Bearden discovered four ways to score touchdowns in the game—as a running back he ran for a touchdown, as a receiver he caught a touchdown pass, as a defensive back he returned a pass interception for a TD and as a kick returner he ran back a punt for a score.

But that's just the kind of athlete Bearden was the Wildcats—versatile. He starred in football, basketball and baseball during his four years at Los Gatos and ranks among the best of all-time.

For his outstanding achievements while attending Los Gatos High School, Dave Bearden will be among the first 14 athletes recognized with induction into the newly created Athletic Hall of Fame at the high school during ceremonies to be held May 1 at the La Rinconada Country Club.

"Dave was one of the top defensive backs we've ever had here, at least as long at I've been coaching," said Los Gatos football coach Butch Cattolico. "And the thing I thought was most impressive is that he always covered the best receiver on the other team."

Bearden covered receivers well enough to snag a school record eight interceptions his senior season.

But as good as he was on defense, he could also run the football a bit. Bearden rushed for 1,176 yards and caught 17 passes for 280 yards as a senior, scoring 16 touchdowns on offense for the Wildcats.

For his career, Bearden carried 276 times for 1,551 yards (a 5.6-yards per carry average) and 19 touchdowns and caught 31 passes for 465 yards and three TDs. On defense, he was in on 79 tackles, ran back 30 kick-offs for 638 yards, returned 26 punts for 282 yards and two touchdowns, blocked 29 passes, and intercepted 10 passes.

And football wasn't even his best sport!

"He was also a real good basketball player," said Cattolico, "but his real strong suit was baseball."

Bearden played three years of varsity baseball for Los Gatos coach Joe Winstead, hitting .311 as a sophomore, .338 as a junior and a team-high .385 as a senior. He blasted a record four home runs over the legendary right field fence into the Los Gatos Lodge when those records were still kept, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the team in his senior season.

An all-leaguer in both football and baseball for the Wildcats, Bearden chose to pursue baseball at the collegiate level and played center field for four years at Santa Clara University.

As an athlete at Los Gatos High School, Dave Bearden could do it all. And because he did, he's a member of the first cast of inductees into the Los Gatos Athletic Hall of Fame.

Los Gatos High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will on May 1 at the La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos. Tickets for the Hall of Fame dinner are priced at $75, and those attending the dinner will have the opportunity to nominate former Los Gatos athletes for induction in 2005. For ticket information, call the Los Gatos Athletic Association at 408.395.2002, Doug Ramezane at 408.354.2730, ext. 213, or Mark Magagna at 408.354.2730, ext. 320.