After a two-year suspension, the Cabrillo College football team returned to action this year with a new identity. It was a rough start full of growing pains — the Seahawks had a young team and won two of nine games.
In March 2020, Cabrillo was suspended after self-reporting “impermissible benefits” regarding players’ housing situations to the California Community College Athletic Association. Staff members arranging housing for out-of-area players led to the suspension. Now, all but two team members attended local high schools.
The school’s governing board elected to reinstate the program in a unanimous vote during a meeting in May 2021.
“The one thing I can’t complain at all about this year’s team is my players. The guys are showing up every day,” said first-year head coach Justin Hansen. “They are giving everything they’ve got.”
Some of the losses were not close, but that is to be expected with a team with two sophomores and 94 freshmen. Even the experienced players are working their way through difficulties.
“It’s not easy at all. So there’s a lot to learn,” said Soquel High alumnus and defensive back Zeke Thomas, one of two sophomores on the team.
The Seahawks’ wins came against Yuba (48-14) and Gavilan (28-21).
Freshman running back Kobe Hatten led the team with 79 rushing yards per game. The former North Monterey County High standout was first in the CCCAA with 114 total rushes, including 707 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
“We’re all playing together, we’ve all fought, we didn’t give up,” Hatten said. “Nearly everyone’s a freshman so we’re all going to work even harder next year.”
Nathaniel Bendo, the leading receiver on the team with 55 yards per game, caught passes from his brother, quarterback Raphael Bendo. Bendo completed 53 of 144 pass attempts for 829 yards and six touchdowns — including three to his brother — and five interceptions.
“College ball is new to us, but I think we’re starting to get the hang of it,” said Nathaniel Bendo. “I think we’ll find a rhythm. We trust each other.”
The Seahawks’ defense allowed 375 yards per game, while only gaining 219 on offense.
However, there are many positives this developing team can take away from the season.
One instance is the dominating performance over Yuba, in which the Seahawks finished with 339 yards rushing on 64 carries.
“I think these guys are working at a championchip level right now,” Hansen said.
“This is only year one after trying to rebuild the foundation of the team, and I think coach Hansen has done a wonderful job at building a great foundation,” Thomas said.
The coaching staff has emphasized playing the game the right way as a cohesive unit.
“Work hard every day, never give up, and keep everybody accountable to what they can do right and wrong,” Hatten said.
Despite the lack of success, Hansen said, players kept showing up and continued to follow the game plan.
With promising young players, and a system that players have bought into, the Seahawks will be returning in full force next season.
“I think there’s no doubt that we’re going to come out and we’re going to set our goals to win a conference championship,” said Hansen.
