There are times you watch an athlete perform, and his talent takes your breath
away.
away.
In the two seasons I had the chance to cover Vallejo and Jesse Bethel High
Schools from 2001-2003 for a startup internet news service that became defunct,
I remember being in awe watching 2003 Jesse Bethel graduate Dallas Bernstine
every time I had the chance to witness him in person.
Schools from 2001-2003 for a startup internet news service that became defunct,
I remember being in awe watching 2003 Jesse Bethel graduate Dallas Bernstine
every time I had the chance to witness him in person.
As reporters, we are told to be objective but watching some, you find yourself
being a fan, not so much that you unprofessionally gush over his success but
because you are so amazed by what this person can do.
being a fan, not so much that you unprofessionally gush over his success but
because you are so amazed by what this person can do.
Bethel and Bernstine were like a perfect storm. The former opened its doors in
1998-1999, beginning with just freshmen and sophomores. The following year
(1999-2000), the junior class was added and then in 2000-2001, all four grades
were integrated. The Jaguars JV team went 8-2 in 1999 but went 0-10 as a varsity
team with no juniors in 2000.
1998-1999, beginning with just freshmen and sophomores. The following year
(1999-2000), the junior class was added and then in 2000-2001, all four grades
were integrated. The Jaguars JV team went 8-2 in 1999 but went 0-10 as a varsity
team with no juniors in 2000.
In 2001, Bernstine along with classmate Andrew Green opted to transfer from
Vallejo to Bethel. The Jaguars went 6-5 that season, reaching the CIF Sac Joaquin
Section Div. I playoffs, losing 22-15 to the eventual champion, Elk Grove Thundering
Herd. That game was a prime example of a losing team gaining more respect than
the winning team earning its glory.
Vallejo to Bethel. The Jaguars went 6-5 that season, reaching the CIF Sac Joaquin
Section Div. I playoffs, losing 22-15 to the eventual champion, Elk Grove Thundering
Herd. That game was a prime example of a losing team gaining more respect than
the winning team earning its glory.
The Jaguars fell behind 22-0 before their late rally fell short. I remember driving to
the game. Elk Grove was ranked in the Top 10 in various polls in the state of
California. In the process, I remembered thinking, “If Bethel can stay within four
touchdowns, I’ll consider it an achievement.” I was covering the game from the
pressbox, which was on the Elk Grove fans section. The longer the game stayed
close, the more nervous Herd fans became.
the game. Elk Grove was ranked in the Top 10 in various polls in the state of
California. In the process, I remembered thinking, “If Bethel can stay within four
touchdowns, I’ll consider it an achievement.” I was covering the game from the
pressbox, which was on the Elk Grove fans section. The longer the game stayed
close, the more nervous Herd fans became.
Bernstine, who has been inducted into the Vallejo Sports Hall of Fame, played
basketball and baseball for Bethel. Though his role was not as prominent, he helped
the basketball team to reaching the postseason and winning a game. In baseball, he
batted .467 and had a 14-game hitting streak.
basketball and baseball for Bethel. Though his role was not as prominent, he helped
the basketball team to reaching the postseason and winning a game. In baseball, he
batted .467 and had a 14-game hitting streak.
While Bethel has had its share of stars including but not limited to Bobby Guillory and
C.J. Anderson, Bernstine was the first that raised other people’s antennas.
C.J. Anderson, Bernstine was the first that raised other people’s antennas.
While you realize that the sports Bernstine played were team oriented, his brilliance
made those in and out of Vallejo take notice. That stardom was significant because
you had two established schools with Vallejo and Hogan. The latter has since closed
and become a middle school. Bethel was the new kid on the block looking for respect
and it was going to take a brilliant individual to facilitate that appreciation.
made those in and out of Vallejo take notice. That stardom was significant because
you had two established schools with Vallejo and Hogan. The latter has since closed
and become a middle school. Bethel was the new kid on the block looking for respect
and it was going to take a brilliant individual to facilitate that appreciation.
The most defining moment came in a pivotal Monticello Empire League home game
against Vintage. The MEL, which was a 10-team league, had four allotted SJS Div. I
playoff spots. Vintage and Bethel were fighting for the last spot.
against Vintage. The MEL, which was a 10-team league, had four allotted SJS Div. I
playoff spots. Vintage and Bethel were fighting for the last spot.
Bernstine rushed for a Northern California record 555 yards and five touchdowns.
Four of those scores went for at least 60 yards and he also played safety the entire
game as Bethel won 59-38. The game was not a nail-biter by any stretch but close
enough to where the Jaguars needed all of Bernstine’s production to secure the win.
Four of those scores went for at least 60 yards and he also played safety the entire
game as Bethel won 59-38. The game was not a nail-biter by any stretch but close
enough to where the Jaguars needed all of Bernstine’s production to secure the win.
One year later as a senior, Bernstine rushed for 1,942 yards on the way to leading
Bethel to an MEL II title and league MVP honors. That summer he was also MVP of
the East-West All-Star Game.
Bethel to an MEL II title and league MVP honors. That summer he was also MVP of
the East-West All-Star Game.
Bernstine became the first Bethel athlete to receive a full-ride scholarship but wound
up foregoing that opportunity when he daughter (D’nyia) was born during his senior
year. Bernstine instead played two years at San Francisco City College.
up foregoing that opportunity when he daughter (D’nyia) was born during his senior
year. Bernstine instead played two years at San Francisco City College.
Athletics were not his only talent, Bernstine has talents as a musician as well. He
used those skills in high school as well. I remember he and various Jaguar teammates
making a rap tape that was football related. I forget the lyrics but there was a lot of
satire.
used those skills in high school as well. I remember he and various Jaguar teammates
making a rap tape that was football related. I forget the lyrics but there was a lot of
satire.
Regardless of sport, every chance I had to cover one of Bernstine’s games, I knew
there was a good chance I was going to be amazed. I had many conversations with
Bernstine on and off the record, His personality was a perfect mix of sweet as sugar
but cold as ice. His athleticism, however, was thunder and lightning.
there was a good chance I was going to be amazed. I had many conversations with
Bernstine on and off the record, His personality was a perfect mix of sweet as sugar
but cold as ice. His athleticism, however, was thunder and lightning.
He had amazing speed and athleticism but I remember him as a great competitor as
well. There are a number of people with the last name Bernstine that starred as
athletes in Vallejo. Dallas, however, might have the most unique legacy in that he
was the first great athlete at a school that was just opening its doors.
well. There are a number of people with the last name Bernstine that starred as
athletes in Vallejo. Dallas, however, might have the most unique legacy in that he
was the first great athlete at a school that was just opening its doors.
Dallas Bernstine’s legacy still resonates strongly nearly two decades later.
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