Luken Praises Rios, Cornejo; Chavez King @ LP

GILBERTO RIOS (50)

GILBERT CORNEJO (8)

Lompoc High football coach ROBIN LUKEN Luken named defensive tackle GILBERTO RIOS (#50 pictured above) and safety GILBERT CORNEJO (#8 above) for their play Friday against San Luis Obispo. Rios led the Braves in defensive points with 24 while Cornejo was runner-up with 17. “Both of them had real good games,” Luken said Wednesday. “Anytime you’re in double digits you’re running around making things happen.”

Despite the efforts of Rios and Cornejo Lompoc High was mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.

This the second year in a row that the Braves will play only 10 games with no playoffs.

The last time that happened two years running was 38 years ago in 1968 and 1969. Things were actually so bad then that the Braves went seven years—from ’63 to ’69 without a CIF berth.

After that LHS (under JIM SPRUILL, MIKE WARREN, DAVE REYNOLDS and DICK BARRETT) ran up a 21-year streak until coach ROBIN LUKEN’s first year in 1991. Luken’s teams bounced back in 1992 and reeled off a 10-year run until 2001, after which they rebounded even bigger, with back-to-back CIF titles. They went deep into CIF in 2004 and 2005 but failed to qualify in 2006 and again this year. At 1-3 and with only one conference game remaining, CIF is a memory.
“Everybody seems to be asking will I be back,” Luken said Wednesday. “I’ll be back. You think I want to leave when I’m getting my butt kicked?”

Asked if the current drought indicates a return to the mediocrity which preceded the surge of the 1970’s, Luken replied:

“I hope it’s not that. But it takes a lot of hard work. When you’re playing schools that are bigger you have to work hard. How many kids get a brand new car when they graduate? ‘Why work hard when I’m gonna get it anyway,’ they ask. In football it doesn’t work like that.”

Asked if the jump up to the larger-school PAC-7 in 2006 was a factor, Luken said “We lost to Nipomo. In the Los Padres League we’d probably be in the middle of the pack. You’ve got to have the work ethic to succeed. That’s what we need to move to another level.”

Luken said the defeat to SLO was preceded by the Friday morning loss of lineman ADAM LEACH due to illness. Luken was forced to shuffle his personnel without the benefit of a practice. “Of the first 12 plays we ran we didn’t block one of them correctly,” he grumbled.

This Friday the Braves (1-3) venture north to Atascadero where the Greyhounds promise to run the ball directly at their visitors. “Last night on TV they said they were going to run the ball,” Luken noted. “Paso Robles’ running back gained 291 yards and broke the school record against us. Wouldn’t you run?” Atascadero (2-1) suffered an upset defeat at the hands of Righetti last week.

With Leach, ANDREW VAN DYKE and TOM McCAFFREY still sidelined, Luken said he would field an offensive line of SETH BROADHEAD, EVAN BEDFORD, BUCKY MARTINEZ, SAHID TORRES, and ALAN JULIAN.

Press Box Productions will broadcast the game on Comcast Channel 23 at 7:30.

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CHAVEZ CROWNED AT LA PURISIMA GOLF

Former LHS golfer RICK CHAVEZ captured the 2007 La Purisima Golf Course Club championship when he defeated veteran Bill Cushman of Santa Barbara. Both golfers recorded a two day total 4-over-par 148. Chavez scored 74 each day and prevailed in the playoff. As the La Purisima club champion, Chavez has qualified for the Southern California Club Champions tournament to be played December 3 in Palm Springs --Gary Prucha, Handicap Chair.

Robertson Nets Four Goals in Three Matches

WOMEN’S SOCCER

KARISSA ROBERTSON (No. 13 at the left) is becoming as much a scoring machine in Hawaii as she was on the mainland at Cabrillo High.

She scored four goals in three games last week to lead her University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans to two wins in three matches in the Pacific West Conference.

On Tuesday in Honolulu Robertson made the best of two breakaway opportunities in the second half on passes from fellowLompocan JANI CARMONA as the Vulcans earned their eighth shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over Chaminade University in a PWC conference matchup."We didn't play that great in the first half," UHH head coach Travis Clarke said," but that's what we've been doing and came back with a good second half. We did what we needed to do here."Both times Robertson found an open shot to add to the Vulcans tally on the score board.Two days later, on Thursday at Laie, Hawai‘i while the Vulcans were losing 2-1 to Brigham Young University-Hawaii scored to tally her third goal in two games.Then on Saturday at home the Vulcans nipped Grand Canyon University 3-2 after the Antelopes took the early lead. Robertson tied it up for the Vulcans (11-7, 8-2) as she took a pass from Carmona and beat the goalie at the 15-minute mark.

Robertson’s nine goals lead the team. Carmona is second with six. The Vulcans are ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division II Far West Region. The top six teams go to the NCAA tournament.

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CHICO, Calif. – The Chico State women's soccer team, of midfielder KATIE McINTOSH, made a momentous push toward becoming the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament's top seed with a 2-1 victory over Cal State Stanislaus Saturday at University Soccer Stadium. Chico State, now 12-5-1 overall and 10-3-1 in the CCAA, clinched its third CCAA North Division crown in the past four seasons earlier in the month. With their win Saturday, the Wildcats put UC San Diego in a position of needing to win both of their final two games or else Chico will take the top seed in next weekend's conference championship tournament hosted by Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Chico State is ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Division II Far West Region.

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MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The No. 8 California men's cross country team took third with 70 points Saturday at the Pac-10 Championships in Corvallis, Ore. Three Golden Bears finished in the top 10 to earn the third-place finish. The Cal men have finished in the top three in every meet so far this season.
Top-ranked Oregon won the men's 8K team crown with 39 points. Junior Yosef Ghebray paced the Bears for the first time this season, placing seventh at 23:14. After Ghebray, the other top-10 Cal runners were junior Mark Matusak and senior David Torrence. Matusak took 8th, touring the course in 23:16, while Torrence finished right behind Matusak in ninth at 23:17. Sophomore MICHAEL COE crossed the finish line at 23:28 (16th).

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly won its fifth consecutive men's Big West Conference title with 15 points Saturday as the Mustangs claimed the top five individual spots. UC Santa Barbara finished second with 53 points. UCI was fifth with 137.
Junior Nick Mosey had the top Irvine finish in 19th place in 26:18.0 while senior Sky Johnston placed 20th in 26:19.4. Sophomore COLIN HACKER was 26th (26:37.5).

Taua Scores First TD; Lydell & Lions Torched

VAI TAUA scored the first touchdown of his college career Saturday as Nevada stopped Idaho 37-21. At Reno Taua carried the rock for 11 yards and a TD with 10 seconds left to play.

The stocky fullback was confident even before his feat. “I was telling the line I was going to get the first one today,” he told the Nevada website’s reporter.

Earlier in the same series. Taua had three carries for four yards.

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Saturday was a tough day at the office for LYDELL SARGEANT as No. 1-ranked Ohio State spanked Penn State 37-17. Buckeye quarterback Todd Boeckman completed 19 passes in 26 attempts for 253 yards against Sargeant and the Nittany Lion secondary. Three tosses went for touchdowns.

Sargeant was asked about it after the game by CSTV.com
Q: What are your emotions right now?
A: This is a tough loss. There were a lot of emotions going into this game and a lot of emotions during the breaks. They played very well offensively and took advantage of a couple of things that we did. But we will be back.
Q: Did Todd Boeckman surprise you at all?
A: They pretty much ran everything that we did not see. They did not run anything we were used to or saw in tape. We adjusted to things in the second half, but they ran plays that we could not pick up on. He played well. They scored every down and did not punt at all. We did not make plays today.
Q: You usually get a lot of pressure on the quarterback and he had more time today...
A: They made adjustments on the line and with their routes. They knew what we were going to do, or at least had an idea, and they took advantage of that.


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At Fort Collins, Colorado the Utah Utes started their four-wide out offense which relegated tight end MATT SIMS to coming off the bench and blocking. The Utes won 27-3

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There were no other Lompocans in college action Saturday as MIKE SLAUGHTER did not play in Upper Iowa’s loss to University of Mary, and RUBEN GARCIA did not play in Iowa Wesleyan’s defeat at the hands of St. Ambrose. DONALD WHITE’s Ouachita Baptist squad had an open date, and BOO JACKSON’s El Camino College team had its game vs. Palomar cancelled due to poor air quality from fires.

Bennett's Bandits Crowned in SBBL Again

BANDITS REPEAT IN SB BASEBALL LEAGUE

Sunday the Lompoc Bandits demonstrated once again that the best baseball heritage in the county is located right here.

The Bandidos successfully defended their Santa Barbara Baseball League championship with a 17-13 slugfest overtime victory over the Goleta Diablos at Eddie Mathews Field in Santa Barbara.

“They swept us during the season,” player-manager MIKE BENNETT laughed Wednesday. “And the last time it was 13-3.” Besides defeating Lompoc in three regular season contests the Diablos led the standings at 17-3 to Lompoc’s 16-4.

But the Bandits got tough in the postseason to win two straight over Santa Barbara Puruandiro in the first round and then won two in a row over the Diablos for their second title in two years.

Sunday’s contest went to the 11th inning before an error and successive singles by JASON CARLSON, CAMERON LUNA and JOHN SALTER and a two-run double by RICKY AGUILAR scored four and gave Lompoc its 17-13 lead. Onetime LaVerne College reliever KYLE DARG closed the contest with a strikeout and two popups to record the victory. The loss went to onetime Lompoc High star HIP ARIAS now with the Diablos.

The Bandits had taken a two-run lead in the 10th on a two-run single by catcher DEREK CARPIO, but the Diablos matched it. The Bandits held a six-run lead in the seventh inning but three unearned runs by Goleta in the seventh and ninth forced extra innings.

Santa Barbara City College hurler JAMES ROOT pitched eight innings giving up only one earned run for the Bandits. He was awarded the championship series MVP trophy for his efforts. “He was the workhorse,” said Bennett. “He shut them down.”

The batting star for Lompoc earlier in the game was TREVOR BAIRD who accounted for five RBI including a three-run home run in the sixth inning.

The previous Sunday the Bandits also won in dramatic fashion.

Tied in the bottom of the ninth at 8-8 TIM HOWELL doubled off the fence and DANNY TERRONES doubled him home with a drive to right field. This after a two-run homer by Luna put Lompoc ahead 8-7 after eight.

“It was exciting this year,” Bennett commented. “We had to mix and match all year. We never had the same lineup.”

Fortunately the player-manager had a star-studded lineup to shuffle. “This was the deepest team we’ve ever had,” he said.

The roster included Carlson, Aguilar, Howell, Terrones, Sousa, LARRY JACINTO, and DEREK McLEOD in the infield, and Luna, Salter, and RAY HIRZEL in the outfield.
Carpio, Baird and COREY DOTZLER caught.

On the mound Bennett rotated Root, Darg, RYAN DAY, Sousa, JAKE MARSHALL, Carlson, Aguilar, TOMMY HAWK and even himself with Root and Day piling up the most innings.

Aguilar, Hawk, Howell, Jacinto and Carlson all bring professional experience while Sousa, McLeod, Salter, Root, Marshall, Dotzler and Darg played or are still playing college ball.

Team batting averages for the season show the strength of Bennett’s team. Ricky Aguilar led in batting at .514 followed by Jason Carlson at .463, Larry Jacinto at .444, Cameron Luna at .418, Jake Marshall .420, John Salter .400, Ryan Day .377, Bennett .375, James Root .361 and Kyle Sousa .357.

Luna led in RBI’s with 25 with Carlson at 20, and Aguilar, Salter and Marshall at 15. Carlson was the home run leader with six.

“2008? That’s what we’re talking about now,” Bennett added.

Good Game, Dreary Result

Barring a miracle no CIF playoff football games will be played by either local high school in 2007.

The Lompoc Braves fell Friday night to San Luis Obispo 21-15 in a hard-fought contest at Huyck Stadium.

The defeat relegates the blues to 1-3, ahead only of winless Arroyo Grande in the PAC-7. Worse, Righetti, the team which the Braves seemed most likely to overtake, won an improbable victory Friday night, upsetting undefeated Atascadero 21-13.

Thus Paso Robles, with a 35-14 victory over Arroyo Grande, takes sole possession of first place with a 3-0 record, followed by both Atascadero and SLO at 2-1, then Righetti at 2-2, then Lompoc and AG. Even a Lompoc victory over Atascadero next week, combined with a Righetti loss, would give LHS a 2-3 final PAC-7 record and only a tie with the Warriors. Unfortunately Righetti holds the tie-breaker based on their last-minute triumph over Lompoc in the season opener.

Not making the playoffs for two consecutive years is a rare, and possibly unprecedented, scenario for a Lompoc team coached by ROBIN LUKEN.

“We didn’t make the plays,” shrugged the coach afterward.

SLO took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 94-yard eight-minute drive that required 21 plays. Finally Brian Lewelling scored from the seven and the PAT was good.

Lompoc fought back to tie the score early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback DARYL AGUILAR (pictured above in an earlier game in a photo by Russ Samaniego) rolled right and cut back behind blocks by RUDY YRUEGAS and BOBBY COLLINS (his eligibility reinstated on a waiver) to score from the six. JORGE HERNANDEZ kicked the PAT.

But then San Luis quarterback Dave Schultz began to find success through the air, something he had been unable to do all game.

He connected on a 31-yard pass to Robert Rose to move his team to the Lompoc 11 and then found Rose again in the end zone. With the PAT it was 14-7 with 5:51 to play.

Then a critical fumble, Lompoc’s first turnover of the contest, gave SLO the ball at the LHS 21. At 4:29 Jay MacElhearney carried for 11 and suddenly the score was 21-7.

The Braves responded with a desperation drive mostly through the air as Aguilar completed to Collins and STEVEN MOREHART for big gains and at 2:49 Collins plunged over from the one. After two consecutive off-sides calls against SLO, Luken opted for a two-point PAT and Aguilar converted it rolling right and across the goal line. That made the count 21-15. But only 2:49 remained.

At about 1:30 a fumble appeared momentarily to give the Braves a chance at Hail Mary finish but it was covered by the Tigers.

The Braves now carry a 3-5 record for the season. They travel to Atascadero on Friday. Aguilar was voted Player of the Game.

PAC-7

Paso Robles 3-0
Atascadero 2-1
San Luis Obispo 2-1
Righetti 2-2
Lompoc 1-3
Arroyo Grande 0-3


MORRO BAY 54, CABRILLO 0

At Morro Bay everything went the way of the Pirates, despite a 50-yard run by Cabrillo’s BENNIE GARRETT as Morro Bay remained undefeated. Cabrillo falls to 1-5 in the Los Padres League, 2-6 overall. The Conquistadores host Templeton next Friday.

In other LPL contests Santa Ynez shocked St. Joseph 20-7, Pioneer Valley stopped Templeton 17-0, and Nipomo rolled over Santa Maria 42-0.


Los Padres League

Morro Bay 5-0
St. Joseph 4-1
Nipomo 3-2
Santa Ynez 3-2
Pioneer Valley 3-3
Templeton 2-3
Cabrillo 1-5
Santa Maria 0-5

"We Can Win," says Luken. "The Guys are Capable"

Reasons to hope Friday night.

“A great team effort,” that’s what Lompoc High coach ROBIN LUKEN calls last week’s 35-13 victory over Arroyo Grande. “We executed exactly what we wanted to.”
It is the first time the Brave leader has been able to make that statement this 3-4 season.

STEVEN MOREHART (pictured here) led the defense in tackles but everybody on the field had a hand in the effort. “DARYL AGUILAR scored three TD’s and made big plays,” Luken pointed out Wednesday.

“We had over 300 yards rushing. The last time we did that was in the second round of CIF three years ago.” That was BOO JACKSON’s senior year. This year's seniors were on the freshman team.

And contributing to that rushing at AG were nine ball-carriers—BRANDON ALONZO’s 95 yards led with Aguilar contributing 82, MASSON BLOW 72, FAVI VARGAS 40 (and a 48-yard pass reception and run), JAKE MOREHART 10 yards, and one carry each by DAVID MAGANA (for 15 yards), MILTON ROYSTER, SCOTTY AGUAILAR and RICH HIRZEL.

No individual had more than 100 yards rushing. There was no standing around waiting for the speedy guy to do it or a big tackle to block. Tailback Bobby Collins and tackle Val Vega are no longer eligible. Everybody remaining had to step up, and they did.

“You like it because it shows you’re well-balanced,” Luken said. “Anybody can break it at any time.”

Therein rests the hope for this week against San Luis Obispo. There won’t be any looking for a star to save the day.

And with so many ball carriers, the Tigers can’t key on one number. The Braves will run everybody.

The offensive line was undersized last week, without ANDREW VAN DYKE and TOM McCAFFREY due to injury but the all-junior front of SETH BROADHEAD, ALAN JULIAN, BUCKY MARTINEZ, EVAN BEDFORD and ADAM LEACH with Steve Morehart at tight end learned they can get the job done.

The same group will take the field this week.

“I feel we can win,” Luken said. “The guys are capable. SLO lost to Dos Pueblos. We beat Dos Pueblos. They beat Righetti. We lost to Righetti.”

Luken expects San Luis Obispo to try to throw. “When people throw, we have the people back there who can defend.” He pointed to Alonzo and RUDY YRUEGAS at cornerbacks, and Blow and GILBY CORNEJO at safety.

On defense SLO will try to pressure at the line of scrimmage, Luken went on. “So you’ll lose some, but if you execute you can gain big because there’s nobody back there.”

SLO lost to Dos Pueblos 19-14 while Lompoc defeated the Chargers 28-14. SLO comes in 1-1 in league off a 15-3 loss to Atascadero last week.

Quarterback Dave Schultz has over 900 yards passing but his completion percentage is low at 47% (80 of 168). He has also had six passes intercepted. Schultz does not run much. His 26 carries have gone for a minus 64 yards.

Brian Lewellen and Jay MacElhearney are the principal ball carriers. Lewellen has 492 yards and a 4.47 y/c average while MacElhearney averages 4.02 with nothing longer than 14 yards.

Last year Lompoc was winless in league but came roaring back to force the Tigers into overtime. Last week's triumph gave the Braves their first victory in PAC-7 play. Another like it will jump them into third place at 2-2 and into playoff contention.

The Lompoc-San Luis Obispo game will be broadcast by Press Box Productions on Comcast Channel 23.

Cabrillo at Morro Bay

Cabrillo on the other hand will be facing undefeated Morro Bay in the Land of the Rock.

"This game is all Logan Budd," Cabrillo coach DON CROSS said Thursday. "He kicks off, he punts, he's quarterback and principal ball-carrier, he's a safety on defense and he kicks extra points. He's a tailback in the shotgun and they hike him the ball. I've seen a couple games he's carried 25 or 30 times.

"We're going to pack the box and dare them to throw."

Cross said MATT ROTONDI, injured in last week's victory over Santa Maria has not practiced but is expected to play Friday. Tailback BENNIE GARRETT is more questionable. "I don't want him to play if he's not 100%," Cross said.

Statmeister Tabs Golfer Jones, X-C Runner Fabing

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

By Mike (The Statmeister) Loney

SARRAH JONES, LHS Golf (pictured above left)--Although she has been playing golf for only two years this LHS senior has shown remarkable progress. She has consistently shot in the low 50's (9 holes) with several top 10 finishes at league events this year after a season best 59 last year. At the LPL Tournament at Arroyo Grande (Cypress Ridge) last Thursday Sarrah had a breakthrough round of 42 for a second-place finish . This personal best constituted a 26% improvement over her season average and a 31% improvement over her last 3 outings. She expressed regret that she hadn't started golfing her freshman year and credited coach TOM GARRARD's patience, instruction, and fun practices with helping her stay focused amid a myriad of distractions this year. And she says " I am proud to be called a Lompoc Brave Golfer". Go Sarrah !!!

ASHLEY FABING, LHS Cross Country (pictured above right)-- This LHS sophomore has had a very good season, with Top 10 finishes at a number of races so far this year, including a 4th at the LPL All-Duals meet. It was therefore expected that she would do well at the MtSAC Invitational last friday, but she decided that good wasn't sufficient. Mt SAC is one of the largest X-C meets in the country with over 90 races and 13,000+ runners from 6 states in various categories. Ashley competed in the Div III Sophomore Girls race with 164 competitors (about 3 times the size of the league meet) representing 32 schools (including Atascadero and SLO). The races are run on the difficult 2.91 mile course used for the CIF-SS finals. The result- she blew away the field by 21 seconds for the win. Congratulations and good luck Ashley !!!

AMONG YOUNGER ATHLETES:

The Lompoc Tsunami Swim Club got its feet wet by sending a small contingent of 12 swimmers to the Nike Columbus Day Meet at Paul Nelson Pool in Santa Maria. The meet, the first of the season, had hundreds of competitors in various age and gender classes with races divided by swim style and distance. Although small, young, and inexperienced (five swimmers in competition for the first time), the LTSC group had a successful outing. Four firsts, a second, and three thirds, with points scored in eight other races, and 37 Top Ten finishes. Group members set 26 personal records (PR) at the event. The T's were led by the youngest member of the group- 8 year-old ERIN GRACYK who had three firsts in the sprints (25y Fly, 25y Back, & 25y Free) in her first meet. The Tsunami, who are still in the process of rebuilding under Coach JEFF STORIE after the dry (no pool) years, will next compete at a meet in San Luis Obispo, November 17-18 .

Other medal, scoring, or Top 10 finishes: Rebecca Riley [11yo]:1st (50y Breast),3rd (100y Back, 100y Breast),4th (50y Back),5th (50y Fly),7th (100y Free, 50y Free).7PR's. *Emily Gracyk [11yo]: 2nd (100y Back),7th (100y Breast) & 11th (100y Free). Jacob Robinson [9yo]:3rd (100y Back), 5th (100y Breast), 6th (50y Free, 50y Breast), 7th (100y IM, 50y Back), 8th (100y Free, 50y Fly). 7PR's. *Abigail Carpenter [11yo]:6th (50y Breast, 100 Breast),13th (100y Free). *Blake Espinosa [11yo]:7th (100y Free, 50y Back, 50y Free). *Erica Gracyk [9 yo]: 4th (50y Back), 6th (100y Free, 50y Breast, 100y IM). Samantha Carroll [11yo]:6th (50y Back, 100y Fly), 7th (200y IM), 8th (50y Free). 3 PR's. *Meagan Stevens [9yo]:6th (50y Fly), 7th (100y Free), 8th (50y Free), 9th (100y IM). * Participating in their 1st meet. Setting Personal Records were Paola Hernandez [12yo]- 6, Tiffany Hubbard [12yo]- 3, and Kieran Carroll [12yo]- 1.

Writer Compares Church to O'Neill, Calls for Trade

OK, it's winter now for the Washington Nationals-- time to take stock.




Is RYAN CHURCH (pictured here in a photo by Mike Collins) getting jerked around by general manager Jim Bowden or not? Guess what, we're not the only ones asking that question.




Here on the Nats' official website is a recent "mailbag" post to MLB.com writer Bill Ladson. Ladson watched the Nationals all 162 games last season.

Why don't the Nats think highly of outfielder Ryan Church? He played a good center field when needed. Is general manager Jim Bowden too in love with his former Reds players and not seeing the value of others on the team?-- Bill K., Annapolis, Md.


And Ladson replies-- I've had players in and out of the organization tell me that Bowden is indeed enamored with former Reds, but I've also seen Bowden gush over Justin Maxwell, Ronnie Belliard, Shawn Hill, Jon Rauch and Ryan Zimmerman, so it's false to say that Bowden doesn't see the value of non-Reds.


As far as Church is concerned, I think the expectations were too high. Members of the "think tank" believe that he is a 30-homer, 120-RBI guy. I see Church as a Paul O'Neill-type of hitter in the future. I don't think he needs to hit a lot of home runs to be a quality player. As did O'Neill in 1992 (when Bowden traded him from the Reds to the Yankees), I think Church needs a change of scenery. He would thrive in new surroundings.




Well, thank you, Bill. For those who forget Paul O'Neill he played a great outfield for the Yankees and became one of the club favorites. To be specific O'Neill batted .256, .251, .275, .270, .255, and .245 for the Reds from 1987 through 1992. Then Bowden traded him. Guess what! For the Yankees he caught fire. He batted .311, .359, .300, .302, .323, .317, .285, .282 and .266 before he retired after the 2001 season. He never hit massive numbers of home runs. He hit 28 once, 24 once, and the rest of the time from 15 to 22 each year. Sound like Churchie? Getting away from Bowden sure helped him, didn't it.




If Church stays in DC, it's clear he'll be in centerfield between (ex-Reds Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena) and "the think tank" (that's Bowden) will complain every day that either (a) he's not fast enough or (b) he doesn't hit enough home runs. The good part is that Church can walk to another team after the 2008 season, and Bowden will get NOTHING for him. Time to trade him now, Jim.

Boo Wins, Tops Stats; McIntosh Soccer Champ

BOO JACKSON won again this weekend at El Camino. Take a look at this report from the Torrance Daily Breeze.

By Dave Thorpe/Staff writer

What the El Camino football team lacked in focus and discipline in the first half, it certainly made up for with explosiveness and tenacity in the second half.
After a lackluster start that was nonetheless sprinkled with big plays, El Camino flipped the switch in the third quarter and ran away from Golden West in a 44-14 Mission Conference American Division win Friday night at Orange Coast College.


After Golden West (2-5, 0-2), which surprised El Camino (6-1, 2-0) with trick plays all game long, scored on its first drive of the second half to pull to within 17-14, the Warriors went on a 24-0 run to close the game with the kind of aplomb that was missing early.
One big reason for the turnaround was the ability of quarterback BOO JACKSON to find receiver Corey Surrency. The two hooked up for five completions and 113 yards, including a pair of key third-quarter touchdowns.
But El Camino's third-quarter scoring started with Tavares Pressley (nine carries, 87 yards, two touchdowns). On the team's first possession of the second half, Pressley carried the ball four times for 43 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown run to cap the drive and give El Camino a 24-14 lead.
On El Camino's next two drives, Jackson hit Surrency for a 29-yard touchdown pass and a 16-yard touchdown pass.

Jackson threw 13 times, completed 10 for 175 for two TD’s and no interceptions. His longest completion went for 35 yards. He was sacked twice. He was forced to scramble 10 times for 33 yards but he lost 14 on the sacks leaving a net of 19. One of his scrambles went for 13 yards.
Statistically Jackson now leads other Mission Conference quarterbacks in passing efficiency by several miles. He is 90 of 136 for 66.2% and 1535 yards (17 yards per completion) with 14 TD’s and only three interceptions. His passing efficiency ratio is 190.5. The next highest is Kevin Craft of Mt. SAC at 161.4.

In statewide numbers Jackson is in a virtual dead heat with Jacob Bower of Bakersfield. In passing yards per attempt Jackson leads at 11.45631 to Bower's 11.40000.
PASSING YARDS PER ATTEMPT [Minimum 40 pass attempts]
1. 11.456 Boo Jackson (103-1178) El Camino
2. 11.400 Jacob Bower (120-1368) Bakersfield
In overall quarterback rankings Bower leads by 4/10 of a percentage point 189.0 to 188.6. Matt Dardeene of Laney in Oakland is third at 182.9. Why isn’t Jackson at 190.5 in the state chart as he is in the Mission Conference chart? Good question.
PASS RATING [Minimum 40 pass attempts]
1. 189.0 Jacob Bower; Bakersfield
2. 188.6 Boo Jackson; El Camino

Elsewhere in college football
Saturday in Bloomington, Indiana Penn State held on for a 36-31 victory over Indiana. Junior cornerback LYDELL SARGEANT was second leading tackler for the Nittany Lions with five solo tackles and two assists. Next Saturday Penn State faces No. 1-ranked Ohio State on national TV.

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Thursday night in Fort Worth, Texas senior MATT SIMS was called upon for his third starting assignment of the season at tight end for Utah as they nudged TCU 27-20 for their third straight victory. Once again Sims was used primarily as a blocker and made no receptions.

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Saturday in Russellville, Arkansas Ouachita Baptist fell 38-28 to Arkansas Tech but senior cornerback DONALD WHITE led the defensive backs with five solo tackles and three assists. The Tigers are now 4-4.

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VAI TAUA at Nevada, MIKE SLAUGHTER and JUSTICE CLEGG at Upper Iowa, and RUBEN GARCIA at Iowa Wesleyan saw no action. Clegg, with knee ligament issues, is done for the season.

Women’s soccer

In Dominguez Hills Sunday KATIE McINTOSH’s Chico State Wildcats knocked off No.24-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills 3-2 to clinch their second straight California Collegiate Athletic Association North Division title and fourth straight postseason berth. The win followed Friday’s 1-0 triumph over 16th ranked UC San Diego. McIntosh is a starting midfielder in the Cats’ 5-midfielder alignment.

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In Hilo, Hawaii the Vulcans of Hawaii-Hilo won their seventh of eight NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference games by stopping Hawaii Pacific 1-0. JANI CARMONA started and got off two shots but both were saved by the keeper. KARISSA ROBERTSON came off the bench to put up one shot.

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In Oxnard Friday PAIGE EULITZ scored two goals and AMANDA MURRAY one to lead Allan Hancock College to its first conference victory, 3-2 over Oxnard. The Bulldogs managed the victory with just 10 players on the field due to injury.

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And more...

GEOFF WEST will be starting point guard and a captain at University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota when basketball season begins. His younger brother JASON WEST is also there where he is a walk-on freshman. While Geoff will wear No. 5, Jason will wear #12. Their games will be simulcast on pennatlantic.com or nothernsun.tv.

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C.J. SIMMONS will be playing hoops at Santa Rosa Junior College where Geoff West spent last season.

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In the recent list of Lompocans playing baseball at Santa Barbara City College LLR.com omitted pitcher OMAR RUBIO. Sorry, Omar.

Russ Samaniego's Football Foto Gallery

The Lompoc Braves were exultant Friday night at Arroyo Grande as they broke through for their first PAC-7 victory. The Braves ruled the Los Padres League in 2002-5 but went winless in the PAC-7 last season. Pictured in the first foto are (clockwise from left) GILBERTO RIOS, JUAN ARCINIEGA, ADAM LEACH, coach CHRIS ADAMS, SAUL DOMINGUEZ and JAKE MOREHART.

Photos come from the lens of RUSS SAMANIEGO.

Lompoc Brave Football Shows Up; Conqs Do Too

By Mike Loney

“They showed up, they wrapped up, and they did what they needed to win,” was the description coach ROBIN LUKEN gave of his defensive squad after the 35-13 victory Friday night- but he could have said the same about the entire team.

The Braves (3-4,1-2) played their best game of the season, defeating the Eagles (2-5,0-2) for only the fourth time since 1995 and for the first time at Arroyo Grande this century. It was also their first victory in the PAC-7 since joining last year.

The Braves played their best and most complete game of the season- racking up 372 yards on offense, allowing only 187 yards on defense, and playing solid special teams. It would have been difficult to anticipate this result earlier in the week when, in addition to having several players already out injured, the team suffered some self-inflicted wounds. At least four players (including two-way starters) literally failed to make the grade and were dismissed due to failure to maintain academic eligibility.

The team, however, pulled together and played the kind of football many fans have been hoping to see all year- tough, hard-nosed, swarming defense and an offense that can produce big plays.

The Players ---

#5 The Lines: The undersized O-line, all juniors, [SETH BROADHEAD, ALAN JULIAN, BUCKY MARTINEZ, EVAN BEDFORD, ADAM LEACH] played as a real unit and did a very good job of sealing off running lanes for Lompoc’s back-to-basics approach. They were not really asked to pass block as the Braves tried to throw only about three times. The D-line [FAVI VARGAS, VICTOR REYNA, SAUL DOMINGUEZ, Leach, Broadhead, JUAN ARCINIEGA, GILBERTO RIOS, JAMES MITCHELL] was quite good tonight. Although also outsized (what else is new) they were able to keep AG from moving the ball consistently. Two third quarter runs (50 & 27 yards), when the defense was tiring, accounted for a large chunk of AG’s yardage and all their points. Lompoc had three sacks for 17 yards [Vargas 2, Dominguez 1] - which is pretty good considering AG only tried to throw 10 times (2-5-1 for 18 yards, 2 scrambles for 7 yards).

#4 MASSON BLOW: He was the workhorse (14-72yds, TD) on offense, and blanketed receivers on defense, while also participating on various special teams (a punt return for 11 yards). Because he became the primary target of the defense, other players were able to get loose while he was getting pounded as the decoy.

#3 DARYL AGUILAR: He had a solid game, made lots of good decisions, managed the offense well, had 82 yards on ten carries and three rushing TDs - what else do you want ? Well, how about one of the greatest plays of the game. Lompoc stalled somewhat in the fourth quarter and was facing a 3rd & 5 from the AG 44 yard line. Aguilar dropped back, looking for a screen left, but immediately had a faceful of Eagles and no receiver. He avoided one rusher, slid to the right and left, broke about three tackles, apparently used his get out of jail free card, scrambled to the left, picked up some downfield blocks, and collected 28 yards and a 1st down. Eagle fans were disgusted. On the down side he had an interception (on 1-2-1 for 48 yards passing) and a fumble. Also one punt - 35 yards.

#2 BRANDON ALONZO: He seemingly never came off the field. Offense - nine carries for 95 yards and a TD (including a 59 yard run to set up another TD). Defense- Great coverage all night, several tackles that saved big yardage or scores, and a 45 yard interception return. Special Teams- Had four returns for 63 yards (one was partially wiped out by a penalty).

#1 FAVI VARGAS (pictured above) What do you call a guy who just keeps making plays ? Easy- Player of the Game ! He had 40 yards on nine carries, a 48-yard reception (a little 8-yard out route that he took off with), two sacks, a bunch of tackles, and was generally a major annoyance to whatever AG tried to do. His primary service was simply to make plays when they were needed. For instance, in the first nine plays of the game - 1 sack on 3rd & 7 on defense (plus assists on the other two plays), two carries (14 yards) for first downs on offense.

The Game Recap

1st Quarter: AG 1- 3 & out [-4 yds](Vargas 7 yd SAC on 3rd & 7) punt Lom 1- 9 plays, 54 yards Alonzo 2-25, Blow 4- 10, Aguilar 5yd TD (7:09) 7-0 AG 2- 6 plays,14 yards punt Lom 2- 3 & out [5 yds] punt AG 3- 3plays, 10 yards, 1 1st down 2nd Quarter: AG 3- [cont]7 plays, 17 yds, 1 1st downs At L26 throw into EZ Alonzo Int & Ret to L45 Lom 3- 4 plays, 55 yds Aguilar 1-21, Blow 2-31 inc. 19 yd TD (6:34) 14-0 AG 4- 3 & out [6 yds] punt Lom 4- 2 plays (-1 yd) Aguilar overthrows Yruegas-INTercepted by Henderson (AG46 to L25) AG 5- 6 plays,17 yards, 1st down Miss 24 yd FG From right hash- wide left Lom 5- 2 plays,7 yards run out clock 3rdQuarter: Lom 6-7 plays,84 yards Alonzo 59 yds on cris-cross to AG 1yln, Aguilar 1yd TD (8:49) 21-0 AG 6-11 plays, 38 yds,2 1st downs Ran reverse on 4th & 3 at L33-lost 1 yd Lom 7-3 plays, 16 yds,1st down Aguilar 2-13 (19, -6 fumble) FUMBLE AG 7-1 play, 50 yd TD run by Cabalar on fake reverse ,kick wide right (2:20) 21-6 Lom 8- Onside kick rec by Etteddgue for AG at L40 AG 8-4 plays,40 yds 8 yd pass rpn on 3 & 5 ;27yd run TD by Lopez (also had big game on D) AG line up for 2pt attempt, but 5 yd false start penalty ;McLaughlin kicks EP (0:47) 21-134th Quarter Lom 9-(1 pl in 3rd)Total 8 plays,65 yrds,2 1st downs 48 yd pass Aguilar to Vargas on 2nd & 13 at L42 set up 8 yd TD by Aguilar (9:12) 28-13 AG 9-3 & out [-1yd] Vargas SAC on 1st down punt Lom 10-9 plays,62 yards, 2 1st downs J.Morehart 8yds on 3rd & 7, Aguilar 28 on 3rd & 5; 10yd TD by Alonzo (2:16) 35-13 AG 10-1 play, pass thrown into crowd of 4 Lpc defenders - INT by ? (S.Morehart) Lom 11-4 plays,19 yds,1st down Subs in- Hirzel QB, S.Aguailar,Royster,Magana,Hirzel carryEND OF GAME Note: Jorge Hernandez kicked all 5 Lompoc EPs, also 6 kickoffs-284 yds.

Luken Quotes


“We ran more of an inside power game tonight. Then when our inside game started working, we were able to go outside with our option,” Luken told the Santa Maria Times.

“The whole offensive line stepped up tonight. We had a number of new starters on the line but they all did a good job. “Seth Broadhead, Adam Leach, Bucky Martinez, Evan Bedford, Alan Julian and Steve Morehart – they were the key to this win.

“Our defense also came through for us tonight. Especially our safeties, Gil Cornejo and Masson Blow made a lot of big plays.”

Luken had no comment about the loss of erstwhile two-way starters Bobby Collins and Valentine Vega.

Cabrillo Rolls over Santa Maria

At Huyck Stadium the Cabrillo Conquistadores mounted two drives each quarter to demolish the Saints 55-13.

GREG WATSON took complete command with 188 yards rushing, all but eight in the first half.

With his customary running mate BENNIE GARRETT sidelined with knee soreness Watson carried the ball 21 times in the first half for 180 yards and two touchdowns as Cabrillo took a 28-0 halftime lead.

“We held Bennie out—is knee is just a little sore,” said Conq coach DON CROSS. “No damage or anything, but everything’s fine. He’ll be back.”

Watson was more than enough. He scored the Q’s first TD from six yards out at the end of a 50-yard drive (in which he carried six times) and the fourth TD from eight yards, the finale of four consecutive carries. Watson’s longest run of the day was a 38-yarder on Cabrillo’s second drive.

“He’s a three-year starter for us so he knows what to do with the ball,” Cross added. “He had a great game and the line blocked very well. Greg knows what to do with the ball.”

Cabrillo’s second touchdown came from junior fullback MATT ROTONDI who went in from the six. Then in the second quarter he got loose for 31 yards to set up a 34-yard scoring pass from SEAN ALLEN to BRANDON WHITTAKER.

In the second half junior DAVID FRAATS took center stage with 83 yards on seven carries with three TDs. His scoring carries came from 48 yards and from 17 from scrimmage and a kickoff return of 65 yards.

“He’s an underclassman with a lot of speed,” Cross went on. “It was a good chance to let him get out there, see what it’s like and carry the ball a little bit.”

The other second half TD came from quarterback ADREAN AMES on a one-yard plunge which came after a 32-yard romp by Whittaker.

A big Homecoming crowd witnessed the victory. RENA TODD was named Homecoming Queen.

CONQ STATS

Rushing-- Watson 24 for 188, Fraats 7 for 83, Rotondi 5 for 52, Trevor Wagonseller 3 for 30, Whittaker 2 for 38, Justin Ellenbrook 2 for 2, Ames 2 for -11.

Passing— Allen 2-3-0 for 52 yards

Receiving – Whittaker 1 for 34, Josh Bowman 1 for 28.

Kicking – Pat Cook booted seven PATs in seven tries. An errant snap short-circuited an eighth attempt.

Both Local Grid Squads Win

Cabrillo's GREG WATSON (pictured) rushed for 180 yards in the first half alone Friday night to lead the Conquistadores to their first Los Padres League victory of the season, 55-13 at Huyck Stadium. Cabrillo is now 1-4 with Morro Bay and Templeton still ahead on the schedule.

At Arroyo Grande Lompoc High notched its first PAC-7 victory ever Friday night 35-13. The win keeps the blues in playoff contention at 1-2 in league play with San Luis Obispo and Atascadero coming up in the next two weeks.

In other games in the PAC-7 Atascadero overcame four first half turnovers to down San Luis Obispo 15-3 and Paso Robles came back from a 17-0 second quarter deficit to stop Righetti 49-23.

In the LPL Morro Bay dominated Nipomo 34-0, St. Joseph fought back to force overtime then nipped Templeton 21-20, and Pioneer Valley snapped its three-game losing streak to down Santa Ynez 9-0.

PAC-7
Atascadero 2-0
Paso Robles 2-0
San Luis Obispo 1-1
Righetti 1-2
Lompoc 1-2
Arroyo Grande 0-2

Los Padres League
Morro Bay 4-0
St. Joseph 4-0
Nipomo 2-2
Santa Ynez 2-2
Templeton 2-2
Pioneer Valley 2-3
Cabrillo 1-4
Santa Maria 0-4

Q'S PLAY FOR PRIDE; FARLEY GETS ATTENTION

“One game at a time” is not just a sports cliché. It’s a way of life when your league record is 0-4 and only three games remain.

“All we can think about is Game Seven: Santa Maria Friday night,” said Cabrillo football coach DON CROSS Thursday morning. “We want to play well in front of our Homecoming crowd.”

Cross was asked if his team was already eliminated from the CIF playoffs. “I don’t think 3-4 will get into the playoffs,” he admitted. Even if the Conqs were to run the table in their last three games they could only finish 3-4. Last year the Los Padres League’s fourth place team, Templeton, made CIF with a 4-3 record.

Cross found plenty positive nevertheless. “There are probably 100 plays in a game. There are probably five or six that decide the game. At St. Joseph we had first-and-goal on the six, but we don’t score. Of 100 plays we’re playing well, (but) then we make a huge mistake. We need to play better in crucial situations.”

Cross noted that junior MATT ROTONDI leads the league in tackles and BENNIE GARRETT leads in rushing. Rotondi leads runnerup Daniel Segoviano of Pioneer Valley 67-61 while Garrett leads No. 2 Logan Budd of Morro Bay in yardage 697-636. “They’re very consistent. Matt had nine tackles Friday and Bennie had 100 yards and on defense played man-to-man on (St. Joseph’s star receiver Scott) Cathcart and held him to three receptions.”

In Santa Maria, Cross’ squad faces a team which is 0-3 in league, 2-4 overall. The Saints have lost their three league game by 68-0, 55-0, and 44-0.

“They’re similar to us,” Cross said. “They are overmatched in size but they’re hustling right down to the end. No. 21 (Free safety Ryan Duran) comes up and hits people. Their defensive line gets off the ball. Their problem is they turn the ball over. Whoever turns over the ball least will win.” Game time at Huyck Stadium is 7:30.

Cross said Garrett, who may be limited in his appearances Friday due to a sore knee, has now received interest from Humboldt State as well as Portland State. The count of schools interested in big lineman JAKE FARLEY (listed at six-foot-three and 290 and pictured above) has reached a dozen including Fresno State, Arizona State, Utah, Nevada, San Jose State, Washington and Oregon.

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Lompoc High, 0-2 in the PAC-7, will visit Arroyo Grande in a must-win game for the Braves. With a loss the Braves would probably also fall from the playoff eligible list. The game will be broadcast by Press Box Productions on Comcast Channel 23 at 7:30.

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AL HUNT reports that DANA BEATTIE finished second in the Late Model class at the Santa Maria Speedway this season, followed by MIKE WEIGEL fourth in Mini-stocks, MIKE RICCARDI fifth in Late Models, and PAUL TERRONES eighth in the IMCA (International) class.

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Track buff Hunt also notes that NICK MARTIN placed 86th at the Santa Clara Invitational Cross Country meet Saturday. Martin’s Westmont team finished second among NAIA schools.

PAL Boxing; More Ink for Boo; Eulitz saves AHC

LOMPOC BOXERS ON THE MAP

Lompoc Pal boxers put Lompoc on the boxing map recently when ERICA and JUSTIN GUADARRAMA and RUTH JIMENEZ earned national Police Activities League belts at the 33rd annual national PAL tournament in Oxnard Sept. 29.

Erica Guadarrama, 13, (pictured) is the national PAL champion in the 106-pound weight class. She is one of Lompoc PAL’s brightest stars. She is in seventh grade at Lompoc Valley Middle School. She has a record of three wins and two losses.Coach ROY BACA predicts that because of her good work ethic in the gym Erica will become a silver gloves champion “Erica trains very hard and very seriously,” Baca said. “She sets the example for others when she trains for tournaments. She stays focused and learns quickly.”

Justin Guadarrama, 11, holds the belt as Central Coast champion in the 103-pound weight class. He first won the belt in a tournament sponsored by the Santa Maria PAL. Justin attends La Canada Elementary School. He also trains regularly at Roy’s Gym under the tutelage of his father, Mario.

Ruth Jimenez, 13, won the national PAL championship in the 105-pound weight category by beating three opponents. She attends El Camino Middle School where she is in eighth grade.

All the Lompoc PAL boxers will compete next at the district Silver Gloves tournament scheduled for November 2-4 at the Long Beach PAL gymnasium. For more information regarding the Lompoc PAL boxing program contact Coach Baca at the gym, 1195 W. Walnut, or call him at 588-2901. -- By ARCHIE MITCHELL

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MORE INK FOR BOO

By Scott Eklund
JCFootball.com

Posted Oct 17, 2007

When you have a number of talented playmakers around you as a quarterback, it can be tough to distinguish yourself. That's the quandry that El Camino QB BOO JACKSON (6-2, 190) finds himself. With his team putting up huge points early in games he's not putting up huge stats, but recently a Conference USA school came on the scene and liked him enough to give him his first offer.
"Memphis just offered me last Friday," Jackson told JCFootball.com shortly before a recent practice. "Basically, their recruiting coach and I talked and he liked my film and then he talked with their offensive coordinator, coach (Clay) Helton, and they said they liked me a lot and what I could do so they said 'we're going to send an offer out to you' and I think it came today to my coaches." Memphis might be the first, but they aren't likely to be the last to offer the playmaking signal-caller. Oregon, Hawaii, Kansas, Boise State and San Jose State have all made inquiries into Jackson's status and film. "There are some other schools too, but those are the schools that are really recruiting me the hardest," Jackson said. So far on the season, El Camino is off to a fine start going 5-1 with their only loss to Bakersfield in an epic 33-31 classic. "We've been doing really well," Jackson said. "I haven't put up many stats, but that's okay because we're winning and when you have backs like Jeremy Francis, Pat Hill and Tavares Pressley how can I complain I'm not throwing it enough? "I've sorta learned how to become a game manager and just getting my guys set and letting the playmakers do what they do best out there." Even though he's had limited opportunities to rack up big stats, Jackson has still managed to put up solide numbers going 80 of 123 (65%) for 1,360 yards, 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions. This weekend El Camino heads on the road to take on Golden West.

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PAIGE EULITZ SAVES BULLDOGS

"I'm VERY happy with the tie. Oh, my gosh," said Hancock College sophomore midfielder PAIGE EULITZ on Tuesday to reporter Kenny Cress of the Lompoc Record.

Eulitz netted a free kick with six minutes to play in the Bulldog Women's Western State Conference match with favored Cuesta to salvage a 1-1 tie. The Cougars are 5-7-2, AHC 2-10-2.

"The shot felt good when I kicked it. I wasn't so sure about kicking it. I used to do those all the time in high school," Eulitz continued. She played at Lompoc High.

Hancock's closest other chance for a goal came off the foot of ex-Cabrillo standout AMANDA MURRAY whose shot was wide by inches in the first half.

Smith Opens Hoops; Robertson, Carmona Score

University of Washington opened basketball practice this week. This after five games in Greece in which JOEL SMITH was a key contributor. According to the UW website--
THESSALONIKI, Greece -- Three players who sat on the sidelines last season were very much a part of the action Thursday.
All eight players scored during the second quarter when the Washington men's basketball team took the lead for good en route to a 93-81 victory over Ment Thessalonki in the first of five games on their tour of Greece.
"Our guys who sat out last year were real impressive -- Joel Smith, Tim Morris and Joe Wolfinger," Husky coach Lorenzo Romar remarked. "All three of those guys had an impact on the game tonight."
A two-year letterman, Smith was an injury red-shirt last year. He had seven points and seven rebounds in his return to a Husky uniform. Smith had a resounding dunk in the game's final minute that drew cheers from the small crowd.
In five games in Greece Smith totaled 31 points for a 6.2 ppg average. He connected on 12 of 19 field goals for a percentage of .632, highest on the team.

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At Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho ANTHONY BURTLEY has been declared a redshirt partially due to injury.

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At the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota GEOFF WEST will wear No. 5.

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JANI CARMONA and KARISSA ROBERTSON scored an amazing three goals apiece Monday as Hawaii-Hilo’s women’s soccer team buried Mills of Oakland 13-0. Last Wednesday Carmona scored the opening goal as UHH stopped Notre Dame-Belmont 2-0.
Carmona rose above the field to break the scoreless game with a header off of a corner kick 23 minutes into the second half. “She is probably one of the most technically gifted soccer players around any division,” Coach Travis Clarke said. “Just by her dribbling and being able to hold the ball … it makes the other team defend a lot. Jani did well.”

The UHH Vulcans are now 5-1 in conference, 8-6 overall. Robertson, with five goals and four assists, and Carmona, with six goals, lead the UHH offense.

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At Chico State KATIE McINTOSH continues as an every-game starter, but Sunday a 1-0 loss to Sonoma State dumped the Wildcats out of first place in the CCAA North Division.

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At Berkeley the California men's cross country team received its highest ranking in school history in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) national poll with an eighth-place ranking. The Golden Bears are tied with Arkansas in the No. 8 spot.
Cal earned the national recognition after its third-place showing in the blue race of the Pre-NCAA Meet that was held last Saturday in Terre Haute, Ind.
Four Cal runners finished in the top 30 last Saturday. Senior David Torrence paced the Bears, finishing 16th with a time of 23:39. Sophomore MICHAEL COE took 17th.

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COLIN HACKER of UC Irvine fished 103rd of 259 at the Chili Pepper Cross Country Festival at the University of Arkansas last Saturday. Hacker’s time of 32.51 was third among the seven Anteater runners.

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Miscellaneous--
BRAD MEMBERTO, sports information director at Allan Hancock College, reports in football that TIM OCHOA is seeing plenty of action in the defensive backfield. JAKE SIMS however has been blocked at tight end behind a sophomore all-leaguer. Wide receiver JOSEPH SCOTT has gotten on the field with the second unit as a running back.

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In fall baseball at Santa Barbara City College are pitcher JAMES ROOT, catcher BRIAN GREGORY, and, back from Arizona, JOHN TERRONES.

Boo Jackson Receives First Offer

BOO JACKSON, profiled today in JCGridiron.com, confirmed this evening that Memphis, Oregon, Boise State, North Carolina, UNLV, Hawaii and San Jose are still in the running for his services next season. He also confirmed the report that Memphis has already made a commitment.

Asked what has improved in his game from what Lompoc fans remember at Huyck Stadium in 2003 and 2004, the El Camino College quarterback said it was his passing.

“Everything in my passing game has changed, from my footwork to my arm strength. I’m not just messing around in the weight room like in high school. I’m more serious and I’m doing different things. I’m a drop-back quarterback now,” he laughed thinking of his impromptu rushing forays as Lompoc High QB. “When I first came I wanted to run and play defense.” El Camino coaches put a quick end to those thoughts.

ECC has a chance for the state title, Jackson believes. “We have a really good chance. We’re looking for revenge against Bakersfield.” The Renegades won an early season game with ECC on the final play.

Jackson has matured both athletically and academically. He is scheduled to graduate with an AA in December. “In Lompoc I didn’t take school as seriously. I’m really studying now.”

He still remembers Lompoc fondly, he said. “I’m still from Lompoc. Coach Barrett and Coach Luken made me what I am today.”

JCGridiron.com reported Jackson's story like this--

"It was just a matter of time before the field general at Torrance (Calif.) El Camino College pulled in his first offer and last week he did just that.

"The talented sophomore guided the Warriors to the state title as a freshman and had a 188.6 passer rating heading into last week's game. El Camino quarterback Boo Jackson has a great combination of size and speed and makes a lot of good decisions as he will likely take over the top spot in the state in passer rating after his game on Saturday. He was second to Bakersfield quarterback Jacob Bower heading into the weekend but given Bower's three interceptions on Saturday Jackson is likely to assume the top spot when the state stats come out later in the week.

"Jackson received his first offer last week.'I picked up my first offer from Memphis last week,' Jackson said. 'Coach Helton called and said they were very interested in me and they would love to have me there. They have a junior quarterback who may leave to the MLB because he throws a 96-MPH fastball. The other guy they have is a senior.'

"Jackson is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash around 4.55 seconds. He graduated from Lompoc High School in 2005 and immediately greyshirted at El Camino before starting up his JUCO career for the Warriors in 2006.

"Jackson says he likes what he sees so far from Memphis.'I watched one of their games on TV and they have a similar offense to ours,' Jackson said. 'I am looking for a trip so I can see the campus and meet the coaches. They said they were setting something up for December. They are trying to get a bunch of recruits from El Camino.'

"Jackson is on track to transfer in December with three years left to play two years of football. He says a few other programs have made contact with the football office about his services.'North Carolina, Boise, Hawaii, Oregon, UNLV, San Jose State and a few other schools have called our coaches,' Jackson said. Jackson said he expects to make a decision after the season.'I thought about committing a lot, but I am going to wait until after the season,' Jackson said.

College Grid Roundup--Sargeant Stepping Up

In front of 109,754 in University Park, Pennsylvania, Saturday Penn State thumped Wisconsin 38-7 to improve its record to 5-2, 2-2 in the Big 10. The gritty Nittany Lion defense permitted the Badgers only 87 rushing yards. A key element in the defensive backfield was junior cornerback LYDELL SARGEANT who led the DB's with five solo tackles and three assists plus two breakups. Best of all Sargeant notched an interception early in the second quarter which was one of three first half Badger turnovers. Sargeant picked off the Tyler Donovan toss at midfield after it bounced out of receiver David Gilreath’s hands. He returned it three yards to the Wisconsin 47 and three plays later the Lions scored to take a 17-7 lead. The pick was Sargeant’s second of the season and third of his career.

After the game junior Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto was asked by the PSU website about Sargeant.

“He was great. He is stepping up big time. I don't think a lot of people expected this out of him. He is a diamond in the rough, and he is just doing a great job at the nickel position and the corner position. He is making plays, creating turnovers. He is doing a great job out there.”

BOO

In Long Beach Saturday BOO JACKSON went 14-for-19 for 172 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions, as El Camino College, ranked No. 5 in the nation, dumped Long Beach City College 37-14. After six games Jackson leads Mission Conference quarterbacks in efficiency. He has completed 65% of his passes (80 of 123) for 1360 yards (17 yards per completion) and 12 touchdowns. He has given up only three interceptions. His QB efficiency rating is 185.2. The next-best MC quarterbacks are rated 163, 160 and 151.

SIMS

In Salt Lake City the Utah Utes clobbered San Diego State 23-7 but opened in its four-wide offense. That meant no tight end, so MATT SIMS was not in the starting lineup as he has been for the past several games. He played but made no receptions.

WHITE

In Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Ouachita Baptist snapped his three-game losing streak by blitzing Southern Arkansas 38-17. Starting cornerback DONALD WHITE registered a solo tackle and two assists in the contest. OBU is now 4-3.

VAI

In Boise the Broncos nipped Nevada 69-67 in an amazing nationally televised 4-overtime game but VAI TAUA saw no action.

UPPER IOWA

In Fayette, Iowa, Upper Iowa stopped Southwest Minnesota State 39-27 to improve the Peacock record to 3-4. For the first time this season neither defensive end MIKE SLAUGHTER nor offensive tackle JUSTICE CLEGG played.