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Cain era begins at ELAC


First-year East L.A. College football coach Lynn Cain watches as the Huskies go through the paces during preseason drills. ELAC hosts Cerritos Saturday in its season opener.

By RON GUILD, Sports Editor 04.SEP.08
In an effort to turn around a struggling football program, East L.A. College has turned to an alum, Lynn Cain.

A product of Roosevelt High School and East L.A. before going on to play fullback at USC and in the NFL (with the Atlanta Falcons and Rams) for seven years, Cain has his work cut out for him.

The Huskies, who open at 6 p.m. Saturday at home against Cerritos, were 0-10 last year and 1-9 the year before that. The decade, for the most part, has been less than memorable.

His first team is a mix of veterans and newcomers, local athletes and out-of-state products.

Among the top returnees are Maryland natives Antonio Smithson and Delane Woods, wide receivers. Smithson caught 36 passes a year ago. Woods is a big-play performer who averaged 24.3 yards on nine receptions a year ago for the Huskies.

Among the newcomers are Jorge Valdovinos, a 6-foot-2, 185-pounder from Huntington Park, and David Carter, a 6-2, 170-pounder from Westchester.

Cain has four freshman quarterbacks on the roster, so whoever takes the snaps will be doing so for the first time on the college level.

The candidates are Saile Ramirez from San Gabriel, Pedro Velasquez from El Monte, Daniel Kozasky from South Gate and Jovanie Flores from Garfield.

Anthony Brown, a speedster from Alhambra, is a freshman competing for a running back spot. He was an All-CIF selection as a senior for the Moors.

Quinton Garrus, a 216-pound sophomore from Dunbar, Md., is another running back candidate. Freshmen Michael Sanchez (Lincoln), Perry Clayton (Grant), Ulyses Lopez (San Gabriel) and Michael Santana (Santa Fe) are also in the mix. Sophomore Steven Torres (Garfield) returns.

Among the offensive line candidates are Alberto Campos (6-2, 290), Ernesto Gutierrez (5-10, 245), Edwin Baldelomar (6-0, 260), Isaiah Carlos (6-4, 335) and Octavio Retana (6-3, 270). James Simmers, a freshman from Upland, has been impressive in workouts.

Defensively, those battling for down line spots include Nathan Holloway, a freshman from Roosevelt,, Steve Cabrera, a freshman from Schurr, and Luis Cardenas, a sophomore from South Gate.

Linebacking candidates include Tony Hernandez from Pioneer,, Carlos Perez from Garfield, Antonio Salter from Dunbar, Md., and David Bujanda from Alhambra.

Devin Redd, a sophomore from Cardinal-Gibson, Md., and Derek Gomez, a freshman from Montebello, are possible cornerbacks. Strong safety possibilities are Paul Gonzalez from Northview and Ramon Peinado from St. John Bosco.