The whistling sound of a missile followed by an explosion blasted over the speakers of the “Tempo System” at Lompoc High’s football practice.
The device is programmed to clock each part of head coach Andrew Jones’ practice plan as well as team water breaks.
“It matches up exactly with what we’re doing with the practice plan,” Jones said. “For us, it’s not only a tool for the players but for the coaches to be on time and get everything covered. We also put in music to get everyone going.
“It’s super efficient.”
If the Braves can be as efficient in games as they are in practice … watch out!
Jones’ squad is loaded with talent and experience.
There are senior quarterback Cameron Iribarren, the Channel League Offensive MVP last year; 6-4, 230-pound receiver Ryan Morgan, who has committed to Wyoming; running backs Oscar Tenorio and Leondre Coleman; and wide receivers Christian Tenorio and Bradley Waite.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced skill guys returning,” Jones said. “We’re still trying to polish up the linemen. We lost four guys up front on the O-Line and three on the D-Line. If you’re evaluating rosters, you’re thinking, ‘Who’s going to fill in up front?’ That’s the key for us.
“Skill wise, we’re obviously solid. We got a returning quarterback, Leondre Coleman is returning, Ryan Morgan heeled up from injury, and you factor in other skill guys like Oscar Tenorio and his brother Christian Tenorio. Bradley Waite moved from quarterback to receiver. Cai Daniels, who was a sophomore last year and never played before, had a great summer. He’s an elusive slot receiver that caught on at the end of the year for us.
“We have a transfer kid from Washington, Deville ‘Joker’ Dickerson. He’s a sophomore kid playing DB. We have a lot of skill, a lot of athletes.”
The Braves also have an outstanding offensive lineman in Jacob Nunez. He’s a four-year starter who has committed to Arizona State.
“This year, I have probably the best offensive lineman I’ve had in a long time with Jacob Nunez. We’re young everywhere else,” Jones said. “We’ve been in this position before, and somebody always seems to step up. So we hope they do the same.”
The possible players who will fill the open slots include Andrew Garcia (6-1, 230), Jed Rantz (6-1, 225) and Jalen Powers (6-1, 215). Linemen with a shot: Garcia, Jed Rantz and JV kids Jalen Powers (6-2, 215), Malachi Fonseca (5-6, 250), Johnny Balaam (6-0, 265) and Carlos Garcia 6-0, 260).
“We got the bodies to work with, it’s just understanding what we’re doing,” Jones said.
The defense is loaded with experienced players.
“We virtually have our back-eight guys back,” Jones said. “The linebacking corps should be the strength of our football team. We have Coleman (last year’s Channel League Defensive MVP), John Gaitan, Cullin Ranney and Jed Rantz. Those four guys are four of the better linebackers in the area, not just on one team.”
Morgan leads a solid secondary.
“He’s a great story,” Jones said of Morgan, a standout multisport athlete. “I’ve been telling him since freshman year, ‘Your future is in football.’ He was off everyone’s radar last year because of an injury (broken collarbone).”
Morgan was encouraged to attend a prospect camp at USC, and he made a great impression.
“Wyoming and UNLV offered him that night after the camp,” Jones said. “I’m excited for him. He’s the full package: grades, character, athletic. He’s great to coach and leads by example.”
Morgan and the Braves also are in tempo of winning another league championship.
Lompoc at a Glance
COACH: Andrew Jones, 10th year
LEAGUE: Channel — Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Cabrillo, Santa Barbara, Dos Pueblos, San Marcos
PLAYOFF DIVISION: D-5
SPECIAL PLAYERS:
» Cameron Iribarren, Sr. QB, 6-2, 180: Channel League Offensive Player of the Year, accounted for 28 touchdowns — rushed for 1,068 yards and 15 scores and passed for 890 yards and 13 TDs
» Leondre Coleman, Sr. RB/LB, 6-2, 205: Defensive Player of the Year in Channel League as a junior linebacker, All-CIF-SS Division 3 — had team-best 65 total tackles, 10 sacks; rushed for 1,060 yards and 11 TDs
» Jacob Nunez, Sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 275: Offensive Lineman of the Year in Channel League; All-CIF Division 3; committed to Arizona State
» Ryan Morgan, Sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 230: Committed to Wyoming; All-Channel League as a junior; standout basketball player
» Cailin Daniels, Jr., WR/CB, 5-10, 145: Honorable mention all-league as a sophomore
» Oscar Tenorio, Sr., RB/DB, 5-11, 175: Second-team all-league defensive back; explosive running back
» Joe Schumer, Sr., DB/WR, 6-1, 185: Second-team all-league defensive back
» Christian Tenorio, Jr., WR/DB, 6-2, 160: Honorable mention all-league as a sophomore
NEWCOMERS WHO SHOULD MAKE AN IMPACT:
» Deville Dickerson, Soph., WR/DB, 5-9, 145: Corner transfer from state of Washington, great kid, quick, athletic, always around football
» Bradley Waite, Jr., WR/DB/QB, 6-0, 165: From JV, transitions from QB to WR; huge summer at wide receiver; silky route runner with great hands
» Elijah Perkins, Jr., DB/WR, 6-1, 130: From JV team, ball hawk, always around the football
» Jed Rantz, Sr., /FB/LB, 6-1, 225: Moved from Arroyo Grande last October, great size, should have a huge impact on each side of the ball
PLAYERS RECEIVING RECRUITING INTEREST:
» Ryan Morgan: Committed to Wyoming
» Jacob Nunez: Committed to Arizona State
OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR-ATHLETES:
» Luke Gardner
» Ryan Morgan
» Aaron Nunez
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR TEAM?
Athleticism
TEAM’S STRENGTH:
Skill players
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.