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Paradise senior running back Luke Brown named The Sporting News Player of the Week for Week 4 | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 11:19 GMT by Sporting News
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Luke Brown of Paradise High Earns Sporting News “Player of the Week” Title for Week 4

When a senior running back from a small California town is named the Sporting News Player of the Week, it usually means he had a game that left the entire state talking. That’s exactly what happened last Sunday night, when Luke Brown, the star back for Paradise High School, hauled in a season‑shattering performance against the rival Stanislaus Valley Spartans and captured the coveted award for Week 4 of the 2024 high‑school football season.

The Game That Made Headlines

The week’s highlight game took place at Paradise’s newly‑built Memorial Stadium, a temporary arena set up after the Camp Fire of 2018 destroyed the original school. The Spartans, the only other team from the high‑school‑football‑powered “Central Valley Conference,” had been a formidable opponent all season, boasting a 4‑1 record. The stakes were high: the game not only decided the conference standings but also set the stage for Paradise’s potential trip to the state playoffs.

Luke Brown exploded from the first play. He ran for 312 yards on 23 carries, averaging 13.6 yards per carry. He also had a 98‑yard touchdown run that was nothing short of a highlight reel moment. In addition to his rushing work, Brown caught 4 passes for 68 yards and added two receiving touchdowns. With five total touchdowns and a touchdown‑scoring rate of 22 %, he accounted for 55 % of Paradise’s 49 points.

The game footage shows Brown’s mix of power, speed, and vision. He frequently left defenders behind on downhill lanes, and his blocking was often the difference between a modest yardage run and a monster play. When the Spartans tried to defend the outside, he found open space and put the ball back into the end zone with a clean break. In the fourth quarter, Brown’s clutch performance kept the Spartans from mounting a comeback, sealing a 49‑21 victory for Paradise.

Season Context

The week‑four win was Brown’s third straight game with over 200 yards. Over the first four weeks of the season, he has already racked up 1,208 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns—figures that place him third in the state for most rushing yards among senior running backs. His per‑game average of 302 yards is a record‑breaking pace that could propel him into the national conversation for the top high‑school running backs of 2024.

Sporting News has been following Brown’s trajectory since the 2022‑2023 season when he first broke the school record for single‑season rushing yards (1,025). A link to his player profile on Sporting News (https://www.sportingnews.com/us/highschool/player/luke-brown-paradise/) confirms that his college‑scouting rating is 3‑star with interest from mid‑tier Division I programs such as Fresno State, Oregon State, and the University of Idaho. The profile also lists his height and weight: 5‑10, 190 lb—a prototypical frame for a modern dual‑-threat back.

Coaching Praise and Community Support

Paradise High’s head coach, Tony Martinez, praised Brown for his “mental toughness and leadership.” In a brief post‑game interview, Martinez said, “Luke has shown that he can read the defense, hit the line of scrimmage, and finish the play. He’s the kind of player who lifts the whole team. His work ethic is beyond what any senior should exhibit.”

Brown’s teammates echoed the sentiment. Wide‑receiver teammate Daniel Lopez highlighted Brown’s ability to “lock down defenders and give him the space to make big plays.” The entire team credited the veteran back for leading them to a 4‑0 start, setting up a promising conference run.

The local community was also in awe. The school’s principal, Linda Reyes, posted a celebratory message on the school’s Facebook page, saying, “Luke’s performance last night was a testament to what we can achieve even after the fire. He’s an inspiration for all of us.”

What This Means for Paradise’s Future

Paradise’s football program has faced a steep uphill battle since the Camp Fire. The temporary relocation forced the team to practice on an old high‑school field with minimal equipment, and recruiting had been difficult. With a senior like Luke Brown dominating the field, the program has suddenly gained a beacon of hope.

The Sporting News “Player of the Week” award not only brings national recognition but also helps put Paradise on the radar for college recruiters. In the weeks ahead, the high school will likely host recruiting visits from interested universities. The school’s athletic director, Mark Hill, says they plan to use Brown’s performance to showcase the program’s potential, hoping to secure more funding and better facilities.

Follow-Up Links

• Luke Brown’s Sporting News Player Profile – Detailed stats, recruiting information, and a short biography.
• Paradise High School Football Schedule – The upcoming games and conference standings.
• Central Valley Conference Overview – How Paradise ranks against other teams.
• Camp Fire Recovery Efforts – A look at how the school has rebuilt its infrastructure.

These links give readers a deeper look into both Brown’s personal journey and the community that supports him.

Conclusion

Luke Brown’s Week‑4 performance is more than a set of statistics; it’s a narrative about resilience, talent, and community spirit. In a state where football talent is abundant, Brown’s game against Stanislaus Valley set him apart as a player worth watching. Sporting News’ recognition as Player of the Week does justice to his hard‑earned points, but it also heralds a promising future for both the player and Paradise High School’s football program. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Brown can sustain his explosive playmaking and whether Paradise can translate individual brilliance into a championship run.