Football Brings in All-Conference Selections

The Long Beach City College football team finished their season with an impressive 8-3 record and a victory over Bakersfield in the 2017 Patriotic Bowl (37-10). At the conclusion of the season, the Vikings saw 16 athletes receive Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division All-Central postseason honors.

Highlighting the honors is sophomore wide receiver Cedric Byrd. Byrd received first team offense as a wide receiver and all-purpose back, and first team defense accolades as kickoff and punt returner. Byrd totaled 66 receptions with 903 yards for the season. He averaged 82 yards per game and 13.7 yards per catch.

Freshman running back Elijah Bynum received first team offense honors as he scored 11 touchdowns this season and had over 940 yards under his belt. Bynum had wheels on the field as he led the Vikings with 944 yards.  He averaged 85.8 yards per game on the ground around his opponents. He totaled 78 points for the season.

Starting sophomore quarterback Grant Lowary achieved first team offense accolades with leading the team in passing with 3135 yards. Lowary played in all 11 games this season and assisted in 30 touchdowns. Lowary was the first to earn the SCFA Central League Player of the Week for week one of the season.

Sophomore defensive left Gilbert "Bubba" Valera hailed first team defense honors with 39 total tackles for the season with 16 assisted. Valera had eight sacks against his opposing quarterbacks and was the SCFA central league defensive player of the week for week nine.

Sophomore defensive left Adebayo Soremekun earned a spot on the first team defense list with 9.5 sacks, 45 total tackles and averaged 4.1 tackles per game. Soremekun was also a SCFA defensive player of the week for week three.  

Sophomore left back Michael Jackson also earned first team defense honors with participating in 10 games and accumulating 34 total tackles. Jackson averaged around 3.4 tackles per game.

Freshman defensive back Nehemiah Shelton brought home first team defense laurels with 46 tackles and four interceptions. Shelton was a force on the field and tallied seven breakups, therefore earning him a SCFA defensive player of the week nod.

Freshman defensive back Justin Prince was the final Viking with first team defense honors by leading the team with 66 tackles and averaging 6 tackles per game. Prince had two breakups and one interception for 60 yards. He was also the only Viking to earn two defensive player of the week honors.

The Viking offensive linemen made an impression as four athletes earned spots on the second-team offense list. Freshmen Alex Dalpe, Steven Almada, Jacob Fineaganofo and Shammah Tupua all received honors for their part on a strong frontline as the Viking offense averaged 40 points per game.

Sophomore wide receiver Jabari Minix brings home second team accolades on the offense list. Minix totaled 51 receptions with 671 yards for the season. He averaged 61 yards per game and scored four touchdowns.

Sophomore wide receiver Mike Wilson also earned a spot on the second team for offense. He recorded 49 receptions with 815 yards. The sophomore averaged 90.6 yards per game with 10 touchdowns on the season, which earned him a central league offensive player of the week laurel.

Freshman linebacker Darryon Bunton brought home second team honors for his performance on the defensive line. Bunton averaged 5.9 tackles per game and recorded 2.5 sacks on the season. He also had one forced fumble for the Vikings.

Freshman defensive back Cross Poyer was the final Viking earning second team honors for his performance on defense. Poyer recorded 37 solo tackles on the season averaging 5.5 tackles per game. He also had three interceptions and 23 assists for the Vikings.