SportsFootball

Morel era kicks off tomorrow

Senior wide receiver Parrish Jones (#9) goes through drills at practice, preparing for a strong 1996 campaign. The Leos open their season tomorrow against Chapman College at 1 p.m. in Ortmayer Stadium. / photo by Annette Gutierrez
Senior wide receiver Parrish Jones (#9) goes through drills at practice, preparing for a strong 1996 campaign. The Leos open their season tomorrow against Chapman College at 1 p.m. in Ortmayer Stadium. / photo by Annette Gutierrez

by Rosie Sinapi
Sports Writer

A baptism by fire is what Football Coach Don Morel is hoping tomorrow’s first football game of the season will not be. But going against the large defensive line of Chapman University may be what the University of La Verne needs to have another winning season.

“It’s a tough one to open up with,” said Morel. “Chapman is a good football team and they have a number of outstanding players.”

One of the keys to winning the 1 p.m. game at La Verne will be stopping Chapman’s running game.

“They have very good team speed and they returned almost everybody from last year’s team,” he said.

La Verne ranks 16th in the Sports Illustrated Division III pre-season polls with Chapman close behind at 25th in the poll.

Last year, the Leo’s power took them all the way to the first round of the NCAA championships. In the spring, Morel moved from defensive coordinator to head coach after Rex Huigens stepped down.

Since his placement as head coach, Morel, along with assistant coaches Kirk Harmon, Dale Bunn, Mike Riggs, John Yegge, Rick Gronda, Jim Langley, Steve Blair and Bill Zernickow, have been busy recruiting to find replacements in the holes left in the defensive line by the departures of Bob Gleason, Tyrone Youngblood and Kelly Mattson, and offensive starters Jeff Drouin, Bill Battin and Darren MacLellan.

“Hopefully, our offense will be balanced and our defense will remain the same,” said Morel.

A large recruiting class and the continued presence of several key players are essential to a winning Leo season. Several key newcomers to watch include Bryan Schnakenberg and Anthony Jones in the offensive backfield.

“We had a large recruiting class and they seem to be blending in well with the team,” said Morel. These new players include new defensive linemen Jimmy Hill and Reggie Hunt.

“(Receiver) Anthony Rice also gives us a big edge with Ryan Campuzano throwing the ball.”

Rice had a stellar first season receiving 45 passes for 799 yards and eight touchdowns.

Campuzano finished last season with 1,624 yards on 108 completions. The senior quarterback from Big Bear will receive aid from a strong line which includes sophomore Dan Fewx, juniors Andy Moran, Scott Poskitt and Pat Samsonas.

Included on the returning Leo roster will be strongman linebacker Doug DuBois, senior, who accounted for four interceptions last season.

Also in the Leopard attack will be returners, wide-out Robert Graves, senior, running back Kurt Oliver, senior, defensive back Cory Cofer, junior, and wide receiver Parrish Jones, senior.

Rosie Sinapi, Editor in Chief
Rosie Sinapi
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Annette Gutierrez
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