The 2007 Bakersfield College football team has the potential to be the No. 1-ranked ranked team in the country, according to several preseason polls. The J.C. Grid-wire/JCfootball.com top 25 currently ranks the Renegades in the top three, but BC Athletic Director Jan Stuebbe states at this point of the season the polls don’t mean much.
“The publicity and the 1-2 rankings are great, but we will worry about the polls at the end of season,” Stuebbe said. “We are playing one game at a time.”
Some of the reasons the Renegades may be the No. 1 team in the country are team speed, depth, experience, a good defensive line and a loaded offense.
Jacob Bower will start at the quarterback position. His strong arm, ability to run and quick thinking will make him a valuable weapon. Dustin Powell, a Bakersfield Christian High product, will be second in line at the QB position.
“Bower is a student of the game,” Carl Dean, BC offensive coordinator said. “He cares about preparing for a game, and he prepares like a champion.”
At the running back position, Pat Patterson, a sophomore from Hanford High, will get the nod. Ben Estill, a Taft product is also looking very productive for the Renegades. Matthew Peralta should be a factor in the running game and Bruce Frieson (a recent transfer from the University of Toledo) will be an asset to the team.
Seth Damron will play the tight end position, but as a utility player, he can adjust to wherever the team needs him. Zach Lewis and Tony Rosales from Garces will be valuable at the tight end position as well.
Led by sophomore Mike Papac, a Tehachapi product, the offensive line should be solid. Joining Papac on the line are guards Jorrell Bostrom from Idaho, Brock Mueller and Tyler Ward from Liberty and sophomore Oscar Cuevas who played at Ridgeview. At the tackle position, West High product Gary Sumlin will be joined by Robert Figueroa, a freshman from Golden Valley.
One of the strengths of the 2007 ‘Gades is the defensive line. Led by sophomores Aaron King, Daniel Calvin, Crispin Fernandez, the line should wreak havoc on opposing offenses. The three will be joined by sophomore Ismail Sadrud-din and freshmen Jerry Lalusa and Junior Sefo from Taft.
The linebacking core will consist of sophomore Mark Johnson, and newcomers Michael Smith of East High, Jeremy Ramirez and Soonjo Hong of Stockdale and Shawn Norse of Garces.
Rounding out the linebacker core will be West High product, Daron Mackey. Mackey is a talented inside linebacker who will be joined by fellow inside linebacker Cedric Rainey. Also playing at the position will be freshmen David Halopoff, Christian Mosher and sophomore Wallace Belvin.
The secondary will be a mix of freshmen and sophomores. Sophomore Jose Gonzalez and Devin Pruett will play at safety while sophomores Dustin Bell (a talented kick-off returner) and Keith Thompson will play at the corners. At nickel back in the secondary will be Ryan Ibarra from West High.
Special teams positions have plenty of talent. Will Mahan from Bakersfield High has great potential and a great leg as he nailed a 58-yarder while playing for Bakersfield High School. Arturo Villa from Golden Valley and Kevin Barrett from East High are also very talented candidates for the kicking position.
“We have to take one game at a time,” Chudy said. “We play like we practice, so we have to practice well.”