To say that the 2017 football season for the El Camino Warriors was a success would be an a understatement.
In just the second season under head coach Gifford Lindheim, the Warriors finished 6-5, their first winning season since 2011 and their first postseason bowl victory since 2008.
The Warriors had the No.1 pass offense, No. 2 total offense and No. 3 scoring offense in the South Coast Conference with 14 All-Conference and 21 All-Academic players.
“The class we pulled in last year got us to basically one score within the best teams in Southern California,” Lindheim said.
This success has given several Warriors and even one assistant coach the opportunity to take their skills to the next level. 16 players have signed scholarship offers with four-year universities and another 10 have offers.
Included in that 16, is single season record-breaking receiver (1,274 yards rec.) Stephon Robinson who committed to the University of Kansas.
“I really didn’t expect all these schools to offer,” said Robinson. “I was just looking for one offer, but all these schools came out the woodwork and I was really surprised but I knew I worked for this.”
Players aren’t the only ones moving on. Running backs coach Cordell Landers accepted an assistant position under Head Coach Urban Meyer of the University of Florida.
“He’s the best recruiter I’ve ever worked with, the consummate players coach, he really connects with the kids and grinds really hard for them,” Warriors offensive coordinator Tim Kaub said.
Currently, there has not been a replacement hired to fill coach Landers position and incoming players are essentially free agents until the first day of summer practice in August, thus it’s too early to tell who has made EC their choice to commit.
“We’re looking for great athletes and great character,” Lindheim said. “Year three is the year, hopefully we can take that jump and become one of the top teams in Southern California.”
Coach Lindheim and the Warriors start spring football on Tuesday, March 13, and is every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Correction: Wednesday, March 21, 9:57 a.m., corrections were made for clarity. The Union regrets these errors.
