College Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

PCC sophomore Kaydon Spens has a history of making teams better.

In two years at Burbank, the Bulldogs went a combined 20-7 overall, and 13-1 in Pacific League games.

Burbank won the league championship in 2017, and they made a run to the CIF-SS Division 7 semifinals.

One year later, Spens picked off five passes to help lead the Bulldogs to the CIF-SS Division 8 title game.

After graduating from Burbank High School, Spens decided to continue his football career at PCC in 2019, and the Lancers cornerback led the program in interceptions (three) and was fifth in tackles (42).

As everyone knows, there wasn’t a 2020 football season for PCC.

And it would have been easy to whine about the pandemic and feel story for oneself, but instead of pouting, Spens used the time wisely.

Spens and his girlfriend came up with a healthy and disciplined diet to avoid putting on weight during the COVID-19 shutdown.

He also spent hours doing cardio and drills to keep his skills sharp.

Since joining the Lancers program in 2019, PCC has gone a combined 10-5, including a 4-1 start to the 2021 season.

It’s their best start in 11 years.

PCC has gotten contributions from everyone on their roster, including quarterback Kade Wentz, who has thrown for 1,112 yards and 11 TD’s.

Edward Norton has a team-high 240 yards rushing and two TD’s and Wentz has tallied 186 yards on the ground and three TD’s.

Wheeler Smith (21 catches for 381 yards and four TD’s) Ivan Ostry (21 receptions for 194 yards) and Jeremiah Hatfield (14 catches for 251 yards and four TD’s) continue to set the tone for the Lancers receiving corps.

On the other side of the ball, Spens has 21 tackles, he’s blocked two punts, and his two interceptions are second best to Osvaldo Raigosa, who has four picks.

During his freshman campaign, he earned all–SCFA first-team honors, as well as all-State.

So, what makes Spens valuable and revered?

It starts with his work ethic, high character, intellect and a never-ending desire to get better daily.

Spens is also the ultimate student of the game.

PCC’s first-year coach, Robert Tucker, said in a phone interview on Wednesday evening that Spens is always peppering him with questions about the game, and/or the scouting report on that week’s opponent.

Spens’ weekly preparation is one of the many reasons he’s having so much success.

And it doesn’t hurt that he’s 6-foor-3 and 190 pounds, with speed and instincts that you can’t teach.

When asked why he only played defense in high school and college, Spens said he felt like that was the place he could make the biggest impact.

One of the many reasons why this kid is special includes the fact that he doesn’t give a bleep if he’s in the headlines or given credit for anything.

Kaydon Spens cares only about doing his part and giving PCC its best chance of winning on Saturday’s.

Off the football field, Spens has a 3.3 GPA, and he takes his education very seriously.

His values, which include putting life’s priorities in the right order, treating people the way you’d like to be treated, and working hard for everything he has, is a direct result of the upbringing that parents, Heidi and Randy Spens provided for Kaydon.

“My parents are the reason I’m the person, player and student that I am today. I appreciate every sacrifice they have made for me,” Spens said. “They raised me to chase my dreams and to not take shortcuts along the way.”

Looking ahead, Spens has at least four more games for the Lancers and then he hopes to play Division 1 football.

All that know him, including his coach, believe he can help any program improve at the next level.

Lastly, we asked Spens what he’d want prospective D-1 coaches to know about him and why PCC is off to such a great start.

Said Kaydon Spens: “If I could speak directly to D-1 or D-2 coaches, I’d want them to know that if they give me the chance, I will work hard every day to prove they made the right decision. I have the size, speed and instincts to be successful, but I’m never satisfied, and I’ll continue my drive to be better tomorrow than I was today. I consider myself coachable and I’m always eager to learn new things. As far as PCC goes, the reason we’re off to such a good start is because everyone knows and accepts their roles. And the chemistry on this team has helped a great deal, because we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Quotable:

PCC coach, Robert Tucker:  “I think Kaydon has a very strong desire to get better daily, and he’s already a really good player. We have conversations all the time about the details of our next game. We were walking out to the parking lot just today (Wednesday) and he was asking a lot of questions, and I love that about him. Kaydon is a bright kid on and off the football field. He’s also a tough kid. During one practice, he dislocated a finger. He was able to get it fixed and was back in the drills we were running just two minutes later.

He has a high ceiling, and he’s both sturdy and reliable. Kaydon is a guy you can trust and he has great technique and good vision. I think he can play division-one football. I’ve coached defensive backs at that level, and he’s got the talent and work ethic to play  What makes him special is that he’s sneaky fast, and is becoming more physical. He’s right there (D-1 college level) athletically, but it’s his intangibles that put him over the top. He also has great character and every coach wants guys like that. I appreciate the fact that he’s a good leader, who brings a lot to the program, He was voted to be a team captain and that’s a credit to his work ethic.”

Burbank coach, Adam Colman: “With Kaydon, the potential was always there. From his first day with us, you could see the talent & ability. But his senior year was when it all started to click. His maturity and discipline began to catch up with his talents and that’s when he really shined. As a DB, Kaydon has incredible awareness and ball skills. He’s always had a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Combined with his size and physicality, it makes him a real problem for offenses. Being able to watch Kaydon grow up and mature has been really special. He comes back and visits a lot and gives back to the younger kids. Whether it’s life advice or tips on technique, he’s always helping out those who have come after him. Seeing him become a captain this year really showed how far he has come as a leader and a young man.”

PCC running back, Edward Norton: “Kaydon is a great competitor and regardless of who we’re playing, or how talented their receivers are, we know that we’re going to get Kaydon’s best on every play. He also has a high football IQ, and his work ethic is crazy. He’s always looking for ways to become a better player every day.”

PCC Schedule-Results:
9/4: Cerritos 22, PCC 10
9/11: PCC 58, LA Valley 30
9/18: PCC 43, Santa Monica 22
9/25: PCC 30, Citrus 27
10/2: PCC 35, Desert 23
10/16: PCC at Grossmont
10/23: Compton at PCC
10/30: PCC at Victor Valley
11/6: Mt. San Jacinto at PCC

Burbank Record w/Kaydon Spens:
2017: 10-3 overall, 7-0 in Pacific League (D-7 semis)
2018: 10-4, 6-1 in Pacific League (D-8 runner up)