East County Sports.com 2004 GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL

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Grossmont College defenders Ernesto Gradillas (56), Evan Hermanson (53), Brian Stanbra (59) and Adam Cooper (8) close in on COD rabbit (Fredrick Collins) in Saturday's Foothill Conference game won by the Griffins 37-2. (10-23-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)

Wily Grossmont rocks Roadrunners with record 11 sacks
East County Sports.com

PALM DESERT - In its best production of the season, the Grossmont College pass rush established a school record with 11 quarterback sacks, as the Griffins whipped host College of the Desert 37-2 on Saturday (Oct. 23) evening.
 
The Griffins overcame yet another slow start with 37 unanswered points, moving within a game of officially clinching at least a share of a second straight Foothill Conference football title.
 
ANDREW JILLES collected 2.5 of the team's sacks, BRIAN STANBRA posted a pair, as a total of nine different Griffins defenders took their shots at Roadrunners quarterback Nate Lewis. And when Lewis was finally able to release a pass, state interceptions leader JOHN GUICE stepped in front of an early out pattern, returning the ball 68 yards for the go-ahead touchdown early in the second quarter.

"The defense set the tone and I'm proud of the shutout," said Guice, who recorded his seventh theft of the season. "They got a little excited, but we showed them how it's done."

The safety, coupled by a goal-line stand on the Griffins' first possession, put some fight into the Desert defense, but Grossmont's defense did even better. Lewis mustered just one completion in his first 10 attempts, finally getting pulled after completing a mere 6-of-23 passes for 106 yards when not embedded on the Boone Field turf for 10 of the 11 sacks (86 yards in losses).

"We take pride in keeping people off the scoreboard," noted Jilles. "And we worked hard to keep it that way."

The triumph upped Grossmont's ledger to 8-0 overall (6-0 in Foothill action), lifting the Griffins' regular-season winning streak to 21 straight contests. The Roadrunners fell to 4-3 (3-2), falling into a third-place deadlock with Mt. San Jacinto.

"Sure, our ultimate goal is the state championship," added Jilles. "But we still have to take it game-by-game, although I'd love to go 10-0 again."
The lone saving grace for Desert was the early effort of Lewis, who also serves as punter, pinning Grossmont three times inside the 20-yard line with the kicking game in the 1st quarter. One of Lewis' boots was downed right at the goal line, with the Roadrunners registering a safety on the very next play when Dorian Smith slid through a gap to tackle Griffins quarterback JARROD JACKSON for two points.

However, two series later, Grossmont linebacker RYAN CAZARES sacked Lewis to setup a 3rd-and-long situation, with Guice intercepting on the very next play. The revitalized Griffins then scored on their next three possessions, pouring in 23 points in the 2nd period for a 23-2 halftime cushion.

RAJIVE OTAH rushed for the first of his two touchdowns on a 2-yard scamper, RICHARD NELSON hauled in an 18-yard Jackson pass while barely keeping his feet inside the sideline for another score. DANNY ZEIDMAN converted a 41-yard field goal with five seconds left in the half.

Following the intermission, the Grossmont defense held an opponent scoreless in the second half for the sixth time in eight outings this season, including a series of three consecutive sacks of Lewis during one series. Meanwhile, Otah ran the ball in from the COD 3 for the lone score of the 3rd period.
 
DUPREE FLENOID turned the corner on the left side for a 5-yard TD run in the 4th quarter.

"We took some hits, but we kept our focus," said Otah, who rushed 20 times for 128 yards. "Once we got going, things turned out okay."

The frustrated Roadrunners moved into Grossmont territory on seven separate drives, plus three possessions that reached the 50. They twice moved inside the Grossmont 20, yet were thwarted every time.

After reaching the 16, EVAN HERMANSON sacked Lewis on a third down blitz, then a fourth down pass flew out of bounds.
 
In the game's final minute, after the Roadrunners gained their deepest penetration to the Griffins 14, reserve lineman JESSE BOGARDUS registered his first collegiate sack, then cornerback QUINTEN WOMACK deflected away a fourth-down pass out of the back of the end zone.

Because of Desert's misfortunes, the game became especially chippie when Guice, while attempting to field a punt, absorbed a helmet-to-chin hit by COD's Darrel Walker, who was ejected for the flagrant foul. A variety of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties resulted in the teams combining for 25 flags for 287 total yards.

"It's definitely hard to play when the other team does things like that, but we didn't retaliate," said Stanbra. "It got sloppy out there, but we played our game and kept them scoreless."

Roadrunners running back Fredrick Collins collected 131 rushing yards on 31 carries, collecting more than half of the COD offense (257 total yards). Grossmont finished with 483 total yards, including 204 through the air by Jackson, who completed 16-of-26 passes before yielding to REILLY MURPHY (2-for-5, 50 yards) over the final minutes.

Other Griffins on the sack parade included DALLAS MAUGA, JAMES GENTILE, PISA TIVAO, LAMONT BUTLER and PHILLIP "Wolfman" PEEK.
"The ends and the tackles kept pulling off their blocks," noted KEN TULLIS, who collected five tackles. "They all got great penetration."

Grossmont College freshman Joe Wynn (3) streaks past the College of the Desert secondary in one of his four receptions in the Griffins' 37-2 victory over the Roadrunners Saturday in Palm Desert. (10-23-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)
 

Grossmont College corner John Guice (1) returned his 7th interception of the season 68 yards for a TD Saturday against College of the Desert in Palm Desert. (10-23-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)

GRIFFINS TAKE HOT STREAK TO THE DESERT

EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON - Feeling good about themselves after manhandling previously undefeated Chaffey a week ago, the Grossmont College Griffins can ill afford a letdown Saturday (Oct. 23) when they travel to Palm Desert to tackle upset-minded College of the Desert at 5 p.m.

Keep in mind that the hosting Roadrunners (4-2, 3-1) are still in the running for the conference championship against a Grossmont (7-0, 5-0) team seeking its sixth conference title in 11 years.

"People talk about us possibly having a letdown," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "And I say, our kids are focused and not overconfident. They can see the big picture and believe what it will take to get there."

The Roadrunners are coached by Ken Swearingen, California Community College's winningest coach. Taking over a program that had won only eight of its previous 40 games, Swearingen has guided the 'Runners into title contention in his first year at COD. This club could be 5-1 had it not been flagged for 15 penalties and permitted a game-winning TD pass in Santa Barbara's 30-29 win.

Swearingen, who came out of retirement to coach at COD, has a 252-92-17 record. He won national championships at Saddleback in 1985 and 1992.

The veteran coach will count on versatile 6-foot-5 quarterback Nate Lewis (58-for-111, 1091 yards, 8 TDs passing, plus 278 yards and 6 TDs rushing) to carry the COD load.

SDSU transfer Fredrick Collins leads a potent COD running game with 586 yards and 4 TDs on 115 carries.

"Lewis is real good at throwing the deep pass ­ does it better than anybody we've played," Jordan said. "So we have to put the pressure on, so he can't just stand back there and pick us apart."

"They have a very good first unit, but don't have much depth," Jordan said.

Quarterback JARROD JACKSON (1, 060 yards, 7 TDs) and running back RAJIVE OTAH (683 yards, 10 TDs) are the primary threats in the Grossmont arsenal, which ranks 2nd in the state, averaging 498.1 yards and 39.6 points per game.

Linemen DALLAS MAUGA, ANDREW JILLES and MATTHEW AHMU are capable of bowling over COD's offensive front to put pressure on Lewis. Grossmont linebacker EVAN HERMANSON should have a field day adding to his team-leading tackle total, and JOHN GUICE is the glue to a solid Griffins secondary.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI:
* GC running back RAJIVE OTAH's 66 points (11 TDs) gives him a commanding lead in the Foothill Conference in scoring and ranks him No. 6 in the state.
* JASON FACTUAR (34 catches, 548 yards, 3 TDs) and MARQUES CLARK (28-421, 3 TDs) rank Nos. 4-5 among Foothill Conference receivers.
* The Griffins are among nine remaining undefeated teams in the nation.
* Grossmont is 47-7 ­ with a 20-game regular-season winning streak ­ over the last five seasons.
* The Griffins hold a 10-5-3 advantage over Desert in the all-time series. Grossmont has won four in a row over the Roadrunners, who squeezed out an 18-17 upset in 1999 when the Griffins failed to convert a 27-yard field goal on the final play.
* Jordan garnered his 100th coaching win in 2001 when the Griffins downed Desert 45-13. Jordan now has a 118-87-9 record in his 22 seasons as head coach.
* QB JARROD JACKSON was included in the state players of the week for his performance against Chaffey (16-for-25, 233 yards, 2 TDs).

RATINGS GAME
* Top-ranked Grossmont claimed 11 of the 12 of the first place votes (with two abstentions) in the COA ­ California Community College Commission on Athletics ­ Southern California Poll. No. 2 Canyons (6-0) and No. 3 El Camino (6-0) are SoCal's only other unbeaten teams. This poll determines which eight teams qualify for the state tournament.

In other polls:
* JC Grid-Wire (based in Santa Ana) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the nation, No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California.
* The Junior College Football Network's All-USA Coaches Poll (huddled in the San Francisco Bay Area) slots the Griffins in a tie with Canyons at No. 3 nationally and No. 3 in the state. Those two squads are also tied at No. 2 in Southern California.
* The Junior College Athletic Bureau's California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll (compiled in San Mateo) rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California.
* JuCal Transfer (of Huntington Beach) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California. This poll rates Canyons No.1 and CC San Francisco No. 2. Canyons has outscored its foes 245-69 for the season, while the Griffins have outpointed the competition 277-67. Hmm?

(10-21-04)

Battle of undefeated rivals over by halftime as Griffins crush Chaffey
EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON -- All the Grossmont College Griffins needed was a good challenge. Somebody cocky enough to believe they could take them down a rung or two. A proud lot, these Griffins. Undefeated nemesis Chaffey College rolled into town Saturday (Oct. 16), talking of championships and Grossmont's demise. Didn't happen. The Griffins (7-0, 5-0) roared out of the gate to take a 31-0 halftime lead and then cruised to a surprisingly easy 45-14 Foothill Conference victory over Chaffey.

Talk about leaving the Panthers toothless . . . Grossmont punched out 28 points before Chaffey (5-1, 3-1) logged its initial first down with 7:17 left in the second quarter.

"That-s about as smooth as we can play," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "Both sides of the ball, I thought we played well. It was probably our best total game."

To get an idea of how well the Griffins -- ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in the state -- played against Chaffey -- No. 8 in the nation and No. 5 in the state --can be measured by a scoring drive in the final seconds of the first half.

Taking possession at the Panthers' 9-yard line with 0:52 left, Grossmont chose not to run out the clock and sit on a 28-0 cushion at halftime. Instead, the Griffins, under the guidance of offensive coordinator MIKE JORDAN, aggressively moved the ball upfield. An 18-yard run by RAJIVE OTAH and a 42-yard pass from JARROD JACKSON to RICHARD NELSON advanced the ball into Panthers' territory.

Kicker DAN ZEIDMAN made the Panthers pay with a 47-yard field goal as time expired. It was the longest scoring boot of his collegiate career and part of a nine-point kicking game for Zeidman. It had to hit Chaffey like a slap in the face, as Grossmont extended its lead to 31-0.

Grossmont touched the ball only 20 times in the final two quarters, yet split 28 points with Chaffey, which found its ball-control game after the fact.

A 28-yard kickoff return by Otah and a 48-yard pass completion from Jackson and MARQUES CLARK, set up a 4-yard scoring burst by JARZELLE BEEKS that propelled the Griffins into a 38-7 advantage with 6:02 left in the 3rd quarter.

Beeks, who missed the last month with an injury, contributed 42 yards and two TDs on six carries.

However, it was Otah (11 carries, 80 yards) who once again ignited the ground swell for Grossmont.  His 33-yard dash to the end zone capped a seven-play, 68-yard scoring drive to vault the Griffins into a 7-0 edge just six minutes into the game.

One series later, a 25-yard scoring burst by Beeks culminated a five-play, 64-yard scoring surge and a 14-0 edge with 4:06 left in the 1st period.
Grossmont College's Andrew Jilles (17) sacks the Mt. San Jacinto QB as linebacker Nate Dolan (32) goes airborne and John Guice (1) approaches. (Photo by Dawn Adams)

After that, Jackson began his aerial antics. He capitalized on great field position to sling scoring strikes of 22 yards to JOSH COOPER and 7 yards to JASON FACTUAR. Suddenly, the Griffins had the score (28-0) and momentum secured in their pockets.

''We wanted to put it to them from the beginning and not give them a chance,''said Jackson, who nailed 16 of 25 passes for 233 yards and the two TDs connections. ''We knew what was at stake in this game, and just took charge.''

Jackson was coming off an ankle injury that kept him off the field the previous two games. There were few signs of rust in the sophomore quarterback's accuracy, however, as he completed five of his first passes and 7 of 10. Jackson was 13-for-19 for 153 yards and two TDs in the first half.

''We started clicking almost from the opening snap,''said Factuar, who corralled a team-high six passes for 66 yards. ''We were really focused in practice this week. No one was screwing around and it showed in this game.''

While Grossmont's offense dominated the first half, the Griffins' defense took a different approach. Despite interceptions by linebacker EVAN HERMANSON, safety MOZIQUE McCURTIS and DEVON JONES (a 52-yard TD return), the Griffins defense spent the majority of the second half on the field. That is, they were obliged to engage the Panthers for 45 plays -- more than twice the number of offensive plays afforded to Grossmont following intermission.

Had it not been for a deflected pass, the Panthers would have had to settle for seven points. Grossmont corner JOHN GUICE, who dislocated a pinky finger in pre-game warm-ups, was closing in on his 7th interception when the ball deflected off his hands and into the waiting arms of UCLA transfer Idris Moss for a 37-yard touchdown to spoil Grossmont-s upset bid.

''On that interception (try) I couldn't grip it,'' Guice said. ''I've gone three games without an interception, I feel like I'm not pulling my weight anymore. But it's all about the wins. Individual stuff comes second.''

Guice racked up seven tackles, as did defensive end DALLAS MAUGA for the Griffins. End ANDREW JILLES chimed in with 3 stops and a pair of sacks, while Hermanson collected six tackles, a pass deflection and a quarterback pressure. Safety JAMES GENTILE made six tackles and had a pass breakup. QUINTEN WOMACK notched six tackles, one more than linebacker MATT WESTRICK.

In the last two meetings between these two Foothill Conference powers, the Griffins have outscored the Panthers 101-24. The all-time series is deadlocked at 10-10.
(10-16-04)

Griffins, Chaffey meet in seemingly annual clash for likely Foothill title, Verizon Bowl berth
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - The Grossmont College Griffins, ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in the state by JC Grid-Wire, have won 19 regular-season games in a row. On top of that, they've compiled a 23-1 home record at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field since installing the Field-Turf prior to the 2000 season. None of that, however, impresses Chaffey College, which touches down on Grossmont's magic carpet for Saturday's (Oct. 16) Foothill Conference showdown at 1 p.m.
 
Despite losing last year's battle 56-10 in Rancho Cucamonga, the Panthers - ranked No. 8 in the nation and No. 5 in the state by JC Grid-Wire - have the confidence of knowing they are the last team to beat the Griffins on their home turf. And it took Chaffey three overtimes to pin that rare 43-35 home loss on Grossmont on Nov. 2, 2002.
 
The Griffins could not hold a 21-7 lead with 12:25 remaining in regulation. Chaffey capitalized on a Grossmont fumble to make it 21-13 and then a key taunting penalty set up the tying touchdown and 2-point conversion with just 35 seconds remaining.
 
The Panthers scored first in OT, but the Griffins countered with back-to-back tallies to lead 35-28. Chaffey, however, scored the final two touchdowns to win the game and claim the conference crown.
 
In last year's rematch, Grossmont led 35-0 with nine minutes left in the first half of a game played in scorching 100-degree weather. The Griffins churned out 494 yards in 68 plays, scoring on 7 of their 12 possessions. Five turnovers led to 35 points. It was a banner day to be sure and the Griffins continued on to claim their fifth Foothill Conference crown in 10 years.
 
That, as they say, is history - something that the series between these teams is chockfull of.
 
"There's nothing new this year - they are going for the conference championship and so are we," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "It's like that every year, isn't it?"
 
This is the fourth consecutive season that the Foothill flag will be on the line in this game. It's been that way five of the last seven seasons. The winner most likely becomes the Foothill titlist and will host the Verizon Bowl in round one of the state playoffs.
 
In their latest outings, Grossmont scored 35 unanswered points to deny San Bernardino an upset in a 42-14 victory. Chaffey, meanwhile, scored 21 second quarter points to snap a 7-7 tie and continued on the clip the Southwestern College Jaguars 41-17.
 
"I don't know if we were looking ahead," Chaffey head coach Carl Beach told Louis Brewster of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. "We very well may have, our kids read the papers, see the scores. I do know that when we are doing things right, both on defense and offense, we are unbeatable."
 
Chaffey is loaded with offensive weapons. Brandon Fractious (88 carries, 649 yards, 6 TDs) is the conference?s leading rusher. Quarterback Nick Davila (92-of-150, 1341 yards, 13 TDs) is the circuit?s top passer while Panthers' Rickey Moore (38 catches, 672 yards, 5 TDs) and Idris Moss (28-433, 3 TDs) rank 1-2 among the Foothill receivers.
 
Known more for their passing prowess in seasons past, the Griffins have become a more balanced offense. Sophomore running back RAJIVE OTAH has surged to the forefront as Grossmont's top offensive weapon. He leads the conference in scoring (60 points), stands third among Foothill rushers (77 carries, 603 yards, 9 TDs) and ranks No. 3 among conference rushers.
 
Grossmont has three quarterbacks capable of drawing the starting assignment. Sophomore JARROD JACKSON, who has been sidelined with a nagging foot ailment, is likely to return to the starting lineup after a two-game absence. If not, freshman REILLY MURPHY will get the nod. SEAN SETZER is also available.
 
Defense has been Grossmont's forte. The Griffins rank among the top five in the state - allowing just 46 points and 199 yards per game. Against the rush, the Griffins are No. 1, permitting just 45.7 yards per outing.
 
Offensively, the Griffins are producing 517.8 yards and 38.7 points, while Chaffey is limiting its foes to 22.2 points and 278 yards per game.
 
This showdown of unbeatens was nearly spoiled by Victor Valley two weeks ago. The Rams led Chaffey 40-27 with less than five minutes remaining. But the Panthers bounded back, scoring the winning TD on a 4-yard pass from Davila to Moss with 17.1 seconds remaining. Actually, it was the ensuing PAT kick by Ibrahim Haeileh that provided Chaffey with the winning marker in the 41-40 triumph.
 
Moss, a transfer from UCLA, made 11 receptions for 130 yards in what is Chaffey's greatest conquest to date.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI:
 
- JC Grid-Wire guru Hank Ives dubs Grossmont corner JOHN GUICE and defensive lineman DALLAS MAUGA "All-Americans in any book." In the same breath, Ives says Griffs defensive end ANDREW JILLES and linebacker EVAN HERMANSON" are right behind (the aforementioned other two)."
- The Griffins and Panthers are among only 12 remaining undefeated teams in the nation.
- Grossmont is 46-7 and Chaffey is 45-10 over the last five seasons.
- Chaffey leads the all-time series over Grossmont, 10-9. More impressive is the Panthers have beaten the Griffins in 7 of the last 10 meetings - twice on the final play of the game.
- DAN ZEIDMAN leads the Foothill Conference in kicking points with 38.
- Freshman running back JARZELLE BEEKS, who averaged 76 yards per game before suffering an injury in the second game, is available to the Griffins this week.
- Following a resounding 55-7 thrashing of Antelope Valley in week three, Chaffey (then 3-0) was ranked No. 1 in the nation by JC Grid-Wire.
- Chaffey free safety Aleem Harris (6-4, 215) won't be eligible to play, after getting ejected from the Southwestern game last week.
 
RATINGS GAME
 
- No change in the COA ? California Community College Commission on Athletics ? Southern California Poll. The Griffins remain on top garnering 10 of 14 first-place votes. Chaffey is No. 3. This poll determines which teams qualify for the state tournament.
 
In other polls:
- JC Grid-Wire (based in Santa Ana) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the nation, No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California. Chaffey is No. 8 nationally, No. 5 in the state and No. 4 in SoCal.
 
- The Junior College Football Network?s All-USA Coaches Poll (huddled in the San Francisco Bay Area) slots the Griffins No. 4 nationally, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California. Chaffey is No. 9 (nation), No. 5 (state), and No. 3 (SoCal).
 
- The Junior College Athletic Bureau?s California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll (compiled in San Mateo) rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California. Chaffey is No.6 in the state and No. 3 in SoCal.
 
- JuCal Transfer (of Huntington Beach) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California. Chaffey is No. 9 (nation), No. 5 (state) and No. 3 (SoCal).
(10-12-04)

Rajive Otah (7) rushed for 4 TDs and 167 yds on 14 carries as the Griffins came from behind to defeat San Bernardino Valley College 42-14 on Saturday. (10-9-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)

Hot Otah powers Grossmont to another victory rally with four touchdowns
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Despite having a strange modus operandi to victory lane, the Grossmont College Griffins keep on winning. A self-proclaimed second half team, the Griffins (6-0, 4-0) scored 28 unanswered points to snap a 14-14 halftime deadlock to deny visiting San Bernardino Valley College a Foothill Conference upset as the Griffins posted their 19th straight regular season victory by dumping the Wolverines 42-14 Saturday (Oct.9) at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field. The bottom line here is the Griffins, who actually scored 35 consecutive points, will now duel unbeaten Chaffey College for the conference title on Oct.16 at Grossmont in a 1 p.m. kickoff.
 
Helix High alum RAJIVE OTAH, a sophomore running back, was the driving force behind Grossmont's victory, rushing for 167 yards and 4 TDs on 14 carries.
 
"He's made major progress over the last three weeks," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said of Otah, who has bolted for 415 yards (averaging 8.5 yards per carry) and 5 TDs in Griffins victories over Mt. San Jacinto, Southwestern and San Bernardino Valley. "He's just starting to be the running back we all know he can be."
 
Otah scored on runs of 9, 15, 2 and 43 yards as he left an aggressive San Bernardino defense in a daze.
 
"It was a wonderful day today because everybody did such a fine job of blocking and can share in the glory of my four touchdowns," Otah said.
 
Otah's 24-point scoring binge was just six points shy of the Grossmont record set by RUSS ECKHARDT against Riverside City College in 1963. CASEY TIUMALU stands second on Grossmont's all-time scoring books with a 26-point effort against Los Angeles Pierce in 1981. Otah is only the 6th player to tally 24 points in a single game. COREY RANSOM scored 24 points twice during the 1998 season.
 
"My job is just to get to the end zone," Otah said, who runs with his pads low to the ground and utilizing a variety of spin moves in his slashing style. "My linemen and receivers made that easy due to their superior blocking. All I had to do is run."
 
Fact is, Otah is much like former Padres' baseball great Tony Gwynn in that he studies his games on videotape.
 
"I'm always evaluating myself on film," Otah said. "I'm looking for my rights and wrongs and my improvement."
 
Foothill Conference-leading Grossmont (6-0, 4-0) pounded out 512 total yards ? 289 rushing and 223 passing.
 
But as the Griffins have done in all but one of their first six games, they were sluggish getting out of the gate. The Griffins have trailed two times at halftime, been tied once and led by 8 or less points in five of their six games.
 
"I don't know why that happens," Otah said. "I can't say it's butterflies, because we know we can beat every team we play. It just takes a while to get in a rhythm. For some reason we are a second half team."
 
Given that the Griffins have outscored their foes 145-7 during the final two quarters over the first six games supports Otah's evaluation.
 
"I guess we come out more determined in the second half when we should be like that throughout the game," said Grossmont defensive end DALLAS MAUGA. "We need to come out pounding on the first snap."
 
Grossmont quarterbacks REILLY MURPHY and SEAN SETZER combined for 223 yards on 13 for 27 passing. Neither signal-caller was sacked, but San Bernardino did come up with three interceptions.
 
However, it was a 40-yard TD pass from Murphy to RICHARD NELSON that broke the 14-14 deadlock less than three minutes into the second half. From there, the game belonged to the Griffins, who are No. 4 in the nation, No. 2 in the state and No.1 in Southern California.
 
"As frustrating as it might seem, we just know that we have to come out in that second half and get the job done - win the game," said Grossmont linebacker NATE DOLAN. "So far, we've been able to do that."
 
Safety ADAM COOPER  (Mira Mesa High) said, "Everybody we play comes out hard after us. I guess we should expect that given this school's record (of success). For some reason we just start out flat. By the second half we are locked in. We handle our business and know what to do.  We could make things easier on ourselves if we came on hard from the beginning. We are going to need to do that against Chaffey next week."
 
Valhalla High alum DUPREE FLENOID rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries when Otah needed a breather. JASON FACTUAR led the Griffins with four pass receptions for 87 yards, while Nelson finished with three grabs for 59 yards and a score.
 
Although Grossmont's usually rock hard defense permitted SBVC to generate 328 yards, the Griffins did produce five turnovers. CHRIS MARKS, MOZIQUE McCURTIS and CHRIS KRAINIK had interceptions. Krainik was denied a 52-yard TD return when the Griffins were called for holding in the 4th quarter.
 
ERNESTO GRADILLAS and JOHN MEREDITH recovered fumbles for the Griffins, who surrendered a season-high 14 points to the Wolverines (1-4, 1-2).
 
"This is the first time our defense hasn't dominated our opponent (in the first half)," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "I think we picked up the pace and began to dominate on defense in the second half.
 
"The main thing is we can't get away with a one half of offense and one half of defense and expect to beat Chaffey next week."
(10-09-04)

Griffins back where it all started against San Bernardino
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Not many people who will attend Saturday's (Oct. 9) Foothill Conference game between host Grossmont College and San Bernardino Valley at Mashin-Roth Field were around for the birth of the Griffins' football program in 1962.
 
When the Foothill Conference-leading Griffins (5-0, 3-0) engage the Wolverines (1-3, 1-1) in a 1 p.m. kickoff it will mark the 25th meeting between these two schools. That is not exactly landmark news, but it is a historical renewal of sorts. Grossmont launched its football program in 1962 with a 14-6 victory over San Bernardino.
 
Nobody was available for quotes to reflect the feelings of Grossmont's inaugural. Not that it matters. The 2004 Griffins are far advanced from the original group.
 
Case in point is Grossmont's defense, which is ranked No. 2 in the state - allowing just 173.4 yards and 6.4 points per game. Where the Griffins truly demolish their foes is in the running game. Grossmont is the top run defense in the state, permitting just 10.8 yards per game.
 
San Bernardino is known for its running game, which should provide a nice test for the Griffins, who host Chaffey for the Foothill Conference title next week.
 
"I don't think our kids will be looking ahead," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "They know how important winning this game is, and that is where their focus lies."
 
These Wolverines are more tenacious than their record would lead one to believe. That is, all four of San Bernardino's games have been decided by four points or less. The Wolverines' lone victory was a 19-16 nod over Victor Valley, which blew a 12-point lead in a 41-40 loss to unbeaten Chaffey last week. The SBVC victory snapped an 11-game losing streak for the Wolverines.
 
SBVC coach Pat Meech isn't concerned by the lofty rankings and all the hoopla surrounding Grossmont College.
 
"We have been here before, so we can't concern ourselves with their ranking. Grossmont is a traditionally tough team and we plan to be in there with them from start to finish," Meech said. "I tell the kids all the time that we have to work hard and create our own opportunities."
 
In other words, San Bernardino is not to be taken lightly.
 
An interesting comparison between common opponents is Southwestern. The Jaguars built a 23-0 lead over the Wolverines, but had to block a last-second field goal to preserve a 23-21 win. Grossmont scored 28 second-half points to claim a 45-9 romp over Southwestern a week ago.
 
RATINGS GAME - Grossmont remains atop the COA - California Community College Commission on Athletics Southern California - Poll, luring 10 of 14 first-place votes. Unbeaten Canyons (5-0) is ranked No. 2 and has three first-place votes, while Chaffey (4-0) is No. 3. Fourth-ranked El Camino (5-0) owns the other first place vote.
 
This poll, which features a balloting blend of coaches, media members and sports information directors, is the key to determining the state playoff seeding. City College of San Francisco (5-0), which is appealing to have its eligibility for post-season reinstated, leads the Northern California Region with all 14 first-place votes. Butte (5-0) and Sierra (5-0) are No. 2 and No.3 respectively. Fresno (4-1) is No. 4.
 
The other polls go like this:
 
- JC Grid-Wire (based in Santa Ana) ranks the Griffins No. 4 in the nation, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Football Network's All-USA Coaches Poll (huddled in the San Francisco Bay Area) slots the Griffins No. 4 nationally, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Athletic Bureau's California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll (compiled in San Mateo) rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state (behind CC San Francisco) and No. 1 in Southern California.
- JuCal Transfer (of Huntington Beach) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI:
- The Griffins are one of 15 remaining undefeated teams in the nation, seven of which are from California.
- Grossmont has won 18 regular-season games in succession, and are 45-7 - a winning percentage of .865 ? over the last 4 12 seasons.
- Grossmont has proven to be a second half team, outscoring the opposition 117-7 in its first five games.
- Corner JOHN GUICE leads the state with 6 interceptions and running back RAJIVE OTAH (63 carries, 436 yards, 5 TDs) is No. 4 among conference rushers.
- San Bernardino?s Brett Bankus set a new school record with four interceptions in the Wolverines' win over Victor Valley.
- Grossmont owns a 19-5 series edge over San Bernardino, including six wins in a row. That includes a 49-0 blowout last year.
- QB JARROD JACKSON ranks No. 2 among conference passers, while three Grossmont receivers - JASON FACTUAR (24 catches, 395 yards, 2 TDs), MARQUES CLARK (24-328, 3 TDs) and RICHARD NELSON (15 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs) ? rank among the top six receivers in the circuit.
- DAN ZEIDMAN leads the Foothill Conference in kicking points with 32 points.
(10-07-04)

Grossmont College running back Rajive Otah (7) ran for a career high 143 yds and 1 TD on 17 carries, as the Griffins slugged Southwestern 45-9 on Saturday to remain in the Foothill Conference lead. (10-2-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)

Griffins get defensive to stuff Southwestern repeatedly
EastCountySports.com
 
CHULA VISTA - The sidelines along the Southwestern College side of the field reached a feverish level after the Jaguars completed a short 8-yard scoring drive, set-up when a poor pitch resulted in a lost fumble in Saturday's (Oct. 2) Foothill Conference game. But the Grossmont College defensive line immediately quieted the DeVore Stadium crowd back into silence mode.
 
Powered by linemen DALLAS MAUGA, ANDREW JILLES and an assortment of others, the Griffins stuffed the ensuing try for the 2-point conversion to protect a 14-9 second-quarter lead. From there, the Griffins forced Southwestern to go 3-downs-and-out over three of its next four series to set the tone for a 45-9 pasting of the Jaguars.
 
"All week, the coaches put us through the circuit," noted Mauga, who seemed to be a regular member of the Jags backfield all night, posting 3 tackles for losses and one sack. "And all that mileage allowed us to destroy them."
 
The Griffins allowed just 16 yards on the ground, giving them a 3-game total of just 31 yards yielded rushing in Foothill Conference action. Overall, the Griffins are permitting just 10.8 yards rushing per game at the midway point in the season.
 
"We always seem to start a little slow each week - we don't seem to communicate well," noted Grossmont outside linebacker MATT WESTRICK. "But after their touchdown, we tightened up and the defensive line - because of Dallas and Jilles - really penetrated."
 
Linebacker NATE DOLAN (6 tackles, one pass batted down) and corner JOHN GUICE (6 turned in strong outings as did linebacker EVAN HERMANSON (4 tackles).
 
The Griffins - ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 4 in the nation - limited Southwestern to 179 total yards, or less than 3.1 yards per play.
 
"Our defense is always fired up," Hermanson said. "We have people who just love to play, with a lot of heart. We're talking about Grossmont pride. We have a lot of talent, a lot of speed. I love it when they try to run outside and can't do it. That's our defensive pride showing right there."
 
Meanwhile, the offense, without the service of (injured) starting quarterback JARROD JACKSON, utilized the ground game to give a pair of back-ups time to settle in.
 
RODERICK COOKSEY rumbled for three touchdowns, including a dramatic 25-yard steamroll through the center of the Jaguars defense. The play ignited a 28-0 second-half scoring run, lifting the Griffins to their fifth consecutive triumph.
 
"It was just a regular dive play," said Cooksey, who packs 275 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame.
 
Earlier in the game, Cooksey converted a pair of 1-yard dives over the line for a quick 14-0 lead, the second score set-up on a dramatic catch by JOE WYNN along the sideline for 37 yards.
 
However, Southwestern took advantage of three Griffins turnovers in the opening half, as Jorge Mendoza booted a 28-yard field goal, then Gabriel Gonzales collected a 6-yard TD pass from Jeff Teafausau following the Grossmont fumble to cut the margin to five.
 
Suddenly, forced to put their game faces on, the Griffins then looked like the defending Southern California champions over the final 36 minutes, reeling off 31 unanswered points to stop the Jaguars for the fifth straight season.
 
"We like to shut everybody out," noted strong safety ADAM COOPER, who ranked among the team leaders with six tackles and an interception. "Even when they got up with that touchdown, we still knew we?d shut them down. The defensive line is always punishing, which allows us to sit back and make plays."
 
Quarterback REILLY MURPHY looked comfortable in place of Jackson. The Grossmont freshman completed 22-of-39 passes for 279 yards over three quarters.
 
"We played well except for a couple of stupid turnovers early before we settled down and did the right things," said Murphy. "Sure I'd like to play more, but it's my job to be ready when I'm called upon."
 
Sophomore running back RAJIVE OTAH enjoyed his finest outing as a Griffin, rushing for 143 yards - including a dazzling 54-yard TD run - on 17 carries. Cooksey finished with 42 yards on six carries, while DUPREE FLENOID chipped in with 38 yards on four rushes. Eleven Griffins took handoffs as Grossmont ground out 264 yards on 48 carries.
 
As a team, Grossmont totaled 635 yards on 93 plays. 
 
Grossmont quarterback SEAN SETZER saw his first extensive playing time in relief of Murphy. Setzer delivered a pair of scoring passes in the 4th period, completing 4-of-6 tosses for 92 yards. He also chalked up 14 rushing yards.
 
JASON FACTUAR set the pace for 10 Grossmont receivers, reeling in six aerials for 107 yards, MARQUES CLARK also caught six passes for 66 yards. RICHARD NELSON made four grabs for 28 yards, while Wynn had two receptions for 74 yards and a score. ANDREW HERNANDEZ caught 2 passes for 35 yards, including one for a 30-yard TD from Setzer.
 
"Only turnovers have slowed up down," Factuar said. "We?ve been playing like this for the last couple of weeks, especially in the second half."
 
Leading 24-9 following Cooksey's third score, Grossmont appeared to have extended the lead when Wynn caught a 39-yard Murphy aerial in the end zone. However, the play was nullified on offensive pass interference.
 
No matter. Rather it set the stage for Otah's highlight reel scoring run.
 
On a 3rd-and-36 call, Otah turned a pair of Southwestern defenders around with moves, broke two other tackles, then carried a pair of tacklers into the end zone for what easily could be considered the marquee play of the night.
 
"First of all, the touchdown came because of the offensive line - they're up there on another pedestal and no back on our team should be touched because of them," said Otah. "All I did was run hard with the ball."
 
DEVON JONES collected his first collegiate interception for the Griffins, who survived four turnovers of their own. A bit of an oddity is Grossmont has turned the ball over 18 times, while forcing only 13 takeaways.
 
As usual, 11 different Griffins caught passes, yet Southwestern had 12 different players make at least one reception, including a team-best 4-for-72 by Mount Miguel High alum Ernest Ballenger.
(10-02-04)
 

Grossmont College fullback Roderick Cooksey (40) scored 2 TDs in the Griffins' come-from-behind 31-10 victory at Mt. San Jacinto College on Saturday (Sept. 25). (Photo by Dawn Adams)

Wins, not records, are goal of Griffins when facing Southwestern
EastCountySports.com
 
CHULA VISTA - Grossmont College struck a record-breaking gusher of 76 points and 819 yards total offense the last time the Griffins met crosstown Foothill Conference rival Southwestern at Roth-Mashin Memorial Field.  While the Griffins should once again rate as a decisive favorite when these two rivals collide Saturday (Oct. 2) at Southwestern College's DeVore Stadium at 5 p.m., they certainly can't expect to come anywhere near the record-breaking totals of a year ago.
 
"We can't expect to do anything like that, not that rolling up that kind of score is our objective," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said. "Southwestern has a very fine defense, but I still expect us to win the ball game. Coming out on top is always our No. 1 goal."
 
The Griffins (4-0, 2-0) rank No. 2 among the state offenses, averaging 36.3 points and 490 yards per game. They are equally as impressive on defense, standing No. 3 in the state (permitting just 172 yards and 5.8 points per game). Southwestern (1-3, 1-1) is No. 9 among Southern California defenses (269 yards, 20.8 points per game).
 
The Griffins have received a recent boost from RICHARD NELSON, who has caught 11 passes for 96 yards and 2 TDs in the last two games.  He supports the tandem of JASON FACTUAR (18-288, 2 TDs) and MARQUES CLARK (18-262, 3 TDs).
 
Just who will start at quarterback against the Jaguars - JARROD JACKSON (64-for-114, 827 yards, 5 TDs) or REILLY MURPHY (17-for-25, 209 yards, 3 TDs) - remains to be seen.
 
Despite their lackluster record, the Jaguars are better than their mark indicates. That is, they've lost two games by a total of 5 points.
 
Southwestern coach WALT JUSTICE notes that a series of injuries to the Jaguars' offensive line troupe has weakened the team's scoring punch. That and the loss of an all-conference kicker.
 
"It seems like we just can't catch a break," Justice said. 
 
Mount Miguel High alum Ernie Ballenger (21 catches, 292 yards, TD) is a major threat in Southwestern's arsenal. Tight end Zack Teisher (9-86, 2 TDs), a product of Valhalla High, is also a prime target for Southwestern.
 
RATINGS GAME - The most important poll is that of the COA - the California Community College Regional State Poll, which features a balloting blend of coaches, media members and sports information directors. Grossmont remains No. 1 in the Southern California Region. City College of San Francisco (4-0) leads the Northern California Region.
 
The other polls go like this:
 
- JC Grid-Wire (based in Santa Ana) ranks the Griffins No. 4 in the nation, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Football Network's All-USA Coaches Poll (based in the San Francisco Bay Area) slots the Griffins No. 5 nationally, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Athletic Bureau's California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll (compiled in San Mateo) rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state (behind CC San Francisco) and No. 1 in Southern California.
- JuCal Transfer (of Huntington Beach) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI - Grossmont corner JOHN GUICE leads the state with 6 interceptions . . . The Griffins are one of six remaining undefeated teams in Southern California . . . Grossmont owns a 19-12-1 series edge over Southwestern, including victories each of the last four years.
(09-30-04)

Grossmont College's Dallas Mauga (91) manhandles a pair of Mt. San Jacinto College offensive linemen, as Scream'n Eagles QB attempts to escape. (9-25-04/Photo by Dawn Adams)

Griffins rise in second half to overcome deficit against Mt. San Jacinto
EastCountySports.com
 
HEMET - It had the perfect earmarking for an upset. Temperatures were demanding three digits, the desert winds kicking up dust and the heavily favored Grossmont College Griffins were trailing 10-0 by halftime in Saturday's (Sept. 25) Foothill Conference duel at Mt. San Jacinto College.
 
"I thought we did a great job of limiting their offense in the first half," said MSJC head coach Ed Carberry, who is in his first season as the Eagles' guardian after 14 successful seasons at Monte Vista High and one campaign as Grossmont College's defensive coordinator.
 
The second half was a totally different story. Faced with the possibility of losing for only the second time in 33 regular-season games, the visiting Griffins erupted for 31 unanswered points and cruised to the finish line with a 31-10 victory over Carberry's Scream'n Eagles (1-3, 1-1).
 
Grossmont scored on its first three possessions of the 3rd quarter to forge in front 17-10 with 3:17 remaining in the period.
 
MARQUES CLARK, who made an acrobatic catch to complete a 40-yard touchdown aerial from JARROD JACKSON less than four minutes into the period, punched the ticket to the comeback express.
 
"That's just what I do - make plays like that," said Clark, who collected six passes for 123 yards.  "I jumped early so if he (the MSJC defender) hit me it would have been PI (pass interference)."
 
Clark felt he created plenty of space in the Eagles' secondary most of the afternoon.
 
"It was there all day, and then finally he connected with me," Clark said of Jackson.
 
Perfect timing, too.
 
On the next series, DAN ZEIDMAN nailed a 34-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10. 
 
Even though a Grossmont receiver dropped a guaranteed TD pass, Jackson continued the drive by hitting JASON FACTUAR for a 30-yard completion for a first-and-goal at the MSJC 8-yard line.
 
Two runs later - a 6-yard burst by RAJIVE OTAH and a 2-yard scoring jaunt by Cooksey - the Griffins owned a 17-10 advantage and never looked back.
 
"As well as we played in the first half, we gave up the big play in the second half," MSJC 22-year-old linebacker Chris Decker told The Temecula Californian. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound former U.S. Marine Corps veteran harassed Grossmont's offensive unit all afternoon, recording two of his three sacks in the first half. "You can't expect a team as good as Grossmont to quit playing in the second half just because we have a 10-point lead.?"
 
Carberry wanted to emphasize the skill and dedication of Decker.
 
"He's fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he's a man out there," Carberry said. "He really plays hard."
 
Carberry credited Grossmont's offensive line for helping neutralize the Eagles' defensive surge ignited by Decker.
 
"I think Grossmont's O-line got up in his face a little bit in the second half," Carberry said.
 
After stumbling out of the starting blocks in a frustrating 1st half, the Griffins found their footing for the final 30 minutes.
 
"We've been down before, but know that nobody can beat us with 10 points," said Grossmont College freshman offensive lineman C.J. BRYANT. "We know we are a second-half team, so we just stayed focused and took it to them in the last two quarters. Our line did a better job of getting off the ball and getting to their 'backers. That enabled us to make some big runs to get going. And too, we made some key catches and were able to turn things our way."
 
The Griffins finished with 451 total yards in 88 plays. So why did Grossmont struggle so in the opening half?
 
"Probably just nervousness, really," Clark said.
 
The change of pace in the second half must be credited to the Griffins' interior line of SAM DOWNS (6-3, 278), Bryant (6-2,320), MATTHEW GAUGHEN (6-2, 312), DAN HATHAWAY (6-7, 290), and PATRICK KAPUNIAI (6-4, 330).
 
"Our line held up in the second half and kept it going for our quarterbacks," Guice said.
 
Not to mention prying openings for the Griffins' running backs. Otah has never run harder than he did on this arid afternoon, finishing with a game-high 105 yards on 18 carries. Most of that came after intermission.
 
The Griffins' stingy defense rationed the Eagles to four first downs and 48 yards total offense in the final two quarters. For the game, the Eagles hardly left the nest as they were limited to 10 yards on 24 rushes.  Thanks to a 67-yard halfback pass for a touchdown in the first half, the Eagles totaled 206 yards for the afternoon against one of the state's top defenses
 
"Nobody is going to score at will against our defense," Grossmont head coach DAVE JORDAN said. "I told the kids at halftime that Mt. San Jacinto was done scoring and that all we had to do is what we normally do."
 
The highlight of the day for the Grossmont defenders followed an 88-yard kickoff return by MSJC's Rodney Conner. Although the Griffins attempted a squib kick, Conner sprinted through the middle of Grossmont's special teams only to come up 2 yards short when sophomore QUENTIN WOMACK made a touchdown-saving tackle with three minutes remaining.
 
At that point, the Griffins stuffed the Birds for consecutive rushing losses of 3, 5 and 4 yards led by end ANDREW JILLES, nose guard DALLAS MAUGA, end BRIAN STANBRA, and linebacker EVAN HERMANSON (10 tackles). A fourth down pass was broken up and nearly intercepted by corner JOHN GUICE in the end zone.
 
"The guy pushed off or I would have gotten that one, too," said Guice, who earlier in the game picked off his 5th and 6th passes ' tops in the conference. "They got us on that one trick play (halfback pass), but 10 points is not enough to beat us."
 
Guice's second interception led to Grossmont's final score -  a 1-yard plunge by 275-pound fullback RODERICK COOKSEY with 3:28 left. Although Cooksey totaled just 14 yards on five carries, his efforts reaped two TDs and a key first down.
 
No question this was a rugged afternoon for the Griffins (4-0, 2-0) - ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 6 nationally. But championship teams find ways to win.
 
"There is no column for 'playing tough,' " Carberry said. "You have to finish. If your intention is to win big games and championships, you have to beat the champion. And to their credit they played great today in the second half."

Grossmont puts perfect mark up against Mt. San Jacinto, Carberry
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - ED CARBERRY drives 140 miles round trip on a daily basis to coach the Mt. San Jacinto College football team in Hemet. Now that's dedication with passion. The former Monte Vista High mentor is already creating a stir of optimism in the Eagles huddle this season. Come Saturday afternoon (Sept. 25), Grossmont College (3-0, 1-0) will visit the Eagles' lair for a 1 p.m. Foothill Conference bout against Carberry's Mt. San Jacinto College crew.
 
"The players up here have been great," Carberry said. "They've done a great job assimilating what we are doing. What we have is a compilation of the Grossmont College offense, the West Hills High offense and the Oceanside offense.
 
"We've scored on a fullback screen three times. We've executed the double pass for a couple of scores and turned a pitch pass into a touchdown."
 
In other words, there's nothing simplistic for Carberry's Eagles these days.
 
"They do a lot of things that make you nervous," admitted Grossmont College coach DAVE JORDAN, who had Carberry as his defensive coordinator during the 2000 season. "Ed does a great job of preparation. You can tell that because they are in every ballgame."
 
After suffering a pair of hard-fought losses to Palomar and Fullerton - by the identical score of 24-14 - the Eagles gained a marathon knockout of Victor Valley 48-42 in FIVE OVERTIMES last weekend in Victorville.
 
"I thought all that overtime for us was a real confidence boost for our offense, because they really needed the practice," Carberry said after registering his first collegiate victory. "They carried us in overtime."
 
Indeed they did. The Rams led 6-2 at halftime, and then the Eagles forged in front 16-6 only to stumble to the finish of regulation tied at 16-all.
 
Mt. San Jacinto made a major defensive stand against Victor Valley, which reeled off 117 plays for 472 yards.
 
"I'm sure we are the biggest game of the year at Mt. San Jacinto," Jordan said.
 
That, of course, would be the case for most of the Griffins' opponents.
 
A high school coach the majority of his 28 years wearing headsets on the sidelines, Carberry noted the challenging adjustments he's encountered moving into the community college coaching ranks.
 
"The biggest adjustment is conceding that every team has good players," Carberry said. "In the high school game there are always players you can exploit. There are no 'dogs' at this level."
 
The Griffins - ranked No. 2 in the state both offensively (503 yards, 38 ppg) and defensively (161 yards, 6.7 ppg) - are coming off a 70-7 massacre of San Diego Mesa College last week.
 
Of all the statistics the Griffins have amassed this season, Grossmont's rushing defense is most impressive. The Griffins have permitted just 27 yards rushing in three games. Much of that is due to the fact 40 percent of the opponents rushing plays have resulted in losses.
 
Carberry, one who routinely burns the midnight oil, is most impressed with Grossmont nose guard MATTHEW AHMU (6-foot-3, 242) and middle linebacker EVAN HERMANSON. He had little to say about the remainder of the Grossmont defense, but did note that he thought offensive linemen SAM DOWNS and C.J. BRYANT were nuggets.
 
RATINGS GAME: The most important poll is that of the COA - the California Community College Regional State Poll, which features a balloting blend of coaches, media members and sports information directors. Grossmont is No. 1 in the Southern California Region. City College of San Francisco (3-0) leads the Northern California Region.
 
The other polls go like this:
 
- JC Grid-Wire (based in Santa Ana) ranks the Griffins No. 6 in the nation, No. 4 in the state and No. 3 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Football Network's All-USA Coaches Poll (based in the San Francisco Bay Area) slots the Griffins No. 6 nationally, No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
- The Junior College Athletic Bureau's California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll (compiled in San Mateo) rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state (behind CC San Francisco) and No. 1 in Southern California.
- JuCal Transfer (of Huntington Beach) ranks the Griffins No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI:  Grossmont corner JOHN GUICE leads the Foothill Conference with 4 interceptions . . . MSJC's Rodney Conner has three thefts . . . Included on the MSJC roster are three graduates of Monte Vista ' receiver ALEX BARAJAS, DB TREY WATKINS and RB JEROME FRAZIER . . . The Griffins led the all-time series 11-2 over Mt. San Jacinto, including wins the last four years.  MSJC mauled Grossmont 41-17 in 1999 when the Roadrunners' roster included 23 retired U.S. Marines . . . The Roadrunners' Alumni Hall of Fame includes former Denver Broncos' running Mike Anderson and ex-Washington Redskins defensive back Alvin Walton.  The duo combined for 12 seasons in the NFL. . . GC running back RAJIVE OTAH has scored a conference-best 5 TDs this season, while DAN ZEIDMAN leads the circuit's kickers with 16 points.
(09-23-04)

Griffins Ernesto Gradillas (56) and Ken Tullis (97) swamp Mesa's QB Jake Santos (4) in a typical scene in Saturday's Grossmont College lop-sided victory over the Olympians. (Photo by Dawn Adams)

Rout of Mesa in conference opener gives everyone a chance to shine
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - The building blocks on the defensive side of the Grossmont College huddle have been firmly cemented since the season's opening kickoff. Opponents have made little headway against this group. Putting the offensive pieces in place and securing the special teams unit has taken a bit longer. It all came together for the Griffins in Saturday's (Sept.18) Foothill Conference opener, and visiting San Diego Mesa paid the price. Final score: Grossmont 70, Mesa 7. And it could have been even more lopsided.
 
Clearly, the Griffins are sitting on a lofty perch - ranked as high as No. 8 nationally, No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California.
 
"Our offense finally started clicking like we knew it would," said sophomore receiver JASON FACTUAR after the Griffins pounded out 560 yards and 33 first downs en route to the third highest scoring output in Grossmont history. "Every kind of defense they ran we pretty much exploited."
 
Factuar caught four passes for 88 yards, including touchdown strikes of 34 yards from starting quarterback JARROD JACKSON and 20 yards from backup REILLY MURPHY in the Grossmont onslaught.
 
"Yeah, we liked beating Mesa, but mostly because it was our conference opener," said Factuar after the Griffins (3-0, 1-0) won their seventh straight from the Olympians (1-2, 0-1). "It's more of a rivalry game for them, because they bring all they've got in hopes they can knock us off. We approached the game level headed and kept our composure."
 
Jackson and Murphy were near perfect in the aerial game, combining for 18 completions, 243 yards and 3 TDs in 21 attempts while sharing the Griffins' signal-calling duties.
 
So why, after totaling 44 points in their first two games combined, did the Griffins have a breakout game at Mesa's expense? 
 
"It's been a case of new guys getting used to each other and just coming out and playing well together," said Jackson, who nailed 12 of 14 passes for 164 yards and a pair of scores. "Everything was clicking today. There was nothing we did that didn't work."
 
RICHARD NELSON, a freshman from Virginia, stepped into the Grossmont passing lanes and reeled in four aerials for 48 yards and one TD. He is one of nine Griffins who made the pass receiving charts on this afternoon.
 
For the first time in three games, Murphy received extensive time under center. The Torrey Pines High product excelled, nailing six of seven passes for 79 yards and one TD. He also threw a nasty fake on a Mesa defender on a 16-yard scramble to the end zone.
 
"The key thing is we did a better job of holding onto the ball," said Murphy, who was referring to the 8 turnovers the Griffins committed in last week's 20-10 win at Long Beach. "When we maintain control of the ball we should be able to put up points like this all the time."
 
Grossmont committed just one turnover against the Olympians, scoring on their first six possessions while marching to a 49-7 first-half lead.
 
In atypical fashion, the Griffins rode a powerful running game - 317 yards on 60 carries - to mash Mesa. RAJIVE OTAH contributed a game-high 97 yards and 2 TDs on 15 carries, while ANTHONY TURCHETTA (9 carries, 59 yards), DUPREE FLENOID (13-47) and MARK WINE (4-20) each scored a touchdown.
 
Only two times in Grossmont's 42-year history have the Griffins scored more than 70 points in a game. They set the record with 76 in a lopsided win over Southwestern last year and easily could have broken that mark had offensive coordinator MIKE JORDAN not elected to have his quarterback take a knee on consecutive snaps at the Mesa 11-yard line in the waning moments.
 
The Brian Sipe-led Griffins piled up 72 points against Cypress in a 1967 rout.
 
And oh yeah, what about the Grossmont defense?
 
While the offense hogged the headlines in Saturday's blowout, Grossmont's defense turned in yet another stellar job. Despite running dozens of players on and off the field, the Griffins held Mesa to 143 yards. Of the Olympians- 24 rushing attempts, 10 resulted in losses. That included six sacks - two by sophomore end DALLAS MAUGA.
 
A 20-yard TD pass from Mesa quarterback Jake Santos to Marcus Nolan on the final play of the first half was the only touchdown allowed by Grossmont in 12 quarters. Prior to that, the Griffins had allowed only two field goals this season.
 
"If our regulars had been in there, (Mesa) would not have scored on us today," said Grossmont sophomore defensive end ANDREW JILLES.
 
No matter who the Griffins assembled in their defensive huddle, Mesa seemed to struggle. The Olympians rushed for a mere 11 yards. To their credit, that is 2 yards more than the state-low average of 9 yards per game rushing Grossmont has permitted in its first three games.
 
"Our offense struggled the first couple of games and had to rely on the defense," said sophomore corner JOHN GUICE, who picked off his fourth pass. Guice also retrieved a punt blocked by teammate JOSH COOPER and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter.
 
Guice was proud of the Griffins' execution on the blocked punt.
 
"It was a block right and our man (Cooper) got a hand on it," said Guice, who is one of the Griffins most heavily recruited players. "I just scooped and scored."
 
Sounds simple. Yet, it was typical of the manner in which the Griffins dominated their crosstown rivals.
 
The Griffins have beaten the Olympians seven years in a row.
(09-18-04)

Griffins defense will get long look at Mesa's Santos in defense of 2-0 start
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - While Grossmont College has embarked on a 2-0 start this season, the Griffins don't figure to have any kind of cakewalk when they open the Foothill Conference season Saturday (Sept. 18) by hosting San Diego Mesa. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Grossmont's Mashin-Roth Memorial Field.
 
After stumbling out of the gate in a 22-10 loss to Los Angeles Valley on Sept. 4, Mesa's Olympians rebounded for a win last week at Glendale on the passing of former St. Augustine High standout Jake Santos.
 
Santos passed for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and the San Diego Mesa defense held the Glendale offense without a touchdown all day as the visiting Olympians won 16-10.
 
Santos, who clicked on 10 of 21 passes, connected with Tyrell Spain on an 80-yd TD pass in the first half. His 56-yd TD pass to Michael Stapleton proved to be the only points of the second half, breaking a 10-10 tie with just under five minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
 
Mesa, which earlier had lost a probable TD when Spain fumbled a ball into the end zone that Glendale recovered, stopped a last-minute Glendale drive at the 18 to preserve the win.
 
Statistically, it was a very evenly played game with Mesa outgunning Glendale in total yards 387-368.
 
"If Santos gets outside, he completes his pass automatically," Grossmont coach DAVE JORDAN said of the Mesa sharpshooter. "So we have to keep him contained, put the pressure on."
 
Defense has been Grossmont's strength in victories over Riverside (24-3) and Long Beach (20-10). The Griffins, in fact, have allowed only one field goal each time. The lone TD scored by LBCC came on a 56-yard fumble return.
 
The Griffins are especially stingy when it comes to allowing yards via the ground. Grossmont ranks No. 2 in the state at defending the run and is the No. 4 defense overall. Credit linebacker EVAN HERMANSON (20 tackles), one of the state's players of the week, end DALLAS MAUGA (4 sacks), and safety JOHN GUICE (3 interceptions) for helping pave the way for a unit permitting just 169.5 yards per game.
 
Mesa's offense is producing 343 yards and 13 points per game compared to Grossmont's 467.5 yards and 22 points per outing.
 
This is one of those rivalry games that is almost certain to be a fight to the finish.
 
RATINGS GAME - JC Grid-Wire ranks the Griffins No. 8 in the nation, No. 5 in the state and No. 4 in Southern California . . . The Junior College Football Network's All-USA Coaches Poll slots the Griffins No. 8 nationally, No. 5 in the state and No. 3 in Southern California . . . The Junior College Athletic Bureau's California Community College Football Coaches Association Poll rates the Griffins No. 2 in the state (behind City College of San Francisco) and No. 1 in Southern California . . . JuCal Transfer ranks the Griffins No. 4 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI - The Griffins have beaten the Olympians six years in a row, but Mesa leads the all-time series 21-10-1 . . . Only Gavilan College of Gilroy (near Monterey) has allowed fewer yards rushing in its first 2 games than Grossmont, surrendering just 16 yards for an 8.0 average. Gavilan's Rams are giving up just 85.5 yards per game overall . . . Grossmont's Mauga is a first-team pick on JC Grid-Wire's Preseason All-America Team. Quarterback JARROD JACKSON is a second team choice, while MARQUES CLARK is a third-team pick. Others mentioned in those preseason ratings include defensive end ANDREW JILLES and offensive lineman PATRICK KAPUNIAI.
(09-16-04)
 
 

Griffins come up with win despite 10 fumbles against Long Beach City
EastCountySports.com
 
NORWALK - The mistakes committed on offense became so bountiful, the Grossmont College coaching staff would surely have laughed instead of cried at the continuous comedy of errors. However, it was host Long Beach City College that finally was shedding the tears after being unable to capitalize on any Griffins mistakes until late in the fourth period.
 
Despite 10 fumbles, eight total turnovers and having a pair of field goal attempts blocked, Grossmont again relied on its stingy defense to catapult past the Vikings, 20-10, Saturday (Sept. 11)  at Cerritos College's Falcon Stadium.
 
"At least they were all mistakes that can be fixed. It's not like there is something endemically wrong with our football team," said Grossmont head coach Dave Jordan. "Sure, it was frustrating to watch us keep dropping the ball, but we've never had any indication of any sort of problem - this never happened in practice or during summer drills."
 
Among the fumbles were at least a half-dozen bobbles on the center-to-quarterback exchange alone. Throw in the five lost fumbles, including one just shy of the Long Beach goal line to negate a scoring drive, three interceptions and the blown kicks, some might wonder how Grossmont was able to extend its regular-season winning streak to 15 games over three seasons.
 
Unless you play for the Griffins defense - the only unit for either team that seemed to come up with the correct answers in the 98-degree temperatures.
 
For the second straight contest, the G-Force prevented an opponent from reaching the end zone, again grudgingly allowing just a single field goal as the lone blemish to a near-perfect ledger.
 
And the strong play came from all areas.
 
Lineman DALLAS MAUGA registered two of Grossmont's three sacks of LBCC quarterbacks, linebacker EVAN HERMANSON paced the Griffins with 12 tackles, and JOHN GUICE paced the secondary with two interceptions, limiting the Vikings to a mere 157 yards in total offense (only 84 yards through three periods).
 
"The defense was great, swarming on every play," noted Mauga. "Our defense is greedy and stingy right now, so we'll see how it goes."
 
For the afternoon, Long Beach simply was unable to move the chains, converting just once on third (and/or fourth)-down conversions in 17 attempts, setting up a first-period Jeffrey Hastings field goal of 46 yards for a 3-0 lead.
 
However, despite the self-inflected wounds, Grossmont answered with a string of 20 consecutive points, starting on the first touch of the ball from scrimmage by running back RAJIVE OTAH.
 
Running behind tackle SAM DOWNS and guard JAKE BINGHAM on a toss to the left side, Otah reached the sideline, then deeked and danced around a pair of Vikings defenders in front of the Grossmont bench to race untouched for 57 yards to the end zone just 1:13 after Long Beach opened the scoring.
 
"Long Beach put a lot of players into the box, so we optioned outside and that was their downfall," noted Otah. "But after this game, ball security is priority No. 1. We know our capabilities and we know what we need to fix."
 
Two plays into the second half, QUINTEN WOMACK recovered an LBCC fumble, returning the ball 11 yards to the Vikings 17. Despite the offense's attempts to hand the ball right back to the opponent, Grossmont lineman FRANCISCO CRUZ recovered a fumbled snap, allowing JARZELLE BEEKS to rush for a 5-yard TD three plays later for a 14-3 lead.
 
Beeks was the game's leading ground-gainer, with 93 yards on 13 carries.
 
Reserve quarterback REILLY MURPHY was summoned for 4th-quarter duty for the Griffins. And in his first extended play of the season, the Torrey Pines High alum tossed a 9-yard scoring pass to MARQUES CLARK to the front corner of the Vikings end zone.
 
Long Beach made things interesting late when strong safety Keawe Auelua-Block sprinted 56 yards on a fumble return for a touchdown. However, Guice recorded his second theft with 2:49 remaining to seal the victory.
 
"Both of my interceptions were late in each half when they tried to throw the ball up and go over me," said Guice, who limited preseason All-American receiver Jerryll Martin to a mere three catches for 49 yards. "I heard he was their go-to guy and he was big (6-foot-5 compared to Guice's 5-9 frame), but he wasn't very physical, so he shouldn't have been matched up with me."
 
Long Beach was forced to give up the ball 11 times on punts and being limited to a mere 9 first downs.
 
"We're solid defensively with lots of depth," noted Hermanson, the leading tackler. "Our first string could be our second string, and our second string could be our first string, and the coaches trust whoever we have out there. Everyone is extremely versatile."
 
For the contest, Grossmont's offense - when not dribbling the football like a basketball - ran up 29 first downs and 546 yards in total offense. Last season, in a 60-7 drubbing of the Vikings, the Griffins collected 515 yards, giving the defending Southern California champions more than 1,000 yards in total offense in two games against their adversaries from the Mission Conference.
 
Grossmont's starting quarterback JARROD JACKSON threw for 236 yards on 17-for-35 passing, while Murphy was 4-for-7 for 42 yards. JASON FACTUAR paced the receiving corps with five grabs for 83 yards, while Clark made four receptions for 40 yards.
(09-11-04)

Griffins leading receiver Marques Clark (15) pulls down a pass against
Riverside (9-4-04/photo by Travis Downs)

Notoriety not enough as Griffins look to pass all over Long Beach City
EastCountySports.com
 
NORWALK - Fame fades ever so swiftly. What the Grossmont College Griffins accomplished last year has given them some early recognition this season. But now, it's time to prove whether they will be contenders or pretenders.
 
Grossmont is certain to face a stiff challenge when it takes on Long Beach City College Saturday (Sept. 11) at Cerritos College at 1 p.m.
 
Traditionally, these meetings are physical battles. But last year, the Griffins stormed to a 29-0 first quarter lead and continued on for a 60-7 rout of the usually powerful Vikings. Grossmont generated 515 yards in the process, but should not expect any cakewalk this time around.
 
In last weekend's season opener, Long Beach was sitting on a 21-14 lead with 4:38 left in the 3rd quarter at Bakersfield. The Renegades connected for an 89-yard TD pass and relied on its passing to pull out a 33-21 victory.
 
Sophomore quarterback JARROD JACKSON hopes to exploit the suspect Vikings' secondary after hooking up with 11 receivers 20 times in 31 attempts for 241 yards and 2 TDs in the Griffins' 24-3 taming of the Riverside CC Tigers last week.
 
LBCC freshman quarterback Alex Aispuro completed 22 of 39 passes for 311 yards and 2 TDs.
 
Thus, one should expect an aerial shootout when these teams meet in a key non-league game. Jackson ranks No. 10 among state passers, while Aispuro is a step back at No. 11. This might be a  l-o-n-g game.
 
Both teams boast a solid defense, with the Griffins holding a slight edge for its ability to stuff the run.
 
RATINGS GAME - JC Grid-Wire guru HANK IVES rates the Griffins No. 7 in the nation, No. 5 in the state and No. 4 in Southern California this week . . . Another JC giant - FRED BAER the long time proprietor of the Junior College Athletic Bureau - ranks Grossmont No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Southern California in balloting conducted in association with the California Community College Football Coaches Association.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI - Grossmont-s defense is ranked No. 8 in the state allowing just 182 yards per game . . . Although the Griffins vanquished the Vikings 60-7 a year ago, LBCC leads the all-time series 7-3 . . . Prior to last season-s romp, the Griffins suffered back-to-back losses of 30-10 in 1993 and 28-14 in 1992.
(09-09-04)
 

Grossmont College quarterback Jarrod Jackson (4) completed 20 of 31 passes for 241 yds and two touchdowns in the Griffins' season-opening victory over Riverside (9-4-04/photo by Travis Downs)

Griffins overcome sluggish start, rack up victory with dominating defense
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Those who have followed Grossmont College football the past decade or so are becoming spoiled. If the Griffins don't blow out an opponent and do so in rapid-fire fashion, the local partisans want to know why. Or if there is something wrong. So when Grossmont trailed 3-0 deep into the 3rd quarter in Saturday's (Sept. 4) season opener, the second-guessers in the grandstands began to worry. That wasn't the mental outlook on the field, however. Don't underestimate this Grossmont group, which rallied for a 24-3 victory over visiting Riverside CC at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field.
 
Despite a slow start on the offensive end the Griffins added to their already impressive winning trends, claiming their 28th regular season victory in 29 starts. They improved to 22-1 on their home artificial FieldTurf since that surface was installed prior to the start of the 2000 season. And overall, this conquest was the 14th in 15 games and gives Grossmont a 41-7 mark since the turn of the century.
 
Coaches and players alike dismissed the Griffins' sluggish start against the Tigers.
 
"It's a learning process because we have so many new people playing new positions," said Grossmont College running back RAJIVE OTAH, who sealed the victory with two 4th quarter touchdowns. "It was kinda hectic out there for a while, but we came together as one unit. And we're going to start putting up those big numbers people here at Grossmont are used to seeing."
 
Grossmont quarterback JARROD JACKSON completed 20 of 31 passes for 241 yards, including a 32-yard TD strike to MARQUES CLARK and an 11-yard TD screen pass to Otah.
 
Jackson directed Grossmont on one of its longest drives of the game on the Griffins' second series of the 3rd quarter, marching 54 yards on 14 plays before DAN ZEIDMAN tied the game on a 25-yard field goal with 3:37 remaining in the period.
 
That series broke down the door for the Griffins, who then punched in touchdowns on three of their ensuing five drives. The tie-breaking TD was a thing of beauty as Clark blew by his cover corner and hauled in a perfect spiral from Jackson in full stride to give Grossmont a 10-3 advantage with 5 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
 
"I don't know how many people caught balls, but I know it wasn't just one guy catching all of them," said Jackson, who served completions to 11 different receivers. "They did well as a unit and made me look good sometimes." 
 
Clark led the Griffins with 5 receptions for 80 yards.
 
"That was just a straight 'fly' (pattern)," Clark said of his winning TD grab. That same play was in order a quarter later, but Jackson overthrew the wide-open Clark.
 
No matter. The Griffins finished with 389 yards, including 148 yards on 42 rushes. Freshman JARZELLE BEEKS paced the Griffins' ground forces with 58 yards on 5 carries, while RODERICK COOKSEY added 36 yards on 9 sorties. Cooksey also caught a pair of screen passes for 9 yards.
 
While the offense needed more time than usual to warm up despite the humid, sunny playing conditions, Grossmont's defense was virtually immovable. The Tigers' lone score was the result of Jackson's lone interception in the final minute of the 1st half.
 
Riverside never penetrated Grossmont's 20-yard line. In the second half the Tigers crossed the 50 into Grossmont territory only once - on the final of their six series. Even at that they were halted at the Griffins 46-yard line against a band of Grossmont reserves.
 
Call it total domination. A true thumping.
 
"We only gave up 3 points, so you'd have to say the defense played real well," said Grossmont sophomore safety JOHN "Iceman" GEISE, who picked off a pass and made 4 tackles. "I wasn't worried when we fell behind, because we weren't giving up anything on defense and it was only a matter of time before our offense got clicking, started putting up points."
 
The Griffins rationed RCC to 12 yards rushing on 26 carries. That number reflects Grossmont's 6 sacks, which added up to 32 yards in losses.
 
"Our defense is too fast to let anybody get anything going against us," Geise added. "We don't have as much size as last year, but I think we have more team speed."
 
The Tigers totaled just 182 yards in the game, but mustered only three first downs and  49 yards after halftime. The hub of the Grossmont defense is the line trio of DALLAS MAUGA, ANDREW JILLES and MATTHEW AHMU. These guys combined for 14 tackles and 2 sacks.
 
"Our D-line got really good penetration, and that made it real easy for the rest of us," said sophomore linebacker MATT WESTRICK (7 tackles, one sack). "We had some penalties (10 for 82 yards), and that hurt us some. But we'll tighten it up next week (against Long Beach)."
 
Any tighter than it was Saturday and LBCC will have to dial 9-1-1.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI -  Former Griffins receiver TODD WATKINS caught 5 passes for 115 yards in the Cougars' 20-17 win over Notre Dame Saturday (Sept. 4) in Provo, Utah . Although he failed to reach the end zone, Watkins made an over-the-shoulder 50-yard reception to set up BYU's first score and then made a victory-saving, 37-yard leaping catch with 1:34 remaining . . . SITE CHANGE: Next Saturday's (Sept. 11) game against Long Beach CC will be played at Cerritos College in Norwalk at 1 p.m.

Grossmont College freshman Dupree Flenoid (30) scored on the final play on a 6-yard run in the Griffins Green & Gold intrasquad scrimmage on Friday. (8-28-04/Photo by Samer Khouli)

Griffins ready for another magic carpet ride as season opens against Riverside

Griffs aim to live up to their pre-season ranking
EastCountySports.com

EL CAJON - Given that some pollsters believe Grossmont College is deserving of the No. 1 preseason state ranking its been handed, it did not mean much when the Griffins conducted their annual Green-and-Gold scrimmage Saturday (Aug. 28) at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field.
 
This is a team coming off a 13-1 record and an appearance in the 2003 state finals.
 
It was a scrimmage dominated by defense. Among the highlights was a field goal attempt blocked by MATT CULVER that was bandied about among several players before MARK WINE scooped up the rolling pigskin and rambled the final 36 yards for one of the two touchdowns scored in the 60-play scrimmage.
 
Griffins quarterback JARROD JACKSON completed nine of 15 aerials for 96 yards. MARQUES CLARK was the leading receiver with 3 catches for 35 yards. Fullback RODERICK COOKSEY, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound basketball player turned football player, caught 2 passes for 19 yards and rushed for 20 more and figures to play a prominent role in the Griffins' 2005 plans.
 
For the record, the Green edged the Gold 12-6 when DUPREE FLENOID scored on a 6-yard run to break a 6-6 tie on the final play. Earlier in the scrimmage, Flenoid - a freshman sprinter from Valhalla - bolted 40 yards for the longest run of the afternoon.
 
Sophomore wide receiver MARQUES CLARK, the top target in the flock, caught three passes for 35 yards.
 
On the defensive side, RYAN CAZARES and QUENTIN WOMACK logged interceptions.
 
Other standouts in the scrimmage were linebacker MATT WESTRICK (El Capitan) and defensive end STEPHEN STRASBAUGH (a Cal Poly-SLO transfer), both of whom were dominant performers.
 
Grossmont opens the season by hosting Mission Conference powerhouse Riverside City College on Saturday (Sept. 4) at Mashin-Roth Field at 1 p.m.
(08-28-04)

Seven more headed to four-year schools after Grossmont sharpening
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Although the primary focus of Grossmont College's veteran head coach DAVE JORDAN is upon the 2004 season - being ranked No. 1 in the state preseason rankings does that - the skipper of 33 Griffins seasons cannot ignore the pride he's gained watching the scholarship count from last year's 13-1 squad continue to swell. The latest tally of Griffins off last year's state runner-up squad to land legitimates four-year college scholarships stands at 22.
 
The latest group to secure firm footing on the four-year college ladder includes running back GARY FRANKLIN (Norfolk State) and offensive lineman ROBERT PATMON (Norfolk State), linebacker DAN CATALANO (UNLV), offensive line twins VINCE and VICTOR LAUIFI (Northern State of Aberdeen, North Dakota), kicker TRAVIS DOROSKI (Montana State), center ERIC ROMO (Fort Lewis, Kan.) and offensive tackle GLENN LUDWIG (Fort Lewis, Kan.).
 
Franklin rushed for 644 yards and 6 TDs on 87 carries last season .He also caught 15 passes for 186 yards and one TD. As a senior at Monte Vista in 2001, Franklin finished second to USC's REGGIE BUSH in the East County rushing derby with 1,285 yards and 26 TDs on 215 carries.
 
Catalano, the 2003 Foothill Conference Defensive Player of the Year, missed the majority of the Griffins' four post-season playoff games due to a late-season injury but nabbed a full ride to UNLV.
 
These latest eight scholarship winners join an already impressive list headed by quarterback JORDAN ADAMS (Nebraska), receivers TODD WATKINS (BYU) and JOE GRIFFIN (BYU), safety MAURICE  LONDON (Arizona State), linebacker BOBBY KELLY (UNLV), defensive end DAN WIDDERS (UNLV) and safety CHANTI BLOOMER (UNLV).
(08-11-04)
 

Grossmont College Ranked No. 1 in State Preseason Poll
EastCountySports.com
 
EL CAJON - Albeit Grossmont College lost a bevy of sophomore starters from last year's 13-1 state runner-up squad, coaches throughout the Golden State have rated the Griffins the top team in the state in balloting by the California Community College Football Coaches Association. That's right, No. 1. Never has a Grossmont football team received such a lofty rating before or after the season in the school's 42-year history.
 
Pressure? You bet.
 
"I'm not sure why we are rated No. 1," Grossmont College's veteran head coach DAVE JORDAN said. "Maybe they think we have more guys coming back than we do. Whatever the reason, we are pleased to have the recognition."
 
Grossmont teams are accustomed to sneaking up to bushwhack its regular-season foes. However, no longer do the Griffins' game plans fit a stealth mode.
 
These Griffins, who lost the state and national 2004 championship to City College of San Francisco 38-35 in the final 33 seconds a year ago, are considered a perennial power based on their 44-7 record over the past five seasons.
 
"We're not a team laden with Division I starts at every position," Jordan said. "We just hope we have enough talent to get the job done."
 
Sophomore JARROD JACKSON returns at quarterback after earning All-Foothill Conference second team honors. Jackson passed for 2,784 yards and 24 TDs as a freshman.
 
Sophomore MARQUES CLARK is the top target in the flock, while speedy RAJIVE OTAH is the ace coming out of the backfield.
 
Top dog on the defensive side for Grossmont is 6-foot-2, 290-pound lineman DALLAS MAUGA and his sidekick ANDREW JILLES (6-3, 240). Corner JON GEIS, safety JAMES GENTILE and linebacker EVAN HERMANSEN are the veterans returning to the defensive side.
 
GRIFFIN GRAFFITI - The coaches' state rankings place CCSF No. 2, College of the Canyons No. 3, Fresno No.4 and Reedley No.5. . . . The Griffins claimed 9 of the 11 Southern California 1st place votes, while Canyons finished a distant second in the balloting . . . Grossmont's regular season schedule includes games against No. 9 Chaffey, No. 13 Long Beach, No. 14 Victor Valley, No. 17 Riverside, and No. 20 Antelope Valley.
(08-09-04)

• Story/State championship game coverage
• 2003 summaries/schedule/scores/standings