August 2008 Archives

Five area high school football programs are among the CIF Southern
Section's preseason top 10 polls.

In the Western Division (formerly Div. III), defending division
champion St. Paul is No. 3 behind Palmdale and Dominguez.

In the Southeast Division (Div. VII), Schurr is No. 4, Santa Fe is
No. 5 and California is No. 6. Leaders in the division are South Hills
No. 1, Charter Oak No. 2 and Diamond Ranch No. 3.

In the Southwest Division (Div. VI), 2007 Southeast Division champion
La Habra, moving up a division in 2008, is No. 2 behind two-time
defending champion El Dorado.

Local teams listed among others receiving votes are La Mirada in the
Southern Division (Div. IX) and Whittier Christian in the Mid-Valley
Division (Div. XI).

Locals who are conspicuous by their absence are La Serna and Pioneer in the Southeast Division, and Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary in the
Northwest Division (Div. X).

Last call for Stringers.
Looking for correspondents to cover Friday night football games.
Generally it means covering a game, then writing a relatively short
account of what you saw in story form. In some cases, it will involve
merely calling in the box score and a brief recap of the game (the desk
will write the story from the information you provide). You will be
given a press pass to cover the games from the sideline or press box (if
available). You'll be paid a small fee for your effort and time. This is
a fun opportunity for real sports fans who have reasonable knowledge of
the game and can spell. Interested parties should send an email to
roger.murray@sgvn.com concerning your experience (however limited) and
contact information to set up an interview.

St. Paul High School and student Alissa Caceres have received "Champions for Character" awards from the California Interscholastic Federation, Southern Section (CIF-SS) for their performances in 2008.
A letter from the CIF-SS to St. Paul Principal Frank Laurenzello said the awards are being presented based on recommendations that cited the school and Caceres "as exemplifying the very finest in sportsmanship, character, integrity and athletics."
The letter explained the school's selection "was made from a pool of all the schools in the CIF Southern Section."
Caceres' selection "was made from thousands of possible recipients in the CIF Southern Section."
Caceres, a standout cross country and track athlete, was honored in the student portion of the award.
St. Paul athletic director Marc Hernandez described the honor as an "award every athletic director strives to have in his athletic program."
"This means we're doing the right thing here," Hernandez said. "It acknowledges the type of kids we have here, the type of student/athletes who are being prepared to be productive later on in life.
"It's a validation for how we shape our kids, the process, and the great support we receive from our alumni and parents."

Having been a late hire, new St. Paul High School softball coach Craig Worthington talks of communication on his part and hard work on the players' part as necessary in making a smooth transition to the coming season.
Worthington replaces Cassie Morales who resigned to pursue a different career direction.
Worthington, 43, brings some impressive credentials, albeit they are baseball-oriented.
A graduate of Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School and an all-conference selection at third base for Cerritos College, Worthington went on to spend 10 years in Major League Baseball. He played for the Baltimore Orioles (earning Sporting News Rookie of the Year honors in 1989 after batting .247 with 15 home runs and 70 runs batted in), Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas. He finished with a .230 career average, 33 home runs and 144 RBIs in .
Worthington owns and operates a hitting instruction academy in Downey for both baseball and softball players.
"He has numerous connections to club softball teams and promises to bring on a quality staff," St. Paul athletic director Marc Hernandez said. "I believe he will bring a sense of professionalism, leadership and continued success to our softball program."
Because he was a late hire, Worthington did not have a summer program for the Swordsmen. He said he will spend the first month or two on conditioning before making up his mind how he will form the varsity and junior varsity groups.
To get the program started, Worthington said he needed to establish strong communication with the players and to earn their trust.
"Girls deal alot more with emotions than the boys do," Worthington said, "but I feel confident I'll be able to communicate well with them.
"The early goals will be to instill a team concept and work ethic, and how to go about it the right way. How we work on the field and in practice will determine how successful we'll be. If we can get everybody in the same boat, everything should fall into place."

His team moves up a notch from the Southeast Division to the Southwest
Division, by the roman numeral from Division VII to Division VI, but La
Habra football coach Frank Mazzotta finds his team at No. 2 in Calpreps'
preseason division rankings.

Asked about his team's chances to repeat as a division champion, he
merely expresses concern about, among others, two-time defending
champion El Dorado, No. 3-ranked Trabuco Hills (No. 3) and fellow
Freeway foe Fullerton (No. 5). He also adds he is excited, as are his
players, about being in this new division. He talks about "having a lot of
fun, getting to play some new teams and welcoming the new challenge."

He also quietly adds his Highlanders, who are coming off a 13-0 (4-0
in league) CIF championship season, should be pretty good. No
arrogance, no boasting, no chest thumping, just answering a question.

He has always been that way.

Clearly he has the credentials to thump some chest.

In Mazzotta's 10 years at the helm, La Habra has posted a 91-30-1
record overall and a 41-8 mark in league. Over the past six seasons, the
Highlanders are 27-2 in league.

His teams have won seven league championships, six of them with
undefeated records. They've reached the CIF Southern Section division
championship finale four times and come home with three CIF titles
(2002, 2003, 2007).

Has La Habra replaced Santa Fe as the area's most dominant program?

Perhaps, if that is of any importance. What is more important is what
the players are getting out of being part of and playing in Mazzotta's
program.

Sometimes one wonders if the community realizes what the program
provides, or maybe they know, and because of its consistency, merely
takes it for granted.

La Habra begins it's bid for more trophy case hardware Sept. 12 on
the road against Downey. It should be a good opener, not necessarily for
the host Vikings.

While there is little doubt the area high school football team facing
area's most difficult opening game challenge is St. Paul, there are
several others who will need to have their ducks in a row in order to
get off on the right foot this season.

Always adjustable before game time, here's a ranking of what appears
to be a list of formidable season openers for the locals (opponents are
evaluated relative to area teams' potential):
1. St. Paul at Servite: Swordsmen are hopeful for successful following their
division championship season, but Servite bigger, stronger, faster, just
better. This game better for St. Paul in Week 3 or 4.

2. Tesoro at La Mirada: Tesoro's tried and proven program ahead of
Matadores' rebuilding/revamping program

3. Pioneer at Charter Oak: Kudos to Titans coach Ramon Juarez for
major upgrades in preleague scheduling this season (including St. Paul),
but this season opener appears a bit ambitious.

4. El Rancho at West Covina: A new coach is always reason for
heightened optimism among the faithful, and Rick Zepeda clearly is a
legitimate reason for it in this case, but El Rancho's best opportunity
may come if the host Bulldogs are looking past them to Week 2.

5. Warren at Santa Fe: Even in a down year for Warren, the Bears will
be a challenge for a Chiefs team trying to rebound from a sub-.500
season.

6. Schurr at Burbank Burroughs: Schurr has new coach (Ben Negrete)
and a new system, and while the top QB (Rick Mendez) and RB (Edwin
Molina) return, the offensive line is suspect, making the Spartans a
mystery team.

7. Bell Gardens at Whittier: As usual, Bell Gardens figures to make
it a very physical game against young Cardinals.

8. La Habra at Downey: Host Vikings' experience playing in rugged San
Gabriel Valley League is biggest asset. La Habra concern might be in
taking Downey too lightly.

9. Montebello at Norwalk: Norwalk only No. 13 in preseason division
rankings, but Montebello coming off a 2-8 season with too many question
marks.

10. John Glenn at La Serna: Lancers faithful expecting big things,
and while those expectations might be over-inflated, the visiting Eagles
shouldn't be a damper for the opener.

11. California at Rowland: Hopefully the cupboard has enough
leftovers to make defending Del Rio League champion Condors dangerous.
Host Raiders coming off a 3-8 year and rebuilding.

12. Cantwell at Salesian: Host Mustangs picked No. 3 in Santa Fe
League, while visiting Cardinals, behind big o-line and super receiver
Jeffrey Taylor, may be sleeper/spoiler in Camino Real League title
chase.

13. Cochrane at Whittier Christian: Not much known about visiting
Colts, but it would be a long way to travel just to be fodder for their
host. Cochrane must adjust from playing 12-man football on a 55-yard
wide field.

Good head coaches talk all the time about the value of their staff,
those individuals whose reponsibilities concentrate on not only
developing a phase of the program but integrating it in the overall
picture. A term commonly used is "family," as in "we're like a family,
all working together."

When La Mirada athletic director Kim Brooks says it, it runs deeper
than many schools. The Matadores will have new leadership in co-head
coaches Mike Moschetti and Ollie Lynch, with former long-time coach
Brooks sort of overseeing the whole project.

The big thing here is that along with Moschetti, nearly all of the
varsity assistant coaches are former La Mirada players. Moschetti
quarterbacked one of coach John Mele's CIF finalist teams before going
on to Mt. San Antonio College and then Colorado, where some of his
passing records are still allive.

Mike Cardona was a Matadores lineman before playing at Purdue
University. He was an assistant with Brooks under Mele for nine seasons,
and after a brief stint away, he returns to coach the offensive line
this season.

Erik Meyer, the Daily News Player of the Year his senior season,
moved on to Eastern Washington where he set numerous passing records and
was presented with the most prestigious honor in NCAA Division I-AA Football -- the Walter Payton Award -- given annually to the top player in I-AA by The Sports Network.
He was the 12th player in Division 1-AA history to pass for 4,000 yards in
a season (4,003) and the 17th to pass for more than 10,000 in his career
(10,261). He's helping with the Matadores quarterbacks and offense.

Chris Rudiger was one of the La Mirada's all-time finest athletes, a standout
at linebacker/fullback in football and as a baseball outfielder. He was
scholarshipped by Stanford and was on the varsity football roster as a
freshman with a promising future before a neck injury early that season
ended his career. He's coaching the Matadores linebackers.

Hugo Corral rushed for 2,000 yards for La Mirada's 1996 CIF
championship finalist team. He's handling the Matadores' junior varsity
this year.

"In our preparations for the season, we're doing a lot of things the
same way we did them when these coaches were doing them in school here,"
Brooks said before practice Thursday. "It's good because the kids can
see where it got (the coaches), and the coaches know what the kids are
going through.

"There's a lot more to La Mirada football than just coaching and
playing (in the arena). It's about discipline not only on the field but
off the field, on campus, in the classroom, in the community, and
upholding the reponsibilities of not just representing ourselves but the
school and the community."
Watching the Matadores practice, it is obvious commaraderie is thick,
commitment appears solid, and expectations reign supreme.

It wasn't as though Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary football coach Pete
Smolin was starving for lack of size along his offensive line. Sure, the
Cardinals are going to be young up front, what with the marjority of the
folks up there being sophomores, but there are some good-sized fellas
among 'em.

Tuesday, the overall picture got bigger. Literally. And brighter.

Enter Andrew Rico, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound junior transfer from
Garfield High School. It would seem he could be the perfect fit to give
Smolin the other bookend to solidify the forward wall.

He will join a list of candidates Smolin is working with that
includes senior Jordan Scanlan (6-3, 325), junior Steven Sinde (5-11,
225) and sophomores Eric Weissenberger (6-1, 240), Eduardo Maldonado
96-4, 290), Steven Silva (6-2, 250) and Sal Marchena (6-0, 225). Also in
there is senior Juan Padilla (5-10, 230), who did not play last season.

Add Smolin's comment about this group: "The sophomores are bigger,
stronger and faster than the kids who graduated from last year."

Sounds like it could be a wakeup call for the rest of the Camino Real
League.

If depth is a problem for St. Paul's football program this season, the Swordsmen suffered a blow when it was determined big linebacker Markus Viramontes will be sidelined after doctors discovered a tumor on one of his toes. Viramontes reportedly will miss from two to four weeks.

Western Division (III)
1. St. Paul (Mission), 2. Palmdale (Golden), 3. Gahr (San Gabriel Valley), 4. Alemany (Mission), 5. Dominguez (San Gabriel Valley), 6. Palos Verdes (Bay), 7. Redondo Union (Bay), 8. Quartz Hill (Golden), 9. West Torrance (Bay), 10. St. Francis (Mission), 11. Chaminade (Mission), 12. Culver City (Ocean), 13. Warren (San Gabriel Valley), 14. Leuzinger (Bay), 15. Beverly Hills (Ocean).
Note: Good for the Swordsmen, although I doubt first-opponent Servite will be overly impressed.
Southwest Division (VI)
1. El Dorado (Century), 2. La Habra (Freeway), 3. Trabuco Hills (Sea View), 4. GG Pacifica (Garden Grove), 5. Fullerton (Freeway), 6. Cypress (Empire), 7. Tustin (Century), 8. Kennedy (Empire), 9. Placentia/Valencia, 10. Western (Orange), 11. El Toro (Sea View), 12. Troy (Freeway), 13. Foothill (Sea View), 14. Anaheim Canyon (Century), 15. El Modena (Century). 25. Sonora (Freeway), 27. Sunny Hills (Freeway), 30. (Buena Park (Freeway).
Note: Move La Habra up a notch and let the rest of the division take their shots at the Highlanders.
Southeast Division (VII)
1. South Hills (San Antonio), 2. Diamond Ranch (Miramonte), 3. Charter Oak (Miramonte), 4. Muir (Pacific), 5. California (Del Rio), 6. West Covina (San Antonio), 7. San Gabriel (Almont), 8. Pioneer (Del Rio), 9. La Serna (Del Rio), 10. Schurr (Almont), 11. Los Altos (Miramonte), 12. Pasadena (Pacific), 13. Alhambra (Almont), 14. Bonita (Miramonte), 15. Burbank Burroughs, 17. Santa Fe (Del Rio), 19. Whittier (Del Rio), 20. Bell Gardens (Almont), 21. El Rancho (Del Rio), 27. Montebello (Almont), 29. Mark Keppel (Almont).
Note: Whew! Can California and Pioneer live up to such high expectations, and can Santa Fe live down the lack of respect?
Southern Division (IX)
1. Laguna Hills (Pacific Coast), 2. Irvine University, 3. Westminster (Golden West), 4. GG Santiago (Garden Grove), 5. Bellflower (Suburban), 6. La Mirada (Suburban), 7. Irvine (Pacific Coast), 7. Mayfair (Suburban), 9. Artesia (Suburban), 10. Segerstrom (Golden West), 11. Corona del Mar (Pacific Coast), 12. Beckman (Pacific Coast), 13. Norwalk (Suburban), 14. Los Amigos (Garden Grove), 15. Ocean View (Golden West), 20. Cerritos (Suburban), 23. John Glenn (Suburban).
Note: A bit surprised about La Mirada's acknowledgment, although reports continue to drift in about the good things happening among the Matadores.
Northwest Division (X)
1. Oaks Christian (Tri-Valley), 2. Gardena Serra (Del Rey), 3. Santa Clara (Tri-Valley), 4. Harvard/Westlake (Del Rey), 5. Oak Park (Tri-Valley), 6. Morro Bay (Los Padres), 7. Torrance (Pioneer), 8. Santa Maria St. Joseph, 9. Nordhoff (Tri-Valley), 10. Carpinteria
(Tri-Valley), 11. Cathedral (Del Rey), 12, South Torrance (Pioneer), 13. Bishop Diego (Tri-Valley), 14. St. Bernard (Del Rey), 15. Pioneer Valley (Los Padres). 21. La Salle (Camino Real), 23. Cantwell Sacred Heart (Camino Real), 25. Verbum Dei (Camino Real), 28. Bishop Montgomery (Camino Real), 29. Mary Star of the Sea (Camino Real).
Note: Cantwell wins a few games and the Cardinals get moved in with the likes of the potent Tri-Valley and Del Rey League powers. What kind of a reward is that?
Mid-Valley (XI)
1. San Dimas (Valle Vista), 2. Paraclete (Olympic), 3. Cerritos Valley Christian (Olympic), 4. South El Monte (Mission Valley, 5. Rosemead (Mission Valley), 6. Northview (Valle Vista), 7. El Monte (Mission Valley), 8. Baldwin Park (Valle Vista), 9. Whittier Christian (Olympic), 10. Monrovia (Rio Hondo), 11. Blair (Rio Hondo), 12. Los Angeles Baptist (Olympic), 13. Covina (Valle Vista), 14. San Marino, 15. Arroyo (Mission Valley), 20. Village Christian (Olympic).
Note: Re-read Northern Division note above, only insert Whittier Christian for Cantwell, and consider the value of the Heralds' reward.

The subject of high school tradition was discussed here about this
time last season, and while folks talked readily about the strengths of
their high school football programs, only El Rancho and St. Paul seemed
really adamant about including tradition as a major part of the program.

This week, El Rancho first-year coach Rick Zepeda was asked if he was
aware of the strong feelings the Dons' faithful expresses about "Blue
Pride." His reaction was as much realistic as it was idealistic.
In no way was it to be interpreted as disrespectful or uncaring as he
smiled and acknowledged it, but then he spoke mostly of laying a
foundation of fundamentals and execution and motivation and
participation in building the program.

While he didn't say it specifically, it is important to remember that
tradition is important as a motivational tool, but commitment and
performance in the arena, including talent and coaching, are what
sustain tradition's legend.

As was Gene Parsons in his brief stint last season as head coach,
Zepeda sounds like he has the Dons headed in the right direction.

While not all schools are as vocal about their tradition as are some,
all schools have some kind of it by which they stand.

Which area schools are the most aggressive concerning their
"tradition?" From here, it looks like El Rancho, St. Paul, Schurr, Santa
Fe and La Mirada.

Remember when football players scored a touchdown, merely dropped the
ball in the end zone and returned to the sideline ready to do it again?

Remember all the fuss about the first player who crossed the goalline
and then in grande gesture wound up and slammed the ball to the ground
after scoring in a celebratory reaction to the accomplishment.

Or the first basketball player who backed down the court with arm and
finger extended after scoring from 3-point range?

Or on a more personal level, the football defender who rises from a
crushing tackle by stepping over the fallen foe instead of stepping
around him and struts chest expanded, arms outspread and staring down
the opposing sideline?

Has celebration (including what often becomes taunting) gone too far?
Or is it something we must live with because, according to a recent
study by scientists from the University of British Columbia and San
Francisco State University, that such action is more human nature than
merely learned.
Interest in this behavior seemingly has been awakened after watching
Michael Phelps and his teammates react to setting a world record en
route to winning the 400 freestyle relay Sunday in the Olympic Games.

Granted, their display of excitement and satisfaction of what had
just happened might be called excessive, but in this case, it seems
warranted due to the level of accomplishment.

Such behavior is acceptable if there is descretion as to when it's
applied. And that shouldn't include routine activity. In other words,
keep the accomplishment in proper perspective.

Whittier High School basketball coach Michael Varos will conduct a
"performance training camp for boys and girls ages 6 though 14 that will
run Aug. 18-20 at Whittier High School.
The camp sessions are from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will be feature
emphasis on fundamentals, technique, footwork, agility, ball handling
and shooting.
In addition to Varos, instructors will be members of his high school
staff plus several college players.
The registration fee is $150 and includes a camp t-shirt. Registration can
be made online at coachmike@mvp-trainers.com. Walkups also may register
Aug. 18 at the site. Inquire about a discount for additional family members.

Joshua Quezada returns to key La Habra's always potent ground game

The majority of area high school football teams begin their seasons Sept. 12 in Week 1, but five local schools open play a week earlier, Sept. 5, in Week 0.
Getting the quick jump on the season are El Rancho (at West Covina), La Mirada (against visiting Tesoro), Montebello (which travels to face Norwalk), St. Paul (with a crucial opener against Servite at Cerritos College), and Whittier Christian (playing host to Alberta Canada's Cochrane High School).
Four of those games begin at 7 p.m., with St. Paul playing at 7:30.
In putting together the schedules that will run in this newspaper's annual football editiion that will be published later this month, some interesting points came to light.
-- Defending Del Rio League champion California plays four Thursday night games, giving coach Jim Arnold and his staff an opportunity for first-hand scouting future opponets, while providing those opponets equal opportunity to check out the Condors.
-- Cantwell Sacred Heart plays four of five non-Camino Real League games on the road, including a major test against St. Paul Sept. 26.
-- El Rancho might prefer to have its bye week (Oct. 03) after facing St. Francis rather than meeting the Black Knights (Oct. 10) just before opening league play.
-- La Habra faces a huge challenge in Week 2 against host South Hills, gets a 'breather' against Westminster, then takes on visitiing Los Alamitos before traveling to San Clemente.
-- La Mirada begins against Tesoro, which has become a perennial Orange County contender.
-- La Serna opens with four games at home, then is on the road for four before facing biggest arch California in Week 9.
-- Montebello's biggest challenge is whether the Oilers can rebound from a two-win season, but their schedule appears better suited to make it easier than more difficult.
-- Pioneer has four road games among five nonleague games, and the fifth is against playoff contender Cypress. No break there.
-- Santa Fe has four road games in league play, although the one with Pioneer is on their common field which is like a home game for both.
-- Schurr's six road games include three in Almont League, one of them against co-preseason favorite Alhambra, against crosstown rival Montebello, and then always-scary Bell Gardens.
-- St. Paul, nothing new here: With Servite, St. John Bosco, Loyola and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame leading up to the Mission League opener with visiting St. Francis, the Swordmen's road is the area's most treacherous.
-- Whittier's schedule takes on added import with the replacement of Firebaugh by San Gabriel Valley member Paramount, which should help prepare the Cardinals for a league stretch that finishes with three road games.
-- Whittier Christian opened last season with an eight-hour trip to play Mammoth. This year, the Heralds will prep on the road against division champion St. Margaret's and San Luis Obispo's Mission Prep before making the jump from the Alpha League to the more difficult Olympic League, where they'll face Cerritos Valley Christian, LA Baptist and Village Christian.

At first glance, Whittier College's installation of artificial turf on
its football field figured to update the facility and provide a
multitude of benefits for the college and its students.
Apparently, not everyone agrees, nor is happy about the
"improvement."
There is a feeling among some members of the community that the
artificial turf poses a threat to health due to the chemical makeup of
the paint used to color the "blades" (grass), and the recycled tires
used in making the rubber crumbs that help cushion the field.
Listed in an email from "Ivanosokin7" as potential problems for
athletes performing on the surface are being "abnormally dehydrated,
suffer heat exhaustion, cramps, and worse, be burned." Also included are
"inhaling and absorbing pollutants which also will be washed into the
soil and ground water and be blown through the air."
Apparently the naysayers choose not to give much, if any, credibility
to a report on artificial turf fields released July 30 by the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that concludes young children,
as well as all athletes that use these fields, are not at risk from
exposure to lead in these fields.
However, the report also acknowledged that lead present in pigments
of some synthetic turf products gives the turf its various colors and
that conditions (age, weathering, exposure to sunlight, and wear and
tear) might change the amount of lead that could be released from the
turf. Use and exposed over time to sunlight, heat and other weather
conditions, the surface of the turf may start to become worn and small
particles of the lead-containing synthetic grass fibers might be
released.
The CPSC staff evaluation showed that newer fields had no lead or
generally had the lowest lead levels. Although small amounts of lead
were detected on the surface of some older fields, none of these tested
fields released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children.
And while the evaluation found no harmful lead levels, as a way of
addressing any future production of synthetic turf, and to set standards
for any newcomers to the manufacture of the product, the CPSC is asking
that voluntary standards be set.

Anybody out there had any discomforting experiences while playing on
artificial turf, other than the heat that radiates from the surface
everyone talks about?

Daniel Reyes, who played defensive back in football and pitched for St. Paul High school is headed for New Mexico State University on a baseball scholarship.
Matt Carrillo, a starter in three sports for the Swordsmen, signed to play tight end for Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.

Both credit their time spent preparing at a community college this past year as making it all possible.

While Reyes and Carrillo received letters of interest from prospective colleges during their senior year, neither received bonafide offers.
Reyes walked on at Cal State Los Angeles but transferred to Whittier College and finished his freshman year with two innings of game time.
He switched to Fullerton College his sophomore year and became the Hornets' closer, working 28 innings in a school record 22 appearances and recording 24 strikeouts, a team-leading 3.21 earned run average and a 1-3 record.
"The work ethic taught at St. Paul combined with the coaching I got in college helped make a big difference," said Reyes, a 5-foot-9, 188-pound right-hander. "I learned how to pitch, beginning at Whittier College and then developing it last year at Fullerton.
"(Fullerton) is in such a tough conference (Orange Empire), every game was a learning experience. I should have gone to JC right out of high school. I'd probably have gotten better opportunities."

New Mexico State University competes in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

Carrillo said San Jose State asked him to walk on but he decided Mt. San Antonio College offered him better scholarship prospects for the future.
He saw limited playing time for the Mounties as a freshman, then earned All-Mission Conference and All-State honors as Mt. SAC won the Southern California championship before losing to San Francisco City College, 31-28, in the state title game.

The 6-5, 250-pound sophomore, who played football, basketball and baseball for St. Paul, averaged 15 yards on eight receptions and was considered an outstanding blocker.

Carrillo said what he got most out of the community college experience "was learning more about the importance of academics, about making myself go to class."

Carrillo is in a unique situation. He was recruited by a university that has not played football for 68 years, but is going full bore to reestablishing a progam in the 2009 season.

The school is renovating many of its facilities, including locker and weight rooms, and the on-campus stadium that was built in 1936. The community's renewed interest in resuming football is evidenced by the 24 suites atop the stadium that already are sold out.

Carrillo says the wait to play an official game was not a deterrent. Not at all," he said. "It will be a redshirt year for me. I'll be able to handle it. I'll continue to focus on the classroom and grades, and I'll concentrate on conditioning, improving my speed and footwork." Carrillo said there also will be a regular Monday-through-Friday schedule of workouts and practices run by the coaching staff.

Old Dominion will be a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, considered one of the NCAA's toughest mid-major conferences and including perennial national honors candidates Delaware, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.