With their regular campus still under construction, the Compton football team has been forced to practice at Roosevelt Middle School and play home games at Compton College for the past few years. Coach Calvin Bryant agrees that the lack of a solidified home is a huge reason the numbers are low— at the school and on the roster.
“We’re just trying to get better,” Bryant said. “The numbers and depth isn’t as good as it’s been in the recent past, but we have guys out here working hard, my staff is working hard and we’re just trying to make sure we can stay healthy and put a solid product out there. We’ll still be able to do some good things, but we have to wait and see what new guys do once the spotlight is on.”
The most solidified group for Compton will be in the trenches where the offense and defensive lines have a lot of experience.
On the offense line, all but one returning starter in back to set the tone in Compton’s double wing rushing attack. Seniors Orlando Guzman, Dallin Tuitufu Tonumaipea, Jake Matagi Mose-laulusa and Jai-ceon Keeton are back. The only new face is Matthew Iosua, who will line up at guard.
On the defensive line, Guzman will move out to line up at defensive end while Tuitufu Tonumaipea and Matagi Mose-Iaulusa hold down the interior tackle spots.
They will be plowing the road for a host of talented ball carriers, and Bryant said that as many as six different running backs could get carries. Junior returning starter Hayden Ginn has the most experience in the group. He also ran for the track team, and Bryant said he reminds him of some great speedy running backs he’s had in the past.
Senior Tyree Sheppard played some full back last year, and will be in the mix again along with senior Joseph Garcia and freshman Nate Willard and Ronnie Mixon.
Bryant said he’s trying to mix up the offense a little bit this season because he has a pair of quarterbacks with different skill sets, and he expects to run a two-quarterback system at the start of the season.
Junior Diontae Dill is the more experienced signal caller after leading the Compton lower level team last year. Bryant said he’s a gutsy kid who can really run well, while freshman Francis Madera has come in and showcased his strong arm.
Dill, Ginn, Willard and Mixon will also line up at receiver and in the defensive backfield.
The deepest unit on the Compton roster is the linebackers where seniors, Tyree Sheppard, Kevin Solis, Alfonzo Garcia, Jayden Brewer and others are all fighting for three spots.
“We have to take what we have and make the best of it like we always do,” Bryant said. “This is Compton football. We have to be ready to represent.”
Compton opens the season at Dymally on Aug. 18, and will have its first home game on Sept. 1 against Paramount. The Moore League opener is Sept. 15 at Cabrillo.
Probable Starters:
Offense
QB – Diontae Dill / Francis Madera
RB – Hayden Ginn / Tyree Sheppard / Joseph Garcia
WR – Nate Willard / Ronnie Mixon
OL – Orlando Guzman / Dallin Tuitufu Tonumaipea / Jake Matagi Mose-Laulusa / Jai-ceon Keeton / Matthew Iosua
Defense
DL – Orlando Guzman / Dallin Tuitufu Tonumaipea / Jake Matagi Mose-Laulusa
LB – Sr. Tyree Sheppard / Kevin Solis / Alfonzo Garcia / Jayden Brewer
DB – Nate Willard / Ronnie Mixon / Robert Smith / Hayden Ginn / Diontae Dill
2023 Compton Football Schedule
8/18 – at Dymally
8/25 – at Centennial
9/1 – vs. Paramount
9/7 – at Bernstein
9/15 – at Cabrillo
9/22 – at Wilson
10/6 – vs. Jordan
10/13 – vs. Millikan
10/20 – at Long Beach Poly
10/27 – vs. Lakewood
