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Saturday September 11, 1:00 pm
El Camino vs Grossmont
with KBC Sports
Tickets

Attention Grossmont football recruits

Click here for detailed information on the recruiting process and to learn more about the storied football program at Grossmont College.

Griffins cruise to season opening victory

(9/4/10) El Cajon, CA - The Grossmont College football team rolled to a 36-7 victory over visiting San Diego Mesa College in the punishing heat on Saturday.

Temperatures on the filed neared triple-digits, but the Griffins looked sharp in the season opener for both teams. The Griffin defense was nearly perfect, and the Olympians only score came on a defensive touchdown scored with :19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Grossmont's defenders held Mesa to just 58 yards of total offense and seven first-downs on the day.

Twenty-three Griffins registered at least one solo tackle in the victory.

Sophomore defensive lineman Henry Simon recorded a pair of tackles for a loss, and Grossmont got quarterback sacks from Keven Woods, Shane Pennix and a half sack each from Pat Kelley and Craig Cofer.

The Grossmont secondary allowed just 18 passing yards on 3 completions. Defensive back Trimaine Wilkes had the Griffins only interception on the day.

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Woods emerged as an offensive force completing 22-of-33 passes for 238 yards. Woods, out of Granite Bay, CA, threw two touchdowns and one interception.

Nine Griffins had at least one reception with Alex McCleland's 8 catches leading the way.

The 6-3 sophomore out of Scripps Ranch High had 76 yards receiving and one touchdown. Dontae Ingrahm was the second-leading receiver with 6 catches for 32 yards.
Darrin Alix shouldered most of the rushing load carrying 13 times for 40 yards and two touchdowns.

Connor Derby handled all of the Griffins kicking and punting on the day, knocking in field goals of 20, 25 and 37 yards. The freshman from Petaluma, CA was also 3-out-of-4 on extra points.

The #21-rated Griffins will host #11 El Camino College on Saturday the 11^th at 1:00pm.

List of 2009 Griffins at Universities grows

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-5-10) — One of the advantages coaches from Grossmont College remind recruits is you will always get a chance to demonstrate your talent and gain starting time.

This truth was again apparent when Griffins coaches announced that both of the football team's sophomore quarterbacks garnered scholarships from 4-year colleges, with BRANDON FRICKE now headed to Central Michigan while MATT JARVIS (El Capitan) is ticketed to St. Cloud State in Minnesota.

Fricke, Jarvis and freshman DORIAN STATON took turns as a starter for Grossmont (8-3 overall). Despite the lack of continuity, the Griffins were in the hunt for a state playoff berth to the final moments of the regular season, then advanced to the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl and defeated state power El Camino for the school's fifth consecutive bowl victory.

In earning a Division I ride to the Mid-America Conference school, Fricke (6-2, 200, Simi Valley HS) threw for 780 yards and 8 touchdowns in just five appearances. Jarvis (6-3, 220) posted similar stats in seven games, with 905 yards and 11 scores to gain his Division II ride.

With the signing of the quarterbacks, Grossmont has now placed 25 sophomores from the 2009 squad onto rosters of 4-year colleges with scholarships (not walk-on promises). Four more players are also in line for potential offers, making it the best season for advancing players since the Griffins captured the J.C. Grid-Wire national championship after defeating CC San Francisco for the state championship in 2005.

Wiley, Magua sign with Idaho Vandals

© East County Sports.com
MOSCOW, Idaho (2-4-10) — The Grossmont College duo of linebacker HOMER MAUGA and offensive lineman CHARLES WILEY hope to make an immediate impact at the University of Idaho next fall.

Both have accepted scholarships to play football for the Vandals, who are attempting to make an immediate turn-around after suffering through eight losing seasons in the last nine years.

Football games are won and lost in the trenches, and having a deep pool of steak-eaters to work with is key. Grossmont College head coach MIKE JORDAN confirmed that 6-foot-6, 310-pound standout offensive tackle CHARLES WILEY made his intentions official by committing to the Idaho this weekend. A two-year starter with three years to play two at Idaho, Wiley joins a Vandal offensive line looking to replace four starters.

Sack-happy Mauga was honored as a JC All-Southern California pick and team defensive MVP. The 6-foot, 220-pound linebacker terrorized opposing offenses for 15 sacks, 7 QB hurries, two picks and 72 total tackles in 2009.

“He didn’t get Player of the Year in the league but he probably should have,” said Jordan. “He’s very good off the edge, just a good player all-around.”

Mauga is the fourth member of his family to play football at a Division I school. MAGNUM MAUGA is a starting defensive tackle at Utah State. DALLAS MAUGA and RAINBOW MAUGA concluded their football careers at Sacramento State.

SCFA changes mean little to Grossmont

© East County Sports.com
BURBANK (1-30-10) — Conference realignment has again hit community college football in Southern California, but Friday's (Jan. 29) announced changes will mean little to Grossmont College.

The Griffins, the 2005 California state and national champions, will remain in a conference that is essentially the same at the highest level of the Southern California Football Association after commissioner Jim Sartoris made the announcement of a restructured, 3-tier alignment.

"The whole impetus for the change is the state budget situation and the amount of playoff games needed to crown a Southern California champion," said Grossmont athletics director JIM SPILLERS. "We used to need 14 games to win a state title – the road is far less in the north – so the south is working to emulate the north."
"It’s budget driven and matches the model in the north."

Previously, 21 colleges were divided equally among three conferences. Now the highest tier consists of 12 programs in two conferences, including Grossmont's continued membership in the Southern Conference. The Griffins are joined by holdovers in Palomar, Fullerton and Saddleback, then welcome a pair of powerhouse teams in defending state champion Mt. San Antonio and Pasadena.

"There's so much competition in the south. Our conference had two teams go to the playoffs and two bowl teams – we had the strongest conference based on those outcomes," added Spillers. "And now we're adding two great programs."

"The top 12 teams are strong, but it also makes geographic sense while achieving cost containment."
The committee, using a combination of recent two-year records, a 2009 power ranking formula and geographical considerations, placed the 37 member colleges into three separate competitive divisions. Among the other schools, 13 will be split into a pair of Tier 2 conferences, with the remaining 12 playing in a pair of Tier 3 conferences.

The committee voted 9-1 in favor of the restructuring measure.
"Our schedule won't alter too much. We'll have one less conference game, yet one additional crossover game," added the AD.

In addition, the playoff structure has changed slightly.
Instead of an 8-team tournament to determine a representative to the state title game – a path of four total contests – the Southland will hold a 4-team, 2-round event to gain a berth against the North. All remaining top teams will advance to bowl games.

The four tournament teams will consist of the two champions from the highest tier, plus the next two top teams regardless of conference, division or tier, giving all schools a legitimate opportunity to advance. The wild card berths will be based on rankings by the coaches' poll.

"Four teams now go to the playoffs to determine the Southern California champion and the representative to the state championship," Spillers added. "So all schools must play a multi-tier schedule in their crossover games. Otherwise, if you remove that chance or that motivation that you could play for a state championship, you hurt the program and football overall in the long run."

The SCFA Executive Committee will continue to schedule non-conference games on a regional basis, maintaining local and historical rivals. Thus, Grossmont should continue to meet Southwestern (a Tier 2 team) and San Diego Mesa (which dropped to Tier 3), plus at least two ballgames against the Tier 1 Northern Conference, which now consists of Bakersfield, College of the Canyons, Cerritos, El Camino, Allan Hancock and Ventura.
"It's extremely important to football in the San Diego County community for us to continue playing Southwestern and Mesa. It's very important for these rivalries to be sustained."

The Griffins defeated host El Camino, 27-22, last season at the US Bank Beach Bowl in Torrance.

SCFA Conference Alignment 2010

Roth Award winner Darby joins Oklahoma invasion

© East County Sports.com
WEATHERFORD, Okla. (1-20-10) – Grossmont College sophomore safety JONATHAN DARBY has accepted a football scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Darby is one of 12 community college players – 10 from California – signed by Bulldogs second-year head coach Dan Cocannouer.

Darby was the Griffins’ second leading tackler with 64 stops. He also logged four interceptions and recovered a fumble for Grossmont, which finished 8-3 and captured the US Bank Beach Bowl over El Camino.
An NCAA Division II school, SWOSU is coming off a 1-10 season where the Bulldogs started no fewer than 10 different freshmen at one time or another. The Bulldogs 54-player travel roster was made up of 27 freshmen during the final two road games.

Cocannouer and his staff scoured the nation’s 2-year colleges looking for immediate help.
"We needed to get older and in a hurry," Cocannouer said. "With the amount of freshman and sophomores we already have in place, it was important to add kids that can provide some leadership and experience."
Cocannouer said his staff spent considerable time poring over lists and watching hours of film from schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and California.

"This group of players met all the criteria we were looking for when we started this process," Cocannouer said. "They are all good character guys and someone who really wants to be here and work with us to make our program better."

A product of West Hills High, Darby proved his quality character when he was selected the winner of Grossmont College’s 33rd annual Joe Roth Memorial Award.

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.

Griffins' scholarship list grows

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-16-10) – Six more Grossmont College Griffins have signed scholarships to continue their football career at the four-year college level.

Defensive end Ja’RODD WATSON will move on to San Jose State, while nose guard JERICHO MAXWELL will check in at New Mexico Highlands.

Defensive back ABRAHAM MUHEIZE, who has been dogged with injuries the past two seasons, has landed at Central Washington, after turning down bids from Florida A&M, Texas State, Delta State (Mississippi), and a return to Montana State, which originally landed the 2005 CIF Player of the Year out of high school.
Central Washington posted an 11-0 record a year ago – the best record in Division II football – before falling in the NCAA national quarterfinals. The Wildcats were the Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions.
El Capitan graduate CODY FURR, a defensive end, has accepted a football ride to Missouri Southern, a Division II institution based in Joplin, Mo.

Others advancing to the next level are wide receiver NICK HILL (17 catches, 199 yards) to Baker (Kansas) University and tight end JOHN ADAMS to Southwest Missouri State. Hill was the Griffins’ fourth-leading receiver with 17 catches for 199 yards.

Grossmont College head coach MIKE JORDAN assures there are more scholarships to come, including prize pupil HOMER MAUGA, who has turned down offers from major schools such as BYU and Indiana.

Hill lands scholarship to Nebraska-Kearney

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-13-10) – KENNY HILL never played a down for the Grossmont College Griffins, yet he earned a scholarship to NCAA Division II powerhouse Nebraska-Kearney.
Hill, a defensive back, greyshirted at Grossmont last season and is presently in Nebraska competing for a starting job for the Antelopes as a true freshman.
During his senior year at St. Augustine, Hill was set to go to Washington until Huskies head coach Ty Willingham was fired.

Mauga, Monson named to all SoCal defense team

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (1-1-10) – Linebacker HOMER MAUGA and corner KYLE MONSON of Grossmont College have been selected to the JC Athletic Bureau All-Southern California first team defense.

Both Griffins are being heavily recruited by major universities, but as yet have not made a commitment.

Aztecs sign OL standout Bolanos

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (12-08-09) – Grossmont College offensive lineman JUAN BOLANOS has accepted a football scholarship to San Diego State. The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Bolanos, a graduate of Mount Miguel High, was a two-year starter for the Griffins.

It is believed that SDSU is also interested in linebacker HOMER MAUGA. Of course, the 6-foot, 220-pound All-National Division Southern Conference unanimous pick is also being wooed by BYU, UTEP, Idaho State and Kansas State.

Syracuse, Rutgers, Nevada and Central Florida are interested in defensive end Ja’RODD WATSON, while offensive lineman CHARLES WILEY has received multiple offers, including Eastern Michigan and Liberty University.
Offensive lineman BILLY DAWSON has been offered by Idaho State.
Grossmont MVP and cover corner KYLE MONSON has BYU, UTEP and UMass as well as multiple Division IAA and Division II schools checking him out.

Wide receiver XAVIER MARTIN has been offered by Wyoming, Utah State, and Massachusetts. Corner ARTHUR HOBBS is also being looked at by UMass and a couple others.
Safety JONATHAN DARBY has trips set up to Liberty and Stony Brook, while receiver MOHOMED FOFANA is visiting Syracuse.

Grossmont head coach MIKE JORDAN said college coaches are flooding his office every day looking for players. The aforementioned are just a sampling of what has been going on the past week.

Griffins claim US Bank Beach Bowl title

© East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (11-22-09) — With both the offense and defense performing at peak efficiency, Grossmont College will truly enjoy a satisfying offseason following a near-perfect fourth quarter to rally past host El Camino, 27-22, in the US Bank Beach Bowl.

The Griffins scored over three straight possessions to turn a 12-3 deficit into a 27-15 advantage. Meanwhile, the defense limited the potent Warriors, who averaged a state-best 40.4 points per game during the regular season, to their lowest point total of the season.

The victory again added to Grossmont’s incredible string of postseason victories away from Mashin-Roth Memorial Field, as Saturday's (Nov. 21) verdict at El Camino’s Murdock Stadium made its six wins in nine outings dating back to 2003.

“In the second half, we played like a real team and look how it turned out,” said sophomore left tackle CHARLES WILEY, the main cog to an offensive line which allowed Griffins running back DARRIN ALIX to gain Offensive Player of the Game honors. "As a unit, we destroyed their defensive line."

Wiley & Co. took charge just before switching sides in the second half when Alix closed the third period with a 20-yard burst through a gaping hole. Grossmont, which collected just 159 total yards through three quarters, then would post an additional 176 total yards in the final 15 minutes to overwhelm the Warriors defense.
The scoring included touchdown passes by both Grossmont quarterbacks.

DORIAN STATON found SEAN BURR all alone in the left corner of the endzone for 12 yards on a fake draw to take the lead at 17-15. On the next possession, BRANDON FRICKE capped an 80-yard drive on an out-pass to PATRICK MAULL, who turned the corner and raced 47 yards down the sideline.

"We've had that play all year, but never used it until tonight," said Maull, who plays a hybrid tight end role. "The first time we threw it, they were all over it, but the next time, Brandon found me."

And when TROY MUENZER capped the next drive with his second field goal – a 34-yarder – Grossmont owned a 12-point lead with 2:39 remaining.

The Griffins defense then helped run out much of the clock by preventing anything deep as El Camino needed 12 plays to finally score with 48 seconds remaining. But the celebration began early when NICK HILL recovered the onside kick, giving Grossmont its fifth consecutive bowl win.

RECENT GRIFFINS BOWL SUCCESS

Downing El Camino is by far the most momentous in the bowling streak.
"We came here for a win and played a beautiful game," noted defensive leader HOMER MAUGA, who registered a sack among his team-high 7 tackles. "We kept hyped up and gave 110 percent against a really good team."

"It's a great way to end my career here."
Mauga, who finished with 15 sacks this season, has received interest from more than half of Pac-10 Conference schools, plus San Diego State and Central Florida.

Along with Mauga, MIKA VAIMASANUU and CODY FURR recorded sacks, while JOSHUA UDEH also reached the quarterback, with his takedown also causing a fumble.

An important momentum shift occurred late in the third quarter.

A Muenzer punt of 45 yards barely landed inbounds, then bounded back towards the center of the playing field. El Camino's Andre Buford tried to collect the football, but the muff was recovered by Grossmont freshman ROLAND BROOKS.

"That punt return changed everything," El Camino coach John Featherstone told The Daily Breeze. "That gave them so much momentum and changed the complexion of the game."
Another key special teams play included a first-quarter punt block, as DEREK HOLSAPPLE and KEVEN WOODS both seemed to get a hand to the ball.

El Camino opened the scoring when Terran Williams stripped the ball from a Grossmont running back, rumbling 84 yards for the score. The Warriors missed on the 2-point conversion try for a 6-0 lead.
Muenzer answered with a 25-yard field goal, but El Camino’s Jeremy Tucker opened the second period with a 7-yard TD run to cap a 75-yard march for a 12-3 lead.

Except for this El Camino drive and the final 70-yard march when the Griffins played near-perfect prevent defense, Grossmont yielded just 85 yards over the remainder of the contest. Grossmont won the total offense battle, 337-230.

“After that first drive, we never looked back," said Griffins middle linebacker ALEXANDER WONG, one of the team's tackling leaders throughout the season. "That little bit of adversity made us tighter.

“We proved that we play in the toughest conference in the state, so even though we were one of the teams on the playoff bubble just like El Camino, we still wanted to prove we're No. 1.”

Added defensive end JA'RODD WATSON, “We had to get it done upstairs, then we knew we could bust on them. There was no need for crazy twists up front – we just played solid basic Grossmont defense to get it done."
Staton's first of two scoring strikes went to DUSTIN DISCOL to trim the deficit to 12-10 by the intermission.
Alix finished with 142 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Fricke completed 11-of-25 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, while Staton was just 4-for-9, yet half of his completions went for scores.

Maull, XAVIER MARTIN and JUSTIN SALUM each collected three receptions. Martin also prevented a turnover with a fumble recovery in the El Camino

For Griffins' Mauga, Monson, unanimous was obvious

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-18-09) — Grossmont College sophomores HOMER MAUGA and KYLE MONSON were unanimous picks to the All-National Division, Southern Conference defense team.

That means that Mauga, a 6-foot-0, 220-pound outside linebacker, and Monson, a 5-8, 170-pound cornerback, are eligible for all-state recognition.

Four other Griffins were recognized in voting by the seven head coaches in the "Super 7" conference. Sophomore offensive tackle JUAN BOLANOS (6-7, 330), sophomore wide receiver XAVIER MARTIN (5-11, 205) and freshman running back JOEY DeMARTINO (5-11, 190) were named to the 2nd team offense.

Martin, the Griffins leading receiver with 338 yards and 5 touchdowns, would have obviously padded his stats further had he not been hampered by injuries in the last two games of the season. Martin also returned kicks and averaged 107.2 all-purpose yards per game.

Despite missing two games DeMartino led the Griffins in rushing, averaging 101.5 yards per game with 6 touchdowns. He was also Grossmont’s top all-purpose runner, averaging 118.5 yards per game while scoring 42 points.

Rounding out Grossmont’s all-conference selections was sophomore defensive tackle Ja’RODD WATSON (6-3, 275), who was selected to the 2nd team defense.

Southwestern College ’s record-breaking freshman running back AARON HARRIS (Granite Hills), was a unanimous pick to the All-American Division, Mountain Conference 1st team, which makes him eligible for all-state honors. Harris broke the Jaguars single-season rushing record with 1,169 yards and 14 touchdowns on 200 carries.
Other inlanders named to the All-American Division, Mountain Conference 2nd team included San Diego Mesa’s return specialist LARRY GIST (Helix) and long snapper VICENTE STAFFORD (Granite Hills).
 

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