August 27, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

Getting another chance

by Tim Goode

The circuitous and often controversial football career of receiver Ronnie Davenport has made its final stop at Menlo College.

Davenport, who is dubiously attached to the academic scandal at UC Berkeley that in 1999 cost Davenport and fellow receiver Michael Ainsworth their eligibility and made Cal bowl ineligible in 2001, is at Menlo for one final shot at football after stops at City College of San Francisco and San Diego State.

Davenport was made ineligible at Cal for receiving credit for an Ethnic Studies class he and Ainsworth allegedly retroactively enrolled in and never attended, but received credit. Through that time, Davenport served an 11-game suspension from the NCAA and was allowed to play just one year - 2002 - at San Diego State. During what he thought was his final season, Davenport caught 55 passes for 409 yards and two touchdowns for the Aztecs.

But Davenport said he was interested in both getting another chance at football and completing his degree and found out last January he could do both at Division III Menlo College.

Davenport, a highly-coveted recruit out of Woodside High in 1998, ran a sub 4.6 40-yard dash and played regularly at Cal as a true freshman in 1998.

Now Davenport finds himself at Menlo as the top receiver, kick returner and most explosive player in recent Menlo history. How that will translate into overall success for the Oaks will be the storyline to the season.

Menlo, which finished 7-3 last season, hopes to have similar success this season. As an independent, it will have to improve significantly to have a chance at postseason play. The Oaks are unranked in the D3Football.com rankings, but did receive a few votes to be on the honorable mention list. Its highest ranked opponent - Linfield - is ranked third in the country. Menlo travels to Linfield on Oct. 30.

Davenport leads a deep corps of receivers, including Marvin Stickel and Dustin Cabico who started last season. Stickel last season caught 27 passes for 488 yards and nine touchdowns and Cabico added 15 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns.

The challenge for the offense is whether senior quarterback Doug Brady, a first-year starter, can consistently put the ball in the hands of the receivers.

"Brady has a knack of taking a play that has broken down and making a big play," said Menlo coach Mark Ka'anapu, who is bringing along his fourth quarterback in four years.

The running game should be sound with returning fullback Kevin Jones and freshman running back Eddie Conner. "Conner has shown glimpses of performing at the level of Duane Miller," Ka'anapu said, comparing Conner favorably to last year's 1,000-yard rusher.

The offensive line is small in stature, but possesses some experience. Tackles Juan Alvarez (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) and Brian Vasconcellos (6-2, 250) are seniors and center Jake Oliver (6-2, 280) and guard Sal Munoz (6-1, 305) played significant minutes last year.

The defense should be a team strength with experience on the line and a good measure of talent at linebacker.

Senior Kenny Wolfe and sophomore Matt Price are returning starters at linebacker and Keoni Block is a strong addition on the outside. Scott Mueller (De Anza) and Danny Finnegan (Fresno) are both junior college transfers who are expected to provide immediate help at linebacker.

The line has seven players who played last season, led by Karl Haas (6-3, 250), Bryan Lohman (5-10, 215), David French (6-2, 245) and Kalani Siliga (5-8, 265). All four have been at Menlo for at least three years and are well-acquainted with all of Menlo's defensive schemes, Ka'anapu said.

Galen Perry, a sophomore, leads the secondary. He will be joined by JC transfers T.C. Everett (De Anza), John North (West Valley) and Michael Johnson (Laney).

"Our biggest challenge will be to see how quickly we can get the new players to gel into the system and then execute," Ka'anapu said. "We like the talent level we have but we have to see what they can and cannot do on the field. I think we have the talent here to have a successful season."

Menlo's schedule has eight official games. This Saturday's game against Humboldt State has been deemed a scrimmage because Division III teams are not allowed to open play until Sept. 4. The game will count for Humboldt State. In addition, the Sept. 18 visit to Menlo by the English National team is a non-NCAA contest. Menlo's home opener is Sept. 11 against Eastern Oregon.

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