Golden West Has Life After Bryant : No One Can Replace Him, But Maybe Three Backs Can

One could be a little shocked listening to Golden West football Coach Ray Shackleford talk about his running game.

Shackleford is saying that the Rustlers, overall, should be better in the backfield than a year ago.

The key word is overall --because there was no better community college back in the nation last year than Golden West’s Blaise Bryant. Bryant led the nation with 1,691 yards rushing. But that’s old news for Golden West, which was 5-4-1 overall and 4-4-1 in Mission Conference play. Bryant is starting for Iowa State this fall.

When asked who will replace Bryant, Shackleford simply said, “no one.”

But Shackleford, who has a career record of 131-87-8 in 23 seasons at Golden West, thinks his runners as a whole will offer as much production. Lee Miller returns at fullback. He had 147 yards in 33 carries last season, but as Shackleford said, “We’ve never had a fullback block better than he did.”

Corey Dickson and Sean Cheatham will share time at tailback.

Dickson had 410 yards in 1987 as a freshman but was academically ineligible last season. Cheatham came out of Rancho Alamitos High School after leading Orange County in scoring in 1987, but sprained his ankle early in 1988. By the time he was healthy a month into the season, Bryant was already in full swing and carries were hard to come by.

“We’ll disperse the ball-carrying a lot more this season,” Shackleford said. “Overall, we should be better off.”

Rip Flippo adds some needed experience at quarterback. Flippo, 21, started at Tennessee Tech three seasons ago and transferred to the University of Mississippi where he red-shirted. He sat out last season. He will be backed up by freshman David Brunet from Cypress High School.

The offensive line, as it has been in the past, should again excel under the tutelage of Dennis Dixon.

Mike Jepsen, who started at left tackle last season, is the only member of the line with much game experience. Jason Tarbart and Gilbert Isaac are competing at center, Kevin Lewis and Chris Hubbard are the guards and Ed Fischer is the other tackle.

Tom Wind is the only sophomore receiver, but Shackleford said this year’s group, including freshmen Skip Murray, Troy Walker and Pat Reilly, will be quicker than in recent years.

Shackleford said the defense will be the most improved part of his team.

George Rey and Derrick Watkins, part-time players a year ago, are back as starters this season along the line. Reza Mehdizadeh transferred from Orange Coast, and will also contend for a starting position.

Four sophomores are back at linebacker--Jeff Greeney, Ron Fitzgerald, Jim Rubalcava and, Mike Austin--but none played much last season. Sophomores Dan Blake, Kurt Szuba and Rafael Spears are back in the secondary.

“If there is a big improvement in our team, it will be in the defense,” Shackleford said. “We are quicker and that should help.”

The Rustlers’ kicking game returns intact. K C Satterthwaite is back after making six of 10 field goals and 24 of 25 extra points. But this season he, like all kickers, will be working without the two-inch tee for field goals and extra points.

Punter Troy Rossean returns after averaging 37 yards a punt last season.