Philip George, Spring 2009 Assistant Sports Editor
“Bowl game or bust.”
Head coach Efrain Martinez firmly declared his team’s philosophy during one of the Brahmas’ final practice sessions in early September.
The second-year head coach sought to improve upon his 2007 rookie season, in which Pierce College compiled a 5-5 record, but retained only 11 sophomores for 2008, a year that saw the Brahmas plagued by injuries and a lack of team chemistry, all culminating in a 2-8 season record and no bowl game attended.
“Obviously we didn’t perform the way we expected to perform,” said Martinez. “But when you lose the number of players we lost, that’s going to happen.”
The season began on an ominous note for Pierce when they took on Moorpark college in the Brahmas’ home opener September 6. Trailing by 18 late in the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Justin Collins, called on to fill the void left by Alex Pettee who departed for the University of Toledo following the 2007 season, was dropped to the ground as he broke loose for a scramble. The result – a broken femur which would require season-ending surgery.
“It was painful,” said Collins. “It was heartbreaking. I was blessed to get the opportunity to start this season and right when I start the season feeling good, getting ready to lead the team, I get injured in the first game. Knowing I had to have surgery, I thought I was never going to play again and I couldn’t get over it.”
With his quarterback sidelined, Martinez had to resort to activating previously gray-shirted Taylor Budd. The freshman struggled in his first performance as a Brahma, throwing three interceptions in a 20-59 loss to Fullerton College, but showed gradual improvement. Budd took every snap in Pierce’s nine remaining games and finished the season with 1402 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
“I felt a little distaste toward how things were going, but once I started learning the system I was supposed to be learning in practice, I started flourishing a little bit,” he said.
Budd and the Brahmas would record their first victory on October 4 against East Los Angeles College, and two weeks later, with a record of 1-4, posed a comeback for the ages, rallying from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take down Los Angeles Southwest College 25-21.
The comeback propelled Pierce into second place in the Western State Conference with four games remaining, a conference championship well within reach, but the euphoria was short-lived.
One week later, prior to the Brahmas’ game against Santa Barbara City College, it was announced that four key members of the team, wide receiver Kenny Davis, defensive lineman Robert Williamson, running back Raukeen Foreman and left tackle Ged Carrington would be lost for the game, and possibly the season. None would return as the Brahmas went on to lose that night, as well as the rest of their games to finish with a season record of 2-8.”I thought we were going to be up there,” said Davis, who earned All-Conference honors despite playing in only six games. “Even when we lost some games, I still thought we were going to be up there. Even when I got injured and stepped out, I still thought we were going to win the next couple of games.”
An influx of freshmen – 63 of them to be exact – some from various cities and backgrounds across the country, and many never meeting until the first day of practice, also led to team chemistry issues throughout the season.
“As far as teamwork, we were barely around maybe game seven or eight starting to click as a family, but it was too late,” said Davis. “I started to see people go their own separate ways, like there was an ‘I’ in team. People were saying they were grown men and they couldn’t be told what to do.”
In 2009, however, those 63 freshmen will transform into 63 sophomores, all of whom have been together for a full season.
“Pierce’s staff has not seen football teammates come together like we’re going to be next year.” Davis added. “Everybody’s head is going to be on straight. They’re going to be so poised, so confident, so ready-to-go, and that’s all you’re going to see out there is these kids bleed and sweat football.”
Martinez also feels that the hardships suffered in this past season will do nothing but benefit the team next year.
“If we could get through this and switch it around like I think we can, then these guys are going to make it in life,” he said. “Our players never gave up and I’m willing to give them that. The guys that finished out the season – those guys are going to be winners in life. So was the season a bust? As far as going to a bowl game, yes, but as far as the future, no.”
Injuries at key positions kept the Pierce football team off-balance this season. Here, Craig Alexander (front) and teamates take a breather during halftime of a 38-30 home loss to to Santa Barbara City College. ()
