From Ventura's perspective, there's good and bad news from the pregame warmups at Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Antavius Sims (ankle) is in uniform and is expected to start. He looked pretty good, if a little stiff, in warmups.

"He'll be fine," said offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez.

Gutierrez feels Bakersfield may have the best defense on Ventura's schedule.

"They remind me of Cerritos," said Gutierrez. "Big and fast."

I was not able to locate cornerback Travaun Nixon. It's not official, but I've been told Nixon has broken his foot, had surgery Friday and hopes to heal fast enough to play in the postseason, should Ventura qualify.

Defensive coordinator Gary Anglin, who missed much of the week with bronchitis, said the Pirates will fill the hole left by Nixon's absence with a rotation of up to six players.

Although I expect safety Valtray Jackson to play a lot more.

Former Fillmore High star lineman Curtis Cole has not only left Arizona State and landed at Ventura College, he's making an impact.

The Pirates return several offensive linemen, including guard Jon Griffin and tackle Adam Cherrie. Yet the 6-foot-2, 316-pound Cole gives Ventura another veteran presence, said offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez:

"He's been great. He's picked up things faster than anybody. Faster than any quarterback, faster than any skill guy. It helps him coming from the place he came from. He came down with solid technique and understanding the scheme, which really helps."

Cole is competing with Ruben Delgado at right guard.

The VC football team lost one of its top offensive weapons in the offseason.

Running back and kickoff returner Gabriel Bostic, who finished 10th in the WSC in all-purpose yardage as a freshman from South Dade, Fla., has stayed home to tend to "family issues," according to offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez.

Bostic rushed for 517 yards and two touchdown as a freshman, 28 yards behind the team's leading rusher, Michael Lee.

But it was on the kickoff team that Bostic really changed games by averaging 34.6 yards per return, helping VC become the most dangerous return team in the state.

Ventura College offensive coordinator Tim Gutierrez was obviously unhappy with the Pirates' performance in the scrimmage against Cal Lutheran today.

Ventura's first and second offensive groups did not get into the end zone against the NCAA Division III opposition.

"Our play was below expectations," said Gutierrez. "I think it's just a matter of our guys playing together."

Ventura returns sophomore Lee Mondol, who played so well in the second half of last season, at quarterback.

"The quarterback has to do a better job of managing the football game," said Gutierrez.

To be fair, Mondol was missing perhaps three top targets -- playmaking receiver Tim Pope (toe infection), speedster Donovan Estes (hamstring) and converted defensive back B.J. Washington (shoulder).

But the high level of both competition and expectations this season leave no room for excuses.

"Expectations are really high this year," said Gutierrez. "These guys need to know they have to play with a sense of urgency. They didn't do that today.

"When you have the horses we do, there's no reason not to have any points on the board."