The above photo is from the 1973 USC-UCLA game. The UCLA back leading the wishbone formation is the great James McAlister, who died last weekend. He was a star in football and track.
McAlister was part of a great Blair High School football team that also featured USC safety Charles Phillips (who also played quarterback at Blair) and tailback Kermit Johnson, who went to UCLA.
Blair defeated Bishop Amat, 28-27, in the 1969 CIF 4-A title game at the Coliseum. Pat Haden and J.K. McKay were the quarterback-wide receiver duo on that Amat team.
McAlister and Lynn Swann competed against each other in the state finals of the long jump in high school. Swann actually beat McAlister and Randy Williams (the 1972 Olympic gold medalist) at the 1970 California state finals.
McAlister and Johnson combined for 57 touchdowns and more than 4,000 yards in the 1969 season.
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 
I was at that game, SC won and went on to the RB
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Scooter, you did not mention who the ugly qb was, and if I am correct, it is none other than Mr. NCIS himself, Mark Harmon. May the Dear Lord let Mr. McAllister rest in peace.
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I was at the game and SC’s defense just shut down the wishbone. Ugly had no chance in that game.
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In the photo, it’s actually John Sciarra. He and Mark Harmon both played in the 1973 game
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reminds me of the Blair pair—greatest back I have ever seen in high school!
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