BC football notebook: Budget constraints make preparations for opener difficult
| Friday, Aug 27 2010 09:58 PM
Last Updated Friday, Aug 27 2010 11:08 PM
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Running back Andre Smith breaks down field on a long carry during a scrimmage at BC.
Bakersfield College opens its football season a week from today when it plays host to Los Angeles Pierce College at 7 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.
Preparation for the season-opener has become more difficult since last season, when the state, because of the state budget crisis, banned preseason scrimmages between different JC squads to save money. That ban continues this year.
But the ban hampers teams' preparation for their season openers. Coaches would use those scrimmages to scout first-week opponents. But now it's sight-unseen as teams prepare.
And in BC's case with Pierce: the Brahmas haven't faced the Renegades in several years.
BC lost to Pierce 17-8 in 2004 en route to a 7-4 season. BC thrashed Pierce 49-3 during a 9-3 season in 2005 and beat Pierce 26-13 en route to an 11-2 season in 2006.
"We traded three films with them earlier this spring," BC coach Jeff Chudy said. "We think we know how they'll line up offensively and defensively."
Preparation based on film several months old can be somewhat dicey.
"All we can do is plan for what we think they will do," Chudy said.
Chudy said the Renegades have been working in elements of the Pierce game plan during the last week of practices.
Pierce finished 7-4, losing to eventual state champion Mount San Antonio 69-31 in a first-round playoff game. Mount SAC beat BC 39-17 the following week.
Three Division I transfers on squad
The Renegades have three players on this year's squad who have transferred from Division I institutions.
Two are offensive linemen: David Born, a 6-foot-8, 331-pound graduate of West High who was a redshirt last year at Sacramento State; and Centennial High grad Matt Reese (6-7, 315), also a freshman in eligibility who was at Utah State for a time but didn't play there.
The third transfer is freshman running back Domingo Torres, from Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas. Torres was a redshirt player last season at UTEP.
Squad fairly injury-free
The Renegades have gotten through their two intrasquad scrimmages in good shape, injury-wise.
No one reported anything serious after Thursday's final scrimmage. Quarterback candidate Lyle Negron, who tweaked an ankle and left (non-throwing) shoulder in last Saturday's scrimmage, played on Thursday and looked 100 percent.
Coach Jeff Chudy said he is waiting for freshman outside linebacker John Oglesby, a Highland High graduate who has a hamstring injury. Oglesby was recruited by Fresno State but was a non-qualifier out of high school.
Lee West: Matthews' successor?
BC coaches have been impressed with the athleticism of freshman running back Lee West from South High.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, West is also being considered as the Renegades' primary kick returner, a spot handled so well by Rishard Matthews last season. Matthews, an all-conference kick returner and the team's top wide receiver, is now at Nevada.
Thorp rejoins BC staff
Dave Thorp, who has served several years as BC's defensive line coach before cutting back to part-time status last season, is back as the D-line coach this year.
Mike Cooper, who handled the duties last season, left because of the time issues for being on BC's staff. Cooper is a teacher at Ridgeview High School.
Also new on the BC staff this year is North High baseball coach Cy Silver, who is helping out with the defensive secondary. Silver joins his father, Tony, who is BC's running backs coach.
