Lampkin’s Newest Challenge at Ventura May Be a Snap

Vince Lampkin, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound freshman, is Ventura College’s best running back and best receiver. And who knows, by the time the winless Pirates are through with a Western State Conference game against West Los Angeles tonight he might also be the team’s best quarterback.

This week, for the first time in more than a month, Lampkin took snaps during practice.

“Coach needs help at different spots and I won’t give him any trouble,” said Lampkin, who prefers to play running back.

Lampkin, an option quarterback when he played at Birmingham High, started the season as a wide receiver. That assignment lasted all of two games.

Last Saturday against Pierce, he became a wishbone fullback and responded by rushing for 64 yards in nine carries. Ventura lost, 42-13, but Lampkin set up one touchdown with a 31-yard run and scored the other on a 68-yard screen pass.

The change to running back stemmed from Coach Dick James’ desire to have his most explosive offensive threat handle the ball more. Now James has taken the strategy further.

“I’ve got to find the right combination, and at this moment I don’t know what it is,” James said. “What I do know is that I want the ball in Lampkin’s hands.”

Lampkin will not start at quarterback against West L.A., but if he goes on to win the job the time indeed might come when he handles the ball on every offensive play: Lampkin also returns punts and kickoffs.