Paladin

Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mike Skvor [Click to enlarge]

Seven names, facts, teams, and topics from the week of LBCC football:

Ah… Fall. It is one of my favorite times of year. The weather starts to have that familiar autumn chill, the wind blows the leaves off the trees and onto the ground, football teams start to make their push for a possible postseason run. So, in the spirit of the season, let us examine the state of LBCC football past the midpoint of the season.

Starting to cool off? Or never became hot? Whatever answer you choose, the Viking defense [1] seems to be the epitome of both. The beleaguered LBCC D' is struggling to keep their offense in games. It is ranked 34th out of 37 teams in allowing points (37.2/game) and has given up 96 points in its last two games. I thought we were playing football, not basketball.

I could feel the wind blowing from head coach Mike Reisbig [2] after a bad punt led to a quick score by Saddleback College. The Vikings have had trouble all year in the kicking game. Winds of change could be coming in the weeks to come…

Raking in sacks like my next-door neighbor rakes his leaves is how Viking defensive lineman Brian Braman [3] played Saturday. On the year, Braman has two games where he has not recorded a tackle and for some reason, the coaching staff doesn't seem to be using him effectively enough within the defensive schemes. The under-utilized Braman had three sacks and also returned a fumble for a touchdown late in the third quarter. Let's hope the fire he played with sparks the Viking defense in this week's matchup against Palomar.

Stagnant, like the lakes and rivers before the late Fall rains come. This is how the Viking rush offense [4] has become. After trampling over West L.A. for 182 yards, the Vikings, in its last two games, has a total of 99 yards running the football.

With Halloween approaching and costume parties abound, quarterback Josh Powell [5] is probably wishing he wore a costume that doesn't attract the on-coming pass rush. In the last two games, Powell has been sacked 13 times, totaling 26 on the year. If the Vikings want to win, then it has to keep Powell from being hit. There are only so many hits a QB can take before the lights start to dim.

Continued...

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