Vaqs Committed to Character Amid Early Struggles; Lose to Long Beach 56-7

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – It's not the season the Santa Barbara City College football team (0-4) hoped it would be after the first four games of the year, following Saturday's 56-7 loss to Long Beach (1-3) at La Playa Stadium.

No one is shirking their responsibility or turning away from the adversity they're facing.

This week at practice, the team was joined by SBCC hall of famer Mike Fryer, who gave them a pep talk about perseverance. 

"It's been a tough season, but toughness has a tendency to reveal character," said head coach Craig Moropoulos. "Nobody said it was going to be easy. We are what we are. We're struggling a little bit, but there are little bits and pieces that get better. I told the guys, to get through this and not turn their back on their teammates, to not turn their back on the program, and to not turn their backs on themselves, that's a character builder and that's what's happening."

While there were certainly struggles in the loss, the bright spots had an opportunity to stand out. 

"On defense, Nelson Smith is a linebacker who has been pretty steady for us all season long. Dean Davis is an outside backer who has done some really good things," said Moropoulos.

Smith led the team in tackles with 10, while Dean Davis added eight stops, along with a sack and another tackle for loss. 

"Offensively, Kayson Mathabela ran the ball here at the end, and he can really do that," said Moropoulos.

Mathabela rushed for 70 yards on only nine carries to thrill his parents, who traveled from Texas to be in the stands. 

The Vaqueros were held to a season low of 128 yards passing due to some injuries under center.

"We got banged up at the quarterback position; that was tough today," said Moropoulos. "I'm concerned about that, but we were still fighting at the end of the game, and that means a lot to me."

The Vaqs travel to Ventura next week to take on the Pirates at 6 p.m. at the Ventura College Sportsplex.

"We've got to try to get healthy. We're banged up. We know that. It's going to be a challenge for us because they're a very good team," said Moropoulos. "We have to do our best to come back Monday and put in a good week's work and then get ready for next week."