Grossmont: No Need to Rebuild

After losing 17 of 22 starters, most football coaches would settle in for a rebuilding year. But Grossmont’s Judd Hulbert just reloaded instead.

Simple as that.

“We were lucky enough to score enough points last year that we were able to play a lot of people,” Hulbert said. “We have the experience. We’re not as bad off as some people think.”

Enough points? His offense averaged 42 points a game and his defense allowed a mere 5.9. The Foothillers outscored their 2-A Grossmont League opponents 181-10, including 41-0 victories over both Santana and El Cajon Valley.

Last year, Grossmont returned 18 of 22 starters and set its sites on going undefeated and winning the league title. The Foothillers accomplished both, but Hulbert said this year the goal is limited to repeating as league champion.

“Grossmont is the favorite,” West Hills Coach Steve Sutton said. “They lost a lot of kids, but the kids over there know how to win.”

The Grossmont offense is loaded with talent, Hulbert said, although most of the returnees are non-starters or former junior varsity players. The lone returning offensive starter is senior wide receiver Jamie Cauldren (6-2, 185). Hulbert says he possesses what good receivers should: “good hands and great speed.”

Quarterback Trevor Hanks, who averaged 120 passing yards per game, is now at Colorado but has been replaced by Tom Karlo, who led the junior varsity to a 9-1 season.

Running backs Jason Eskridge (junior, 5-8, 170) and Eric Harter (senior, 6-1, 180) each played in just four games, but each averaged 100 yards rushing when they did play. Jared Larson (6-3, 205) has converted from offensive tackle to tight end. Ken Loncar (6-5, 260), another player from the junior varsity, is expected to make a significant contribution at right tackle.

The defense is a little more seasoned than the offense, with a senior-dominated line. Returning starters are linebacker Todd Tobias (6-1, 205), Rob Daynes (6-0, 170), who moved from linebacker to strong safety, corner Mitch Brown (6-1, 175) and defensive tackle Ron Benitez (6-2, 195), a converted offensive player. Non-starters returning are corner Dave Arabia (5-10, 170) and outside linebacker Todd Cady (6-4, 215).

Although Grossmont has the personnel to capture another league championship, the league has improved, which should make this a more competitive season. And the Foothillers are aware that the road to repeating could get bumpy.

“The last three of four years, we’ve won the league,” Hulbert said. “The kids set their sights to win again. All of them (teams in the league) will be going after us. We beat some of them pretty bad last year.”

West Hills is no longer the meek first-year team that, Sutton said, didn’t think it should win last year. The Wolf Pack had no seniors and returns all but two starters, becoming a contender.

“Their attitude is better,” Sutton said of his club. “They now understand what it takes to win. We have as good a chance as any. I think it will be West Hills and Grossmont, but I know the Santana coach thinks he’s going to be vying for it, too.”

Although Santana Coach Doug Coffin has lost many key players, he believes that the Sultans can win it all.

The biggest losses were running backs Andy Penwarden, who averaged 128 rushing yards per game, and Craig Wilkerson, who averaged 118. The pair combined to score 20 touchdowns. Penwarden will be replaced by senior Aaron Lambert (5-9, 175), who averaged 7.7 yards a carry last year, Wilkerson by junior Jason Lewis (6-0, 190), who ran for 1,800 yards on the junior varsity.

After seven years as a Valhalla assistant, John Odom replaced Carl Iavelli as head coach. Although Valhalla should be much improved, because of added motivation and extra time spent in the weight room, Odom hesitates to make any predictions.

“The team is very positive and has very good work habits, but I won’t know what kind of hand we’ve been dealt until Friday nights,” Odom said.

GROSSMONT 3-A LEAGUE FOOTBALL Defending champion: Helix (7-3-1 in 1989, 4-0 in league).

Who should win: Helix.

Who could win: Mount Miguel (5-4-1, 2-2), El Capitan (0-9-1, 0-4).

Who should look toward 1991: Granite Hills (3-7, 2-2), Monte Vista (6-4, 2-2).

The Game: Mount Miguel vs. El Capitan, Oct. 12. No team will dethrone Helix, but this could decide second place. El Capitan is using last year’s lousy record as motivation.

Impact players: Gary Walton, Helix, senior linebacker, 6-4, 235; three-year starter will continue to make significant contributions on defense. Too’savili Ulutu, Helix, senior defensive lineman, 6-3, 245; another returning starter whose size and ability makes the Helix defense lethal.

New faces: Greg Wilbur, Helix, junior quarterback, 5-11, 185; transfer from Torrey Pines “solidified the team,” according to Coach Jim Arnaiz, after graduation of Rob Ippolito, who averaged 183 yards per game last year. Jason Braun, Granite Hills, senior defensive back, 6-3, 170; returns to football after a year off to concentrate on basketball and baseball. Ron Harris, Monte Vista, senior quarterback, 5-10, 175; didn’t see much playing time behind starter Deron Claiborn but should have no problem. Paul Brown, El Capitan, senior defensive tackle, 6-6, 270; transfer from Sweetwater is returning to football after a year off.

Last word: After 17 years as defensive coordinator, Dave Wasted takes over the head coaching spot at El Capitan, replacing Joe Rockhold.

GROSSMONT 2-A LEAGUE FOOTBALL Defending champion: Grossmont (10-0-2 in 1989, 4-0 in league).

Who should win: Grossmont.

Who could win: Santana (6-2-1, 3-1) or West Hills (3-7, 1-3).

Who should look toward 1991: El Cajon Valley (1-9, 0-4), Valhalla (4-5-1, 1-3).

The Game: Grossmont vs. Santana, Nov. 2. The winner of this game the past two years was the league champion. Unless West Hills challenges Santana--which is very possible--it will likely do so again.

Impact players: Joey Fitzgerald, West Hills, senior quarterback, 5-10, 160; leading passer in the league last year, averaging 138 yards per game. Jamie Cauldren, Grossmont, senior wide receiver, 6-2, 185; returning all-league starter whose speed (4.5 in the 40) helped him average 15 yards on 11 catches last year. Brian Hathoway, Santana, senior offensive guard, 6-4, 220; Karl Main, Santana, senior offensive guard, 5-11, 251; with size on their side, the two returning all-league players should easily fit into new positions.

New faces: Tom Karlo, Grossmont, junior quarterback, 6-0, 170; led the junior varsity team to 9-1 record. Jason Lewis, Santana, junior fullback, 6-0, 190; compiled 1,800 yards rushing on the junior varsity team.

Last word: This could be one of the league’s most competitive years ever; each team is dominated by experienced seniors.