The old master against the new kid on the block.

The upcoming community college football season is interesting for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is the head coaches -- Jim Bittner, who is entering his 30th season as the head coach at Moorpark College, and Jon Mack, who is entering his second season in charge at Ventura College.

Last year, Moorpark won its 11th Western State Conference title in 22 years while Ventura, also at 6-1 in the Pacific Division in Mack's debut season, earned a share of its first conference title since 1999.

It's all contributing to a budding rivalry. As reported in the bottom half of today's notebook, a big expected Ventura recruit, Newbury Park High graduate lineman Chance Flaaten, ended up at Moorpark.

"We met him with hugs and kisses, believe me," said Bittner of Flaaten, one of the key members of the Panthers' Marmonte League title team last fall.

"We were very happy to see him. He's a player. He'll help us."

Mack's response, which didn't make print, was interesting.

Asked if any expected incoming players didn't end up at Ventura after the first day of classes Monday, Mack didn't mention any names, simply saying that a couple "third-stringers" hadn't showed.

One correction to today's story -- former Thousand Oaks High lineman Dan Pinsky is at Ventura. Because of confusion between two former Thousand Oaks High lineman, I
mistakenly reported today that Pinsky, instead of a former teammate, was at Moorpark.