages and everything, just work on it, work on balance, get back in shape."

Anders is just one of three Tulare County running backs returning this season with 200 yards rushing in a single game on their resumes. The others are Exeter's Niqo Calderon (202 yards) and Strathmore's Gerardo Ruiz (225 yards).

In a 23-19 win over Monache last year, he exploded for 223 yards rushing and a touchdown. He averaged five yards per carry last season.

Anders and Golden West kick off the 2024 season at Arroyo Grande on Aug. 23 in San Luis Obispo County. The Trailblazers host Dinuba on Aug. 30 for their home opener at Visalia Community Stadium.

"The weight room has been out of control this season," Anderson said. "I have been having to order more weights because guys are lifting as much as they are. It's an exciting time for us with the group of kids that we have. We have four returning guys on the offensive line that we're excited about and the guys at the skilled positions."

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 'He's bigger, faster and stronger': Golden West's Case Anders charges forward after injury