Cross Optimistic for Conq Football This Year

Injuries sent the Cabrillo Conquistadores reeling to 2-8 last season after a CIF semi-final berth in 2005, but things are looking up, coach DON CROSS declared today.

“We’re going to be fine if we stay healthy. We have looked at all sides of those injuries. We looked at training and we looked at equipment. We’ve decided it was just a fluke.”

The positive side of all the hospital calls was that plenty of new talent reaped experience. It should come back to pay off beginning on Friday when the Q’s host Pacifica of Oxnard in their season opener at Huyck Stadium.

The strength of the black-and-gold should rest in the enormous offensive line. Center PAUL McNEIL stands a compact 5-10, 230. Guards DAVID KULP (6-1, 265) and JAKE FARLEY (6-3, 290) are gargantuan. All bring a year’s experience though Farley’s came two years ago. He was a casualty in ’06. Left tackle MIKE NELSON (5-11, 210) is also back after losing the season to injury. Right tackle ALEX HURD (6-0, 250) arrives from the undefeated JV team. If you have a calculator you know their average weight of this group is 250 pounds.

Add to that junior CHRIS ZAHUTA who played guard last year at 6-0, 190, and is a fearsome blocker, will be the tight end.

The guys carrying the ball, GREG WATSON and BENNIE GARRETT, are experienced seniors, and speedy. “They have breakaway speed, both of them. They’re track guys. They’re a threat to go all the way from anywhere,” Cross predicted. At wingback is junior BRANDON WHITTAKER. On that 10-0 JV team a year ago Whittaker picked off an amazing13 interceptions. The wide receiver spot will be contested between DAVID PHILLIPS, JEFF ESPARZA and JOSH BOWMAN.

Enjoying this cornucopia of riches will be junior quarterback SEAN ALLEN. Allen was thrown into the varsity fire last season when QB C.J. Simmons was injured.

“He understands the offense,” Cross said. “He knows how to play quarterback. On third-and-five he knows we want to go six yards, not 25.” Cross even compares Allen to his CIF-winning quarterback at Lompoc High ANDREW JONES. “He plays within himself,” Cross said.

The front of the defense will be staffed by Farley, Kulp and Zahuta with sophomore PAT COOK and junior EMMER RUANO at the ends. The linebackers will be MATT ROTONDI and JEFF GONZALES, the corners Garrett and Watson, and the free safety Whittaker. TREVOR WAGONSELLER will be utility man. The strong safety spot will be contested between VINCE MARZULLO and freshman USO TAUA, brother of University of Nevada running back VAI TAUA. “We’ve got speed on defense,” Cross assured.

Esparza will punt and kick field goals. He can punt for 40 and score from 30, Cross estimated. NOAH MOORE will handle kickoffs.

Cross predicted the Los Padres League will be up for grabs between Pioneer Valley, Cabrillo, St. Joseph and Morro Bay. “In the summer the most athletic team was Morro Bay,” Cross declared. “Logan Budd may be the best player in the league. He never leaves the field. It’s gonna be crazy.”

Game time Friday is 7:30. The Conqs have only two preparatory games before they open LPL play at Pioneer Valley on Sept. 21. That game will be broadcast by Pressbox Productions on Comcast Channel 23.

Baseball wraps up

ANDY SHIPMAN’s baseball season came to an end Monday. After a disappointing assignment by the Oakland A’s to AA Midland of the Texas League, his pitching numbers looked good early. They were so good through April and May that a call up back to AAA where he had spent 2006, and maybe even the major leagues, seemed likely. But in June and thereafter the numbers slipped. The Ship, in his fifth pro year, struggled to a 4-7 record and a 5.81 ERA in 117 innings. During July and August his ERA soared to above seven…. CHRIS WHITE went 3-for-5 with two doubles Monday for the Oneonta Tigers of the New York-Pennsylvania League. The trio of raps raised his batting average for his late August stint at Oneonta to .225. He batted .279 for the Gulf Coast League Rookie Tigers before their season ended. White can be seen on TV the next two nights on the web at www.ironbirdsbaseball.com, click MULTIMEDIA, then IBTV, and then CLICK HERE TO VIEW IBTV BASEBALL. Game starts at 4 p.m. California time, 6 p.m. Central. Be on time, White is the leadoff batter.

Football Foto Feature by Russ Samaniego

Photographer RUSS SAMANIEGO snapped these shots Friday night at Thorson Stadium in Westlake Village as the Lompoc Braves battled the Oaks Christian Lions.

Top to bottom and left to right (click on the picture to enlarge it) --

Quarterback DARYL AGUILAR (5) turns on the jets for a long run.

Linebacker FAVI VARGAS (45) has him high, and SOMEBODY has him low.

Quarterback RICHARD HIRZEL (14) shows his straightarm to OC defenders.

Running back SCOTT AGUAILAR (11) burrows into the OC line behind blocking by ANDREW VAN DYKE (71)

Defender MASSON BLOW (3) dives and barely misses this OC kick.

Linebacker JAKE MOREHART (15) goes high in the air.

Lompocans Wow Big Grid Crowds

Lompocans in college football performed before massive crowds Saturday with LYDELL SARGEANT leading the numbers.

At Penn State the Nittany Lions demolished Florida International 59-0 with Sargeant making his first start for PSU before 107,678.

At cornerback Sargeant made five solo tackles to lead the defensive backs and rank second overall in defensive statistics.

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At Lincoln, Nebraska, VAI TAUA did nearly as well. The onetime Cabrillo star was the leading ground gainer for Nevada despite the Wolfpack being crushed 52-10. Crowd size was 84,000.

Taua did not start but came on to make three carries for 24 yards. One of his rushes went for 12 yards. His average for the day was eight yards/carry, also the best of any Wolfpack ballcarrier with more than one carry. The starting tailback for Nevada carried four times and gained but three yards.

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Utah lost to Oregon State Thursday night. MATT SIMS played but registered no receptions. He was not in the starting lineup at his usual H-back spot nor at tight end.

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In Division II Upper Iowa bumped off Loras 38-11 for only the second time in five years with JUSTICE CLEGG and MIKE SLAUGHTER playing roles.

Clegg, No. 71, started at right tackle on offense while Slaughter, No. 52, came off the bench on defense to rank among the Peacocks’ statistical leaders. Big Mike registered three solo tackles, third on the team, and one assist. Two of his tackles threw ball carriers for losses. Slaughter may be starting before long.

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Ouachita Baptist nipped Texas A&M Commerce on a final seconds field goal 29-27. Starting defensive back DONALD WHITE, No. 2, led the DB’s in tackles with five, 1 solo and four assisted.

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In the junior college ranks BOO JACKSON picked up where he left off last season by leading El Camino of Torrance to a 56-13 victory over Grossmont Saturday night.

Jackson, the starting quarterback, completed 13 of 21 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. His longest toss went for 28 yards. He was not intercepted but he was sacked once. He ran four times for a net 13 yards including one TD. El Camino is the defending California junior college champion.

Braves Refuse to Back Down to Lions

Friday night at Thorson Stadium in Westlake Village was an experience. In 90 degree heat at game time a helicopter delivering the first ball was, well, a first in this reporter’s experience.

The game score 49-14 came as no great surprise. Oaks Christian recruits the best players from all over the area. Their victory was their 47th consecutive, a new CIF Southern Section record.

The good news for Lompoc fans was the fighting response by the Braves after being down 42-0 at halftime.

The blues came out as if it were a new game. They began at their own 20 and marched down the field methodically on nine plays until quarterback DARYL AGUILAR found receiver STEVEN MOREHART in the right corner at the one yard line. Morehart went up over two defenders and brought down the ball. Two plays later fullback FAVI VARGAS crunched across the goal line for Lompoc’s first score against the Lions in seven quarters of play dating back to last year’s 49-0 defeat.

The marched utilized Vargas, Masson Blow, Brandon Alonzo, and scrambles and passes by Aguilar to move the ball.

“We shoved it down their throats against their FIRST ‘D’!” grinned assistant coach NATE MENDOZA. “That’s what their coach told us afterward. Their top guys were still in there. This is the most positive I have ever felt after a loss. ROGER PACHECO said it himself, ‘This is a good group of kids.’ I’m excited for the rest of the year.”

Other Brave highlights included runs by MASSON BLOW of 31 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and a 50-yard kickoff return against the best of the Lions in the first quarter. Then there was Aguilar going 8-for-12 passing and outrunning the Lion secondary for a 37-yard gain in the second quarter, kicker MATT MARQUEZ barely missing from 52 yards out, GILBY CORNEJO’s interception, and an 11-yard reception in heavy traffic by RUDY YRUEGAS

PRESS BOX PRODUCTIONS offensive player of the game is STEVEN MOREHART. Defensive player of the game is GILBERTO RIOS who roamed sideline to sideline to make tackles.

Next week’s Game of the Week is Lompoc at Nipomo.

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In other games Righetti overcame Pioneer Valley 17-14 in overtime after the Panthers missed a short field goal with seconds left in regulation, Bishop Diego defeated Nipomo 21-13, Aptos edged Arroyo Grande 21-14, Atascadero belted Washington Union 42-22, Templeton destroyed Tranquility 46-0, Morro Bay stopped Immanuel 38-7, and Paso Robles beat Highlands 29-19.

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At the IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan Thursday DUANE SOLOMON had to settle for seventh place in his heat and did not advance to the semifinals in the 800. Solomon ran 1:48.95 after leading the pack at the halfway mark. His split at that point was 5l.97. Solomon now returns to USC for the cross country season. He enters his senior year.

Duffy Finishes AZL a Star; Collins Back at LHS

DANNY DUFFY completed his debut professional season with the Arizona League Royals Wednesday night with blue chip statistics.

In 37 innings over 11 games, nine of which he started, he allowed only six earned runs and 24 hits. His ERA was 1.45. He allowed not a single home run. He struck out a whopping 63 and walked only 17. His 63 strike outs ranked No. 6 in the AZL despite the fact that many pitchers worked far more inning than he did.

Duffy’s only so-so statistic was his won-loss mark of 2-3. His final game Wednesday night gave him his third defeat. He came on in relief in the third inning, only his second relief appearance of the summer, and worked three innings. He was tapped for four hits, two earned runs and a walk. He struck out three. In the third inning two singles, the walk, and a throwing error by his catcher scored two, one earned. In the fifth two singles and two wild pitches put another across.

He will return to Lompoc briefly before returning to Arizona for fall instructional camp, a coup for a young player.

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BOBBY COLLINS, Lompoc High’s top ground gainer in 2006, may play for the Braves this year after all.

Coach ROBIN LUKEN told LLR.com today that Collins, who transferred away for the spring semester, enrolled at LHS this week. He has been added to the Braves’ roster as printed in MaxPreps.com with jersey No. 24.

“We still have to go through CIF to verify residence and all that stuff,” Luken said. “So I don’t know if he’ll be able to play next week or the week after.”

Collins definitely will not be eligible to play tomorrow night in the team’s opener at Oaks Christian.

If and when CIF clearance is secured, the Braves’ inexperience in the offensive backfield will be significantly lessened. “I’m feeling good,” Luken said, thinking of his experienced offensive line and the blazing Collins to go with BRANDON ALONZO, MASSON BLOW and FAVI VARGAS as ball carriers.

Last year Collins, in his sophomore season, was Lompoc’s leading rusher with 474 yards. On 91 carries at tailback he carried for an average of 5.21 yards/carry, the highest on the team. Included in his total were 140 yards vs. Arroyo Grande and 122 yards vs. San Luis Obispo. His longest run of the season was a 74-yard romp against AG. He tied for the team lead in scoring with 32 points.

As a soph Collins stood six feet tall and weighed 190. He is now listed at 6-0, 180 by MaxPreps.com.

Luken also announced that for the first time in 26 years as a coach he will miss a game. Thursday evening he was en route to Colorado Springs for the U.S. Air Force Academy’s parents’ Open House. “It’s the first time ever done this,” Luken said. “But it’s the only time I’ll ever be able to see both of my sons there.” Both BRYCE and DERRICK LUKEN are cadets at USAFA.

MORE ON THE BRAVES

The offensive backfield of the Braves is not blue, it’s green.

Tailback MASSON BLOW, Z-back BRANDON ALONZO and fullback FAVI VARGAS had only a handful of carries last year.

But they all bring talent. Alonzo, whose lightning-quick brother Anthony played that spot just a few years ago, may be as fast as his brother. “He’s elusive,” attested Luken.

Blow, one of Luken’s four co-captains, is an ex-wrestler. “He’s a physical guy for how big he is,” said Luken. “He has balance and brings toughness.” Blow is 5-9, 170.

Vargas (5-10, 200) is another whose brother once played his spot. His brother Manuel was Napoleon Kaufman’s running mate in Lompoc’s legendary first CIF title drive in 1990. The younger Vargas played a lot on defense last season.

Also at FB, in order to give Vargas a break since he’ll be playing linebacker on D, will be VICTOR REYNA who Luken says brings a “low center of gravity,” and super-soph JAKE MOREHART, one of just three sophomores on the squad.

The tight end will be co-captain STEVEN MOREHART, a senior who backed up at that spot last season.

The D

The Brave defense will be as green as the offensive backfield. The key spot, the strong side linebacker will be held down, or alternated, by Vargas and Steven Morehart. Vargas was a defensive end in 2006, Morehart a weakside backer. Jake Morehart looks to be the weakside LB.

The starting line looks like fullback Reyna at left end, tackle GILBERTO RIOS, then three juniors-- nose guard BUCKY MARTINEZ, tackle ADAM LEACH, and right end SETH BROADHEAD. “They’re all 200 pounds and they can all move,” Luken declared. Well, Reyna is only 185 but Rios is 225 so it evens out.

In the backfield Blow and Alonzo, who have experience, will be the corners, but beyond them the personnel is young-- SCOTTY AGUAILAR will be the strong safety, and junior GILBERT CORNEJO or RUDY YRUEGAS will be the free safety. All three are juniors.

Special teams look to be in good hands with experienced DARYL AGUILAR punting and two talented toes kicking field goals in senior RALPH GONZALES and sophomore MATT MARQUEZ. The critical long snapper will be ROBERTO CORRAL.

Luken made an interesting comment about his revamped coaching staff, about whom a few eyebrows have been raised for its youth, ANDREW JONES and NATE MENDOZA having just finished their collegiate eligibility last season. “They’re gonna be fine,” Luken said. “They bring a little more enthusiasm than some of us old guys have. When you’re around young people it gets your juices flowing again.”

Luken set his goals as follows—“We want to go to the playoffs. We want to compete for the Pac-7 title, and we want to practice on Thanksgiving. That’s what we do here at Lompoc High.”

Tomorrow: Oaks Christian

Game time Friday is 7:30 on Comcast channel 25

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At Dodger Stadium Wednesday RYAN CHURCH went 4-for-5 including his 37th double of the season but the Washington bullpen could not hold the lead and the Dodgers prevailed 10-9 in 12 innings.

In the “good to see he agrees with me” category is the following post from MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. Church and rightfielder Austin Kearns have posted almost identical batting numbers this season yet the “Nationals’ brain trust” (General Manager Jim Bowden) brings in Wily Mo Pena to replace Church while Kearns remains secure.

"There have been times this season when I've felt Kearns was given a free pass by the organization and certain members of the media when it came to his offensive production. Not too long ago, one member of the 'think tank' told a group of writers, 'Kearns was the second-best player on the team' after Ryan Zimmerman. But, I guess, hustle and determination outweighed anything Kearns has done with the bat. Next year, though, I would like to see the hitter Bowden has bragged about since 2005. Thirty home runs and 100 RBIs would be a nice year for Kearns in 2008.

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CHRIS WHITE went 2-for-4 with a double Wednesday to show he has mastered New York-Penn League pitching this time around. With Oneonta in June he managed only one hit in 19 tries.

Luken Optimistic for 17th Season

ROBIN LUKEN popped the lid off the 2007 Lompoc Braves football team today and pronounced himself at least a little bit optimistic. This after a 3-7 season in 2006, only the third year in 16 in which Luken’s Braves failed to make the CIF playoffs.

“I’m seeing camaraderie,” Luken said. “I’m seeing pats on the back. I’m seeing guys who like to play with each other.

“The kids learned a hard lesson. Last year’s team thought, ‘This is going to be easy.’ This year’s team is a little more humble. They’ve bonded better. I don’t feel friction. They’re more willing to do what we ask them to do.”

The "we" is the coaching staff pictured above -- NATE MENDOZA, ANDREW JONES, LUKEN, CHRIS ADAMS, and ROGER PACHECO

The last time the Braves failed to make the playoffs was in 2001. The following season Jones and Mendoza led the team to a CIF title.

But that year Jones, the quarterback, had been QB for two previous seasons. This time the signal caller, DARYL AGUILAR, was only a part-timer his junior year.

“So far he’s making all the right decisions on the field,” Luken declared.

Asked which of his past quarterbacks Aguilar resembled, Luken took a moment to think, then recalled NICK TERRONES of the 1994 and 1995 teams which won the old Northern League and reached deep into the playoffs.

“He’s like Nick Terrones. He’s creative on the field,” Luken said. Aguilar came on in relief several times last season and at San Marcos rallied the Braves to victory.

The strength of the Brave team at this point is the offensive line where three starters return—left tackle VAL VEGA (6-3, 280), center ANDREW VAN DYKE (6-3, 260), both seniors, and right guard ADAM LEACH (5-10, 215) a junior. “All three started last year and they worked during the off season,” Luken pointed out.

Two juniors, EVAN BEDFORD (6-0, 235) and SAUL DOMINGUEZ (6-0, 215) are battling for the other guard spot while a threesome of seniors: GILBERTO RIOS (6-0, 225), SAHID TORRES (5-10, 225) and THOMAS McCAFFREY (6-3, 270) are competing for the right tackle job.

It’s worth mentioning that all weigh in at well over the 200-pound mark, a rarity for past Brave teams. “Gutty little Braves,” remember?

Tomorrow— the Brave backfield, receivers, defense and special teams, the impact of the new young coaching staff, and … Oaks Christian.

Game time Friday is 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast by Press Box Productions over TAP-TV, channel 25 on Lompoc’s Comcast cable.

White's Blazing Bat Earns Promotion

CHRIS WHITE (pictured here with GEORGE MEYER in June before he left Lompoc for his pro debut) received an unexpected reward from the Detroit Tigers today. After rapping two more hits to cap a late season wildfire at the plate in the Gulf Coast Rookie League. White was called up to the New York-Pennsylvania League to finish the season.

White went 2-for-2 today against the Rookie Blue Jays to give himself a rockin’ .410 batting average over the past 10 games. His GCL totals are a .279 batting average, three home runs, 22 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 183 at-bats.

White will report tomorrow to the Oneonta Tigers in New York. If you think you’ve heard that line before, you’re right. White’s debut took place there but after six games and a 1-for-19 start (don’t ask what the average for that is) he was sent to the GCL in Florida. White began slowly there as well but he turned it all around in August.

The New York invitation was White’s second. His first was to the Tigers’ fall instructional camp. a sweet invite for any young player.

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At Dodger Stadium the Washington Nationals opened their only series of the season in LA with scores, maybe hundreds, of Lompocans in the stands including CHRIS COGGIN who was celebrating his 30th birthday. The attraction of course was RYAN CHURCH who was not in the starting lineup, UNTIL.....

An injury to Wily Mo Pena in the second inning brought Church into the game to all Lompoc’s delight. At the plate Churchie grounded out to short while Vin Scully was talking about a Chipper Jones foot tap Church once used. Later Church grounded to first and struck out on a questionable call in the ninth.

MLB.com’s Bill Ladson talked to Churchie before the game and got these comments about his recent demotion from the starting lineup—

Left out: Outfielder Ryan Church has not started in three out of the last four games despite the fact he was hitting .297 with three home runs and seven RBIs in his last 12 games.
Church acknowledged that he is frustrated about being on the bench. The arrival of Wily Mo Pena is the reason Church has seen his playing time decreased. Church made it into Tuesday's game in place of Pena, who injured his ankle in the second inning.
"What can you do? You have to be ready when your name is called," Church said.
The Nationals made it no secret that they have been disappointed in Church's power production. Entering Monday's action, Church had 11 home runs and 52 RBIs in 122 games. The team was looking for something more in the 20-homer and 80-RBI range. Asked why his numbers are down, Church said that spacious Robert F. Kennedy Stadium is a factor, but wouldn't use it as an excuse.
"I would like to have more home runs. What can you do? Of late, I'm been trying to get everything back with one swing -- trying to get eight home runs, but those things happen," Church said. "Everybody's numbers are down. It sounds like a broken record, but there are no excuses."

The series continues Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.

Duffy Impresses Again

DANNY DUFFY posted yet another blue-chip outing Friday night for the Arizona Rookie League Royals – in four shutout innings, he allowed one hit, struck out 5, walked two. Duff’s season stats now include a scintillating ERA of 1.05. He has allowed only 20 hits in 34 innings and his strikeout to walk ratio is 60/16. Duffy appears to be on the fast track to A-ball in 2008. Picture here is by his mom DEANNA DUFFY.

Also at the rookie level CHRIS WHITE went 1-for-4 both Friday and Saturday which means he’s hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games for the Gulf Coast League Tigers. His base knock Friday was a home run, his third roundtripper of the season and second in two days. His average over the last 10 games is a blazing .366 which brings him up to .271 for the season.

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In the major leagues RYAN CHURCH (who was going to be platooned, right?) got his only start of the Rockies’ series today and went 1-for-4 with his 11th home run of the season. Powerful replacement Wily Mo Pena went 0-for-4 both Saturday and Sunday and is stuck at .222. The Nationals lost all four games at Coors Field. Game time at Dodger Stadium Monday night is 7 p.m.

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At the World Track & Field championships in Osaka, Japan DUANE SOLOMON will get his first chance on Thursday when the 800 opening heats take place.

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In local high school football Press Box Productions announced today that its first broadcast of the year will take place Friday night when the Lompoc Braves venture south to tackle CIF titleholder Oaks Christian in the opener for both teams. Listen in on Comcast Channel 25.

Chris White Tears Up Brave Pitching

CHRIS WHITE boomed his second home run as a professional Thursday for the Gulf Coast League Tigers in a victory over the GCL Braves. He also went 4-for-6 to give himself a blazing 10-for-18 run over the past four games and a .333 average over the past 10 games. White, who started slow after signing out of Sacramento City College, upped his batting average for the season with the GCL Tigers to .272.

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In the major leagues RYAN CHURCH got his first start in three days Thursday night and went 0-for-4 in a win over Houston. Newcomer outfielder Wily Mo Pena did not start. Maybe I should take back the mean things I’ve said about the Nationals. Nahhhh……The Nationals spend the weekend in Denver, then arrive in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers Monday night, Tuesday night and Wednesday at noon.

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COLLEGE FOOTBALLERS FROM LOMPOC

MATT SIMS, Utah tight end—Here’s his bio compliments of the University of Utah web site. The Utes open on Aug. 30 at Oregon State.

UTAH: Will start for a second year this fall ... is a big reason behind the expanding role of the tight end in Utah's offense.
2006-Played in all 13 games, with six starts ... 4 receptions for 62 yards led the Ute tight ends ... averaged 15.5 yards per reception ... season-long catch of 23 yards came at Utah State.
PRIOR TO UTAH: First-team all-conference tight end at Allan Hancock College ... played in 2005 American Bowl ... prepped at Lompoc High (Calif.), where he was an all-league offensive lineman and all C.I.F. in 2003 ... won three letters in football and baseball ... set Lompoc High records for bench press, squat and power clean ... honor roll.
PERSONAL: Son of Barbara Sims ... one brother ... enjoys surfing and fishing ... full name is Mathew Earl Sims ... born Oct. 30, 1985. YEAR G/GS 13/6 REC 4 YDS 62 AVG 15.5 TD 0 LONG 23