2018 Central Coast Football

LEE CENTRAL COAST NEWSPAPERS

STAFF Joe Bailey Sports Editor jbailey@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2239 @JBaileySMSports

Elliott Stern Senior Sports Writer estern@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2235 @SMTSidelines

Kenny Cress Sports Writer kcress@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2237 @KennyCressSMT

Pictured, from left, are Lompoc’s Leondre Coleman, Santa Maria’s John Rojas and Cabrillo’s Jackson Anderson. Lompoc and Cabrillo have set sails for the Channel League while staying in the Southern Section while Santa Maria Valley and San Luis Obispo County schools have shipped out to the Central Section.

Lorenzo J. Reyna Sports Writer lreyna@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2236 @LJ_Reyna

Jason Anderson Digital Producer janderson@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2213

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Len Wood Assistant Managing Editor lwood@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2215 @lwood83

Daniel Dreifuss Contributing Photographer

Marga K. Cooley Managing Editor mcooley@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2143 @MargaCooley

Cynthia Schur Publisher cschur@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2154

Braxton Carroll IT Administrator bcaroll@leecentralcoastnews.com (805) 739-2222

Ed Galanski

2 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

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INSIDE The Ocean League‌ Santa Maria ���������������� 4-6 Pioneer Valley �������������7-8 Nipomo ����������������������9-10

The Mountain League‌ Righetti �������������������� 12-14 St. Joseph �����������������15-17

The Channel League‌ Lompoc ��������������������18-20 Cabrillo �������������������� 21-22 Santa Ynez ��������������23-24

8-man Football‌ Orcutt Academy ������25-26 Valley Christian �������27-28

College‌ Hancock �������������������29-31

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SANTA MARIA SAINTS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: Division 3 Base offense: Multiple sets Base defense: 4-3.

Returning starters: Offense — 4. Defense — 3.

2016 record: 9-5 (3-0 Northern League).

Head coach: Dan Ellington, third year. 16-18 career record at SMHS. Top returner on offense: John Rojas (WR), 34 catches, 458 yards, 6 TDs in 2017.

Top returner on defense: Jason Sanchez (DL), 36 tackles, 22 solo.

Key losses: Blake Truhitte (QB), Bobby Ruiz (RB), Isiah Garcia (RB), John Ramos (WR).

Top returners: Gustavo Velasco (3 sacks in 2017).

Top newcomers: JJ Arrant (WR), Isaiah Bahr (Mike linebacker).

2018 SCHEDULE

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Aug. 17: @ Righetti Aug. 24: @ San Marcos Aug. 31: SANTA YNEZ Sept. 7: @ Bakersfield Golden Valley Sept. 14: VISALIA MT. WHITNEY Sept. 28: NIPOMO* Oct. 5: @ San Luis Obispo* Oct. 12: TEMPLETON* Oct. 19: @ Morro Bay* Oct. 26: PIONEER VALLEY* * — Ocean League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

Pictured in the front row are Santa Maria’s Alex Romero (50), Kenneth Olpindo and Sebastian Saiz. In the back are Rafael Hernandez, Jason Sanchez (60), John Rojas, and Gustavo Velasco. This core will help lead the Saints into the new Ocean League and the CIF Central Section.

Projected Starters

Defense DL: Jason Sanchez* (DT), Gustavo Velasco (DT), Ben Bautista (DE), Brandon Reyes (DT).

LB: Isaiah Bahr (M), Nathan Hernandez (W), Rafael Hernandez (S).

DB: Dominic Martinez (CB), John Rojas (CB), Leonel Gonzalez (SS), Kennith Dato (FS).

Offense OL: Jesus Joaquin* (LT), Jason Sanchez (LG), Fabian Montano (C), Alex Romero (RG), David Ruiz (RT).

QB: Sebastian Saiz.

RB: Sammy Herrera, Kenny Dato WR: John Rojas*, Manny Herrera, Rodrigo Rodriguez, JJ Arrant. * — Named to All-Northern League in 2017.

Joe Bailey JBA IL EY@LEEC ENTRALCOAST N EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

The effects of last year’s historic season will be lasting at Santa Maria, though they may not be immediately visible.

But rest assured, the results of that run will show up.

Santa Maria played for a CIF Southern Section title at its home stadium and won a league championship as the Saints piled up nine wins a season ago, a number the kids on Broadway rarely hit.

Santa Maria coach Dan Ellington says his incoming class is a sign that sustained

success at Santa Maria is happening.

“Our incoming freshman class shows the excitement level,” the fourth-year coach said.

“We’re getting kids that, for some reason, weren’t going to Santa Maria. Now they are coming to Santa Maria. We’ve got a good little incoming freshman class and people are looking forward to playing football for Santa Maria. That game was a great way to get us going again at Santa Maria.

“We just had a youth camp and we talked about the atmosphere of that night and the kids’ eyes were big and it’s just something fun and exciting to talk about.

“But now we’ve got to get back to this year’s team.”

The Saints have lost 21 seniors from the

squad that fell to Big Bear in the CIF-SS Division 12 title game, but the cupboard is not completely bare. The Saints will have about 18 seniors on the 2018 team. They should be able to compete in the newly formed Ocean League.

“We’re not changing much, to be honest,” Ellington says. “Just going into a different section isn’t going to change the way we play football. But it is interesting and kind of exciting to anticipate playing teams that we’ve never seen before and in an area that I’ve never competed against. That’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Ellington says his current junior class was on the small side, meaning he expects to have a larger number of sophomores on the

varsity squad this year. The Saints do have a solid core of captains.

Expect Jason Sanchez, a junior, to lead the charge in the trenches. Sanchez (listed at 6-1, 210) had a solid sophomore campaign as he landed AllNorthern League honors. He made 36 stops as a defensive tackle and will play on the offensive line at left guard.

On the playmaking side, John Rojas, a senior, is the most productive returner. Rojas was a reliable second target in the Saints’ passing game, catching six touchdowns and working mainly in the short to intermediate range at receiver.

The biggest shoes to fill on offense come at quarterback. Blake Truhitte had a historically productive season last year, passing for over 2,000 yards while

also rushing for over 2,000. He accounted for 56 total touchdowns (25 passing/31 rushing).

Sebastian Saiz is expected to see the most time at QB. Saiz has the same physical profile as Truhitte, at 5-7, 150 pounds.

Saiz says he won’t be trying to replicate what Truhitte did in 2017.

“I’m not Blake, I’m Sebastian,” Saiz said. “I’m here

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 5

Santa Maria’s Kenneth Olpindo, from left, Sebastian Saiz and John Rojas are pictured. The trio is expected to provide some playmaking ability for the Saints, with Saiz playing quarterback and Rojas as the team’s top receiving threat.

6 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Santa Maria linemen, from left to right, Jason Sanchez, Alex Romero, Rafael Hernandez and Gustavo Velasco add some size and strength to the Saints in the trenches.

to do what I’m going to do. I’m not here to mimic him or be just like him.”

Saiz also feels that there are tangible effects from last year’s run.

“Yeah, we actually have a little bit more confidence,” Saiz said. “We kind of have that ‘We made it to CIF’ attitude on our backs.”

The Saints will likely take their lumps in the preseason, which starts with the game Friday against Righetti, which is expected to take another leap in improvement in 2018. Tony Payne, a Righetti High

grad, is in his first season leading the Warriors.

“It’s a rivalry now. It’s back to the Santa MariaRighetti rivalry,” Ellington said. “Righetti, this year, is very talented and they might just be the best team we have on our schedule throughout the whole season.

We’re looking forward to the challenge and I think it’s going to be a great first game for us to see where we’re at. We won two years ago and it was a great win and last year we had 11 turnovers and the game was closer than the outcome. The environment and atmosphere was great.

“Tony brings a lot of energy, so those guys will probably be climbing the walls before they get on the field.

I’m sure Righetti is hungry for some positive football outcomes so it’s going to be a big night and it’s going to be fun.”

But the Ocean League doesn’t appear to be an imbalanced conference, with Santa Maria playing Pioneer Valley, Nipomo, San Luis Obispo, Templeton and Morro Bay in league contests.

Santa Maria went 3-0 in the Northern League a year ago, beating Nipomo, Morro Bay and Templeton.

PIONEER VALLEY PANTHERS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: Division 2 Base offense: Fly Base defense: “40” Returning starters: Offense — 3. Defense — 4.

2017 record: 4-6 (1-3, LPL) Head coach: John Ruiz, fourth year, career record 12-19.

Top returners on offense: Michael Bourbon, 5-10, 175 Sr. slot back, Oscar Ruiz, 5-7, 180, Jr. FB, Alex Pugh, 6-7, 340, Sr, G-T, Edgar Zacarias, 6-1, 170, Sr., K, Top returners on defense: Steven Fuerte, 6-0, 165, DB, Oscar Ruiz, 5-7, 180, Jr., ILB, Edwin Romero, 5-7, 145, Sr., OLB. Key losses: Matt Garcia, QB, Nick Robledo, RB-QB, Kenneth Hoobery, DB, Juan Guzman, OL-DL, Top newcomers: Mark Martinez, C.

2018 SCHEDULE

Aug. 17: BYE Aug. 24: @ St. Joseph, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: @ Righetti, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: CABRILLO, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: PASO ROBLES, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: ATASCADERO, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: @ San Luis Obispo, 7 p.m.* Oct. 5: TEMPLETON, 7 p.m.* Oct. 12: @ Morro Bay, 7 p.m.* Oct. 19: NIPOMO, 7 p.m.* Oct. 26: @ Santa Maria, 7 p.m.* * — Denotes Ocean League Game Homes games in CAPS

Kenny Cress KCRESS @L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

As the Pioneer Valley football team prepped for the start of the 2017 season, the offensive unit had a leg up on the defense when it came to seasoning.

This year, it’s the reverse.

“It was a little more complicated (for the defensive players last year), a brand new defense,” the ‘40,’” Pioneer Valley coach John Ruiz said in a recent phone interview.

With a year of the “40” alignment under its collective belt, “They’re settled in,” Ruiz said of his defense.

“We’re a little ahead of where we were last year, especially on the defensive side.”

Pioneer Valley went 4-6, for the second straight year, last year. The Panthers will try to rebound in the CIF Central Section’s

Ocean League after going 1-3 in the Southern Section’s Los Padres League in 2017.

Steady third-year varsity man Michael Bourbon, a senior, will be Pioneer Valley’s slot back again this year. He’s also penciled in at safety.

“We seem way more coachable on defense,” Bourbon said. “We all know what’s going on now. I think we’re going to be really good this year.”

Ruiz will start his fourth year at the helm when the Panthers play at crosstown rival St. Joseph at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 in their season opener.

Pioneer Valley’s defense lost two big anchors to graduation, lineman Juan Guzman and defensive back Kenneth Hoobery. Both were All-Los Padres League first-teamers last year.

The Panthers relied on Hoobery for quick run support last year. “We’re counting on Steven Fuerte to help pick up the slack,” in

that department that Hoobery’s departure created, said Ruiz.

Fuerte, a 6-0, 175-pound senior, was a starter, and a steady player, in the Panthers’ defensive backfield last year. “(Fuerte) can definitely be the leader in our defensive backfield. That’s our goal,” said Ruiz.

Another Pioneer Valley regular, junior inside linebacker Oscar Ruiz, is back for the defense.

As for the offense, John Ruiz’s top two quarterbacks last year, starter Mathew Garcia and back-up Nick Robledo (a regular at running back) graduated.

The Panthers do have senior Edgar Zacarias, who was one of the best kickers in the area last year, back.

“He was very accurate (on field goal tries) from long distance last year. He struggled on short distance,” said Ruiz.

“We worked on that over the summer.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 7

Projected starters

Defense‌ DL: Alejandro Zepeda, Jose Hernandez, Josisah Zuniga.

LB: Oscar Ruiz, Edwin Romero. Bruin Chapman.

Rover: Isaac Gonzalez.

DB: Steven Fuerte, Michael Bourbon, Adrian Garcia/Abraham Contreras.

Offense OL: Mark Martinez, Alex Pugh, Daniel Torres, Sean De La Pena, Gabe Romero.

QB: Jayson Garcia.

RB: Michael Bourbon, Oscar Ruiz, Adrian Garcia, Daniel Vasquez.

WR: Steven Fuerte, Elias Montes.

TE: Bruin Chapman/Josiah Zuniga.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Pictured are members of the Pioneer Valley football team that will be counted up in 2018: offensive lineman Alex Pugh, defensive back Steven Fuerte, quarterback Jayson Garcia, running back Michael Bourbon and Mark Martinez.

8 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

The goal is to get him a scholarship to a smaller school somewhere, where his education will be paid for.”

Jayson Garcia, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior who spent most of last year learning the system, is Pioneer Valley’s projected starting quarterback for 2018.

“I’m confident I’ve got the system down now,” he said. “I’m really confident with the (offensive) unit we have.”

That unit’s line was hit hard by graduation. Returnee Alex Pugh, a 6-7, 340-pound senior tackle, and newcomer Mark Martinez, a junior center, figure to be two anchors for the offensive line this year.

Operating out of the ‘fly formation’ on offense, the Panthers have always liked to run the ball. Particularly with the graduation of the strong-armed Mathew Garcia and reliable wide receiver John Salazar, the Panthers figure to be even more run-oriented this year.

“Oh yes, definitely, at least to start,” said Ruiz.

Besides the departure of most of his passing game, “We have a little bigger offensive line this year,” Ruiz said.

During summer drills, “I think our line has been in sync with our run blocking,” said Pugh.

As the man in the middle of the Pioneer Valley

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

Pioneer Valley offensive lineman Alex Pugh provides the Panthers with size at 6-foot-7, 340 pounds. Mark Martinez adds some strength on the interior on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

offensive line, “I think I can adjust,” to football at the varsity level, said Martinez.

Pioneer Valley was part of the majority of Central Coast athletic programs that switched from the Southern Section to the Central Section for the 2018-19

school year.

None of Pioneer Valley’s former Los Padres League rivals are in the Panthers’ league this year.

Perennial LPL champion Lompoc , one of the area teams that stayed in the Southern Section, moved to the revised Channel League. So did Cabrillo and Santa Ynez.

St. Joseph moved to the bigger Mountain League in the Central Section.

San Luis Obispo, plus a collection of smaller schools including Nipomo, Santa Maria, Morro Bay and Templeton from the old Northern League, joined Pioneer Valley in the Ocean League.

Ruiz seemed all in when it came to his team’s move to the Central Section. “The budget was one of the biggest issues,” he said.

“Traveling all the way to Palmdale and San Clemente was just insane. Now, you’re just two and a half hours away and you’re playing somebody. Also, the kids don’t have to miss as much school. Going down South took the whole day.”

As for Bourbon, “I’m just focusing on the start of the season, honestly,” he said.

These are the playmakers for the Panthers: defensive back Steven Fuerte, left, quarterback Jayson Garcia and running back Michael Bourbon. Fuerte anchors a defensive secondary that will look to create turnovers while Garcia takes over the quarterback position and will look to make plays with his feet and arm. Then there’s Bourbon, a versatile offensive weapon who can make plays carrying the ball and as a receiver.

NIPOMO TITANS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: Division 2 Base offense: Mulitple sets.

Base defense: 4-2-5.

Returning starters: Offense — 6. Defense — 7.

2016 record: 4-7 (2-1 Northern League).

Head coach: Tony Dodge, 4th year, career record 17-18.

Top returner on offense: Luis-Diego Riquelme, RB, 714 yards rushing, five TDs in 2017.

Top returner on defense: Jesse Garza, LB, 81 tackles, including 8.5 for losses in 2017.

Key losses: Jedu Reyes, WR-DB, Elyaz Pu’a, FB, Simon Rodriguez, DE, Gage Wynn, WR-FS. Top returners: Anthony Perez, Sr. LB-WR, Jesse Garza, Jr., LB, Luis Riquelme, Sr., RB, Brayden Groshart, Jr., QB, Ricky Iniguez, Sr., RB-FS. Top newcomer: Nathan Reese, WR.

2018 SCHEDULE

Projected Starters

Defense‌ DL: Joey Garza, Jason Davis, Antonio Preciado.

LB: Keyshawn Pu’a, Jesse Garza*.

Rover: Anthony Perez*, Luis Riquelme.

DB: Ricky Iniguez. Wyatt Omohundro, Richard Nieves.

Offense OL: Tab Miller, Jason Fryckman, Oscar Andersen, Joel Miriles, Antonio Preciado/Nathan Burkhammer.

QB: Brayden Groshart.

RB: Luis Riquelme, Ricky Iniguez.

FB: Keyshawn Pu’a.

WR: Cole Bajema, Declan Coles, Jerico Beccera, Nathan Reese. * – All-Northern League in 2017.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Nipomo’s Tab Miller, Anthony Perez, Luis-Diego Riquelme, Wyatt Omohundro and Cole Bajema form the core for a Nipomo team that has had success under coach Tony Dodge, winning a Northern League title in 2016 and making the playoffs last year.

Kenny Cress KCRESS @L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

Season outlook‌

The Nipomo football team’s modus operandi under veteran coach Tony Dodge has been a familiar one.

The Titans start slowly, gather momentum and then do just fine during the league campaign. Nipomo won the Northern League championship on 2016 and qualified for the playoffs last year as the league runner-up to Santa Maria.

Senior cornerback Wyatt Omohundro pledges things will be different this year.

Not as far as how the team’s league fortunes will pan out but as far as how the team will play in the run-up to when the games count the most.

“No slow start,” he said. “We’re going to hit the ground running.”

“We’ve got an excellent group of players coming back,” said senior Anthony Perez, who was an All-Northern League linebacker in 2017.

Santa Ynez, Nipomo’s opponent in a Aug. 17 season opener, pounded the Titans in a non-league game at Santa Ynez last year.

This year, at least as far as returning starters go, Dodge’s group looks a lot more loaded than it was at this point last year.

“We have six returning starters on offense and seven on defense,” Dodge said. He will start his fourth campaign at the helm when Nipomo hosts Santa Ynez in a 7 p.m. game.

Junior quarterback Brayden Groshart is one of the returnees. A varsity starter as a sophomore last year, Groshart often looked out of sync with his passing during the preseason.

He kept connecting on his passes as the 2017 campaign went along, though, and wound up throwing for 1,439 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.

Groshart was also second on the team in rushing, behind junior Luis Diego Riquelme.

Riquelme returns for his senior season after running for 714 yards and five touchdowns last year.

“A young kid is going to learn during his first year,” Riquelme said of Groshart.

“No longer does he learn just by reps.

Now, he’s going to learn by everything we do.

He’s learned to trust the players and trust the system.”

Senior right guard Tab Miller said, “He has confidence, and that’s really important in our ability to block for him, to let him do his job.”

Dodge has a lot of anchors on a team that is part of the CIF Central Section’s Ocean League that also includes Santa Maria, Morro Bay, Templeton, Pioneer Valley and San Luis Obispo.

The first three were part of the old Northern League with Nipomo. Pioneer Valley used to be Nipomo’s traditional opening

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 9

Aug. 17: SANTA YNEZ, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24: @ Cabrillo, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: GOLDEN WEST, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: @ Bishop Diego, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: @ Arroyo Grande, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: BYE. Sept. 28: @ Snata Maria, 7 p.m.* Oct. 5: MORRO BAY, 7 p.m.* Oct. 12: SAN LUIS OBISPO, 7 p.m.* Oct. 19: @ Pioneer Valley, 7 p.m.* OCt. 26: TEMPLETON, 7 p.m.* * — Ocean League game.

Home games in CAPS.

10 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

day opponent.

Now, Dodge will get to go into the 2018 opener with a seasoned group.

“Two of our linebackers, Jesse Garza and Anthony Perez, were all-league last year,” said Dodge. Dodge said Perez will be at strong safety this year but that he will, in effect, be another linebacker.

“Anthony’s our team leader,” Dodge said. Garza had a total of 81 tackles last year and Perez had 71.

Dodge said, “We’re going to try and be as balanced on offense as we possibly can. We like to try and mix things up as the season goes along, depending on the defense we’ll face.

“Cole Bajema will be our No. 1 receiver. He was the San Luis Obispo County champ in the 200 and the 400 (meters) in track,” last spring.

Ricky Iniguez was a solid back for the Titans last year, and he will play free safety on defense. Dodge is also counting on durable Keyshawn Pu’a. Dodge said Pu’a will play fullback on offense and linebacker on defense. Miller figures to help anchor the offensive line.

Dodge is banking on Bajema and his other receivers to fill the void left by the graduated Gage Wynn and Jedu Reyes, the team’s leading receivers last year. Those two were also leaders in the defensive backfield.

Nipomo’s coach acknowledged that he wasn’t thrilled at first when the school’s athletic program moved to the Central Section. Now, he said, he has

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

Nipomo’s Tab Miller, left, and Luis-Diego Riquelme will be a big part of Nipomo’s rushing attack, with Miller opening up running lanes for Riquelme.

come to terms with the move.

“I didn’t like the move at first,” said Dodge.

“Nipomo, as a school, didn’t want to go at first. I didn’t like where a lot of the schools were placed (by division) when we moved to the Central Section.”

Nipomo’s football team is in Division 2.

Dodge said, “I liked the competitive situation down South. We didn’t mind the travel to the L.A. schools.

But we know what the situation is, and we’ll deal with it.”

Nipomo’s Cole Bajema, from left, Wyatt Omohundro and Anthony Perez will be counted on to make plays all over the field for the Titans, who are hoping to get off to a much quicker start in 2018 than they have in recent years.

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RIGHETTI WARRIORS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: Division 2 Base offense: Pistol Wing T Base defense: 4-2-5 2017 record: 5-6.

Returning starters: Offense – 7. Defense – 8.

Head coach: Tony Payne, first season Top returners on offense: QB Brandon Giddings, RB Adan Solis, OL Cristian Mondol, RB/ WR Isaiah Gayfield, OL Henry Aguilar Top returners on defense: DT Caleb Thomas, DL Jake MacKinnon, DL Jacob Coronado, DB Anthony Porcho.

Key losses: Jalen Davis, Austin Dasis, Julian Leon, Damien Robles, Chad Zimmer, Jan Gutierrez Top returners: Brandon Giddings, Caleb Thomas Top newcomers: RB/WR Kidasi Nepa, WR/DB Avery Fondern

2018 SCHEDULE

12 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Aug. 17: SANTA MARIA, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24: OAK PARK, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: PIONEER VALLEY, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: @ Bakersfield Centennial, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: @ Soledad, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: DOS PUEBLOS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: PASO ROBLES*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5: @ Atascadero*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12: @ Arroyo Grande*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19: Bye Oct. 26: ST. JOSEPH*, 7 p.m. * — Mountain League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Projected Starters

Defense‌ DL: Caleb Thomas, Jake MacKinnon, Jacob Coronado. Isaiah Navarro LB: Joseph Cardenas, Robert Cetti, Jordan Fields DB: Anthony Porcho, Jake Steels, Avery Fondern, John McCormack, Ben Morearty Offense OL: Cristian Mondol, Papa Martinez, Robert Lamb, Isau Villegas, Henry Aguilar QB: Brandon Giddings RB: Adan Solis, Isaiah Gayfield, Kidasi Nepa WR: Chase Reynoso, Mikey Flores, Kijon Matthews, Jake Steels, Avery Fondern TE: Caleb Thomas

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Righetti High School’s Avery Fondern (2), Anthony Porcho (19), Brandon Giddings (7), Caleb Thomas (44) and Adan Solis (21) pose for a photo at the annual Santa Maria Times Football Media Day at St. Joseph High School. The five will lead the Warriors in the inaugural season of the Mountain League.

Elliott Stern ESTERN@L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

‌Season Outlook

Brandon Giddings and Caleb Thomas are back to lead the Righetti Warriors.

Giddings, the senior quarterback, and Thomas, the senior defensive tackle, tight end and 2017 PAC 5 League Most Valuable Player, will be surrounded by many familiar faces as the Warriors take the field for their 2018 high school football season.

But the season will also see a lot of change.

The Warriors have a new head coach, Tony Payne.

They’re moving to a new section, league and playoff division.

Righetti is one of the Santa Maria Valley and San Luis Obispo County schools that have

moved to the CIF Central Section (CIF-CS).

The Warriors have been assigned to the Mountain League and will compete for a spot in the CIF-CS Division 2 playoffs.

Old PAC 5 foes Arroyo Grande, Atascadero and Paso Robles will join Righetti in the Mountain League along with St. Joseph out of the former Los Padres League.

Come playoff time, the rest of the Mountain League will be competing in Division 1.

Righetti joins Pioneer Valley and Nipomo in the hunt for the Division 2 playoffs.

Payne is no stranger to Righetti.

He was an offensive tackle for the Warriors in the 1990s, graduating in 1995.

“It’s a dream come true. Absolutely. I’m excited,” said Payne after being named head coach.

Returning to the Central Coast after college, Payne was a Special Education teacher in the

Orcutt Unified School District for 12 years before switching to math (“I teach Algebra II,” said Payne) back at his alma mater.

Payne was also the first head coach of Orcutt Academy’s eight-man team, leading the Spartans to the playoffs in three of his four years.

After stepping away from football for a year, Payne was back on the sidelines in 2017 as Righetti’s offensive and defensive line coach.

“I’ve been an offensive tackle my whole life,” said Payne, during LCCN’s Media Day. After winning only one game in the 2016 season, the Warriors went 5-5 in the regular season, making the 2017 CIF-SS playoffs.

Payne is hoping to build on that momentum.

“I think we have a realistic shot at making the playoffs again,” said Payne. “That would be wonderful.”

Righetti’s Caleb Thomas was the final Most Valuable Player in the history of the PAC 5 League. With the move to the CIF Central Section, the 2018 Warriors will compete in the new Mountain League and Thomas has his sights set on another MVP award and perhaps a league championship.

Caleb and Anthony — it helps when you have the two best defensive players in the area.

“Adan Solis is coming back as our tailback — he’s as tough as they come.

Avery Fondern is moving into the starting lineup as a wide receiver, running back and defensive back. Avery has already stepped up his game. I see him as a shutdown corner and a slot receiver on offense.”

The Warriors will also welcome Valley Christian Academy transfer Adam Aldana. The running back will have

“It’s an old school offense with a twist. Ed (Herrmann) started it last year and it’s the perfect offense for our group of athletes.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Persson is a master of this offense. It’s a variation of the old Wing T. It’s based on deception but we keep it simple and let our athletes do what they do best.”

Tony Payne, Righetti head coach

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 13

Despite graduating 28 seniors, including running back Damien Robles, and star receivers Jalen Davis, Austin Dasis and Julian Leon, and defensive linemen Chad Zimmer and Jason Gutierrez, Righetti has 29 returning players who are entering their senior seasons.

“On offense, it begins with Brandon. He’s a veteran, he’s quite a leader, he’s going to be fantastic,” said Payne.

“And Caleb was the best player in the league. He’s a stud at defensive tackle and tight end. Anthony Porcha is back as our strong safety and wide receiver.

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

14 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Righetti’s Avery Fondern (2), Anthony Porcho (19) and Caleb Thomas (44) pose for a photo at the annual Santa Maria Times Football Media Day at St. Joseph High School. After making the CIF Southern Section playoffs last year, the Warriors are aiming for another trip to the playoffs as they move to the CIF Central Section this year.

to sit out part of the 2018 season as part of the transfer process.

The offense will run a Pistol Wing T. “It’s an old school offense with a twist,” said Payne.

“Ed (former head coach Ed Herrmann) started it last year and it’s the perfect offense for our group of athletes.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Persson is a master of this offense. It’s a variation of the old Wing T. It’s based on deception but we keep it simple and let our athletes do what they do best.”

The base defense will be a 4-2-5.

“Shawn Ramirez is our defensive coordinator,” said Payne. “The 4-2-5 is kind of a hybrid defense but it allows us to move the defense backs around to where we need them the most.”

Payne is quick to name the other players he sees as keys to making the Warriors go.

Cristian Mondol and Andrew “Papa” Martinez will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Juniors Jake MacKinnon will clog the middle as our nose guard and provide strength along the offensive line with Henry Aguilar beside him on both sides of the ball,” said Payne.

“Our wing duo of Isaiah Gayfield and Kidasi Nepa (the only sophomore on the squad) can do a little bit Righetti High school quarterback Brandon Giddings, left, and running back/linebacker Adan Solis provide veteran of everything – they run well, catch the ball, block — they’re real team leaders. They look like twins out there.” leadership for the Warriors as they make the move to the CIF Central Section.

ST. JOSEPH KNIGHTS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: Division 1 Base offense: Multiple sets Base defense: 4-3.

Returning starters: Offense — 4. Defense — 6.

2017 record: 7-5 (3-1 LPL).

Head coach: Pepe Villasenor, first season.

Top returner on offense: Devin Guggia, 46 carries, 304 yards, 2 TDs. Top returner on defense: Justin Maldonado, 68 total tackles, 8 passes defensed.

Key losses: Dino Maldonado, QB; Nate Guzman, WR; Joe Miller, WR; Tim Miller, LB. Top returner: Markus Frazier, 34 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks.

Top newcomer: Darien Langley, WR.

2018 SCHEDULE

Aug. 17: @ Visalia Central Valley Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 24: PIONEER VALLEY, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: GARCES, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: @ Bakersfield Christian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: BAKERSFIELD CENTENNIAL, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: @ Lompoc, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: ARROYO GRANDE, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12: ATASCADERO, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19: PASO ROBLES, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26: @ Righetti, 7 p.m.

— Mountain League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Joe Bailey JBA IL EY@LEEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

For the third time in three seasons, St. Joseph will have a new head coach.

The Knights have gone from Dustin Davis in 2016 to Jim Chvala on an interim basis in 2017 and now to Pepe Villasenor, who takes the reins for 2018 and beyond.

The hiring of Villasenor has been met with universal praise. Every coach and player this reporter has spoken to has said nothing but great things about Villasenor, who’s in his first year as a head coach on the varsity level.

Villasenor was a star receiver at St. Bonaventure in the late 1990s, winning CIF championships while setting Ventura County records for the Seraphs and coach Jon Mack.

Since, the former wideout has spent time training NFL players and was a coach at

Crespi in Encino before coming to Foster Road in Santa Maria.

Though there’s been a bit of coaching movement within the program, the Knights have been nothing but steady through the last decade. The Knights have won at least seven games in each of the last six seasons. They’ve competed in the larger PAC 7 League, winning one league title, and held their own in the Los Padres League.

They’re now in the Mountain League, the area’s toughest conference, with Righetti, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles and Atascadero.

St. Joseph has been a consistent quarterfinalist in the CIF Southern Section, but will face a different challenge in 2018 as a member of the CIF Central Section and in its Division I. The Knights have taken that challenge head on, scheduling some of the most respected Central Section teams this year.

“The truth of the matter is that we’re not

going to shy away from competition,” Villasenor said. “We’ll play anyone anywhere at any time. If we want to be at the Division I level, then we have to play at the Division I level from the get-go.

“Really, it’ll be a measuring stick to see where we’re at as a program and as a team.”

Villasenor likes the non-league schedule, but also feels the Knights are ready to take on the Mountain League competition, though he admits he’s not getting caught up in league rivalries.

“I think I’m in a beneficial spot because I don’t know the league,” Villasenor said.

“I don’t know the competitors and I’m not wrapped up in the rivalries. I’m focusing on the team that we play next, whichever team that may be, whether it’s Atascadero, Paso, Righetti or Arroyo Grande. I’ll prepare for them equally.”

The Knights will run a complex offense, with multiple formations, Villasenor

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 15

Projected Starters

Defense DL: Markus Frazier*, Toby Brown LB: Zak Wilson* DB: Justin Maldonado, Miles Enos, Trevor Cole* Offense OL: Austin Perry, Ethan Otremba, Isaac Yanez*, Jakob Hernandez*, Alex Ontiveros* QB: Chase Artopeous RB: Devin Guggia.

WR: Trevor Cole, EJ Brinez, Darien Langley * — Named to All-LPL Team in 2017

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Pictured, from left to right, is the seasoned core expected to lead St. Joseph in 2018: safety Justin Maldonado, linebacker Zak Wilson, defensive back Trevor Cole, quarterback Chase Artopoeus, lineman Alex Ontiveros and receiver EJ Brinez.

16 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

St. Joseph’s Chase Artopoeus (9) and EJ Brinez (11) are expected to link up quite a bit in 2018. Artopoeus is St. Joseph’s starting QB and Brinez is an athletic receiver at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.

St. Joseph linebacker Zak Wilson (5), safety Justin Maldonado (7) offensive lineman Alex Ontiveros (75) and running back-receiver Trevor Cole (12) are big pieces to the Knights’ puzzle to success in 2018.

reloaded offensively, with a lot of players taking strides to take on the role as key producers.

“I don’t think it’s just one guy right now because we’re a really balanced offense,” Artopoeus said. “I don’t think one guy is going to get the ball every single play... Everyone is just really good, so I don’t think it’s going to be one person.”

Looks for Darien Langley, Devin Guggia, EJ Brinez and perhaps Trevor Cole to make big plays on offense, though a newcomer may break out at some point.

Langley is the top sprinter in the area and brings a ton of speed. Guggia had a solid sophomore season as a backup running back in 2017.

The goal for Artopoeus at this point?

It’s pretty simple.

“The goal is just to win,” he said.

The offensive line also seems to be a key anchor for the Knights. They return three All-League players from a year ago: Alex Ontiveros, Isaac Yanez and Jakob Hernandez.

“I think we’re going to have a great line, maybe one of the best lines we’ve had in years,” Artopoeus said. “I’ve been seeing their lines over the years at St. Joe’s, and I think this line is going to be great.”

The Knights wrap up the regular season with a game at Righetti, which is now a Mountain League game.

Sponsored by Powerade

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 17

says. They’ll run empty spread sets and a number of different personnel groupings.

The Knights start the season Friday night (Aug. 17) at Visalia Central Valley Christian, which went 10-3 last year and lost to Golden West in the CIF-CS Division IV title game.

The Knights will also host Bakersfield Garces, which is a respected Central Valley private school.

The Knights travel to Bakersfield Christian, which is coached by Darren Carr, the older brother of David Carr, the former No. 1 overall pick for the Houston Texans, and current Raiders QB Derek Carr. David Carr is the team’s offensive coordinator.

The Eagles went 10-2 last year and lost to Fresno San Jaoquin Memorial in the Division 3 championship game.

The Knights also play Bakersfield Centennial, a much larger school, at home and play at Lompoc in a nonleague game.

One of the more intriguing story lines is the play of new quarterback Chase Artopoeus, who’s familiar with the area after spending his first two years at Righetti before playing last season at Thousand Oaks. Artopoeus is a 6-foot-2 senior who’s drawn interest from Ivy League schools.

Artopoeus has completed around 52 percent of his passes in three seasons as a varsity quarterback. Last year he threw 18 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.

In three varsity seasons, he’s thrown 22 TDs and 19 interceptions.

“I’m just focused on being a leader and bringing my experience to the team,” Artopoeus said. “I just want to do my job. I’m not trying to do anything out of my reach or below what I think I can do. Just be 1/11th of that offense and make it function great as a quarterback.”

Artopoeus has grown quite a bit since he was thrust into the starting role as a freshman at Righetti. He says his biggest development has been the ability to handle adversity.

“If you look back at my freshman year, sometimes I got flustered by certain things,” Artopoeus said. “But now as a senior I don’t really get flustered and I think I can read the defense pretty good.

I think I’ve grown as a team leader. I used to be more quiet, but now I’m trying to be more vocal. “(Leadership) is everything, but this team is really good. They’re disciplined, they all do what they need to do and we’re on a good track right now. It makes my job pretty easy.”

Artopoeus feels the Knights have

LOMPOC BRAVES What to know

CIF Southern Section Playoff group: Division 3 Base offense: Multiple Base defense: Odd front.

3-5-3 stack Returning starters: Offense — 6. Defense —5.

2016 record: 11-1 (4-0 LPL).

Head coach: Andrew Jones, ninth season, career record 92-11, eight straight LPL titles.

Top returner on offense: Jacob Nunez, OL. Top returner on defense: Leondre Coleman, DL. Key losses: Toa Taua, Ruben Cortez, Shemar Savage, Xavier Nix, Jimmy Gardner, Jelani Henderson, Johnny Manzo Top returners: Ryan Morgan, Leondre Coleman, Juan De Luna, Cullin Ranney, Oscar Tenorio, Jacob Nunez Top newcomers: Cameron Iribarren

18 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

2018 SCHEDULE

Aug. 17: @ Simi Valley, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24: @ Santa Fe Springs St. Paul, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: @ Bishop Diego, 7 p.m. (at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium) Sept. 7: ARROYO GRANDE, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: BYE Sept. 21: ST. JOSEPH, 7 p.m.

Sept. 28: SANTA YNEZ, 7 p.m. * Oct. 5: @Dos Pueblos, 7 p.m. * Oct. 12: @Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. (at La Playa Stadium) * Oct. 19: SAN MARCOS, 7 p.m. * Oct. 26: CABRILLO, 7 p.m. * * — Denotes Channel League game Home games in CAPS

Projected starters

Defense DL: Juan DeLuna *.

LB: Leondre Coleman *, Cullin Ranney.

DB: TBA. Offense OL: Jacob Nunez *. Romeo Barcelona QB: TBA RB: Leondre Coleman WR: Ryan Morgan, Drew Galindo, Oscar Tenorio * — Named to All-LPL Team in 2017

Daniel Dreifuss photos, /Contributed‌

Lompoc’s Juan Deluna, Gerardo Fernandez and Jacob Nunez. (left to right) Lorenzo J. Reyna LREYNA@LEEC ENTRALCOAST N EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

Almost everything looks brand new to Lompoc this fall.

From a roster standpoint, gone are cornerstones Toa Taua, Shemar Savage, Jelani Henderson and other key contributors like Johnny Manzo, Xavier Nix, Jimmy Gardner and Ruben Cortez. Also gone are the days of dominating the Los Padres League – as

the Braves will now shift over to a newly refurnished Channel League with Santa Ynez and Cabrillo – where Santa Barbara region challengers await them.

And added to Lompoc’s list of obstacles?

A stout non-league schedule that features a renowned coaching mind in Ventura County (Jim Benkert at Simi Valley High) to start the year and a heavyweight battle against a defending state champion (Bishop Diego) to end the month of August.

But while this sounds like numerous of mountains to scale for the Braves, ninth-year

head coach Andrew Jones insists that his young guys are already ready to take that climb.

“You’ve just got to get to work,” Jones said during the Lee Central Coast Newspapers Media Day on July 28 held at St. Joseph High. “We are in that reload stage, but we feel we’ve got guys who can fill in. What I’ve been telling the guys is we’ve been successful the last few seasons. Don’t be that team that takes a step backwards.”

Lompoc, 11-1 last season, continues to remain a strong model of consistency in the

Lompoc’s Ryan Morgan, Cullin Ranney and Leondre Coleman, pictured from left to right, will do just about everything for Lompoc as the Braves transition into the Channel League.

Morgan will be a receiving target and member of the Brave defensive secondary. Ranney can play fullback and linebacker, while Coleman is one of the most talented players in the area, able to make an impact at linebacker and running back. Coleman is the younger brother of Lompoc grad Lavon Coleman, a running back with the HoustonTexans.

on board too as an offensive consultant, who has a lengthy coaching resume that includes a stop at Hancock. Jones calls Ross a man he’s been trying to get for years.

Jones says he’s losing “about 90 percent of the production from last year’s offensive output” – as that unit was predominantly led by a senior-heavy group from the 2018 class. The one guy who shouldered most of the load was the back-to-back

1,000-yard rusher Taua.

The Nevada commit went on to tally 4,612 career yards and 73 touchdowns in four years on varsity. Savage also left as a valuable target in the air attack, with 24 combined touchdowns in the last two seasons and averaged more than 21 yards per catch.

But that’s not preventing Jones for reminding people that some young players got valuable playing time while in the shadow of both former Braves.

Best of wishes for a winning season!

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MON.-FRI. 10AM-8PM, SAT. 10AM-7PM, SUN. 11AM-5PM www.surfconnection.net

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 19

North Santa Barbara County with 92 victories since the 2010 season and two CIF Southern Section championships in ’10 and ‘11. And now, the Braves added more strength to their coaching staff.

Old Los Padres League rival Dustin Davis (formerly of St. Joseph) comes on board to run the Braves’ 3-5-3 defense. Also linking up with LHS is former Knights assistant T.J. Jordan, who will coach up the quarterbacks and call the passing plays. Paul Ross is

20 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

He mentioned names like Oscar Tenorio, who is expected to take handoffs and catch passes, and Leondre Coleman, who too is anticipated to share the same tasks with Tenorio.

Then there’s Dechlan Sparrow who is involved in a two-way quarterback battle with Cameron Iribarren (younger brother to former Brave and Humboldt State linebacker Willie).

Sparrow is the one with varsity experience on his side, but the lefty Iribarren comes in with the height advantage and has displayed a strong work ethic outside of Huyck Stadium.

Whoever has the full quarterback reins will have this experienced veteran to throw to: Ryan Morgan, who is entering his third season on varsity as a junior. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder is expected to see an increase in touches at wideout given his size, hops and physical strength.

On the offensive line, Jacob Nunez is healthy and ready to lead the plowing charge for the LHS trenches. Nunez starred on the wrestling mat and field events during the track season – plus enters this football campaign with a San Jose State offer in his possession. Romeo Barcelona, two-way trench standout Juan DeLuna and Jovanny Lucatero are expected to help anchor the Braves’ line.

Defensively, DeLuna is now the elder statesman on the line as a senior. He’s also entering his third season on varsity and is a All-Los Padres League performer at nose guard.

The linebacker group will be young as Davis coaches up this group that will likely help consist of Coleman and Cullin Ranney. Coleman, though, had a breakout sophomore season by collecting 79 tackles, 10 for a loss and 9.5 sacks – all of which were good enough for second on the team.

Lastly, the secondary will be youthful as the Braves aim to replace Gardner, Savage and Dallas Canley – all three emerging as All-LPL standouts.

But while the Braves appear to be in restart mode and been given a new gauntlet to run, Jones says his younger group is both battle tested and comes equipped with cohesion.

“I think we’ve had one of the better groups of kids that I’ve had in a long time as far as camaraderie, getting to practice on time and doing all the things the coaches are asking them to do,” Jones said. “There’s no one individual. It’s been a great group to coach.

That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, just a hungry group.”

Lompoc’s Ryan Morgan is expected to energize the Braves’ passing attack this fall as a returning junior.

Morgan will support the Braves in their quest to dominate another league, this time the revamped Channel League.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

CABRILLO CONQUISTADORES What to know

CIF Southern Section Playoff group: Division 12 Base offense: Shotgun spread, no-huddle Base defense: Odd front, 3-4 Returning starters: Offense — 8. Defense — 6.

2016 record: 1-9 (0-4 LPL).

Head coach: A.J. Pateras, second season.

Top returner on offense: Jackson Anderson Top returner on defense: Patrick Durham Key losses: Ben Dixon, Brenton Staunton, J.D Czajkowski, Niko Glass Top returners: Jackson Anderson, Patrick Durham, Danan Pacheco, Jordan Green, Ty Hernandez, Tito Miza, Alex Bourne Top newcomer: Eddy Little

2018 SCHEDULE

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Cabrillo’s, from left, Jordan Green, Ruben Ponce, Justin Palato, Tito Miza and Jackson Anderson provide a little bit of everything for Cabrillo, playmaking ability, strength and leadership.

Projected starters

Defense DL: Cade McNamee (DE); Carlos Garcia (DT), Abraham Perez (NG).

LB: Danan Pacheco* (OLB), Kurt Newberry (OLB), Patrick Durham* (ILB), Spencer Cothran (ILB).

DB: Alex Bourne* (CB), Ty Hernandez (CB), Justin Palato (S), Tyler Williams (S).

Offense OL: Deontae George, Michael Macias, Jameson Broduer, Ruben Ponce, Blake Settje.

WR: Mason Townes, Jordan Green, Cody Forbes.

TE/HB: Eddy Little.

RB: Tito Miza.

QB: Jackson Anderson * * — Named to All-LPL Team in 2017

Lorenzo J. Reyna LREYNA@LEEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

Familiarity – the word that describes this year’s Cabrillo football team.

Last year, AJ Pateras came to Vandenberg Village as someone who didn’t have any previous tie-in to CHS or the surrounding community. The 2017-18 Conquistadores weren’t familiar with him or his methods either.

But times are different – as Pateras is more acquainted with his surroundings, plus more acclimated with his players. In return, his players have gotten used to his plays and approach.

“When we are talking terminology and football stuff, it’s less teaching now,” Pateras said during the Lee Central Coast Newspapers media day on July 28.

Cabrillo is aiming to shed the memories of its 1-9 season from a year ago, which included three games that saw the Conquistadores surrender more than 70 points.

But CHS didn’t wait until the summer or spring to shed those memories. Pateras said from the moment the season ended, the Conqs were immediately grinding for next year.

“We’ve been working. As soon as the season ended, we were in the weight room. Then installing some passing plays at 6 a.m,” Pateras said. “We’ve been chomping at the bit.”

And last year’s CHS team was also considered young, with only 12 seniors in the first season of the Pateras area. Now, this CHS team brings back 25 seniors – including the ones who earned All-Los Padres League second team honors one season ago.

“It helps,” Pateras says of the experience coming back. “They set the standard in the weight room. These guys provide a lot of leadership and a lot mentoring. Whether it was success or not, they learned.”

One of those weight room and field leaders during the offseason is Jackson Anderson, who was thrust into the quarterback fire one season ago after the Conqs’ original starter Sean Wood parted ways with the team.

Anderson had to learn on the fly, but

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 21

Aug. 17: @ Bishop Diego, 7 p.m. (at Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium) Aug. 24: NIPOMO, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: RIO MESA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: @Pioneer Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: BUENA, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: BYE Sept. 28: @Dos Pueblos, 7 p.m. * Oct. 5: SAN MARCOS, 7 p.m. * (Homecoming) Oct. 12: SANTA YNEZ, 7 p.m. * Oct. 19: @Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. * Oct. 26: @Lompoc, 7 p.m. * * — denotes Channel League game Home games in CAPS

Right: Cabrillo’s Jackson Anderson, who is among several returning seniors on this year’s team, will provide athleticism and leadership to a Cabrillo team that has high expectations in year two of AJ Pateras’ tenure in Vandenberg Village.

Below: Cabrillo’s Patrick Durham, from left, Spencer Cothran, Kurt Newberry and Danan Pacheco are pictured at the LCCN Media Day. All four are expecting to lead the linebacker unit for CHS.

22 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

now says he’s more familiar with Pateras’ offensive input and the skill players around him.

“Coming in last year, it was totally new and a different perspective on how to play football. But this year it’s been a lot better, understanding wise,” Anderson said.

“Personally, I had a good rushing season but this year. I’m working to get better on passing. We can always improve.”

He’s equally energetic to see names like Mason Townes, Jordan Green, Cody Forbes and H-back/tight end Eddy Little – as all four help replace last year’s top wideout Ben Dixon.

“Ben was one guy, but I feel like all these guys are equal to Ben,” Anderson said.

Pateras adds he likes the depth and experience back on the perimeter.

“We’re more dynamic in our skill positions this year,” Pateras said. “Last year, we had Ben and other guys fill in who were either too young or were banged up. Now we have more options to throw to. We’ve got guys who can spread the field now. It’s not just Jackson this year and not just Ben. We’re going to have other pieces that you are going to have to honor. We’re going to make guys work.”

Also back on offense is Tito Miza, who was CHS’s second leading rusher last season with 465 yards. The offensive line will have to replace All-LPL performer Brenton Staunton, who has since graduated.

Projected to pave the way on offense are Deontae George, Michael Macias, Jameson Broduer, Ruben Ponce and Blake Settje.

Defensively, Pateras and CHS is going with a base 3-4 look that will have three new faces anchoring the line in Cade McNamee, Carlos Garcia and Abraham Perez.

But the linebacker core brings back this duo who earned All-LPL honors one year ago: Lead pass rusher Danan Pacheco (6.5 sacks) and Patrick Durham (team-high 67 tackles). Pateras raves about the incoming junior Durham.

“He’s a smart young man who works his butt off,” Pateras said.

Kurt Newberry (outside linebacker) and Spencer Cothran (inside linebacker) fill out the rest of the linebacker unit.

Both were limited to eight and six games, respectively, last season due to injuries.

The secondary features safeties Justin Palato and Tyler Williams while the cornerbacks are Alex Bourne and Ty Hernandez.

Overall, Pateras knows that this time, he’s no longer a stranger to his team and his players are past the point of trying to get used to him.

“Football-wise, from stuff we were doing last year versus this year, the guys know what to expect now,” Pateras said.

SANTAYNEZ VALLEY PIRATES What to know

CIF Southern Section Playoff group: Division 7 Base offense: Spread Base defense: 3-4 Returning starters: Offense — 7. Defense — 7.

2017 record: 8-2 (2-2 LPL).

Head coach: Josh McClurg, seventh season, career record 29-33.

Top returners on offense: WR Jasper Kadlec, RB Cash Transeth Top returner on defense: SS Nathan Crandall Key losses: QB/DB Dustin Gregg, WR/CB Gabe Prendergast, RB/LB AJ Reynoso, C/DE Nick Tipolt, DE/DT Gabe Palato, TE/LB Travis Vreeland, OL/ DE Isaiah Smith.

Top returners: WR/LB Jasper Kadlec,WR/DB Cash Transeth,WR/CB Dylan Hamilton, RB/LB Vinnie Vacca,T/DE Marco Lazarit, QB/TE/DE Juan Sanchez, RB/LB Mateo Baca.

Top newcomers: QB Anthony Gills, WR/CB, Camron Prendergast, WR Jacob Davies.

2018 SCHEDULE

Projected Starters

Defense‌ DL: Juan Sanchez*, Marco Lazarit*, Misuel Hernandez, Josue Navarro LB: Alex Lammers, Vinny Vaca*, Mateo Baca DB: Nathan Crandall*, Jasper Kadlec*, Eddy Sanchez, Dylan Hamilton, Cash Transeth Offense OL: Marco Lazarit*, Tyler Germani, Louis Samaan, Sam Castillo, Michael Nuzzolillo, Eduardo Silva Diaz QB: Anthony Gills RB: Cash Transeth*, FB: Jacob Moran, Tim Fisher WR: WR Jasper Kadlec*, Dylan Hamilton, Camron Prendergast TE: Alex Lammers, Juan Sanchez * — Named to All-LPL Team in 2017

Elliott Stern ESTERN@L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

Season Outlook‌

The Pirates will be cruising South Coast waters a bit more this season.

In 2018, Santa Ynez High School’s football team is playing its first season as a member of the Channel League as part of the huge shakeup that saw most Central Coast teams abandon the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) for what they hope will be the greener pastures of the CIF Central Section.

But the Pirates, along with fellow former Los Padres League members Lompoc and Cabrillo, stayed put with all three joining the new-look Channel League.

“I call it the New Channel League,” said Santa Ynez’s seventh-year head coach Josh McClurg. “Of the six teams, half of us are moving from the old LPL, joining Channel League holdovers Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Santa Barbara.”

Former LPL rivals St. Joseph and Pioneer Valley are off the schedule and the Pirates are

happy to see them go.

Over the past three seasons, McClurg’s Pirates have posted a 23-7 record.

Despite going 7-3 in 2015 and 8-2 in both 2016 and 2017, Santa Ynez was left out of the playoff party in each of those seasons.

“If the LPL had been a six-team league, then we would have made the playoffs the last three years,” said McClurg.

But losses to Pioneer Valley in 2015 and to both St. Joseph and Lompoc all three years, kept the Pirates out of the post season.

“We played close games against both of them,” said McClurg. “If we made just a couple more plays against them, we would have been in the playoffs.”

Lompoc is still on the Pirates schedule. So is Cabrillo. And Dos Pueblos remains a powerhouse after going 12-2 in 2017 with a run to the CIF-SS Division 10 championship game.

“We’re fairly familiar with the old Channel League teams. We’ve been playing San Marcos the last few years and before that, we played against Dos Pueblos for four years.

The only team we haven’t seen is Santa Barbara and we played them in this summer’s

7-on-7 passing league.”

But with six teams and three playoff spots up for grabs, McClurg likes the Pirates’ chances.

“Lompoc is Lompoc. No matter how many seniors the Braves graduate, (head coach) Andrew Jones just re-loads. Cabrillo is improving under (second-year head coach) AJ Pateras. Dos Pueblos will be strong, as always. Santa Barbara always fields good teams and San Marcos, despite last year’s (1-9) record has a good offense with a strong passing attack. I think we’ll stack up favorably with all of them.”

Like the Braves, the Pirates will have to re-load.

Santa Ynez graduated 23 seniors, including All-League stars quarterback Dustin Gregg, wide receiver Gabe Prendergast, linebackers AJ Reynoso and Travis Vreeland, and defensive lineman Nick Tipolt, Gabe Palato and Isaiah Smith.

But 27 juniors are back for their senior seasons and 16 former sophomores are entering their junior years.

“Wide receiver Jasper Kadlec was

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 23

Aug. 17: @ Nipomo, 7 p.m.

Aug. 24: CARPINTERIA, 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: @ Santa Maria, 7 p.m.

Sept. 7: Bye Sept 14: SAN LUIS OBISPO, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: TEMPLETON, 7 p.m. (Homecoming) Sept 28: @ Lompoc*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5: SANTA BARBARA*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 12: @ Cabrillo*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 19: DOS PUEBLOS*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 26: @ San Marcos*, 7 p.m. * — Channel League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Santa Ynez High School’s, from left, Cash Transeth, Mateo Baca, Marco Lazarit, Juan Sanchez and Vinny Vacca will provide veteran leadership as the Pirates make the move to the re-vamped Channel League for the 2018 season.

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

24 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Santa Ynez High School’s, from left, Mateo Baca, Cash Transeth and Vinny Vacca pose for a photo at the annual LCCN Media Day at St. Joseph High School. The trio will be a key to the Pirates’ success in 2018 as Santa Ynez makes the move to the re-vamped Channel League.

All-League last year and he’ll be back. Cash Transeth was All-League and he’s back at running back and defensive back. Vinnie Vacca (running back/linebacker), Marco Lazarit (offensive and defensive line) and Juan Sanchez (tight end/defensive end/backup quarterback) are back and they were all All-League, too.”

The Pirates offense will feature multiple formations but will basically operate out of the spread formation.

The Santa Ynez defense will continue to play the same 3-4 scheme it’s run for the last five years.

“We’ll have junior Anthony Gills starting at quarterback. He was our backup last year but he saw a lot of action in a lot of games and he really impressed in the 7-on-7 league,” said McClurg. “And several important starters from last year will be seniors this year; Alex Lammers at outside linebacker, tight end and strong safety Nathan Crandall and wide receiver and cornerback Dylan Hamilton.

And while former All-League wide receiver Gabe Prendergast is gone. McClurg is excited about his replacement.

“We’ll have (sophomore) Camron Prendergast filling his older brother’s slot,” said McClurg. “Just like his brother, he’ll start at wide receiver and corner. We’ll also feature an exciting receiver (junior) Jacob Davies.”

While McClurg expects another strong season, he is cautious in his prediction for 2018.

“I’ve always been one of those guys who feels we really won’t know what to expect until we play the game. We won’t know what to expect until we put the pads on Week Zero versus Nipomo. They’re going to be tough. (Nipomo head coach) Tony Dodge always has those kids ready to play,” said McClurg. “I do know this. The Channel League is going to be a good league.

It’s going to be a fun season.”

Santa Ynez’s Juan Sanchez, left, and Marco Lazarit will provide veteran leadership to the Pirates’ 2018 squad.

ORCUTT ACADEMY SPARTANS What to know

CIF Central Section Playoff group: CIF Central Section Sierra Division (8 Man) Base offense: Run-based Base defense: Odd front, 3-1-4 scheme Returning starters: Offense — 5. Defense — 4.

2017 record: 9-3, lost in CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals Head coach: Ben Alberry, first season Top returner on offense: Max Daniels Top returner on defense: Donovan Miller Key losses: Darin Miller, Eddie Lundberg, Jared Sutton, Aiden Heller Top returners: Max Daniels, Donovan Miller, Alex Sutton, David Canable, Josiah DeBruno Top newcomer: TBA

2018 SCHEDULE

Projected Starters

Defense DL: Winston Harris (NT): Cameron Carpenter (DE), Dylan McIntire (DE) LB: Alex Sutton DB: Josiah DeBruno (CB), David Conable (CB), Bryce Coefield (SS), Donavan Miller (FS) Offense OL: Marc Valdez (C) G: Winston Harris (G), Abraham Villanueva (G) WR: Dylan McIntire (TE): Josiah DeBruno (WR) RB: Bryce Coefield (TB), Alex Sutton (FB) QB: Max Daniels

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Pictured are members of Orcutt Academy’s football team: Dylan McIntire, David Canable, Alex Sutton, Max Daniels, Winston Harris, Josiah DeBruno and Marc Valdez. The Spartans are coming off a 9-3 season as they’ll be playing under first-year coach Benjamin Alberry.

Lorenzo J. Reyna LREYNA@LEEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

‌Season Outlook

Ben Alberry won’t illustrate this upcoming football season as a reset year for Orcutt Academy.

Gone are school record-breaker Darin Miller at quarterback, 1,000-yard rusher Eddie Lundberg at running back and a senior class that guided the Spartans to a 9-3 mark. Also gone? Head coach Doug May, who resigned during the summer – leaving the former offensive coordinator Alberry in charge moving forward.

Yet, Alberry doesn’t want to hear the “R” word around Old Town Orcutt.

“Obviously, when you lose key contributors like that, teams are wondering ‘Is it a reset year?’ But I’m not calling it as a reset year,” Alberry said during the Lee Central Coast Newspapers Media Day on July 28.

Alberry is taking over a program that still has key contributors from last season’s playoff team – and they’re guys he’s already familiar with.

Among the returners will be Max Daniels, who now has the quarterback reins that once belonged to the dual-threat Miller. Alberry, who teaches in the special education department at OAHS, says his new quarterback has been chomping at the bit to get his time behind center.

“Max has been sitting there waiting for his shot,” Alberry said. “He will run your offense, read your defense and he does what we ask him to do. He’s a name to watch this year.”

Daniels spent last year doing two things: Catching footballs from Miller while manning one of the wide receiver spots and watching in awe of the 6-foot-4 quarterback’s athletic traits.

“It was amazing. You would think he would be tackled or sacked, but all of the

sudden you saw him in the end zone. It was incredible to see,” Daniels said.

But after the Spartans’ fell to Canoga Park Faith Baptist 56-50 in the CIF Southern Section Division I eight-man semifinals, Miller immediately sent this message to Daniels: “He told me ‘It’s my time now,’” Daniels said.

Both have stayed in contact with one another, as Daniels says “He’s been texting me as well, just making sure that I have the leadership and control of the team.”

Daniels isn’t the only returning player Alberry is excited to coach this fall. In the secondary, Alberry raves about David Canable and Josiah DeBruno at cornerback.

“We’re excited to have him (DeBruno) because he’s healthier than ever,” Alberry said, who cites that DeBruno was injured for most of last year. “This is the first time that we’ve had two quality corners that can shut down the opposing wide receivers.”

And, Alberry is energized to coach another

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 25

Aug. 17:RIVERSIDE COUNTY EDUCATION ACADEMY, 7 p.m. (at Pioneer Valley High School) Aug. 24: BYE Aug. 31: @Cate, 7 p.m. (at Carpinteria High School) Sept. 7: @Lancaster Baptist, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: @Frazier Mountain, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: RIVERDALE CHRISTIAN, 7 p.m. * Sept. 28: @Lemoore Kings Christian, 7 p.m. * Oct. 5: ALPAUGH, 7 p.m. * Oct. 12: FRESNO CHRISTIAN, 7 p.m. * Oct. 19: @Laton, 7 p.m. * Oct. 26: MISSION PREP, 7 p.m. * * — Denotes Central Sierra League game Home games in CAPS.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributer‌

26 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Orcutt Academy’s Max Daniels will contribute to the Spartans at quarterback and defensive back this season as the team moves into the Central Section.

Sutton on this year’s roster: Alex Sutton, whose older brother Jared was a valuable contributor to the Spartan running game and emerged as the top ball hawk in the defense – with a team-high five interceptions according to Max Preps.

“Alex was probably one of the best freshmen to come out (to varsity). Last year, because of his size and need, he filled in for Alex Andrade (who was injured) and picked the game up quickly last year.

He just has a motor and has a knack for the ball,” Alberry said, as the latest Sutton is projected to play fullback and middle linebacker.

Outside of working with his revamped roster, Alberry is additionally researching the new realm the Spartans will head into this fall: The Central Section.

“We’re all getting to start over new. We won’t know a lot about these teams. But we know that

league (Central Sierra League) has been Fresno Christian’s. They’re a powerhouse,” said Alberry, who adds he’s energized that the Eagles – winners of 42 games since the 2013 season – gets to take the drive down Highway 101 and face the Spartans this season on Oct. 12.

Top to bottom, Alberry knows he has some missing faces from last year including the former head coach May and the electric Miller. But the first-year leader knows he still has plenty of experience to work with – convincing him that the reset button doesn’t need to be pressed at OAHS. “I’m excited that I can do this with my beloved Spartans,” Alberry said. “The good thing about Frank Cowan, Contributor‌ last year is that we knew who would be coming Winston Harris, left, and Josiah DeBruno, players for the Orcutt back the next year, so we gave them a lot of reps last year and get them in. We’re excited. They’re Academy Spartans, walk on the track during the LCCN Media Day ready to go.” at St. Joseph High School.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY LIONS What to know

CIF Southern Section Playoff group: Division 2 Base offense: I formation, double tight end.

Base defense: 4-2-2.

Returning starters: Offense — 3. Defense — 2.

2017 Record: 7-3 Head coach: Pete Fortier, sixth year since 2013. Third stint as head coach. 1 CIF Southern Section Large Schools 8-man championship, 1997. Three Coast Valley League championships including 2018.

Top returner on offense: Ethan McCoy Top returner on defense: Ethan McCoy Key losses: Joey Valadez, Jarrett Smith, Marcos Cardenas, Trenton Lane, Kiernan Quinones, Adam Aldana.

Top returners: Ethan McCoy, Andrew Sparlin, Matthew Hollihan Top newcomers: Tyler MCoy

2018 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31: @ Laguna Blanca, 4 p.m.

Sept. 7: FRAZIER MOUNTAIN, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: @ Villanova Prep, 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: CALVARY BAPTIST, 5 p.m.

Sept. 28: CUYAMA VALLEY*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 5: Bye Oct. 12: MARICOPA*, 7 p.m.

Oct; 20, @ Shandon*, 1 p.m.

Oct. 26: @ Coast Union*, 7 p.m. * — Coast Valley League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Valley Christian Academy’s, from left, Juan Perez, Ethan McCoy, Andrew Sparlin, Matt Hollihan and Tyler McCoy. The Lions are gearing up for another run at a Coast Valley League 8-man football championship.

Elliott Stern ESTERN@L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

‌Season Outlook

In a season filled with change, Valley Christian Academy is the only local high school that isn’t moving to a new section or league.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be major changes.

Their league — the Coast Valley League (CVL) lost one team.

“Shandon just doesn’t have the numbers so they’re not fielding a team,” said longtime defensive coordinator Randy Stanford. “So the CVL will have Coast Union, Cuyama Valley, Maricopa and us.”

And there will be major changes to VCA’s team after the Lions were hit hard by graduation, losing five starters from their 8-man team.

With lopsided wins in those seven victories, the backups saw a lot of action in 2017.

And three of last season’s starters — seniors Ethan McCoy and Andrew Sparlin and sophomore Matthew Holihan — are expected to provide leadership on the 2018 squad.

“Ethan McCoy was the league’s defensive MVP and was on the All-CIF first team,” said Stanford of his middle linebacker. “McCoy was our backup quarterback and was an outstanding running back and receiver.”

McCoy was penciled in as this season’s starting quarterback but that was before VCA found a new player had transferred into the school.

“Ethan’s younger brother Tyler transferred here,” said Stanford. “The two were fighting it out for the quarterback position but I think we’ll go with Tyler as the quarterback and keep Ethan as a running back and receiver and, of course, keep him in the middle of our

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 27

Projected Starters

Defense‌ DL: Andrew Sparlin, Jeo Limon, AJ Davis LB: Ethan McCoy, Tyler McCoy DB: TBD Offense OL: Jeo Limon, Juan Perez, AJ Davis TE: Andrew Sparlin QB: Tyler McCoy RB: Ethan McCoy WR: Matthew Hollihan

Gone are starting quarterback/defensive back Trenton Lane and his longtime center and defensive nose tackle Joey Valadez along with offensive guard/defensive tackle Jarrett Smith and wide receiver/defensive back Kiernan Quinones.

VCA will also be without junior starting running back Adam Aldana, last year’s Coast Valley League offensive MVP and All-CIF first-teamer who transferred to Righetti High School.

With those five on the field, the Lions went 4-0 in the Coast Valley League (CVL) and 7-3 overall, making it to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section 8-man Division 2 playoffs.

“Even so, I think we should be back in pretty good shape to defend our CVL title,” said Stanford. “We lost a whole lot, including our entire offensive line but the kids who played behind them last year are stepping up.”

28 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

defense. Ethan was a run-stopping machine. He made sure the defense was always in the correct set. He’s a real team leader.”

Sparlin is also back. The 6-foot-4 senior has been the team’s starting tight end and defensive end since his freshman year.

“Andrew was our big man on the strong side,” said Stanford. “We’re expecting another big year from him.”

And Holihan was a force on both sides of the ball.

“He had a great freshman year,” said Stanford. “He did a great job as our other tight end and defensive end. He’ll see even more playing time this year.”

Senior Juan Perez will take over as the starting center.

“He was our fourth lineman the past few years but he saw a lot of playing time and always did a good job,” said Stanford. “And we’re counting on AJ Davis and Jeo Limon to step into starting roles on both the offensive and defensive lines.”

The 2017 Lions made a living running the ball with Aldana and Lane running over and around opposing defenses.

“We definitely were a running team and rarely had Trenton throw the ball. We liked to play the way (legendary local high school and Hancock College coach) Barney Eames used to play — you know, three yards and a cloud of dust.

If you’ve got the ball, then the other team can’t score,” said Stanford. “But this year, I think we’ll open it up a little more. Tyler and Ethan can both really throw so this year we’ll definitely mix it up a little more.”

But that doesn’t mean the

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

Above: Valley Christian Academy’s, from left, Juan Perez, Matt Hollihan and Tyler McCoy pose for a photo at the 4th annual LCCN Media Day at St. Joseph High School.

Left: Valley Christian Academy’s Ethan McCoy, left, and Andrew Sparlin will lead the Lions in their attempt to repeat as Coast Valley League champions in 2018.

Lions will abandon the run from their Double Tight I formation.

“Tyler is very accurate but he’s also quick enough that he can take off. Ethan can really pound the ball but Andrew is a big target so we won’t be as predictable this year,” said Stanford.

On defense, the Lions will stick with their 4-2-2 formation.

“We should be strong up front, tough to run on,” said Stanford. “I like to play as much man-to-man coverage as possible — maybe mix in a little zone coverage on third down.”

As an 8-man team, VCA didn’t begin practice until July 31 so head coach Pete Fortier and Stanford have to fill in their missing pieces quickly.

“8-man is such a wide open game.

It’s not as physical as 11-man but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Teams can score very quickly and getting 60 points a game is not unusual,” said Stanford.

“But we’ll be ready for the season. I’m definitely excited.

We’re looking for some big things from these kids.”

VCA kicks off the season on Friday, Aug. 31, with a 1 p.m. game at Santa Barbara’s Laguna Blanca.

HANCOCK COLLEGE BULLDOGS What to know Pacific League

Base offense: Pro set Base defense: 4-3.

Returning starters: Offense — 3. Defense — 3.

2017 record: 8-3 (5-0 Pacific League).

Head coach: Kris Dutra, 18th season, 99-77 career record, 1 bowl win (2011 Western State Conference Bowl).

Top returner on offense: Isaac Bausley, RB, 488 yards rushing, 5 TDs in 2017.

Top returner on defense: Domanic Chapa, DB, 41 tackles, 3 INTs in 2017.

Key losses: Dominic Chance, TE, Jimmy Kelleher, QB, Basiru Job, LB, Osa Omokaro, DE, Connor Epley, DE, Lenny Roundtree Jr., DB, Ben Wilkomm, DB, Nick Kimball, WR, Michael Ferraro, WR. Top returners: Isaac Bausley, 5-8, 190, RB, Domanic Chapa, 5-11, 180, DB, Dominic King, 6-5, 270, DL, Seth Ollice, 6-2, 225, DE.

2018 Schedule

Projected Starters

Defense‌ DL: Dominic King, Josh Laurao, Seth Ollice, Trenton Carter, Tyler Valente.

LB: Jelani Henderson, TBA. DB: Dominic Chapa, Tristan Durfee, Edwon Works, A;ex Cecchi.

Offense OL: R.J. Grice, Joseph Moscato, Jacob Bouzard.

QB: TBA. RB: Isaac Bausley, Ryheem Skinner, Damon Whitmill, Jr. WR: J.J. Ramirez, Spencer Pool, Daniel Drew, Jake Genovese.

TE: Chase Hansen, Miles Minnis, Mike Dutra.

Daniel Dreifuss, Contributor‌

Allan Hancock College defensive lineman Dominic King had a standout freshman season for the Bulldogs. The St. Joseph graduate recorded 22 tackles in 2017, including seven tackles for loss and six sacks with two fumble recoveries.

Kenny Cress KCRESS @L EEC ENTRALCOASTN EWS.CO M‌

‌Season Outlook

The most senior area football coach, in terms of longevity at one school, doesn’t have the most experienced group returning after the most successful Hancock College football season in years.

However, Kris Dutra feels pretty good about a lot of what he has coming back.

For starters, though Hancock lost reliable quarterback Jimmy Kelleher to graduation, “We have three (quarterbacks), Dyan Simons, Steven Schouten and Tommy Carr, and

they’re all pretty solid,” the Bulldogs’ veteran coach said.

Dutra will begin his 18th year as Hancock’s head coach when the Bulldogs play at Los Angeles Valley College at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 in their season opener.

The Bulldogs went 8-3 last year, including 5-0 in the Pacific League en route to winning the league championship.

“We think that momentum from last year will help us this year,” said sophomore Hancock nose guard Dominic King.

“Hey, it took us to a bowl game last year,” the American Championship Bowl which Hancock lost to Southwestern.

King had a solid year last year. He’s one

of the reasons Dutra is optimistic about his defensive line even though he lost ends Osa Omokaro, who racked up 13 sacks last season, and Santa Ynez native Connor Epley, who had 5.5, to graduation.

“We’ve got Dominic King, Josh Laurao, Seth Ollice, Trenton Carter and Tyler Valente,” said Dutra. “We’re going to be good on the defensive line.”

With Isaac Bausley, Ryheem Skinner and Damon Whitmill Jr. all figuring prominently in a productive running backs rotation system, the Hancock offense had another big year on the ground in 2017.

At press time, Dutra said all three should be returning.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 29

Sept. 8: @ Los Angeles Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: VENTURA, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22: WEST LOS ANGELES, 2 p.m.

Sept. 29: @ Citrus, 1 p.m.

OCt. 6: ANTELOPE VALLEY OCt. 13: @ Pasadena City College, 4 p.m.* Oct. 20: @ Santa Monica, 2 p.m.* Oct. 27: SANTA BARBARA, 2 p.m.* Nov. 3: @ Los Angeles PIerce, 4 p.m.* Nov. 10: LOS ANGELES HARBOR, 1 p.m. * — Pacific League game.

Home games in CAPS.

Daniel Dreifuss photos, Contributor‌

30 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Hancock College’s Joseph Moscato, left, and Dominic King will provide the Bulldogs with talent and size on the offensive and defensive lines in 2018. Moscato is an offensive lineman from Paso Robles while King is a sophomore defensive lineman from St. Joseph High.

“Bausley’s in the clear to play,” he said. “Skinner and Whitmill need to get some summer eligibility cleared up. They should be able to play.”

Skinner was Hancock’s leading rusher last year, with 749 yards and seven touchdowns. Whitmill ran for 688 yards and scored four times. Bausley, a Nipomo High School graduate, had 488 yards and five touchdowns.

Hancock tight end Dominic Chance was the Pacific League MVP in 2017. He graduated.

Dutra does have some candidates for the tight end spot. “Chase Hansen gray-shirted last year. He’s coming back,” Hancock’s coach said.

“We’ve got Miles Minnis from Morro Bay. We’ve also got Mike Dutra (no relation to the coach), who’s been in the military.”

Productive wide receivers Nick Kimball and Michael Ferraro graduated. “We’ll have J.J. Ramirez, Spencer Pool, Daniel Drew and Jake Genovese there this year,” asid Dutra. Genovese was the only one of the group that had any stats last year. Ramirez and Pool were standouts for Nipomo.

Hancock quarterbacks/receivers coach Anthony Maez said, “We definitely have some good quarterbacks and receivers coming in this year.”

The strongest part of the Hancock’s game last year

was its defense, but the Bulldogs’ linebacker corps took a huge hit from graduation. Basiru Jobe, the team’s leading tackler in 2017, is one of the graduated linebackers.

“I’m a little worried about the linebacking,” King acknowledged.

“I’m sure the coaches will bring in some really good talent there.”

Dutra said, “We’re pretty much starting over at linebacker.” At press time, the only starter he’d settled on there was Lompoc graduate Jelani Henderson.

With the departures of Lenny Roundtree Jr. and Ben Wilkomm in particular, graduation also delivered a blow to the Hancock secondary.

Domanic Chapa, though, is back. Despite missing two games to injury, Chapa was one the leaders in the Bulldogs’ secondary last year.

“We’re looking at Tristan Durfee, Edwon Works and Alex Cecchi,” to join Chapa as regulars in the secondary, said Dutra. “We’ve also got an abundance of new guys.”

Cecchi, an Arroyo Grande graduate, had a productve freshman year for Hancock in 2016. He went down with an injury in Hancock’s opener last year.

“He had to have surgery after that,” said Dutra.

RJ Grice, Joseph Moscato and Jacob Bouzard all

figure to return and help anchor Hancock’s offensive line this year.

Though it’s early in Hancock’s pre-season workout regimen, “I think the line is in sync as far as runblocking,” said Moscato.

“We’re going to be big up front (on the offensive line),” said Dutra. “We’re definitely going to be bigger than we were last year.”

Hancock is in a revised Pacific League that also includes Santa Barbara, Pasadena, Los Angeles Harbor, Santa Monica and Los Angeles Pierce.

Pierce and Santa Barbara were in the league last year.

Hancock is familiar with Pasadena, having played the Lancers multiple times in the recent past.

It’s been a bit longer than that since the Bulldogs have played Harbor or Santa Monica, though both were once their league rivals.

“You never know what you’re going to get with Harbor or Santa Monica until the game comes,” said Dutra.

“There’s a lot of turnover at those places. They have a lot of good athletes.”

When it comes to what he has coming back, Dutra is very happy that veteran coordinators Rick Aguilar (defense) and Seth Damron (offense) are returning.

“I have the best coordinators,” Dutra said.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | August 2018 | 31

Joseph Moscato will be busy opening up holes for Hancock’s vaunted rushing attack in 2018.

32 | August 2018 | Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Enroll at Hancock immediately after graduating from a high school or complete a GED or a HiSET credential through an adult education program within the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District and get one year FREE at AHC! The Hancock Promise will pay tuition and fees for a student’s first year beginning with the summer 2019 term. All students within Northern Santa Barbara County are eligible.

Learn more about The Hancock Promise at www.hancockcollege.edu/promise