Moorpark College Football Standout Returns After 5-Year Absence

What a welcome sight Larry Looney is for Moorpark College's football team. A former all-conference running back five years ago in 2006, Looney has made his return to the Raiders, and coach Jim Bittner could not be happier.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him again,” Bittner said. “He’s going to be a real force for us, and he’s just a great kid. He got into some trouble, and that’s why he wasn’t around, but he has turned his life around. He’s like a piece of gold.”

Bittner said Looney got into some legal trouble but did not elaborate.

“I kind of lost track of him until he showed up,” Bittner said. “I couldn’t be happier to have him back. He worked hard and took care of his classes over the summer. He’s going to be a good leader for us.”

Looney is a bruising runner who figures to fit right in as a starting tailback.

“He’s a big, physical kid, a big, stocky kid,” Bittner said. “He’s a very consistent player.”

Moorpark also received a boost when quarterback Nick Owens and defensive end Cory Elmore transferred in.

Owens was a highly regarded prospect at Westlake High in 2007. At Pasadena City College last season, Owens appeared in six games, completing 54.2 percent for 1,281 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He’s one of four Moorpark quarterback prospects, Bittner said.

After passing for 2,100 yards as a senior in high school, Owens spent a year at Union Military Academy in Virginia, then signed with South Alabama. He played a few games at South Alabama was eventually granted a medical red-shirt year before transferring to Pasadena City College.

Elmore, the twin brother of NFL linebacker Ricky Elmore of the Green Bay Packers, played at Univeristy of Arizona but was limited because of a heart condition. Cory has been cleared at Moorpark, and the 6-5, 270-pounder should have a major impact.

“He wants to get some film this season and eventually get an NFL tryout – either as a defensive end or a long snapper, because he’s an excellent long snapper, too,” Bittner said.

Some of Moorpark’s other top players are running back Will Franklin, offensive lineman Chris Lee, defensive back Marquise Mouton, punter David Sandler and kicker Alex Nelson.

Franklin is a returnee who prepped at Oxnard.

“He can catch the ball well out of the backfield,” Bittner said.

Lee is a returning all-conference selection who is the only holdover from last year’s blocking unit. His experience should prove vital, as he is expected to be the only sophomore starter.

Mouton, who played high school football at Taft, played about half the time last year and “did a good job for us,” Bittner said.

Nelson was among the Southland's top kickers at Moorpark last season.

“We should have a very good kicking game, and I think the strength of the team will be the defensive line,” Bittner said.