The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Vikings athletics is sponsored in part by Long Beach City College.
There’s a youth movement in Long Beach as the LBCC football program prepares for the 2024 season with one of its youngest rosters under 12th year coach Brett Peabody.
“We’ve got the real good freshmen,” Peabody said. “It’s probably a very talented team, but it’s maybe the youngest team that we will have started, or the least experienced. It’s a real J.C. experience.”
Last season, the Vikings had a potent air attack that ranked second in the state averaging 323 yards per game. This year, the Vikings will still air it out, but LBCC will look to have more of a balanced attack as they look to keep teams off balance.
“Last year, we had to rely on the pass,” Peabody said. “We struggled up front in the run game. And this year, that shouldn’t be a problem. We feel really good about our ability to run the ball.”
With a month before the season starts, Jett Peddy is leading the way and was a back up last season. The Vikings also have Allen Fernett, Qeanu Campbell-Caldwell (Millikan) and O’Shea Wallace (Cathedral City) in the QB room.
The Vikings will have a deep backfield with each back bringing a different skillset to the team. Kaleb Foster (Lakewood), Troy Crozier (Serra), Khalil Warren (St. John Bosco), Jaden Bridges (Santa Monica) and Devin Samples (LB Poly) are expected to see time.
Crozier is expected to be a Swiss Army knife for the Vikings and is expected to see action from the backfield, as receiver and will be active in the return game. Crozier is looking forward to showing what he can do.
“It seems like a fun offense to play in,” Crozier said. “Our coach uses his players to the best of our abilities, to our strengths. So he puts us in a position to be great.”
Along with Crozier, Matthew Dragich (Servite), Matthew Berenji (Western), Marques Guzman (Tustin), Tyson Bordeaux (LB Poly), Samaje Dunn and PJ Holmes are part of a receiving core that will look to continue LBCC’s passing success. Dylan Clark (El Camino College) is expected to play inside and outside receiver.
The Vikings have a couple guys working in at tight end with Nevaeh Gabb (North Torrance) and Kyle Brown (South Torrance).
LBCC’s offensive line will be young led by Jose Rodirguez, Micah Mamira, Lance Lee, Josiah Patai (Cabrillo), Javante Simon (Inglewood), Jose Gonzalez (Cabrillo), Cemal Bonavota (Palos Verdes), Nick Ahmed, Denton Owalabi and Michael Salinas (LB Poly).
On special teams, Ethan Smithland brings a strong leg for the Vikings.
On the defensive side, LBCC will look fill the shoes of Luke Toomalatai (BYU) and Enzo-Pierre Tayou (New Mexico State). With some struggles with their outside rush, the Vikings’ coaching staff is excited about Carson Moore (Palos Verdes).
Moore Will be joined by Mario Rivas (LB Poly) on the inside as the Vikings will have a committee playing at defensive tackle.
Peter Obodoagha (Lawndale), Jeff Misa (La Salle), Rakeem Moore (Lakewood) and Siale Wolfgramm (El Camino College are all expected to see the field to solidify LBCC’s defensive line.
The linebackers will be led by a few Moore League graduates in Jalen Johnson (LB Poly), Cordae Jones (Wilson), Malik Brown (LB Poly). That trio will be joined by Sir Tyler Thomas (St. John Bosco) and Travor Cook (La Mirada).
In the secondary, the Vikings will look to tighten things up where they had some trouble on the outside. The cornerbacks will be Poly guys Kam Blanton , Donovan Turner and Mookie Davis.
The Vikings will be on the field next week when they take on Ventura for a scrimmage.
