After a heartbreaking loss to Butte last year in the state championship game, the Mt. San Antonio College Mounties will be seeking atonement as their first game of the 2009 season approaches with less than a month away.
Former quarterback Nick Lamaison (Now at Tennessee) led the Mounties to a big start in the 2008 season delivering a MVP-like performance with quick pass attacks and the ability to put points on the board early in games. With his contribution the Mounties provided offense that many opposing teams could not handle. However, it wasn’t until the latter half of the season when Lamaison suffered a leg/ankle injury that limited his playing time.
By watching from the sidelines, his teammate and backup quarterback Tyler Vanderzee stepped in and gave an impressive debut and performance against Fullerton and a better-than-expected contribution throughout the rest of the season. Lamaison was able to put in some minutes fighting his injury but Vanderzee took the load and helped carry the Mounties to the state championship game.
Vanderzee’s ability to bob, weave and scramble inside and outside the pocket provided key plays to help the offense come through for the team but unfortunately came short as the team sputtered in the end.
Along with Vanderzee, the class of ’09 consists of many great weapons that Mt. SAC has to offer. As one coach put it, “This team has probably 14-15 players who will make it to D1 easy.”
The following is a list of the first of many players who will help in getting that state championship for Mt. SAC:
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Lester Thomas leans out for a one-handed catch during a run-and-catch drill at practice.
LESTER THOMAS
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Wide Receiver
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Central Florida, South Florida, Fort Valley, Michigan
OTHER SCHOOLS THOMAS IS INTERESTED IN: Tennessee, BYU, UCLA, Utah, Texas, LSU, Georgia, Clemson, Hawaii
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Thomas is a humble person and a ‘to-himself’ kind of guy. He is low-key, speaks very little but let’s his game speak for itself. Clearly he has the best hands on the team and almost always catches any pass that comes to him. He moves well enough to beat his defender in receiving the short 5-15 yard pass or the long 20-50 yards. He loves to run deep and go for the long bomb.
On a few occasions, Thomas has made some spectacular catches, a couple of them with one hand leaving teammates in oohs and aahs. Despite not being with the team last year, Thomas is definitely one of the weapons that will contribute in giving Mt. SAC that chance to go far in the post-season.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore wide receiver Jesse Canada pushes away a Golden West defender while running for a touchdown.
JESSE CANADA
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Wide Receiver
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: New Mexico State, Arizona State, Boise State, Syracuse, TCU, Utah, Utah State, Tennessee
OTHER SCHOOLS CANADA IS INTERESTED IN: Canada has said that he would like to go anywhere but Utah and Tennessee really excited him.
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: The receivers’ coach said Canada and teammate Lester Thomas are two players who will be significant and pretty much the goto guys for the upcoming season. Canada stands (from my guess) about 6’2″, has nice acceleration in his speed but uses his height well in receiving catches.
Although at times he has missed some passes during practice (what receiver doesn’t), Canada plays on a whole different level and raises his game noticeably during the games.
Despite the stats showing him only with 70 receptions, 927 yards receiving with 8 touchdowns, Canada is more than what is shown on paper. Offensive coordinator Tom Craft has a philosophy in bringing a balanced offense attack giving not one or two receivers the extra yardage but anyone who is open to receive and to get the extra yards. Lamaison completed many of his passes not targeting on one receiver alone but to everyone–picking his spots and delivering the passes.
With teammates Matt Austin and Gabe Tuata both moving on (both were the top two receivers statistically last season), Canada will be one of the first group to get that opportunity.
NOTE: The University of Utah called with interest in signing Canada but there was no word if any further talks went on with that. Canada said Tennessee had called him at the end of last season with interest but nothing had resumed afterwards.
Lane Kiffin was named head coach for Tennessee on Dec. 2 last year which gives the possibility that his staff was interested with Canada considering the final game of the season for Mt. SAC ended on Dec. 13.
It’s obvious Canada likes Tennessee. But does Kiffin like Canada?
Will Kiffin revisit contact with Canada if he comes through with an impressive sophomore year? If it happens, there surely will be more D1 schools knocking at his door.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore running backs Burton & Lancer Iosefa will work together to help the Mounties' running game this year.
LANCER & BURTON IOSEFA
STATUS: Sophomores
POSITION: Running Back
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: BYU (May be other schools interested but unknown at this time)
OTHER SCHOOLS IOSEFAS ARE INTERESTED IN: Utah, ASU, Hawaii
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Lancer said this past spring BYU offered a package deal to have both brothers come to the team.
There hasn’t been word if the Iosefas are willing to break up and go separate ways. If they choose to leave together to other schools, it’ll be a tough call for those schools interested to consider it. But if BYU is offering that package, then there really is no option but to go that way.
On the field, the two athletes are quick. They love to swerve and run and turn and speed away from the pocket and take off to the end zone on every play/drill. While it’s hard to determine the difference between both in their running style, Burton has been impressive throughout last season with his quickness. He rushed for 780 yards with 143 carries and 10 touchdowns, three of those games he rushed for 100+ yards.
Lancer on the other hand had limited touches with the ball during his time in 2007 playing alongside Kevin Craft. During that year, the emphasis was more on gaining passing yardage than with the running game.
After that season Coach Tom Craft organized some plays and schemes to incorporate a running game in the offense. With a bad leg injury in the beginning of last season, Lancer was unable to play and had to sit out. This year he has the opportunity to redeem himself and work with his brother together for the first time at Mt. SAC and deliver a 1-2 punch against the defense.
While their heights might seem problematic against the toughness of the opposing defense, the two brothers find no major problems dealing with the Mt. SAC defense during the drills and move swiftly through the pocket almost every time.
From jcfootball.scout.com:
The Iosefas’ So Cal Combine Results from Spring 2009
Burton Iosefa
5′8 1/2″, 183
Forty: 4.63, Shuttle: 3.97, Vertical: 35.4, Bench: 15 reps of 225
Lancer Iosefa
5-7, 180
Forty: 4.67 (laser), Shuttle: 3.91, Vertical: 39, Bench: 18 reps of 225
NOTE: If both can share and breakout with some good statistics on paper, they will also find many D1 schools knocking at their door.
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Sophomore offensive lineman Joe Unga will help defend the Mt. SAC offense this fall.
JOE UNGA
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Offensive Line
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Oregon State, UCLA, Kansas, Weber State, Washington, Louisville
OTHER SCHOOLS UNGA IS INTERESTED IN: Unga said he would like to go to any of the schools previously mentioned BUT he said, “I would love to stay out here in the west.”
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Unga is 6’6″ 310 pounds. His twin brothers, Kevin and Devin are playing at Oregon State. If Unga chooses to stay close with family (which might be all the more reason to consider Oregon State as his first choice) it’s pretty evident where he would want to go. However, with UCLA calling and his cousin Eddie Williams playing for the Bruins this year, it might require some more time in deciding where he’ll go. But then again, maybe not.
“If UCLA calls, I want to come play–I love Southern California,” he said.
With former teammate Dominique Gaisie up at University of Washington as well as former Mt. SAC assistant coach Demetrius Martin, the sweepstakes for Unga become more interesting. Having played with Williams beside him and going head-to-head against USC’s defensive tackle Hebron ‘Loni’ Fangupo numerous times during practices, Unga will be prepared and ready for whatever comes his way for the Mounties this year.
“My mission this year is to help the offensive line, work as a team and work as a brotherhood,” Unga said. “The more we talk, the more comfortable we’ll be.”
Unga has the perfect height and body to be a presence in the offensive line. His strength will allow anyone playing beside him to aid in warding off the charging defensive line. Despite the exceptional job Unga has provided in protecting Lamaison last season, he said he also wants to get better physically and work on his mechanics more.
“I think I’m in good shape but I can be better,” he said.
Unga’s So Cal combine workout results this past Spring:
Joe Unga
6′6″, 310
Forty: 5.04 (h), Shuttle: 4.5, Vertical: 27.8, Bench: 10 reps of 225
PHOTO BY JAMES CHOY - Defensive end Bruce Irvin will help lead the frontline defense to give opposing teams problems.
BRUCE “BJ” IRVIN
STATUS: Sophomore
POSITION: Defensive End; Linebacker; Safety
SCHOOLS INTERESTED: Tennessee, USC, LSU
OTHER SCHOOLS IRVIN IS INTERESTED IN: None
JAMES’ ANALYSIS: Irvin is a monster. The six-foot five-inch sophomore has been working hard during the summer to get into shape. While it’s hard to tell, Irvin seems the same on his upper body but looks more defined. My guess is that the coaching staff is looking for him to utilize more quickness when playing on the defensive end. Irvin has spent time in the summer working real hard with his academics to make an easy transition out of Mt. SAC and into wherever he goes.
The rumor with USC is that head coach Pete Carroll was interested in Irvin but talks may have died down. According to sources, Carroll was impressed with Irvin’s combine results and loved Irvin’s speed. By being accompanied with the rest of USC’s defense, Irvin would be an instant and effective chess piece in the Trojan’s lineup.
From my opinion, it really looks like Irvin is on his way to Tennessee. He seems set on it for sure and is making no mention of conflictions with his choices. But Irvin has all that left aside for now and is locked in for the upcoming Mt. SAC season. Irvin said there’s some unfinished business that needs to be done at the junior college.
“I’m pumped about everything that’s going on and I’m ready,” he said. “There’s business to handle at Mt. SAC–people think we’re a joke but we got a lot to prove this year.”
Bruce Irvin
6′5″, 240
Forty: 4.36 (h), Shuttle: NA, Vertical: 34.3, Bench: 20 reps of 225
The following story/feature will be a first of many profiles of Mt. SAC football players to be looked at. For more questions, email James Choy at James909@gmail.com.
James Choy News 