For most high school students, grades, homework and parents are what are on their minds. But for junior Brandon Sanders, it is a rough neighborhood where drugs and gang violence are everyday issues. Although he has moved away, Sanders proved to be a valuable player to the varsity football team.

Sanders, who recently returned to his hometown in Los Angeles, came to Gunn six weeks ago in search of a safer place to live. “I used to be involved in drugs, gangs and fights all the time,” Sanders said. “I came here so that I could be in a safer environment.”

Before living in Palo Alto, Sanders lived in Frees Group Housing which is a community home.

Although Sanders’ parents did not live with him, they did not feel it was the best environment for him to be growing up in. “L.A. just wasn’t a good place for me to live, “ Sanders said. “I like it here a lot more.”

Football has helped Sanders assimilate into the Gunn way of life. Playing defensive end and fullback, Sanders has proven himself to be one of the team’s most sound players. “This is my first year playing football, but I feel I have gotten a lot better,” Sanders said. “I’m really enjoying it.”

Head Coach Matt McGinn believes that Sanders has a lot of potential. “He helped us to strengthen our running game,” McGinn said. “He helped us with our short yardage plays and our more physical approach.”

Players on the football team also agree that Sanders has helped the team. “He’s a big guy, so that helps a lot,” senior Andrew Hopkins said. “He was kind of shy at first, but once he came out of his shell a little bit we saw that he’s actually a pretty cool guy and a good team player.”

Sanders’ love for sports is not limited to just football­­­­—he began playing basketball at a very young age. “I’ve been playing basketball a lot longer than football,” Sanders said. “I used to play in L.A. with my friends.” Sanders had been planning on trying out for the varsity basketball team this year.

As for his future, Sanders hopes to continue playing sports in college. “I think I’m going to go to a junior college, but I really want to continue playing football,” Sanders said. Whatever he does in college, Sanders knows that sports will continue to be a big part of his life.

On Oct. 31, Sanders’ parents took him back to L.A. Although he is gone, many appreciate the contributions he brought to the football team. “He is a goodhearted person, and learned a lot about teamwork while playing football,” McGinn said. “Overall he benefited a lot from playing sports, and I hope he keeps at it.”