Only one player in Orange County has multiple passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns this season.
Beckman’s jack-of-all-trades Makhi Czaykowski has 20 rushing touchdowns, nine receiving touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. Czaykowski added three more touchdowns to his season total in Beckman’s 30-24 overtime win over Brea Olinda in the CIF-SS Division 8 championship game.
His versatility gives Beckman’s offensive coordinator Willy Puga room to be creative with ways to get Czaykowski the ball.
“We can get him the ball in different ways so it becomes harder to simply load the box or double cover him if he plays a single position,” Beckman coach Marcello Giuliano said. “It really complicates how a defense is going to account for him.”
Czaykowksi has rushed for 1,636 yards, which is the third most in the county. He also leads the team in receiving with 716 yards.
Much of Czaykowski’s and Beckman’s offensive success also is due to the other players around Czaykowski. Noah Nam averages 166 passing yards per game with 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He has also rushed for eight touchdowns and his 19-yard run in overtime set up Czaykowski’s game-winning touchdown.
Aidan Tran averages 6.1 yards per carry and gives Beckman a rushing threat when Czaykowski is lined up at receiver.
“If defenses do overplay him (Czaykowski), it opens up the other guys,” Giuliano said. “Aidan Tran averages over six yards per carry. We have multiple receivers averaging 15 plus yards per reception and it makes the job of the offensive line easier if a defense lightens the box.”
Czaykowski scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Brea Olinda and threw the ball in the air in celebration afterwards. He described himself as a typically mild-mannered young man after the game.
“Don’t let him fool you,” Giuliano said. “Mild-mannered off the field, yes. On the field, he is ultra competitive. That celebration is a moment to remember — just unfiltered pride and elation from him and the entire team.”
After the celebration calmed down, Giuliano looked at Czaykowski and asked if he wanted to lead the team in its ceremonial postgame routine which features jumping jacks and a “Patriots” chant. Czaykowski replied, “Of course, Coach.”
“We talk a lot about how on great teams, the best guys have to be the hardest workers and he embodies that,” Giuliano said of Czaykowski. “He’s early to every meeting, studies film, finishes at the front in every conditioning (drill). He’s earned the respect of his team in ways that go way beyond his athletic talent.”
Czaykowski entered the game on defense against Brea Olinda in overtime in a unique package. Beckman’s defense delivered when it mattered in the championship game with three players tallying double-digit tackles.
Nathan Garcia led Beckman with 18 tackles and Xavier Musselman-Cano grabbed his ninth interception of the season.
It has taken a full team effort for Beckman to win its county-high 10-game winning streak and like any good running back, Czaykowski credited his offensive line after the championship game.
“The linemen were absolutely incredible,” Czaykowski said. “I always say the team that consistently executes the most wins and we did that.
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