SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: College Football

SDSU Aztecs gear up for 2004 campaign

By Phillip Brents
Posted Aug. 31, 2004

SAN DIEGO -- Fireworks will be exploding over Jack Murphy Stadium Saturday night. San Diego State University head football coach Tom Craft hopes that fireworks explode on the field as well as his Aztecs take on Idaho State.

Kickoff is 6 p.m.

“We’re moving the program. As always, we need to stay healthy,” Craft said.

SDSU holds a No. 3 preseason ranking in the eight-team Mountain West Conference after finishing 6-6 last season, 3-4 in conference games.

The 2004 Aztecs head into the season with a good recruiting class that includes former Marian Catholic star Patrick Gates (2003 First Team All-South Bay League Offense), Castle Park standout Demarco Sampson (2003 South Bay League Defensive Player of the Year) and Eastlake standout Paul Tisdale (2003 First Team All-Mesa League Defense).

Castle Park alumnus Freddy Dunkle — the South Bay League’s 2002 Offensive Player of the Year — returns to the Aztec lineup after redshirting last year as a freshman. He is expected to see action this season on special teams as he works his way into the system.

Craft said SDSU could see as many as 16 true freshmen see game action this season.

The Aztecs feature the nation’s most improved total defense, pass defense and scoring defense this season. SDSU ranked in a tie for first among NCAA schools (along with Louisiana State University) for fewest touchdowns allowed last year at 17 and ranked eighth among NCAA leaders in total defense (289.75 yards per game).

The Aztecs ranked first in the conference in scoring defense, passing defense and total defense.

“We’ve put more pressure on our defense. We’ll find out if they can handle it. We’ll be more aggressive on offense and special teams,” Craft said.

With 17 returning starters (against 10 lost) and 46 returning lettermen (against 21 lost), the Aztecs appear to be in good position to capitalize on experience.

Headline returners include linebacker Kirk Morrison (Oakland Bishop O’Dowd), the 2003 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, running back Lynell Hamilton (Stockton Edison), a 2003 Freshman All-America, and linebacker Matt McCoy (Tustin), the 2003 conference tackles leader.

Additionally, offensive lineman Mike Kracalik (El Camino) is on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy while tight end Jeremy Justice (Victory Valley) and center Jasper Harvey (Marrero, La.) are on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey and Rimington awards, respectively.

With a solid defense to fall back on, Craft said more emphasis will be placed on the offensive side of the ball this season.

“We’re going to have to be a team that spreads the ball around offensively to be effective. We need to be more balanced to help out the players who have established themselves, especially on offense,” Craft said.
The Aztec lineup features a long list of area products, including eight returners with county roots: quarterbacks Tanner Engstrand (Grossmont College) and Kevin O’Connell (La Costa Canyon); wide receivers Kyle Conerly (West Hills), Brett Swain (Carlsbad) and Robert Ortiz (Horizon); running backs Jason Van (Helix), Brandon Bornes (RBV), Fale Poumele (Oceanside), Alex Thompson (Palomar College) and Reggie Ross (Mira Mesa); kicker Ryan Bowling (San Pasqual); defensive back Mike Hauser (Grossmont College); safety Reggie Grigsby (El Camino); long snapper Robbie Ryan (Coronado); offensive linemen Taylor Schmidt (Palomar College), Eder Arosemena (Palomar College) and Chris Pino (Palomar College); and tight end Chris Teclaw (San Marcos).

Schmidt captured the state heavyweight wrestling championship in 2000.

New recruits include kicker Sean Henshel (El Capitan), wide receiver Marcus Montgomery (Oceanside), linebackers Russell Allen (Vista) and Stephen Houston (Mission Bay), tight end Eric Miclot (Vista) and defensive lineman Joran Ohnstad (La Costa Canyon).

Ohnstad won last year’s Division II heavyweight wrestling championship en route to a third-place finish (and state qualifying berth) at the ensuing Masters tournament.

A senior, Van hopes to have a breakout season in the backfield this season after gaining just 166 yards on 42 carries in three prior seasons. Van broke every rushing record at Helix, setting a section single-game rushing record with 382 yards. He rushed for 2,277 yards his senior year with the Scotties, scoring 21 touchdowns. As a junior, he helped lead the Highlanders’ 19-7 victory against Chula Vista in the 1998 San Diego Section Division II championship game.

O’Connell, who passed for 1,950 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Mavericks, is vying for the starting quarterback position with returner Matt Dlugolecki (Santa Margarita Catholic).

Craft rated the linebacker position as the team’s strongest and most experienced part of its defense. Craft rated the strength of the conference to be defense.

“We’re a team picked in the upper echelon of the Mountain West Conference. We feel our defense can stack up to that pressure,” Craft said.

After a bye week, the Aztecs will travel to Michigan Sept. 18 for a nationally-televised game on ESPN before returning home to host Nevada on Sept. 25. SDSU plays at UCLA on Oct. 2 before opening conference play Oct. 9 at Wyoming. The Aztecs will host Colorado State Oct. 16 in a game to be televised by ABC-TV.