2005 J.C. GRID-WIRE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

PLAYOFF/BOWL SCHEDULE
Sat., Nov. 29
Canyons 36, El Camino 27
Mt. San Antonio 34, Fullerton 27 (2-OT)
Sat., Dec. 6
Mt. San Antonio at Canyons, 7
Sat., Dec. 13
CCCAA Championship Game, at LeBard Stadium, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa

Grossmont sophomore tight end Kyle Hipp, recipient of the 2008 Joe Roth Memorial Award. (Photo by Kevin Hipp)

© East County Sports.com
MISSION BAY PARK (11-21-08) – Grossmont College sophomore tight end KYLE HIPP has been named the winner of the 32st annual Joe Roth Memorial Award. A graduate of Cathedral Catholic High, Hipp was presented the Griffins’ most coveted honor at Thursday’s (Nov. 20) team awards banquet held at Marina Village.

This award is given to the San Diego County community college football player that best exemplifies the high academic standards, athletic excellence, humility, leadership, character and class that the late Joe Roth exhibited during his All-America career.

Roth, a gifted quarterback, guided the Griffins to their only undefeated season and first state championship in 1974. He led Cal to its only Pac-10 championship in 1975 and was considered a potential NFL first-round draft pick before he died of cancer in February, 1977.

Hipp, who is being recruited by several major colleges, was a preseason All-American and a first team All-Southern Conference this season. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound sophomore is a quality target who has all the ingredients to find success at the next level.

Other major award winners at the banquet included safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE (MVP-Defense) and running back GAREN DEMERY (MVP-Offense).

Muheize intercepted a team-high 5 passes and ranked second on the team in tackles. Demery was easily Grossmont’s top offensive threat with a team-best 908 yards and 38 points on 141 carries.

Muheize and Demery were voted the defensive and offensive captains by their teammates.

More Griffins honored were: JUAN BOLANOS (Best OL); CHAD O’DONNELL (Best DL); JESSE SWANN (Best LB); MICHAEL YAMAGUCHI (Best RB); MILES McPHERSON (Best WR); LUIS VILLAVICENCIO (Best DB); kicker BRANDON BOGOTAY (Top Specialist with 15 FGs); lineman CHARLES WILEY (Most Improved Offense); end TERRANCE JOYNER (Most Improved Defense); Linebacker PAT KELLY (Tackler of the Year); and JONATHAN DARBY (Best Special Teams).

© East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (11-19-08) — Six members of the Grossmont College football team were honored by conference coaches, voted to the All-Southern Conference first team. Two Griffins were selected from each of the team's units, covering offense, defense and special teams.

From the defensive unit, which ranked among the state's best all season, are freshman lineman YUN TA'ALA and sophomore free safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE. On offense, the coaches selected tight end KYLE HIPP, who was a preseason All-America choice of JC Grid-Wire, and running back GAREN DEMERY, both sophomores.

Meanwhile, Grossmont took half of the first-team special teams berths in placekicker BRANDON BOGOTAY and return specialist XAVIER MARTIN, both freshmen. Bogotay was one of seven unanimous honorees, ranking among the state leaders in field goals and kick-scoring all season.

Second team picks featured: offensive tackle JUAN BALANOS and cornerback LUIS VILLAVICENCIO.

Honorable mention honoress from Grossmont include: center BILLY DAWSON, defensive lineman CHAD O'DONNELL, defensive back LARRY PARKER, running back JAMAR REID, wide receiver CHRISTOPHER SMITH, and outside linebacker JESSE SWAN.

Southern Conference coaches deadlocked on the player of the year award on offense, with Fullerton quarterback Jeff Fleming and Saddleback running back Jai Morris sharing the award. On defense, Orange Coast end Dean DeLeon was tabbed, while Timy Byrnes of conference titlist Fullerton was honored as coach of the year.

Grossmont linebacker Calvin Pearce sacks the Saddleback quarterback. (Photo by Tori Mills)

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EL CAJON (11-16-08) – It's what every competitor plays for: a shot to advance to the playoffs and capture a championship. And for the Grossmont Griffins, despite a turbulent up-and-down campaign, the dream continued right down to the final day of the regular season.

Saddleback College, which also faced the situation of win and you're in or go home, jumped out to a 28-6 advantage early in the second half, eliminating Grossmont from playoff consideration following Saturday's (Nov. 15) relatively easy 38-21 Southern Conference victory at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field.

Meanwhile, Grossmont (5-5, 3-3 SC) fell one position short of extending its season, missing the postseason for the second straight season for the first time in more than a decade.

"That jam was so vital because the quarterback got so much time, so that the No. 2 receiver was always wide open."

Two Saddleback passers combined for 393 yards through the air, even though Grossmont managed six sacks on the day, including two by ELLIOT CHAPMAN. The others were registered by CHAD O’DONNELL, EDWIN SHEPARD, PAT KELLY and TERRANCE JOYNER.

"We struggled in the secondary, but it's not all on them – we all struggled and couldn't get the momentum going," said Chapman. "We can't do anything but grow for next year."

Meanwhile, the injury-plagued offensive unit sputtered throughout, at first finding it difficult to complete drives in settling for a pair of first-half field goals, then fighting just to gain first downs. The Gauchos took advantage by gaining possession just shy of midfield on four occasions, scoring each time to carry a lead of 28-6 early in the second half.

Included were a pair of David Ingram touchdown passes to Nick Hutter of 25 and 51 yards in the second period for a 21-6 halftime lead. After Ingram was knocked around by O’Donnell to make him retreat to the sidelines, the Gauchos starting quarterback Brian Shrock returned in the third quarter to toss a 40-yard TD strike to Shane Henry.

All Grossmont could muster in the first half were a pair of 31-yard field goals by BRIAN BOGOTAY to trail 7-6 after one period before Saddleback ran off 21 consecutive points. Bogotay, a Patrick Henry product, finished with 15 field goals — second most by a Grossmont kicker during the regular season.

In the contest, Saddleback held possession for nearly 40 full minutes, out-gaining Grossmont in yardage, 478-340.

"When you don’t have the ball it’s pretty hard to score," said Grossmont head coach MIKE JORDAN.

The Griffins were a paltry 2-of-15 on a combination of 3rd and 4th down conversions, while Saddleback was 12-of-21.

“We weren’t efficient as an offense on 3rd downs,” Jordan added. “We had guys open but we just couldn’t hit them.”

Even more astounding, the Griffins defense forced four turnovers, including interceptions by CORY BELL and LUIS VILLAVICENCIO, plus fumble recoveries by JESSE SWANN and CALVIN PEARCE.

Sophomore quarterback DAN LEWIS came through late with a pair of scoring passes, but was only accurate on 15 of 34 tosses in the game. He connected with KENYON PETIS on a 68-yard TD pass late in the third, then found PETER ROZOK in the back of the endzone from 10 yards out in the fourth period.

"That was the last pass I'll throw for Grossmont, but we never quit – we never gave up," said Lewis, who total for 261 aerial yards. "I know I misfired on some throws and we had a lot of opportunities, but we're happy that we continued to keep scoring. We never hung our heads."

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-14-08) — Despite playing just one tick above the .500 mark, Grossmont College’s chances for a postseason berth are still alive. Time is running out, however, as the Griffins face a put-up or shut-up situation when they host Saddleback in the regular season finale Saturday (Nov. 15) at 1 p.m.

The Griffins (5-4 overall) can conceivably earn a second place finish in the Southern Conference with a victory over Saddleback (6-3, 4-1) and a berth in the SCFA Southern Conference playoffs.

The only way the Griffins could win and still be denied a spot in the 8-team playoffs would be if Santa Ana (6-3, 3-2) were to upset first-place Fullerton (8-1, 5-0). Santa Ana earned the tie-breaker with Grossmont by beating the Griffins in the final minute a week ago in Orange County.

The Grossmont-Saddleback match-up is intriguing because it pits the 7-team conference’s top offense against the circuit’s best defense.

Saddleback is a scoring machine. Three times the Gauchos have scored 63 points or more and are averaging 40 points and 483 yards per game.

“They run the old ‘single wing’ offense and they run it well,” said Grossmont College defensive coordinator DAVE JORDAN. “We’re going to know we’ve been in a football game because they are a very physical team.”

Jai Morris (102 carries, 849 yards, 9 TDs) and Micah Abreu-Laybon (96-639, 6 TDs) give the Gauchos the conference’s best 1-2 rushing punch. Quarterback Brian Shrock is no slouch either, having completed 64 percent of 159 passes for 1,477 yards and 13 touchdowns. Shrock’s favorite receiver is Jay Wisner, who is averaging more than 20 yards for his 35 receptions.

Playing on a short field much of the season, the Griffins’ defense has still managed to allow less than 17 points and 274 points per game.

Grossmont’s defense is led by safeties ABRAHAM MUHIEZE (60 tackles, 5 interceptions) and LARRY PARKER (38 tackles, 3 int.), corners AUSTIN BEDART (40 tackles, 2 int.), LUIS VILLAVICENCIO (3 int.), linebackers PAT KELLY (65 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 in.), ELLIOT CHAPMAN (39 tackles, 2 sacks) and JESSE SWANN (40 tackles, 5 sacks) and linemen CHAD O’DONNELL (48 tackles, 6 sacks) and YUN TA’ALA, among others.

BRANDON FRICKE will make his third start at quarterback for the Griffins. He will be joined in the backfield by running back GAREN DEMERY – the team’s leading offensive threat with 830 yards and 5 touchdowns on 132 rushes. JAMAR REID, who has been banged up for much of the season is also an integral part of the Griffin offense with 333 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in six games.

Another threat Grossmont has going is kicker BRANDON BOGOTAY, who ranks 2nd in Southern California with 13 field goals. He trails only Mt. San Antonio ’s Jacob Harfman, who has 15.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI – Former Grossmont High standout AKONI LASCONIA is Saddleback’s third-leading tackler… the Gauchos lead the all-time series between these two teams 11-4-1… word is the University of Colorado is highly interested in Grossmont’s O’Donnell (6-2, 250)... Saddleback is rated No. 17 nationally by J.C. Grid-Wire… the Gauchos are rated No. 9 in the state and No. 6 in Southern California… Grossmont is rated No. 11 in Southern California and No. 24 in the state.

© East County Sports.com
SANTA ANA (11-9-08) — Everything accomplished by the Grossmont College offense could be directly attributed to exploits of the Griffins defense in Saturday's (Nov. 8) key Southern Conference football contest. But when the defensive contributions began to dwindle, the door was open for Santa Ana College.

Trailing 15-3 at the half, the Dons scored a pair of second-half touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown with 40 seconds remaining to stun Grossmont, 18-15, at Santa Ana Stadium's Eddie West Field.

Matt Cardenas collected a 12-yard pass from Ray Contreras to rally the Dons, who trailed for virtually the entire contest. The pair also converted a 2-point conversion, which – like the TD pass – went to the left corner of the endzone.

Grossmont (5-4, 3-2 SC) gained excellent field position thanks to the defense, but six short drives to reach the red zone resulted in just a single touchdown. And when the offense stalled out completely to go scoreless in the second half, Santa Ana (6-3, 3-2) finally found the ability to finish off a pair of drives for its second victory in the closing minutes this season.

Four weeks ago, the Dons scored with 1:12 remaining to stun Orange Coast , 28-27.

Despite the setback, Grossmont still controls its own destiny, needing to defeat second-place Saddleback in next Saturday's (Nov. 14) regular-season finale at Mashin-Roth Memorial. With a victory, the Griffins can catch the Gauchos (6-3, 4-1) for second, taking the tiebreaker with the head-to-head triumph.

The only catch finds Santa Ana gaining a chance to make it a 3-way tie for second place, but the Dons must go on the road and defeat Southern Conference leader Fullerton in the teams' annual Key To the County game.

Another stellar effort by Grossmont's defenders started on the very first snap taken by Santa Ana . After the Griffins failed to convert on 4th-down from the Dons-4, defensive lineman CHAD O'DONNELL found his way into the endzone to sack Contreras for a safety just 4:25 into the contest.

The ensuing free kick saw Grossmont gain possession at the Santa Ana-41,with MICHAEL YAMAGUCHI capping an 8-play drive on a 1-yard dive for a 9-0 lead.

The Dons got on the board with a 24-yard field goal by James Brillantes, but Grossmont closed the half with field goals of 41 and 46 yards by BRANDON BOGOTAY, who now has 13 three-pointers — third most by a Grossmont kicker in a season.

The first Bogotay boot was set up on a 37-yard interception runback by ABRAHAM MUHEIZE on a pass first tipped by AUSTIN BEDART. It was Muheize’s team-leading 5th interception.

On the next Santa Ana possession, Contreras dropped the ball on a pump-fake for a fumble, with CORY BELL recovering near midfield.

Through the first half, Santa Ana mounted a mere 70 yards in total offense compared to 184 by Grossmont.

Another hit in the backfield for a loss by the G-House. (Mike Dougherty, ThePhotoExperience.com)

Dons cornerback Derek Hines returned an interception 53 yards, setting up a 16-yard TD rush by Michael Clemmons midway through the third period to trim the deficit to 15-10.

Grossmont then was unable to gain a first down over the final 12 minutes, including a series which ended with 3:05 left, giving Santa Ana its shot to pull out the victory.

Yet, Grossmont had two chances in the final seconds, maintaining possession on a two-fumble play, but Dons’ linebacker Justin Blackburn ended the contest with his second sack of the afternoon.

ELLIOT CHAPMAN paced the Griffins with 10 tackles, while PAT KELLY and Bedart registered 8 stops each. JESSE SWAN recorded both of Grossmont's two sacks, including one which forced a fumble that was recovered by QUINTON GAYTON. LUIS VILLAVICENCIO logged his third interception and Grossmont’s 19th as a defense.

© East County Sports.com
SANTA ANA (11-7-08) – Grossmont College travels to Santa Ana Stadium for a key CCCAA encounter against Santa Ana College on Saturday (Nov. 8). Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

For the Griffins (5-3, 3-1), this is a game of survival. A victory in Orange County this weekend sets up a home game finale against Saddleback that could earn Grossmont a berth in the eight-team Southern California Football Association playoffs.

Bowling over the Dons will be no simple task, although Grossmont has won its last two road games.

Santa Ana (5-3, 2-2) used a 20-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter to overcome a 20-15 deficit to knock off Long Beach City College a week ago. Grossmont, which had a bye, belted LBCC, 33-7, earlier in the season.

Look for BRANDON FRICKE to make his second start after guiding the Griffins to a 21-13 win over Orange Coast in the Pirates den two weeks ago. Running back JAMAR REID, who has missed the past three games due to injury, returns to the backfield with GAREN DEMERY.

Grossmont’s defense, led by free safety ABRAHAM MUHIEZE, linebackers PAT KELLY and ELLIOT CHAPMAN and end TERRANCE JOYNER, continues to be the Griffins anchor.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI – Santa Ana holds a 6-4 edge in the all-time series that began in 1962 – Grossmont’s inaugural season. The Dons won that game 48-0.

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LONG BEACH (10-27-08) – Grossmont College running back GAREN DEMERY has been named the Southern Conference player of the week on offense for his performance against Orange Coast.

Demery, a sophomore out of Valhalla High, rushed for 106 yards and a decisive 72-yard touchdown in the final miniutes to give the Griffins a 21-13 triumph over host Orange Coast.

Also receiving honorable mention from the conference was linebacker ELLIOT CHAPMAN and free safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE.

Chapman (Marian Catholic) registered 10 tackles (3 for losses, including two on solo quarterback sacks) to help stop the Pirates.

Muheize (El Cajon Valley) blocked one punt which led to a touchdown, then later intercepted a pass which led to another score. He also recorded 7 tackles.

Grossmont (5-3, 3-1 SC) have a bye this week, returning to action in November to close the regular season with two contests: Nov. 8 at Santa Ana,, and Nov, 15 at home to Saddleback. Both kickoff at 1 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
COSTA MESA (10-26-08) — Grossmont College requested only one thing from former third-string and now starting quarterback BRANDON FRICKE: Don't force anything and simply manage the game.

Overcoming an early interception, Fricke took advantage of a couple of key situations handed to him by the Griffins defense to upend host Orange Coast, 21-13, Saturday (Oct. 25) at LeBard Stadium.

Fricke, who completed 13-of-29 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, seemed reasonably comfortable in his first collegiate start.

"There were some butterflies, but that's what I work for – I had to perform," noted Fricke. "I found out at the beginning of the week on Monday or Tuesday – it wasn’t for sure, but by the end of the week, I knew for sure that I was starting."

Meanwhile, the Grossmont defense and special teams units again performed admirably, limiting Orange Coast to just 278 yards in total offense, including a mere 53 rushing yards on 41 carries.

Leading the charge was ELLIOT CHAMPAN, who registered 2.5 of the Griffins' five quarterback sacks. Nine other plays went for losses, including a long chase sequence by TERRANCE JOYNER, who finally captured Pirates quarterback Taylor Hughes for a key 24-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Grossmont special teams set-up Fricke with excellent field position. ABRAHAM MUHEIZE broke through the line to block an OCC punt, with KYLE BROWN recovering the ball at the Pirates-30.

Fricke followed by converting consecutive third-down passes, hitting GREG CORDER for 17 yards, then finding MILES McPHERSON for a 12-yard touchdown.

"On the first punt, it was a little guy (blocking), so I ran him over," noted Muheize. "So the second time, I swam on him and blocked it – our whole defense came out nasty."

In the final minute of the half, LARRY PARKER recorded the first of several key plays by the defensive back.

Parker, who was forced to switch from safety to cornerback, broke a pair of tackles on a 15-yard punt return into OCC territory with 21 seconds remaining. On the very next play, Fricke found a wide open PAUL AUBIN on a stop-and-go route, completely confusing a Pirates linebacker for an easy 45-yard score and a 14-0 halftime lead.

"We got lucky when they blew that coverage and Paul was wide open," added Fricke. "And on the first score, Miles ran a quick-out and the defense let him go."

"So now it's all up to us to finish strong to make a playoff run."

Coast effectively beat the Grossmont defense on just one play all evening, but it moved the Pirates back into contention.

Running back Kevin Ah-Hi slipped into the left flat behind a blitzing linebacker and was left undefended. Hughes found him and Ah-Hi romped 51 yards on the first play of the fourth quarter.

However, the conversion was blocked by Parker, who also returned a first-half interception 48 yards and broke up three other pass plays.

With 2 minutes to go, a final Coast drive stalled when AUSTIN BEDART knocked the ball out of the hands of a Pirates receiver just shy of the goal line on a fourth-down play.

"They tried to run a corner on me, but I remember watching that on the film on goal line situations," recalled Bedart. "The (OCC) receivers and I were going back-and-forth all game, but they never ran to the corner all game, so I was waiting for it and sure enough he ran it."

Grossmont tried to run out the clock, when suddenly running back GAREN DEMERY found some daylight on the right side.

"I had a key block to spring me by 'Y-Y' (MICHAEL YAMAUCHI-YAMATE) and I just saw an open field," said Demery. "And now we get a week off to heal up and get ready to go and try to get into the playoffs."

Demery, who finished with 106 rushing yards, then burst down the sideline on a 72-yard touchdown run for a 21-6 lead. But the celebration was quickly subdued when OCC's Dean DeLeone returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a score.

However, the onsides kickoff with 1:21 remaining was left untouched by all – OCC waited for the ball to go the prerequisite 10 yards (it only went 7 yards); Grossmont left it to roll out of bounds – then the Griffins ran out the clock with a series of kneel-downs.

Grossmont (5-3, 3-1) moved into a second-place deadlock with Saddleback (5-3, 3-1), which fell 24-21 to Southern Conference leading Fullerton (6-2, 3-0). The Griffins host Saddleback on the final day of the regular season which could be a one-on-one showdown for a CCCAA playoff berth.

© East County Sports.com
COSTA MESA (10-24-08) — The first of three steps for Grossmont College to earn a CCCAA state football playoff berth begins Saturday (Oct. 25) when the Griffins mark their return to LeBard Stadium for the first time in more than 20 years to meet Orange Coast College. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

Following last week's 44-15 smack down at the hands of Fullerton , the Griffins still control their own path to the postseason. If they can capture their last three games, they can finish no worse than second place in the Southern Conference. And if Fullerton should slip down the stretch — the Hornets (5-1, 2-0) still need to defeat Saddleback (5-2, 3-0) — another league title would not be out of line for Grossmont.

The Griffins have been riddled with injuries in recent weeks. So much so that coach MIKE JORDAN isn’t sure who he’ll start at quarterback. If he does know, he isn’t saying.

Meanwhile, Orange Coast is in a mini-freefall after being ranked among the top 10 schools in the nation following a 4-0 start. Once the Pirates entered conference play, the tables turned as they fell to Fullerton , 34-27, and then got nipped by Santa Ana, 28-27.

Orange Coast had a bye last week and realizes any chance it has for postseason play could be dashed should Grossmont prevail.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI – Running back GAREN DEMERY, linebacker PAT KELLY and free safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE were included among the J.C. Grid-Wire national players of the week... The Griffins have beaten the Pirates only three times in 18 meetings with one tie. The key Grossmont win this series came in the 1974 state championships game 34-17 at old Aztec Bowl. The late JOE ROTH was Grossmont’s quarterback in that title bout... Despite its slow start in conference play, Orange Coast is ranked No. 7 in Southern California, while Grossmont is No. 11.

Grossmont's Isia Falo (center) scores after picking up a Fullerton punt attempt which was blocked by teammate Brandon Davis. (Photo by Tori Mills)

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-19-08) — An injury-induced, revolving door at quarterback left the Grossmont College defense in a difficult predicament.

While the Griffins offense danced the cha-cha in the first half (ah-1-2-3-punt, 1-2-3-punt), visiting Fullerton College finally took advantage of the tiring defenders in the second quarter, breaking open a scoreless contest by posting 24 consecutive points, as the Hornets downed Grossmont in a battle of Southern Conference leaders, 44-15, Saturday (Oct. 18) at Mashin-Roth Memorial Field.

Fullerton (5-1, 2-0) kept pace with Saddleback (5-2, 3-0), a 63-44 winner over Long Beach, while Grossmont (4-3, 2-1) ) fell a game back of the leaders after its 3-game winning streak was snapped.

"All we do is come out next week on Monday – because this game is now in the past – and do what we normally do," said Griffins linebacker CALVIN PEARCE. "It's all on us right now. We're young, but need to come out fighting. If we want to be contenders, you need to beat a man to be a man."

The precarious quarterbacking situation reached a new low after Grossmont's opening drive stalled on a failed fourth down at the Hornets-4, then three Grossmont signal-callers were unable to move the football effectively the rest of the afternoon, despite 184 rushing yards by running back GAREN DEMERY.

"The defense, as a unit, are not pointing fingers or making excuses. We needed to man up better and play with more discipline," added Pearce. "(Quarterback) JOHN SOLI and (running back) JAMAR REID are part of the core of our team and should be back soon." Both are hampered by injury.

Meanwhile, Fullerton quarterback Jeff Fleming passed for 157 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 86 yards, taking advantage of excellent field position throughout the contest.

"We couldn't really get anything going (on offense), but the defense can't let them score points either," noted cornerback LUIS VILLAVICENCIO. "We still have got to try and win out and still make the playoffs."

The floodgates opened when Hornets defender Robert Archuleta returned an interception 36 yards to the Grossmont-21. Three plays later, Sam Apraku scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 4-yard run for a 10-0 lead.

The Hornets extended their lead to 44-3 before the Griffins finally reached the endzone twice in a 1:46 span.

CEDRIC JEFFCOAT capped a 60-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge. Fullerton then was forced to punt on a 3-and-out, but the boot was rejected by BRANDON DAVIS, with ISIA FALO collecting the blocked football and romping 14 yards for the score.

"We can regroup and come and get it," stated defensive back LARRY PARKER. "We're motivated and still could play Fullerton again in the playoffs."

Fullerton's victory avenges a loss in its last appearance at Grossmont, when the Griffins registered a 47-30 victory in the 2003 Southern California championship playoff contest.

Fullerton College at Grossmont College (Slideshow by Monica Munguia)

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-17-08) — The biggest football game of the season to date features a rematch of the 2003 Southern California championship final, when Fullerton College comes to town on Saturday (Oct. 18) to battle Grossmont College. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Both ballclubs are undefeated in the new Southern Conference. The Griffins (4-2 overall) are tied for first place with Saddleback at 2-0 after Grossmont overwhelmed Long Beach City last weekend, 33-7. Fullerton, which is ranked 20th nationally by J.C. Grid-Wire, had a bye and remains 1-0 in conference play while owning the top overall record among "Super 7" programs at 4-1.

Grossmont, which has won three in a row, is ranked No. 22 in the same national poll.

The Hornets seek revenge from an ugly loss in 2003, the last time the school visited Mashin-Roth Memorial Stadium, as Grossmont mounted a 47-17 lead through three quarters in cruising to a 47-30 triumph. A week later, the Griffins fell in the final 33 seconds of the state championship game 38-35 to City College of San Francisco in Fresno.

Against Long Beach, the Griffins were on the path to another slow start after the Vikings took the opening kickoff then marched 77 yards for a touchdown. But the defense yielded just 97 yards over the balance of the contest, as the team tallied 33 unanswered points to gain an easy triumph at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The second half shutout means that the Grossmont defense has allowed just a single touchdown in the fourth quarter all season, that coming in Week 2 at College of the Desert just 31 seconds into the final stanza.

Against Long Beach, the defense registered nine quarterback sacks – including a pair each by linebackers JESSE SWAN and PAT KELLY – and intercepted three passes, featuring one for a 17-yard touchdown by ABRAHAM MUHEIZE. All three were finalists for Southern Conference and Pacific Coast Conference player of the week honors.

Meanwhile, the Griffins' special teams units partially blocked two punts. Kicker BRANDON BOGOTAY booted four field goals (and narrowly missed a 59-yard effort), while XAVIER MARTIN posted a 52-yard kickoff return.

Running back Devon McCullough (6-1, 191) leads the Hornets in rushing, while Jeff Fleming is the primary quarterback. Jeremy LaFrance is the top receiver and kick return specialist.

GRIFFIN GRAFITTI — These teams go way back. In fact, Grossmont’s second game ever – 1962 – was televised live from Fullerton by KCOP Channel 13. The Hornets blanked the Griffins, 22-0, that night. In 1969, the Hornets defeated Grossmont, 49-19, in a state playoff game before a crowd of 4,000 at Balboa Stadium... The latest rematch in this series will be broadcast live on the Internet, at KBCsports.com... Fullerton leads the all-time series, 12-4.

READ THE GAME STORY FROM LONG BEACH PRESS TELEGRAM

Long Beach City College's Darren Tubbs tries to get past Grossmont safety Abraham Muheize (7), while Tila Case pulls him down. (Jeff Gritchen/Staff Photographer; Courtesy, Press Telegram)

READ THE GAME STORY FROM LB POST SPORTS.com Includes Video (below) & Photos

Video of the "very excitable" Grossmont Griffins.. lol

Nine sacks and three interceptions later – including a 17-yard touchdown runback on a theft by Muheize – Grossmont ran off 33 unanswered points to roll over the Vikings, 33-7, at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The triumph leaves the Griffins and Saddleback – a 24-21 winner over Palomar – on top of the "Super 7" conference. Idle Fullerton, which visits Grossmont next Saturday (Oct. 18) at 1 p.m., is also unbeaten in conference play at 1-0.

Muheize was tagged by a Long Beach blocker on a punt play. So when the Vikings punted again, he noticed something different.

"Earlier, I got lit up a little bit on a punt return," Muheize recalled. "Then I noticed that guy wasn't in on the next punt – it was a little guy and that got me to think. So when I rushed, no one blocked me. And he threw the ball right to me."

The fake saw the Vikings punter try to pass the ball to the player who replaced the man that sent Muheize flying to the turf earlier. However, the Griffins sophomore was now in front of the intended receiver, collecting the football and racing untouched into the endzone.

The "pick 6" wasn't the only big play by the Griffins. The unit partially blocked a pair of punts on penetration by ARTHUR HOBBS and BRANDON DAVIS.

In addition, the field goal unit saw kicker BRANDON BOGOTAY connect on field goals of 44, 25, 31 and 30 yards, while a 59-yard effort was dead-center on target, but fell just short after hitting the post which connects the crossbar to the ground.

And on kickoff returns, XAVIER MARTIN took the second half kick 52 yards into Vikings territory.

"The special teams have been going crazy -- we've been preaching on how we haven't done anything for five weeks," added Muheize. "But we went at it today."

Following Long Beach's initial drive, the Vikings were left bumbling the rest of the night, collecting a mere 97 yards in additional offense, The sacks resulted in 40 yards of losses, featuring two putdowns of Powell by Grossmont's JESSE SWAN, CHAD O'DONNELL and PAT KELLY.

The Vikings (3-2, 0-1) were rationed to a net 5 yards rushing (on 32 attempts) – the 7th lowest total allowed by a Grossmont defense in 46 years.

"We just wanted to pick up the intensity and rush the quarterback," said Swan, an inside linebacker who paced the Griffins with nine tackles. "We got big pressure from the D-line -- TERRANCE (JOYNER), YUN (TA'ALA), Big MIKE (MIKAELE VAIMASANU) and Ja'RODD (WATSON)."

Joining Muheize with interceptions were LARRY PARKER and ELLIOT CHAPMAN, as LBCC completed 16-of-32 passes for just 169 yards.

How intense was the pressure? One of Powell's passes was batted right back to the quarterback for a reception, resulting in a 5-yard loss.

Meanwhile, Grossmont quarterback DAN LEWIS threw for 147 yards in his return as starting quarterback with JOHN SOLI out of uniform with an injury. The ground game saw GAREN DEMERY rush for 71 yards and a pair of second-period touchdowns (22 and 4 yards) to give the Griffins a 17-3 advantage.

Following a slow start to the season, the young group of offensive linemen is gaining synchronicity.

"We did good -- we did our jobs by being aggressive and playing hard on the line," said freshman right guard ROBERT TOLEAFOA. "It was 50-50 between running and passing plays, and a win is a win."

Unsung fullback LEVI UELI led the charge for Demery and the ground game, then was rewarded for his strong play by getting the game's final carry (gaining 3 yards).

"The blockers all did a good job," noted Ueli. "We just need the tailbacks to read the blocks better and know when to cut inside or to cut outside. But they did a much better job and got through the holes real well."

The biggest hit of the night came in a deadball situation. And it was a complete accident.

Following a big pass rush on the Long Beach quarterback, the referee charged toward the pile to make sure no pushing match ensued. One Griffins defender, down on his stomach, quickly popped up without realizing the referee was above him. His helmet caught the official in, shall we say, an awkward place.

Since the contest was down to the final two minutes and the outcome decided, no one bothered to stop the running clock, as about 50 seconds ran off without objection.

© East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (10-10-08) — Fresh off a stunning 49-3 SCFA National Division Southern Conference rout of Palomar, the Griffins travel north to Veterans Memorial Stadium where they will take on Long Beach City College Saturday (Oct. 11) at 6 p.m.

“I think we’ll match up with them pretty well,” said Grossmont coach MIKE JORDAN. “In many ways, they are a lot like Chaffey.”

The Griffins (3-2, 1-0) rank No. 8 among the state’s top offenses, 36.2 points and 446 yards per game. They stand 12th in the state on defense (18.8 ppg, 259.2 ypg).

Quarterback Josh Powell, 6-foot-4, 215-pound sophomore from Spokane , Wash. is the Long Beach City College ringleader. Powell has completed 78 of 145 passes for 1,059 yards and six TDs for the Vikings (3-1), ranked No. 12 in the state – one rung ahead of the Griffins. LBCC’s top receivers are Brandon Joseph (21-271, 2TDs) and Stephen Burton 17-302, 4 TDs).

Fortunately, for the Griffins the secondary – led by ABRAHAM MUHEIZE and LUIS VILLAVICENCIO – is their strong suit. Linemen TERRANCE JOYNER and CHAD O’DONNELL and linebackers PAT KELLY and JESSE SWAN have also been Grossmont standouts.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI – Grossmont is 3-0 at home, but 0-2 on the road... Grossmont has outscored its last two foes by a composite 100-19. Both of those were home games... The Vikings lead this series 7-4 over the Griffins, Grossmont having won the last meeting 20-10 in 2004. In 2003, Grossmont rolled over the Vikings 60-7. It won’t be anything like that this time around.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-5-08) -- For more than three decades, Grossmont and Palomar colleges never played a football game of any great significance, sans a couple of bowl games.

When the new Southern California Football Association was recently formed, it was only natural to place these geographic rivals -- finally -- in the same conference. On Saturday (Oct. 4), the schools met in a conference game for the first time since the mid-1970s. And it was the inaugural contest in the new Southern Conference to boot.

So it must've come as a surprise when the San Marcos based Comets, who draw from 16 SDCIF Division I and II high schools, came calling to Mashin-Roth Memorial Field to meet the Griffins, who draw from only 11 public high schools of which just one competes at the SDCIF Division I classification.

Of course, the setup is obvious.

David dominated Goliath after Grossmont scored touchdowns over four consecutive possessions to mount a 26-0 first-half advantage, as the Griffins made the previously undefeated and 15th nationally ranked Comets look "Foothill-ish" in a 49-3 victory.

"It was almost a perfect game except for that one field goal," noted linebacker CALVIN PEARCE. "Our front seven is stepping up major for us -- TERRANCE JOYNER, PAT KELLY – all of them."

"Palomar has been running the ball up the gut all season, but we made adjustments and were plugging the holes all day."

Early on, Grossmont, after winning a 1974 state championship, was placed in the powerful South Coast Conference. Meanwhile, Palomar, then a small school, was in the original Mission Conference.

A decade later, Palomar joined the big boys in a realigned Mission , while the Griffins were perceived as the big fish in a small pond known as the Foothill Conference, capturing the championships on a regular basis.

However, another state title for Grossmont in 2005 probably hinted to that state officials consider altering conference affiliations. Little did they know that the Grossmont, one of the smallest of the 21 schools in the SCFA's top division of competition, could dominate a ballclub such as Palomar with ease – at least on this particular afternoon.

"People don't realize that our D-line is young, but now it’s the fifth game and they came out aggressive and are making it happen for us," explained Griffins free safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE. "They came out screaming, ready to play."

The defensive line of the Griffins, powered by Joyner and CHAD O'DONNELL in the middle, held the Comets ground game to just 129 yards (including 41 yards in losses). Then the pressure by the line allowed the secondary to register five interceptions, part of seven total turnovers forced by Grossmont.

"I could just feel it slipping away," said Comets head coach Joe Early. "Everything we did went wrong -- Grossmont took it to us."

Included were a pair of interceptions by ELLIOT CHAPMAN. AUSTIN BEDART, LUIS VILLAVICENCIO and LARRY PARKER also garnered picks against three Palomar quarterbacks. Bedart also registered a fumble recovery.

Setting the trend early was Muheize, who forced a fumble just four minutes into the contest, then stood up from the pile with the loose football held high right in front of the Comets bench without argument.

Moments later, JAMAR REID rushed 3 yards for the first of his three touchdowns. He added a 50-yard scoring burst to close the first quarter with a 20-0 lead, then posted a 2-yard TD early in the fourth period.

"It was a good day -- credit the offensive line once again. They were beasts up front," noted Reid on his second straight 3-TD performance. "We watched film of them all week and they barely beat College of the Desert, and we could've beat Desert if it wasn't for turnovers."

"When we play the way we're supposed to play, like today, we feel nobody can beat us."

Meanwhile, Grossmont quarterback JOHN SOLI looked poised and comfortable in the pocket, completing 12-of-20 passes for 141 yards. And when he was pressured, he escaped several times to rush for first downs, including a 21-yard scamper, plus two short bursts for scores.

Soli also connected with tight end KYLE HIPP for a key first-period scoring pass, a 29-yarder which seemed to deflate the Comets after they left the preseason All-America selection completely uncovered for an uncontested touchdown.

"Their defense thought we would wedge it up the middle, either on a QB wedge or a fullback dive," noted Hipp, who led the team with four receptions. "So I was wide open and Soli threw the ball right to me. I didn't have to do much after that except run the ball into the endzone."

"We're really coming together as a team in all aspects. They came in here as an undefeated team and we went out there and played our game."

GAREN DEMERY (9-125 yards) pushed the lead to 39-3 with a 73-yard TD run late in the third period, allowing both sides to flood the field with substitutions.

Grossmont handed Palomar its biggest setback since falling 61-12 to City College of San Francisco in the 2001 state title game.

Grossmont even capitalized on special teams.

While Griffins kicker BRANDON BOGOTAY was booting kickoffs consistently through the endzone for touchbacks -- along with connecting on a 52-yard field goal to cap the scoring -- Palomar kickers scrambled all contest. Included was a snap which sailed over the punter's head, leading to kick from the endzone which resulted in a net-loss of 8 yards, while another punt was shanked and traveled just 11 yards.

Grossmont defenders took pride in keeping Palomar out of the endzone.

"I went with the coaches to scout the Palomar-Desert game last week, and I knew our defense could handle them," added Pearce. "They were a big team, so I didn't want to underestimate them, but everyone on our team was hungry."

Grossmont rests in a 3-way tie for first with Fullerton and Saddleback, the two teams predicted to dominate the Southern Conference in preseason polls. The Griffins next meet Long Beach City at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 11). The Vikings were idle this week, but probably had scouts watching this blow out.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-03-08) — It’s been more than two decades since Grossmont College last defeated the Palomar Comets. But the Griffins, who have dropped nine consecutive decisions to their North County rivals, will get another shot at Palomar when the two clubs open the Southern California Football Association National Conference season Saturday (Oct. 4). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Grossmont’s Mashin-Roth Field.

Although the season is less than half over, both teams have suffered some key injuries, but so far have been able to patch up the holes.

Palomar moved up to No. 15 in the J.C. Grid-Wire national rankings after Saturday night's 47-41, four-overtime victory over College of the Desert -- when the Comets (4-0) handed the Roadrunners their first regular-season loss since the 2006 season. JCGridiron.com has the Comets ranked No. 16.

That win over the Roadrunners was a home game for the Comets, while Grossmont spotted COD a 40-14 advantage in Palm Desert and then fought back only to fall short 47-40.

Another common foe is Southwestern. The Griffins killed themselves with penalties and wound up losing to the Jaguars 14-10. Palomar edged the Jags at home 21-19, although Southwestern had the ball within field goal range when time expired.

Quarterbacks Steve Carroll (13-for-17 passing, 184 yards, four touchdowns) and Matt Christian, who threw the game-winning 1-yard touchdown pass and also ran for a TD, had a hand of six of Palomar's seven touchdowns in the win over COD. The two signal-callers are expected to each draw playing time against Grossmont, which throttled Chaffey 51-16 a week ago.

Running backs GAREN DEMERY (48-247, TD) and JAMAR REID (505 all-purpose yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback JOHN SOLI seem to have Grossmont clicking. The Griffins led Chaffey 44-7 after one half.

Safety ABRAHAM MUHEIZE, corner LUIS VILLVICENCIO and linebacker PAT KELLY anchor the Grossmont defense.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI – The Comets lead this all-time series 14-9... Palomar won a 56-42 scoringfest a year ago at Grossmont... The Comets have not lost to a San Diego County team in 29 games... Grossmont, which is ranked No. 17 in SoCal, last beat the Comets 21-16 in 1987.

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (9-26-08) — Perhaps the Grossmont Griffins should try a different means of beginning a football game.

Early turnovers have pushed the Griffins (1-2) on their heels the past two weeks – three in the first quarter of losses at College of the Desert and Southwestern. All three Grossmont foes have scored first, including San Diego Mesa – a team Grossmont came back to beat. COD led 23-0 after one period. Southwestern and Mesa each opened up with a 7-0 edge.

Overall, the Griffins have committed 14 turnovers. Their opponents have made only eight. That equation does not add up to a winning season.

Grossmont will attempt to get its act together Saturday (Sept. 27) when it welcomes former Foothill Conference rival and No. 19 state-ranked Chaffey (3-0) to Mashin-Roth Memorial Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Despite their nearly five miscues per game, the Griffins have been able to move the ball. They are averaging 27 points and 446 yards per game. GAREN DEMERY (40-24, TD) and JAMAR REID (23-171, 2 TD) lead Grossmont’s ground forces.

On the defensive side, Grossmont is surrendering just 276 yards and 25 points.

GRIFFIN GRAFFITI — Grossmont owns an all-time 14-9 edge in this series, including six straight wins. . . The Panthers last won, 43-35, in triple-overtime during the 2002 season. . . One comparison this year is Chaffey edged Southwestern, 28-24, with a late touchdown, while the Griffins played catch-up most of the night.

Grossmont College running back Jamar Reid (Photo by Russell Scoffin, SWC Media Relations)