COD seeks gridiron resurrection
COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Roadrunners' coach sees improvements at every position after a 1-9 year.
By ED CASTRO
The Press-Enterprise
PALM DESERT - College of the Desert football coach Dean Dowty got a late start last season.
Hired well into the offseason, Dowty had little time to recruit players or assemble a coaching staff. And he did what he could during summer practices.
His first season as COD's head coach resulted in a less-than-satisfying 1-9 record.
But he expects his 2007 team to be much better and as different from the 2006 squad as "night and day."
"It was extremely difficult," Dowty said of last season. "I've never been through anything like that before in my life."
Dowty said having a full offseason makes the biggest difference.
Story continues below
Ramon Mena Owens / The Press-Enterprise
Returning sophomore Brent Rausch is one of three quarterbacks competing for the starting job at College of the Desert.
"This season we have had a good offseason of weight training. We had very good spring practices and we've had a year to work with a solid core of returnees," Dowty said. "And we did a real good job of recruiting."
Dowty said COD is bigger and stronger at every position.
"I'm extremely optimistic about the talent we have," Dowty said. "Talent-wise, we are about two levels higher than what we had last year."
The Roadrunners' strength on offense centers on their receivers. Sophomore returnee Quade Soffel (Palm Springs) will be a possession receiver, while deep threats include Mesa State, Colo., transfer Dominic Allen (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and Edgar Thiler (6-2, 195), from Florida.
"If a defense plays tight on us, they will get run by," Dowty said.
The quarterback job, however, may switch hands early in the season. COD has three competitors for the job -- sophomore returnee Brent Rausch (Palm Springs Desert Chapel), freshman Jacoby Mitchell (Moreno Valley Canyon Springs) and freshman Derrick McGowan, a 2006 Yucca Valley graduate who enrolled in the spring.
Dowty said Rausch took the early lead with a strong offseason. Mitchell, however, is making a strong run with his mobility. McGowan, who threw for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns two years ago at Yucca Valley, remains in contention.
The 6-4, 220-pound Rausch, who led Desert Chapel to CIF 8-man titles in 2004 and 2005, got the start for COD's scrimmage against Northern Arizona.
"I feel having been here a year has really been important for me," Rausch said. "I feel like I am a better quarterback."
COD's backfield will feature former Riverside King fullback David Thomas (6-2, 250), South Carolina's Queston Clement (6-0, 237) and Deshon Daniels, a 5-10, 185-pounder who rushed for 1,540 yards and 29 touchdowns for Miami Southridge.
"We have some real skilled athletes," Dowty said. "Deshon is very elusive."
The offensive line will feature returnee Mike Cronshagen, a 315-pound sophomore out of Palm Springs, and Moreno Valley freshman Eli Maufau.
Defensively, COD's coaching staff was optimistic about the potential of defensive linemen Lonnell Rice and Floyd Wafer (Moreno Valley) and linebackers Jared Shipley (La Quinta) and sophomore Draye Ersery.
Rice is a 6-6, 290-pound sophomore out of Moreno Valley Vista del Lago.
"I think the defense is going in the right direction right now," Rice said.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
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."
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."
Friday, August 24, 2007
JAGUARS TRAINING STAFF GETS IN PRSEASON FORM FOR THE SCRIMMAGE
The finest medical team in California Community College takes a break after taping prior to the Fullerton Scrimmage.
JAGUAR FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE WITH FULLERTON ENDS AS A SUCCESS
Sophomore QB DREW WESTLING (ALISO NIGUEL HS/UNIV. OF TULSA) threw two touch down passes to fellow sophomore KEVIN PIKE (HILLTOP HS) to pace the JAG'S in their pre-season scrimmage against FULLERTON COLLEGE in Orange County on Thursday. All offensive groups scored touchdowns for SOUTHWESTERN. Freshman SHELDON GALLOWAY (CLAIREMONT HS) and DEVIAN CARTER (MT. MIGUEL HS) each scored addtional TD's for a total of 4 td's.
The DEFENSE came out strong with 8 sacks on the afternoon as well as numerous tackles for loss. The first defense was aggressive and played hard. Sophomore DE TORY ROBINSON (MT. MIGUEL HS) 6'5, 275 lbs showed great hustle and applied most of the pressure on the QB. Freshman corner TAELOR WORRELL (EL CAPITAN HS) put a strong showing for the starting position in the secondary.
Our first game of the season it this Saturday, August 31st, at 5:00 pm aginst perenial power Riverside Community College
GO JAG'S
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL FROM COACH ERIC SANCHEZ
Here are some facts that I compiled for my presentation for tomorrow interesting facts!!!!!
In California there are 22 four year colleges and universities that offer football as an intercollegiate sport
7 of those schools are division I-A
4 of those schools are division I-AA
1 of those schools is division II
9 of those schools are division III
1 of those schools is NAIA
12 of those schools offer what is generally called a football scholarship.
In the United States it gets a lot better though:
In the United States there are a total of 710 college football programs from Division 1 Division 1-AA Division 2 Division 3 & NAIA
Divsion III having the most @ 239
Division I-A @ 132
Division I-AA @117
Division II @ 129
NAIA 93
Here is where it gets deep!!!
Since division III does not offer a football scholarships and not counting the non scholarship pioneer league that USD is now competeing in 463 of the 710 football playing 4 year school offer football scholarships
Just some facts i researched. So 463 schools are looking for good talent each year to compete for championships.
--
Eric Sanchez
Defensive Line Coach/ Placement Coordinator
SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE
In California there are 22 four year colleges and universities that offer football as an intercollegiate sport
7 of those schools are division I-A
4 of those schools are division I-AA
1 of those schools is division II
9 of those schools are division III
1 of those schools is NAIA
12 of those schools offer what is generally called a football scholarship.
In the United States it gets a lot better though:
In the United States there are a total of 710 college football programs from Division 1 Division 1-AA Division 2 Division 3 & NAIA
Divsion III having the most @ 239
Division I-A @ 132
Division I-AA @117
Division II @ 129
NAIA 93
Here is where it gets deep!!!
Since division III does not offer a football scholarships and not counting the non scholarship pioneer league that USD is now competeing in 463 of the 710 football playing 4 year school offer football scholarships
Just some facts i researched. So 463 schools are looking for good talent each year to compete for championships.
--
Eric Sanchez
Defensive Line Coach/ Placement Coordinator
SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE
Sunday, August 19, 2007
SCHOOL BEGINS ON MONDAY AUGUST 20TH
The JAG'S will open school for the fall semester Monday the 20th. All players MUST be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units to participate in Intercollegiate Athletics.
GO JAG'S
GO JAG'S
SCRIMMAGE AT FULLERTON COLLEGE THURSDAY AUGUST 23rd.
The JAG'S travel to FULLERTON COLLEGE on THURSDAY for a scimmage to be held at Fullerton HS District Stadium. For directions to Fullerton go on line to our web site. The scrimmage will begin at 3:30 pm.
GO JAG'S
GO JAG'S
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