Mt. San Jaicnto College Preview

Everything's new for Mt. San Jacinto football team

By ED CASTRO
The Press-Enterprise

SAN JACINTO - Mt. San Jacinto College's football program is starting from scratch this season. It has a new coach who brings a new system and inherits a roster packed with first-year players.

Casey Mazzotta took over in May, replacing Ed Carberry, who left for the head coaching spot at San Diego Southwestern College.

Mazzotta is the sixth head coach in MSJC history.

"I think we will be OK," said Mazzotta, who spent six seasons as Fullerton College's defensive coordinator. "But we are not real deep. We've got some athletes, but we just don't have the depth."

MSJC has 15 returning players, one of whom was a full-time starter.

"We have so few sophomores on the team," Mazzotta said. "Even our sophomores are like first-year players because they are learning a brand new system. We are still doing a lot of thinking."

MSJC traveled to Cerritos College last week for a dual scrimmage with Glendale College and the host Falcons.

"It confirmed quite a few things for us," Mazzotta said. "It was a test for some of the guys. Some confirmed they were ready to get playing time. For others it confirmed they were not as ready."

Mazzotta didn't come to MSJC empty-handed. He brought quarterback Colin Wigley, a redshirt freshman last season at Fullerton.

Wigley, out of Newport Beach Corona del Mar, fits the description of the type of player Mazzotta needs right now.

"He wasn't blessed with great athletic ability out of high school but really worked to be the athlete he is right now," Mazzotta said.

Wigley was a 6-foot-1, 165-pounder out of high school. Today he fits a 6-3, 195-pound frame.

"I got in the weight room and really worked hard," he said.

MSJC's offense will feature running back Mark Tinahui, who produced 2,384 yards in total offense and 28 touchdowns last season at Menifee Paloma Valley; and Riverside Notre Dame offensive lineman Chris Caballero.

Caballero, who helped anchor a line that produced 4,258 yards in total offense last season, chose MSJC after meeting with Mazzotta.

"At first I didn't know what to think about the school because there would be a new coach," Caballero said. "But after meeting with him I know we are going to do well. I've never met a coach like him before."

Of the returning players, only defensive back Pulu Otukolo (6-0, 202, South Carolina) and linebacker Frank Harris (Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon) received playing time.

But Mazzotta did say MSJC's defense looked solid during the scrimmage. The defense will also feature first-year linebacker Sean Borden (6-2, 220, Moreno Valley Valley View), defensive tackle Vincent Mauo (6-2, 290, Hawaii), and sophomore cornerback Marcus Bruce (Los Angeles Paramount).

"Our front seven, it stuck out a bit," Mazzotta said. "We have to stop the run. That's what we will work on."