LJ FB: Eardley a BMOC

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Collin Eardley is a big man on campus.

Literally.

The former Valhalla offensive lineman serves as the new Defensive Coordinator for La Jolla High. He has the body of an O-line player.

He can also be a man of few words, at least to media.

"What's this for?" the BMOC said when a media person asked him a question, eyeing the reporter's pen and notepad ready in hand.

He shied away--physically--something he evidently doesn't teach his new players on the Viking defensive unit.

Does the defense have a nickname yet? A visitor wasn't able to discover that from the word-few Eardley.

But new Head Coach Tyler Roach, who will serve as Offensive Coordinator, has tapped Eardley and his wealth of experience to be his counterpart on the opposite platoon this season.

Eardley was an assistant coach at Mission Bay High last year. Previously, he served in the Offensive Coordinator capacity at his alma mater, Valhalla, which has a prominent football program.

The big man played at Grossmont College following his prep days, then he stepped up to play his college ball at Southern Utah University.

"He was going to coach here with Jason (Carter) and me (two years ago)," said Roach in giving background on his DC.

"We're a little light on linemen," said Roach at Spring workouts Thurs., June 1. Prominent among those available for the Vikings is Tino Mendez, who Roach said will play nose guard, heading up the defense, and an offensive guard position, either right or left. Lucas Smith will be the center he'll be lining up next to on offense.

Alex Scrivener, who is recouping from an injury, will be another returning lineman.

Also visible among the defenders in Spring workouts last week and this week, pointing toward Family Day scrimmages Sat., June 3, at 10 a.m.--barbecue at 11:30 a.m.--include Johnathan O'Neal, Daniel Souza, Sola Hope, Abdul Sinjab, Buster Hoy, D'yhar Sturgis, Isaiah Sandoval, Gabe Solis, Michael Wells, Philip Pacleb, and Zach Garcia.