2008 Woodie Awards
Delta's football up for a rebuilding year
Filippo Goodman
Issue date: 9/9/05 Section: Sports
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At the annual banquet held the night before the Tri-County Holiday Bowl game, the interplay between the two participants, Butte College and the Delta Mustangs, eventually played out like an over-baked, cliché-ridden movie of the week.
An uneasiness claimed the banquet hall as the Butte players and coaches, blessed with size and overdosing on confidence, had taken to openly mocking the Delta Mustang players, noting how small the Mustangs looked in person, and prophesizing just how easy their bowl game victory would be.
The perception of disrespect stuck like adhesive glue to the psyche of the Mustangs fueling, their disposal of the Butte Roadrunners enroute to a 42-33 victory--- an appropriate capper on the 2004 "Get Respect" campaign. The only thing that was missing was the background music, complete with dramatic string arrangements.
The afterglow of the bowl game victory provided a cold glass or reality. At the junior college there are rarely sequels. Most of the 2004 squad went their separate ways via four-year school transfers. The cast changes.
Experience will be in short supply this year, with only a handful of returning starters hitting the field.
The Delta calling card is less over-reaching schemes and bravado, and more of an emphasis on sound play and the fundamentals, which speaks to Delta's unprecedented success over the past four years.
"At its core football is blocking and tackling. That's what we hang our hat on and we stress doing those things well. Offensively we are going to be a really good blocking team. On defense we are going to put 11 tacklers on the field, with no wristband cover guys. Everyone is accountable," said head coach Gary Barlow.
One player chomping at the bit is returning RB Lionel Scott, whose 2004 season was cut short by a broken ankle. Scott spent a frustrating year hugging the sidelines as his team marched through the Valley Conference
" It was a tough year," said Scott. "I tried to provide leadership and help others, but not being able to contribute on the field was hard. I cant wait to get back out there; hopefully I will come back stronger and faster than when I left."
His return will coincide with an altered landscape on offense. Key contributors: Wide receiver Gilbert Martinez; Running back Maurice Dotson; and honorable mention All Americans, Quarterback Steve Wichman and Offensive lineman Reagan Mauia have all moved on.