Inexperienced El Camino begins grid season with lofty goals
Despite losing all of it starters from last season’s top defensive unit in the state, the young El Camino College football team is ranked third in the nation jcgridiron.com, creating a bull’s eye and a position the Warriors are accustomed to.
“It’s hard to rank junior college teams and I think a lot has to do with past success,” Head Coach John Featherstone said. “But we had a good recruiting year and have some key transfers. One thing is for certain – nobody is going to outwork us.”
Featherstone’s squad comes off an 8-3 season where it was ranked high during much of the season before the Warriors dropped three of their last four games. Featherstone said he is dedicating this season to his longtime friend and former coach Don Coryell who passed away in July.
Known for his innovations to football’s passing offense, Coryell was Featherstone’s mentor at San Diego State and was the first coach ever to win more than 100 games at both the collegiate and professional level.
El Camino begins its tribute season Saturday with a 6 p.m. home game against L.A. Southwest. Featherstone said the schedule is extremely demanding but the strength of the team is its skilled athletes who are fast and tough.
“We are inexperienced and it may be five games before we know exactly what type of team we have,” Featherstone said.
He will rely on his team captains tight end Joe Don Duncan (6-4, 265), former Leuzinger running back Raynard Westbrook (5-9, 225), defensive linemen Julian Camper (6-4, 300) and Charles Green (6-5, 255) for leadership.
El Camino’s roster will be bolstered by the addition of four players from Mira Costa’s CIF Western Division championship team. Offensive tackle Andrew Brenner (6’3”, 275), linebacker Kellen Lockwood (6’3”, 215), tight end Mike Miller (6’4”, 225) and defensive tackle Jordan Tavai (6’1”, 260) bring a winning tradition from Featherstone’s alma mater.
Former Mustang punter Matt Williams (6’2”, 225) returns from Fresno State with freshman status.
“The Mira Costa guys have been a big plus,” Featherstone said. “Tavai has been unstoppable
Redondo Union High School is represented by a pair of sophomores. Running back Hayward Gray (5’8”, 178) and offensive guard David Tulikihihifo (6’3”, 315) return for El Camino.
“Gray pounds the ball and David has been a two-year starter for us and does a tremendous job,” Featherstone said.
As in years past, competition for the quarterback position has been high level. Ted Landers (6-4, 215, Serra), Ronnie Clark (6-2, 185, West) and Omar Herrera (6-0, 190, Locke) have battled Dex Lucci (6-1, 215, Beverly Hills) with the latter getting the nod to start the season opener.
Joining Gray in the backfield will be running backs Steven Boyd (5-7, 185), Marcus Darden (5-5, 175) and Melvin Richardson (5-10, 215).
Featherstone said the Warriors have six receivers with Division 1 talent led by Washington State transfer Kevin Norrell (5-10, 190). Ken McRoyal (5-11, 185), Josh Brinson (6-2, 195) and Jarrad Shaw (5-10, 180) are expected to contribute.
Defensively, the line and linebacking positions are two deep, much to the delight of line coach and former Mira Costa standout Gene Engel. Along with Tavai, Tim Edinger (6-2, 230, West) and Otis Brooks (6-2, 240) have stood out this summer.
The linebacking corps will include Lockwood, Leuzinger’s Taumoelau Kavienga (5-11, 210), Lionel Boyce (6-3, 220), Donovan Amituanai (6-1, 235) and Christian Victorian (6-2, 230).
The Southern California Football Association has realigned its conferences with El Camino now participating in the National Division’s Northern Conference and Harbor in the Central Division’s West Conference.
The Warriors will battle Hancock, Ventura, Canyons, Bakersfield and Cerritos for the Northern Conference title. The Southern Conference of the National Division consists of Mt. SAC, Saddleback, Grossmont, Palomar, Pasadena and Fullerton.
El Camino will face Harbor for the first time since 1988 when the teams square off at Harbor Saturday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. ER