COC Football Set For Redemption, Payback and Opportunity

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The 2011 season was somewhat of an anomaly for head coach Garett Tujague and the College of the Canyons football team.

Despite a highly talented roster of student athletes, the Cougars failed to live up to the expectations of a program that has historically been ranked among the top teams in the state and, until last year, was a perennial playoff participant.

Determined not to let history repeat itself, Tujague and his staff entered the off-season with three key words in mind - Redemption ... Payback ... Opportunity.

That mantra, combined with an emphasis of the schemes, strategies and tactics that helped ensure the success of Cougar teams from years past, has allowed COC to enter the 2012 season with a renewed sense of determination.

"Even in all the great years, when we've had tremendous success, you always have to go back at the end of the season and look at what can be done differently," said Tujague. "It's important to realize what it was that helped those players, and that staff become so successful, and to identify the outlying factors that helped achieve that success."

With that in mind, the 2012 Cougars will feature a simplified offensive attack designed to utilize the skillset of this year's group of returning sophomores and incoming freshman.

"Offensively, the focus this spring and summer has been on mastering the things we excel at and getting back to the fundamentals of Cougar football," said Tujague. "Scheme wise we've picked the pieces of our offense that will compliment this group of young men, and fine tuned them. Nothing about our philosophy has really changed, we're just working with a different set of tools in our toolbox."

However, one thing is for certain - speed at the skill positions is one tool the Cougars know they have in their toolbox.

"We've got some very talented running backs, and will probably rotate them by committee just because they're all so fast," said Tujague.

Lining up at wide receiver for the Cougars this season will be returning sophomores Matt Szymanski, Brandon Graves and Vincent Neilson, who each saw significant action down the stretch in 2011, and seemed to develop a knack for producing big plays.

With the additions of freshmen receivers Dan Vear, Isa Bey, Dijon Barnes and Tim White, the opposing team's defensive secondary will definitely have their work cut out for them each week.

"I don't think we've ever had a player as fast as Tim White here at College of the Canyons, and we've had some guys in the past that could really go. He could be a real difference maker," said Tujague. "Dan Vear is just an unbelievable athlete, and someone who reminds me a lot of a player we had back in 2004."

Delivering the ball to this group of speedy receivers will be the job of one of the team's three quarterbacks - Ryan Kasdorf, Ben Longshore and Ron Clark - who each bring a different set of attributes to the signal calling position.

"They each have their own niche in our offense," said Tujague, "but I can't wait to see who emerges from the pack."

Providing the protection up front will be a young, but sizeable, offensive line anchored by starting center Cody Coston, who is returning from off season thumb surgery. In addition to helping to open holes and provide protection, Coston will also be looked upon to provide leadership along the O-line.

"Up front we're big, we're strong and these kids have great attitudes," added Tujague. "Attitudes are contagious, and we need that to help get us going in the right direction this season."

Defensively, the Cougars' off-season emphasis has again been about making scheme tweaks that compliment this year's group of athletes.

"Last season there were certain types of plays that our defense was susceptible to," Tujague said. "But we've addressed those issues, and believe we have a defensive unit that is fast, strong and will fly to the ball - all qualities you want in a defense."

At the linebacker position, the Cougars will again be led by returning starters Jake Woolley and Sione Folaumoeloa, who each enter their sophomore season with high expectations. Last year, Woolley tied for the team lead in total tackles with 49 takedowns, while Folaumoeloa chipped in with 21 total tackles and three sacks.

In the secondary, defensive backs Jesse Sampson - who registered 49 total tackles of his own in 2011- Sam Lee and Kahlil Bolling will be looked upon to provide the type of downfield coverage needed to stifle the opposing team's passing attack.

This year's group of defensive linemen will enter the season without having seen a lot of game time, but should benefit from the experience of returning sophomore defensive end Justyn Eddins who registered 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss a season ago.

"We just want our guys to just go out and play football, be the great athletes they are, and read, react and make plays," said Tujague. "If we can do that, I think we'll have a lot of success."

However, with a tough schedule of opponents lying ahead, the Cougars will definitely face some challenges.

"I love going up against all the teams on our schedule. Those coaches do a great job, and our players always know that they'll be going up against an opponent that's been well coached," said Tujague. "But it really all comes back to redemption ... payback ... and opportunity."

In terms of goals for this year's team, not much has shifted for College of the Canyons.

"This season is huge for Cougar football and our goals have not changed," said Tujague. "The first and most important goal is to see our players matriculate and have the opportunity to move on to the next level. Next, it's to win our conference, go to the playoffs, and ultimately, to earn the chance to play for a state title.

"I'm really excited for this season," added Tujague. "There is a price to pay to don the Cougar jersey and these players, especially the sophomores, have worked hard and paid that price. I think we know what we're good at, and now it's just a matter of going out there and making people try to stop that."