Mendocino College's football team began fall camp Aug. 9. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH – The Mendocino College football team opened fall camp last week in preparation for the 2007 football season.

With summer practices ending the first week in August, 70 players reported to fall camp on Aug. 9.

“I am very pleased with the amount of returning sophomores on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball,” said Mendocino College Head Football Coach Tom Gang.

Returning as the anchor of the defensive line is Sophomore Jermaine Jacobs (Sacramento).

Freshmen projected to contribute are Josh Gipson (Middletown), Justin Wood (Middletown), Jeff Harpe (Ukiah), Ed Rico (Clearlake), Blake Dissoma (Ukiah), Brian Walters (Tampa, Fla.) and Ben Cooper (Esparto).

Possibly the strength of the defense will be its linebacking core which returns sophomores Gary Miller (Ukiah), Cole Baker (Esparto) and Markins Anilus (Miami, Fla.).

Incoming players who are projected to see significant action are freshmen Alex Bautista (Coalinga), Wadner Anilus (Miami, Fla.), Curtis Morgan (Camilla, Ga.), Svante Wright (Camilla, Ga.), Tyson Newton (Kelseyville), Marcellus Lang (Sacramento), Gordon Gilmer (Sacramento), Matt Keller (Vancouver, Wash.), Ramiro Solis (Williams) and Brad Finley (Middletown).

In the secondary, Sophomore Mike Casper (Sacramento) will return at corner. Sophomore Greg Tompkins (Arcadia, Fla.) and freshmen Justin Saldano (Vancouver, Wash.), Randy Fesser (Vancouver, Wash.), Veronon Dunnom (Miami, Fla.), Daniel Diodonne (Miami, Fla.) and David Frew (Mt. Vernon, Texas.) will all look to compete for playing time.

Up front for the Eagle offense are several returning offensive linemen. Nick Frost (Ukiah), Arlen Roberts (Vallejo), Drew Blundell (Potter Valley), Steve Oropeza (Point Arena) and Mike Padilla (Santa Rosa) all played key roles for the Eagles last season.

Incoming freshmen Matt Mayfield (Ukiah), Brad Bowers (Ukiah), Alex Wayman (Williams), Ayodele Adedipe (Sacramento), Will Mangino (Potter Valley), Chris Martin (Willits), Nick Rowe (Williams) and Josh Martinez (Ukiah) will also look to contribute on the offensive line.

Redshirt Sophomore Stanley Lageurre (Miami, Fla.) is the only back returning for the Eagles.

Freshmen Nick Henry (Ukiah), Van Jones (Sacramento), Heulon Brown (Sacramento) and Kevin Young (Windsor) will bring talent and depth to the running back position.

At the receiver position, the Eagles will return five players that were key components to the offense last season in sophomores Steven Joachim (Miami, Fla.), Errik Graham (Sacrmanto), Aaron Allen (Point Arena), CJ Hollenbeck (Santa Rosa), and Kyle O’Donnell (Windsor).

Incoming freshmen Micah Payne (Saltillo, Texas), Alex De Golia (Beaverhead County, Mont.) and Shamichael Rivers (Arcadia, Fla.) are talented young receivers who also will contribute in the passing game.

With the return of Cody Manguso (Sparks, Nev.) at quarterback, the offense will be in experienced hands. Manguso threw for 900 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Redshirt freshmen Jacob Laudenslayer (Modesto) will be pushing Manguso after a productive redshirt season. Freshmen Jake Strickler (Middletown) and Billy Binns (Upper Lake) also will battle for the starting spot.

“We are impressed with 2007 recruiting class and we are looking forward to seeing both our freshmen and sophomores compete this season,” Gang said.

Mendocino will scrimmage College of Siskiyous in Williams, CA on Saturday, Aug. 25, before opening the season at home versus Santa Rosa Junior College on Sept. 1.

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Players go through drills during a recent day at camp. Courtesy photo.

This year's team has a healthy mix of new and returning players. Courtesy photo.

An unidentified quarterback gets ready to throw to a teammate. Courtesy photo.