MPC football

Monterey Peninsula College Lobos (5-5, 3-3)
 Since capturing a share of the conference title in 2012 with a 4-1 mark, MPC has been on the outside looking in, posting an 8-9 conference record.
 Granted, the conference has gotten stronger with the additions of West Hills, Reedley and Merced. Yet, the Lobos realize they've been their own worst enemies.
 "Our success is always about ourselves,'' MPC coach Mike Rasmussen said. "We have been on the mark, but just a play away in some of those losses. It's about us."
 At one point last year, MPC was 4-2 before dropping three of its final four games - two by six points or less.
 "One less turnover, better tackling,'' Rasmussen said. "All the basics of football.''
 Part of the Lobos struggles over the last three years has been the inability to move the ball on the ground and chew up the clock, particularly in the second half to keep their defense fresh.
 Last fall MPC averaged just 2.6 yards on the ground, the second time in three years it has averaged less than three yards a crack. As a result, the defense has spent more time on the field.
 That could change this year with the attention of Monterey High grad Akili Jones, who chalked up three straight seasons of 1,000 plus rushing yards.
 Jones provides the Lobos with something they have been missing in the backfield and that's sprinters speed in the open field, along with good vision and patients in seeing holes open.
 The offensive line is bigger and deeper with the return of Stevenson alum Ian Chapman, 6-foot-7 Austin Tucker and returning all-conference selection Joe Love.
 Yet, last year an argument can be made that the strength of MPC was its defense, allowing just 116 points in five losses.
 The core has returned with defensive end Anthony McKay and his team leading nine sacks and 71 tackles back in the fold.
 An Alvarez High graduate, who sat out five years before returning to the game last season, the 270-pound McKay made an immediate impact with his leadership.
 In fact, the Lobos top three leading tacklers from last season are back with the return of linebacker Andrew Jakubowsky and defensive back Elijah Kirkland.
 "I feel last year we could have stepped up in a lot of places,'' Jakubowsky said. "The fourth quarter could have been better. We need to focus on all three phases of the game."
 Jakubowsky, who prepped at Seaside, also recorded 71 tackles while Kirkland, a standout at Salinas in 2013, registering 53 tackles, returning three interceptions for 93 yards.
 "I just want to be a better leader, a vocal leader,'' Jakubowsky said.
 While MPC has reason to believe it can run the ball effectively this fall, this has been a pass first offense since Rasmussen arrived 15 years ago.
 Rasmussen has made a habit out of developing quarterbacks for the next level, having worked with current Chicago Bears quarterback David Fales and one-time Arena League QB Brian Reader.
 MPC believes it has another strong armed gunslinger in Kody Steele, who showed glimpses as a reserve last fall, throwing for 393 yards and four touchdowns on 37 completions. Two of his targets will include Michael Armstead and David Bryant.
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