After several key players graduated from the team following his freshman year, Lee said the next two seasons were a struggle as the program looked to rebuild. Those lean years, though, only helped him appreciate this season’s surprising resurgence even more.
“I’m really happy playing right now,” said the offensive lineman and linebacker. “I’m glad I’m still here.”
The Earwigs have surpassed almost everyone’s expectations with their high-powered attack this season. The team is 4-2 and is averaging 39.5 points per game as it heads into its final game of the season Saturday, Oct. 27, at Cate with a possible shot at a berth in the CIF tournament.
With a roster of just 16 players – and just two of them seniors – Earwigs coach Phil Martin said he entered the season just hoping for the best.
“I had zero expectations,” he said. “I didn’t know what I was gonna get.”
Those expectations steadily rose throughout the season, thanks in large part to the play of a talented junior class, led by first-year quarterback Bryce McKibbin. After standing out as a tailback over his first two seasons, McKibbin took the reins of the offense this offseason and hasn’t disappointed. He has remained a dominant runner – as evidenced by his school-record 329 rushing yards and six touchdowns in a season-defining win at Orcutt Academy – but has also developed into a great downfield passer. “We asked him to do a real tough thing, which is become a quarterback when he’s never played that position before,” Martin said of McKibbin, who had always played running back.
Martin said McKibbin’s progress as a passer was especially evident in Dunn’s 47-22 win over Ojai Valley on Oct. 13. McKibbin threw for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in that win, to go along with two scores on the ground.
“He had two balls that he put down the middle of the field that were just gorgeous,” Martin said. “Us coaches all looked at each other like, ‘Where did that come from? That was great.’ I think he’s finally finding himself as a quarterback. He’s had enough game-time and game-speed, and he doesn’t have happy feet in the pocket. He’s really evolving into a quality high school quarterback, as well as being a great high school running back when he’s got the ball.”
McKibbin hasn’t been the only runner to find success on the ground for the Earwigs this season. Other tailbacks who have excelled in the team’s crowded backfield include juniors Khaleeq Sattar El, Ayinde Crear and Jake Eisaguirre, sophomore Alex Knightley and freshman Max McNally.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised with the running game,” Martin said. “I’ve got five or six running backs that I can put out there, so when one guy needs a break, I’m not losing anything by putting in the next guy. It’s been great.”
With such a small roster, the coach said that a lot of players have to play both ways, making that logjam in the backfield a luxury.
“We’ve been focusing on conditioning all season and trying to make sure that we’re not gassed in the fourth, but it’s been a challenge,” he said. “To this point, we’ve been doing pretty well with it and we’ll go from there.”
Many of the coaches and players point to that win over Orcutt – in the second game of the season for Dunn and fourth for Orcutt – as a turning point in the season. Despite Orcutt being much bigger in both size and numbers, Dunn was able to rally back for the game-winning score with 1:13 remaining and hold off Orcutt in the game’s final minute.
“From that game on, I think we knew we had a solid team,” said assistant coach and former Santa Ynez High player Brett Miller, who has been working with the Earwigs for the past two seasons. “I was impressed.”
“That got us going, really,” added Lee. “We started to realize that we could do this.”
Martin said that physical matchup let his players know that they could hang with anyone.
“It was a hard-hitting game, very physical,” the coach said. “It was huge for us; a lot of confidence for us.” The Earwigs will enter their final game of the year unsure of their chances at the postseason. Dunn would likely be the fourth team from the Condor League selected to CIF if the team does indeed make the cut, as three teams from the league are ranked in the CIF top 10. One of those ranked teams, though, is Cate, which just so happens to be the Earwigs’ final opponent. A statement could be made in that matchup, said Martin.
“We’re not 100% sure where we fit, but we know that we have a very competitive schedule and we know that we’ll have a winning record no matter what happens, so we’re going to push forward and see if we can get in the tournament and go from there,” he said. “It’d be a lot easier if we can win (this last game).” Miller, who said he also entered the season with little to no expectations, said that a berth in a CIF bracket would be a great experience.
“They’re excited for it,” he said of the Dunn players. “I hope we can do it. We’ve got to make a point to finish strong.”
Martin said a playoff appearance could also go a long way toward the team’s confidence for next season and beyond. With so many juniors and underclassmen playing key roles, he noted that “things are looking up for the future.”
That doesn’t mean he isn’t interested in any new additions, however.
“If you find any 300 pounders, I’d love them,” he said with a laugh. “Send them my way.” willis@syvjournal.com