Whether it be patrolling the middle as a free safety on defense, being used in certain situations as a wide receiver on offense, or looking to create some electricity with a killer return on punts or kickoffs, San Pedro High football has their man in junior WR/DB Antonio 'A.J.' Frazier Jr.

So far, the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass selection as a sophomore in his first season a year ago has become the latest talent in an abundance of well-rounded players who play both ways in San Pedro-lore under 24-year coach Mike Walsh, as the Pirates (9-1 overall) will open the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I playoffs as the top-seeded team of the tournament after this past Friday's stellar 17-15 victory over Carson gave the Pirates a three-way share of the Marine League championship.

"He's a game changer," San Pedro senior offensive lineman Dominic O'Brien says of Frazier Jr. "He goes hard every play and wants to be in every play."

In retrospect, Frazier Jr. almost didn't get the chance to show what he was made of early on in his high school career, as he started at nearby Port Of Los Angeles High, a San Pedro-based charter school without a football program.

"My mom told me in 8th grade that if my grades weren't up to her standards she was putting me in POLAHS," Frazier Jr. said. "She felt I would not take school seriously at Pedro. So she felt that she had to follow through with what she said. I stayed there one semester and played my last year at Pop Warner. I had the best coaches though and they talked to my mom. I owe a lot to Tommy Draffin & Victor Leigh."

Soon enough, Frazier Jr. was donning the famed 'Black & Gold' of the Pirates.

Frazier Jr. made instant impact right away in his first game against Morro Bay, where the Pirates took a four-hour, 32-minute trip for their 2013 season opener. Frazier Jr. registered six tackles and even recovered a fumble in the Pirates' 21-0 victory.  In all, Frazier Jr. made All-Marine League first team and All-City second team after piling up 59 tackles (33 solo), an interception, forced fumble and recovered fumble, while catching 18 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for three more scores.

October 25, 2013 would mark the turning point in Frazier Jr.'s sophomore season, as San Pedro took on host Harbor Area neighbor Banning of Wilmington.

During pre-game warmups, one of Banning's assistant coaches noticed Frazier Jr. from a distance.

"One of the coaches yelled "#18 Frazier”," Frazier Jr. recalls. "I looked and he motioned me over to him, he said "Are you AJ?” I said “yes”. He said 'phone call for you' and handed me his cell phone. My uncle was on the other line and said “Hey A.J. its your Uncle Jack. I just want to tell you that I love you and I’m so proud of you. Give it everything you got out there!”

That short moment with his uncle, who he hadn't seen in two years, instantly motivated Frazier Jr. and he ended up with five tackles, but his 45-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter was what sparked San Pedro to an eventual 45-6 victory over Banning. In fact, Frazier Jr. returned his second punt 48 yards for another touchdown, which was negated due to a block in the back, and returned another punt 36 yards to set up another Pirate touchdown.

"The Banning game last year meant a lot for a lot of different reasons," Frazier Jr. said. "I think I played so good because I was completely pumped."

The 2014 season has been no different for Frazier Jr., as he currently has 66 tackles (44 solo) with an interception, a sack, three pass deflections and a forced fumble, which was one of his favorite moments during the Pirates' Marine League opener at rival Narbonne of Harbor City on October 10. Frazier Jr. prying the ball loose from Narbonne's Sean Riley for a turnover that led to a touchdown for San Pedro during the 28-24 loss was one of several clutch defensive plays en route to a 12-tackle night.

The very next league game, Frazier Jr. would again stick it to Banning, literally, as he delivered four punishing hits, three of which at the expense of Banning's top receiver in senior Janson Navarrette, while also getting an interception during San Pedro's 28-14 victory on October 17. Frazier again registered double digit tackles with ten, also breaking up a pass on fourth down in the second quarter.

San Pedro is truly appreciative of what Frazier Jr. brings to the table, and he is the consummate teammate.

"I've been playing with AJ since sophomore year and he always brings a positive attitude to practice," San Pedro junior quarterback Jacob Miller says. "He's very consistent and leads by example. He treats his teammates well."

Frazier Jr., like many other past and present Pirates, have also grown really quick to the rabid atmosphere of playing under the lights at Pirate Stadium in front of the most loyal and supportive fans anywhere.

"To be able to play under such great coaches and in front of my hometown that supports us 100%," Frazier Jr. says. "Its the best feeling. Pedro has the best fans it makes us feel like we are all family. We’re not just a team, we’re friends which make us unstoppable. We protect each other, play hard for each other, and want to win for each other."

As the Pirates prepare to host No.16 Roosevelt of Los Angeles on Friday at 7 pm to open the CIF-LACS playoffs, Frazier Jr. is totally focused on the task at hand knowing that San Pedro carries a target on their back as being the top-seeded team in a wide-open race to get to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 6.

"Just because we won Marine League doesn't mean its over, we still have work to do," says Frazier Jr., who had a career-high 13 tackles, 11 solo, last week against Carson. "But it gives us the confidence to go harder and get the respect we deserve as a team. It's a man's game."

(Note: Photo courtesy of Vince Pirozzi)