Share:

After a season marred with both controversy and triumph, the PCC football program is letting go of the past and putting its trust into Head Coach James Kuk and his coaching abilities.This season will be the first full season that Head Coach Kuk will be at the helm. Last season Kuk took over the position after previous head coach Kenny Lawler was put on paid administrative leave for allowing a player on the team who violated parole.

The Lancers ended last season with a 7-4 record and a victory in the inaugural Tremblay Financial Services Bowl

Kuk is challenging his players to take care of business and to emphasize focusing on the fundamentals to achieve success and better last year’s run this season.

“Success will come when we put in our best efforts,” said Kuk about his coaching philosophy on the season.

Kuk is expecting exceptional play from his team, starting with the defense, where the majority of players are returning.

The linebacker duo of Jeremy Aguilar and Roman Pula will return this season adding to a projected experienced defense.

Aguilar was the team leader in tackles with 78, two sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Pula will return to play both linebacker and short yardage running back this season. Last season Pula led the team in touchdowns with 12, and was third in solo tackles with 32, third in total tackles with 75 and forced two fumbles.

“I’m excited for the new challenges,” said returning sophomore Taurus D’Antignac when asked about the upcoming season. D’antignac split time at cornerback and kick-returner as a 2008 freshman. He snagged one pick and recorded 29 total tackles and one interception.

After losing offense focal points Joshua Morgan, Eldrin Jones, Owen Dixon and Titus Mack to athletic scholarships, many sophomores are expected to step up and work with returning quarterbacks Arcadia native Nick Ponce and South Pasadena native Jonathan Troast.

Troast and Ponce often rotated between each other when substituting for Jones. Troast completed 46-88 passes for 627 yards and 7 touchdowns and Ponce completed 21-34 passes for 299 passing yards.

Receivers Anthony Pines, Joshua Giambolvo and Sean Carraway are assumed to contribute to the 2009 offense along with Los Angeles Crenshaw High standout Kemonte Bateman.

Pines, Giambolvo and Carraway together allotted a total of 55 catches, 480 yards and three touchdown catches in their first collegiate seasons.

Returning First Team All-National Northern Conference safety Julius Harris, expressed excitement when asked about playing in the upcoming season.

Harris led the team in solo tackles last season with 47 and interceptions with 6.

The team looks to avenge last year’s 20-46 loss to Mt. Sac. The Lancers play their first game of the upcoming season against the Mounties Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. in Walnut

Additional reporting by Richard Garcia.

Follow: