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August 15, 2003

REVAMPED BULLDOG FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS TURN TABLES IN 2003

REVAMPED BULLDOG FOOTBALL TEAM LOOKS TURN TABLES IN 2003

Under third-year head coach Kris Dutra, a revamped Allan Hancock College football team looks to turn the tables after finishing the 2002 season with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-4 Western State Conference mark, fifth among eight teams in the Pacific Division.

Foremost among the Bulldogs' new look for the 2003 season will be the WSC divisional breakdown, providing AHC with a more equitable schedule of traditional foes. Gone are rugged Los Angeles metro-area opponents El Camino, Long Beach and L.A. Harbor; back are regional rivals Ventura, Moorpark and Santa Barbara.

Dutra has also re-assembled his coaching staff, which will feature newcomer Ed Barnett in the all-important defensive coordinator's role and former wide-receiver coach Matt Almaguer at the offensive helm. George Heather, who will coach the defensive line is another new addition, while Frank Maltagliani (linebackers), Lance Easley (offensive line) and Tim Riordan (offensive backs) return.

The team itself will have a fresh look as well, as just nine starters (five offensive, four defensive) return from the 2002 club. Overall, the Bulldogs return 21 lettermen. To fill the gaps, Dutra and his staff have hustled to produce the most promising local recruiting class in his three-year tenure.

OFFENSE

The Bulldogs ranked a respectable sixth among the 16 WSC teams in offensive production last year, averaging 376.9 yards and 25.3 points per game. AHC ranked fourth on the ground, averaging 163.8 yards per outing. Through the air, the Bulldogs gained an average of 213.1 yards per game, seventh among WSC teams.

Back to guide the attack is quarterback Chad Nicholson (Morro Bay), a solid 6-1, 195-pound sophomore who ranked fifth among WSC passers with 142 completions on 253 attempts (56.1%) for 1,844 yards and nine touchdowns. Although conference-leading receiver Joe Dally is gone, Nicholson has a an outstanding target back in 6-4, 235-pound sophomore tight end Brian Watje (Arroyo Grande), who caught 20 passes to earn honorable mention All-WSC honors last year. The bulldogs also return their leading rusher in tailback Casey Langley, who ranked 12th in the WSC with 596 yards and six touchdowns on 88 carries. Up front, AHC returns a pair of all-conference quality offensive linemen in tackle Tim Kensinger (So., 6-4, 270, St. Joseph) and guard Gabriel Espinoza (So., 5-10, 255, Santa Maria), who may also line up at center.

The key newcomers include Eric Murchison (Fr., OL, 6-4, 275, Righetti), Chris Spence (Fr., OL, 6-0, 280, Righetti), Ryan Bugg (Fr., WR, 5-11, 180, Atascadero), Harrison Higbee (Fr., QB, 5-11, 180, Atascadero), Luis Espinoza (Fr., OL, 6-4, 320, Santa Maria), Trevor Lady (Fr., OL, 6-1, 265, Arroyo Grande), Pete Gonzalez (Fr., FB, 5-10, 200, Santa Maria), Andrew Jones (Fr., QB/P, 6-0, 180, Lompoc), Paul Jordan (Fr., TB, 6-2, 190, San Luis Obispo) and Thomas Clark (Fr., TB, 5-7, 170, Righetti).

DEFENSE

New defensive coordinator Ed Barnett inherits just four starters from a 2002 squad that allowed an average of 322.6 yards per game and ranked sixth among 16 WSC teams last year. Overall, the Bulldogs ranked seventh in the conference against the rush (117.3 yards per game), but were 13th against the pass (205.3 yards per game).

The returning cast includes secondary-ace Ed Scipio (So., 6-0, 175, Bethlem, PA Catholic), who earned All-WSC, All-State and All-American recognition more as a kick- returner than as a safety. As a freshman, Scipio established himself as the best runback man in Bulldog football history, with respective kickoff and punt return averages of 31.7 and 21.7 yards. Inside linebacker Chris Nunez (So., 6-0, 235, St. Joseph) and defensive back Greg Dutra (So., 6-0, 180, Arroyo Grande) each earned WSC honorable mention honors in their freshmen years. Defensive back Vance Benton (So., 5-10, 190, Milwaukee, WI Rufus King) and linebacker Lucas Signorelli (So., 5-10, 215, Lompoc) round out the returning starters. Other returning defenders who figure in the Bulldog plans are linebacker Donnell Arrowsmith (6-2, 220, Paso Robles), who returns for a second shot at his freshman year after qualifying for medical redshirt status, down-lineman John Sio (So., 6-0, 265, American Samoa Samoana) and linebacker Jesse Olson (So., 6-1, 210, San Luis Obispo).

The incoming defensive prospects are both plentiful and talented, including Michael Slaughter (Fr., DE, 6-5, 235), who helped lead Lompoc High to a CIF Southern Section divisional championship last fall. Additional newcomers expected to battle for starting positions include Brandon McMillan (Fr., LB, 6-1, 230, Atascadero), Ryan Roberts (Fr., DE/LB, 6-3, 250, San Luis Obispo), Chris Elliott (Fr., DE/LB, 6-4, 240, Righetti), Tyler Swanson (Fr., DB, 6-0, 180, Santa Ynez), Eric Thompson (Fr., DL, 6-1, 270, Arroyo Grande), Greg Shibata (Fr., DL, 6-3, 270, Righetti) and Josh Mitchell (Fr., DB, 6-0, 200, St. Joseph).

SPECIALISTS

Coach Dutra will need to replace both his place-kicker and punter for the 2003 season, following the departures of Ian Ur (24-24 PATs, 16-21 FGs, 72 total points) and Rob Coleman (37.2 yards per punt). Sophomore Brian Schneider (5-10, 160, Santa Ynez) is the top candidate for placements, while the punting assignment is wide open. Tight end Colin Vidal (6-4, 250, Arroyo Grande), who returns from the 2001 team, will be among the best long-snappers in the WSC, if not the state. Scipio ranks among the most dangerous return men in the nation, and teamed with Langley, will give Bulldog opponents much concern in the kicking game.