Hamlet Nalbandyan
GLENDALE: o7 A look at today's local football action:f7
Flintridge Prep vs. L.A. Baptist at Alemany High, 7:30 p.m.: The
Flintridge Prep football team knows just how bad a season opener could
get.
Last year, the Rebels were crushed by Cathedral High at home, 64-21,
and trailed at one point, 58-7.
Flintridge Prep would go on to lose five of its first six games of the
season, before turning things around and making a strong run in the CIF
Southern Section Division XIII playoffs.
Last year's semifinalists hope tonight's contest against Alpha League
power L.A. Baptist is nothing like the Cathedral game.
The Knights might not be as tough as the Phantoms, however, the Rebels
will still be in for a fight to the finish.
L.A. Baptist is consistently one of the top teams among small schools,
just like the Rebels. For Flintridge Prep to have success, the running
game has to lead the way.
Devin Brown is healthy again, unlike last year at this time, and the
senior tailback hopes to continue on last year's marks of 807 yards
rushing and eight touchdowns in just 159 carries.
Junior Omar Dittu will also see considerable playing time, along with
senior fullback Chase Atkinson.
College of the Desert vs. GCC at Moyse Field, 1 p.m.: GCC won last
season's opener over College of the Desert in a shootout, 38-33, but this
year is an entirely different story.
The Vaqueros, who finished a disappointing 4-6 last season, set 13
offensive school records last year, thanks in part to the performances of
quarterback Mike Frost and receiver Chad Heydorff.
But Frost, who threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns in last year's
contest against College of the Desert in Palm Desert, is now at Temple
and Heydorff has moved on to UC Berkeley.
GCC hasn't made up who its quarterback will be as Seth Santoro and Joe
Kroells are both battling for the job. Both are expected to get playing
time today.
The Vaqueros are hoping their defense has improved and will rest the
offensive burden on the shoulders of tailback Jamel Appelwhite.
