RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Cordova Lancers' sophomore quarterback Trey Wallace began playing the game of football at six years old. By the age of seven, he'd seen enough.

According to his father and current Lancers junior varsity head coach Joel Wallace, he and his wife were awakened one morning when their son was just seven years old, as he stood at their bed. "This is what I want to do with my life," he told his parents. "What do you mean, this is what you want to do?", his father replied. "This is who I am. I want to play football. This is my life," he told them. 

His father thought maybe his son had a dream. The two parents sat down that morning drinking their coffee, wondering why their son would say that. Fast forward to 2024, and you can clearly see the young signal caller is right where he's supposed to be when he's on the football field. 

The first-year varsity quarterback has an 8:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio with 981 yards passing in the Lancers' first six games of the season. What sets Wallace apart however, is when he displays his dual-threat ability. As a rusher, Wallace has tallied 305 yards on the ground with an impressive six and a half yards-per-carry average, and an additional four touchdowns. His stellar play has helped propel Cordova to their best start in the past eight seasons, with their record currently sitting at 5-1, including 2-1 in Metro League competition. According to his father, playing at the varsity level is right where his son feels he belongs, even as a sophomore. "When he's playing the game now, he always tells us constantly that when he plays the game, and specifically when he's under pressure, he feels so free," Joel Wallace said.  

Growing up, he wasn't the biggest, fastest or strongest kid on the field according to his father. He did not excel at any one area in particular. But what he did do, was play nearly every position while in youth football. That has given the youngster a broad knowledge of the game and has helped him overcome another challenge he faces while on the field. 

Wallace has Dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it difficult to read or write. He has not let that stop him on or off the field however, as he currently boasts a 3.5 GPA in the classroom. His studies, both in the classroom and while watching football film, have quickly pushed the sophomore into a leadership role on his team, despite playing with several older teammates. According to the quarterback, it all comes down to the way he prepares. 

"They want to listen to a team player who is really confident in what he does," Wallace said about assuming a leadership role. "That's me when I'm out there."

Cordova head coach JP Dolliver has been impressed with the young player since he joined the team entering this season, particularly by his willingness to play the game without shying away from contact. 

"The stage isn't too big for him," Dolliver said. "He's a linebacker/safety/running back that's playing quarterback. He's just got that mentality. He wants the ball and wants to compete at all times. He constantly wants to learn, wants to get better, is extremely disciplined, is extremely coachable, and he's great in the weight room. He's just got all the marks that you want when you're looking for a team leader."