Thursday, August 30, 2007

San Bernardino Valley Preview

Wolverines will rely on local heroes at quarterback, receiver

By OBREY BROWN
The Press-Enterprise

SAN BERNARDINO - Area football fans probably would remember the magical night in November 2005 when Redlands East Valley High toppled a talent-laden Colton team with the Citrus Belt League championship at stake.

Colton's quarterback that season, Brad Sorensen, went on to gain all-conference honors at San Bernardino Valley College last year before heading off to his Mormon mission.

It was Mike Stadler who relieved REV's injured starter, Ronnie Fouch (now at Washington), and finished off Sorensen's Yellowjackets with a late touchdown and two-point conversion pass.

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Stan Lim / The Press-Enterprise
Coach Pat Meech is overseeing a program that had to undergo an offseason investigation that turned up only minor infractions.
It's a small world: Stadler replaces Sorensen as SBVC's starting quarterback in 2007. That makes five different Wolverines starting quarterbacks over the past five seasons.

"It helps that Mike has a real good corps of receivers," SBVC coach Patrick Meech said.

The receiving corps is led by Sylvester Burel, a REV product who caught 36 passes last season. A large contingent of receivers from campuses such as San Bernardino San Gorgonio, San Bernardino, Covina Charter Oak and San Bernardino Arroyo Valley has shown up ready to be targets for Stadler.

Off the field, there was news big enough to keep SBVC coaches from operating on all cylinders last winter.

For openers, a campus investigation was launched into the football program. Eventually, Foothill Conference officials oversaw a school-led investigation that turned up minor infractions. It may have played a part in a slow offseason.

"It hurt a little bit recruiting-wise, I think," Meech said.

The investigation came during the time when a former assistant coach was headed for Compton College, taking a few Wolverines players along. One of those, running back Erin Madden, who scored 12 touchdowns in 2006, was arrested in Torrance in connection with a burglary that took place in that area.

"He was a (heck) of a player," Meech said. "He would've been a definite All-American candidate if he'd have stayed."

Left unsaid was, perhaps, the idea that if there had been no investigation, Meech might have been given a chance to talk Madden into staying at SBVC.

"With that investigation hanging over us, who knows what would've happened if we had that chance?" Meech said.

More than 70 players have turned out for the 2007 season, including the team's third-best tackler, linebacker DeMorris Brooks, a second-team all-conference player off a 5-5 team in 2007.

Defensively, the charge could be led by linebacker Ricky Borden, a Moreno Valley Valley View product who spent a season at NAIA Eastern Oregon, where he was an all-conference player two seasons ago.

It was a decade ago that SBVC played in its most recent winning bowl game. On that team was center Ernie Madrigal, who had been coaching at Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World High. Madrigal has joined the Wolverines coaching staff in 2007.

SBVC got off to a 2-0 start in 2006 before jumping into conference play against the best two teams, Grossmont and Victor Valley, teams with 9-1 records. While SBVC opens Foothill Conference play against Grossmont, the Wolverines won't play against Victor Valley until the final week of the season.

SBVC's 2-0 start fell quickly to 2-2 and the season disintegrated after that. Meech is back with a new squad and new personnel in place.

It all starts at quarterback. Stadler, he said, "is composed and he understands our offense. I like what he's given us so far."

SBVC kicks off its season against Palomar -- a matchup that hasn't occurred in 27 years -- on Saturday at Escondido High.

College of the Desert Preview

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.

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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.

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."

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

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