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Football Season outlook. After 35 years of community college football, Moorpark College
football coach Jim Bittner had pretty much seen it all. But his 36th and current season may just be a new experience. California community college football's second winningest active coach is used to being the most
experienced Raider. He's not as comfortable having more community college experience than his entire roster. "It's going to be a strange, strange season," said Bittner. "You heard of the 'No-Name' defense? We've got
the 'No-Name' team." Because of a variety of factors both on the field and in the classroom, last year's freshmen-laden team of 64 newcomers hasn't developed into a veteran squad. The Raiders will list 74 freshmen
on the roster when they open the season Saturday at Griffin Stadium against Los Angeles Pierce. And many of the 17 sophomores are as fresh as their first-year teammates. All will be looking to make names for
themselves. "One thing freshmen bring you is a lot of enthusiasm," said Bittner. "They're looking for an opportunity and they see they have an opportunity to play." The team returns only four starters — receiver
Justin Bradley, linebacker Jarrell Holland, cornerback Meke Okechuk and kicker Art Tamayo. "We basically have a freshman team," said Bittner. "We've always been up to the challenge. This year is going to be a little
more challenging than others." Especially considering that, coming off a 4-6 finish in the debut season of the Southern California Football Association, Moorpark needs a winning season to make sure it remains in the
state championship-eligible National Division next season. Every two years, two top teams in the lower American Division replace two teams from the upper National Division, per SCFA bylaws. "I was never in favor of
splitting up the divisions in the first place," said Bittner, who is 197-115-2 since taking over from George Ragsdale in 1973. "They're always trying to find a state champion. I was always much happier when we just
played bowl games and more kids were able to feel good about themselves (after the season)." Despite the defections from their class, the sophomores feel better about the state of the program. "I feel like this
group has a lot more work ethic," said sophomore defensive lineman Aulama Lemalu. "We can see we're rebuilding, but we're moving in the right direction." Lemalu is an example to his teammates. The versatile
6-foot-1, 245-pound Camarillo High product, who arrived at Moorpark as a tight end, has been shifted six times between fullback, linebacker and nose guard before finally landing on the defensive front this season.
"I told coach before I came here that I would do whatever it took to help the team win," said Lemalu. With playmaking quarterback Donald Senegal and tailback Dan Mosier graduated, the offense will center around
speed-to-burn receiver Bradley, who averaged 19.6 yards per catch as a freshman. "He's a bright spot," said Bittner of Bradley. "He can pick up and leave you at any time. "He touched the ball twice in the scrimmage
and scored both times." Thomas Asaije, second on the team with 21 receptions last year, also returns. Thousand Oaks High graduate Ian Shultis and Oak Park High graduate Darren McGee are still competing to throw them
the ball. "We've got some good quarterbacks who can throw the ball," said Bradley, "and I'm going to do what I can to help the team." With Royal High product Derek Morris struggling with a hamstring injury, Oak Park
High graduate Kyle Shorten leads a baby-faced backfield. Thousand Oaks High product Eddy McGilvra and Fillmore High graduate Michael Cervantes have been bright spots of an equally young offensive line. Moorpark is
more experienced on the defensive side of the ball, where it features Holland, Okechuk and sophomore defensive linemen Ryan Whitman and Johnnie Morgan. Playmaking cornerback Evan Yabu, who looked strong before
dislocating his shoulder in the second drive of the season last fall, is also a key returner. "We have a chance to do some things this year," said Okechuk, who joins Tamayo, the punter, as the only returners who
played all 10 games last season. "We're doing things in practice that we didn't do last year." Which gives the second-year players some confidence, despite being surrounded by such youth. "I like this group," said
Yabu. "These guys show a lot of hustle out there." "We're young," said Whitman, "but we're explosive." The youthful Raiders don't appear to be ready to lie down. "The thing that gives us a chance to win is we have
pretty smart kids and pretty good kids," said Bittner. "Or maybe people will underrate us and we'll sneak up on them."
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