A tough task got tougher for the SBCC football team when Coach Craig Moropoulos announced that several key players may be sidelined for Saturday’s home opener against Canyons, the state’s fifth-ranked team.
Brian Self, who caught nine passes for 97 yards in last week’s 42-6 loss to Hancock, is questionable with a shoulder injury. Jakharie Murphy, one of the top kick returners in Southern California, may miss his second straight game with a sore hamstring, and wide receiver Ravonte Wilkerson is going to redshirt.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at La Playa Stadium.
Canyons, which won its first 10 games and reached the Southern Cal Championship last year, topped Antelope Valley 27-17 in its opener. The Cougars beat the Vaqueros 56-6 last year.
“It’s always nice to play a home opener, especially in La Playa,” said Moropoulos. “But we have a subdued optimism, playing such a formidable opponent. They’re very good defensively and very athletic on offense.”
Canyons’ defense held Antelope Valley to 27 yards rushing and didn’t allow a first down until the 6:55 mark of the second quarter.
SBCC freshman quarterback John Uribe completed 25-of-48 passes for 212 yards in his collegiate debut at Hancock. He threw a 4-yard touchdown toss to Tristan Carter in the second quarter but also had two interceptions — one that was returned for a TD and the other at the Bulldogs’ 1-yard line.
