Football: Vikings rack up 14 SCFA All-Central League postseason honors

2014 SCFA ALL-CENTRAL LEAGUE TEAM

Following a successful 9-2 season, the Long Beach City College football team was rewarded with an impressive total of 14 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) All-Central League postseason honors.

Nine Vikings earned first-team all-league accolades, with freshman Anterio Bateman (Serra HS) leading the way with double honors. Bateman was named first-team All-Central League in both the running back and all-purpose positions.  

Bateman became LBCC's first 1,000 yard rusher since 2004 after collecting 1,135 yards on 158 carries over 11 games this season. His 1,135 yards ranks second in Southern California and sixth among state leaders.

Bateman was more than just a threat on the ground as he racked up 1,779 all-purpose yards and totaled 12 touchdowns for the Vikings. He also caught 36 passes for 452 yards, had 16 punt returns for 130 yards, and returned three kickoffs for 62 yards. His 1,779 all-purpose yards led the SCFA and was second in the state.

Joining Bateman on first team offense were sophomore quarterback Kenny Potter (San Pedro HS), sophomore wide receiver Josiah Blandin (Poly HS), sophomore tight end Clayton Granch (Valley Christian HS), and sophomore offensive guard Patrick Scoggins (Palos Verdes HS).

Potter was one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the state this season as he passed for 1,726 yards and ran for 435 yards in just seven games. He tossed 15 touchdowns and ran in for seven TDs on his own.

Two of Potter's top targets were Blandin and Granch. Blandin caught 41 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns while Granch had 12 receptions for 192 yards and two TDs. Protecting Potter on the offensive line was Scoggins, who recently committed to Iowa State University.

First-team defensive selections for the Vikings were sophomore inside linebacker Matthew Rowe (Poly HS), freshman defensive tackle Jason Fao (Poly HS), and freshman safety London Iakopo (Mater Dei HS).

Rowe led LBCC with 91 total tackles to go along with five sacks, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Iakopo was second on the squad with 60 tackles and also posted two interceptions and six pass breakups. Fao ranked fourth with 57 tackles and totaled six sacks.

Second team offensive picks included sophomore wide receiver De'Quan Hampton (Dominguez HS) and sophomore offensive tackle David Servatius (South Torrance HS). On defense, freshmen defensive ends Josh Allen (West Torrance HS) and Scotty Fao (Banning HS), as well as sophomore outside linebacker Josh Thomas (Cabrillo HS) were second team selections.