Season Preview: Vaqueros hope to do it with defense

The SBCC football team has produced the leading tackler in the state the last two years in linebackers Manny Hernandez and Morgan Nevin. They also had the No. 2 defense in the offensive-minded American Pacific Conference last season.

Nevin, a 6-1, 230-pounder from Truckee, Calif., earned All-State honors after averaging 11.8 tackles a game during last year's 4-6 campaign. He's back for his sophomore year, along with fellow Truckee grads Jackson Weed (linebacker) and safety Colin Christian, who had 80 tackles as a freshman.

The Vaqueros return six starters on defense and five on offense. There were 86 players on the roster, as of Aug. 26, including 52 freshmen.

"Morgan was outstanding last year and he had a really good spring," said seventh-year coach Craig Moropoulos. "We've got that 'Truckee Connection' with Morgan, Jackson and Colin. Marquis Cobb (another sophomore) had an excellent summer and spring at cornerback. There's some guys on defense that we are really excited about.

"The big test is going to be up front, as it is on offense. It always starts there."

SBCC opens its season on Sept. 7 with a 4 p.m. game against Hancock at Righetti High. The home opener is Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. East Los Angeles at 1 p.m.

Jarred Evans returns for his second season as the starting quarterback. He's a double threat with his arm and legs, accounting for 20 TDs last year (12 passing, 8 rushing).

Moropoulos said that QB Josh Martin "looked good" in last Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. Two others battling for time at quarterback have well-know fathers -- Bruce Shipley is the son of ex-SBHS quarterback Wayne Shipley and Sterling "Woody" Cash is the son of Dave Cash, the Superintendent of Santa Barbara's Unified School Districts.

The run game should be bolstered by veterans Mike Petersen and Jeff Walton, plus freshman Orion Prescott. They'll be running behind sophomore tackle George Rowan (6-5, 285), Ivan Malinarich (6-4, 281) and Santa Barbara High product Matt Escobar. And the coaching will be top-notch with the addition of ex-NFL lineman Don Willis to lead the offensive line and the run game, along with former Lompoc High and San Jose State star Sheldon Canley to coach the running backs.

Jacob Arnell is a returning wide receiver and he'll be joined by 6-foot-2 Tyshean Norris of Mississippi, 6-4 Colton Hanley and Royce Finley of Las Vegas. Robert Gulvin, a 6-5 freshman from Dos Pueblos High, should also be a factor.

Other top newcomers are Tavonte Jackson, who previously started at cornerback for College of the Canyons and defensive tackle Travis Butts.

"Our strengths will be our linebacking corps and our athletic ability at the quarterback position," said Moropoulos. "And we have the best all-around kicking game that we've had in a while."

Marcus Hoerberg, of Sweden, returns as the field-goal kicker and the Vaqueros' will rely on the strong leg of Ryan Rickel on kickoffs. Punter Tim Gleeson transferred to SBCC after starting as a freshman at Wyoming.

"Tim is from Australia and he's an outstanding athlete," said Moropoulos. "I've never had a punter that can kill it inside the 10 like he can. That's a great asset."

All the assistant coaches are new with the exception of Jeff Santarosa. Kevin Almlie, who previously coached at his alma mater, Western Illinois, is the new defensive coordinator.