Though Moorpark College’s Griffin Stadium isn’t his immediate football home anymore, he still left a big part of himself behind.
Ian Shultis led the Raiders as their starting quarter back for seven games last season. Though the team went a dismal 0-10, his play was anything but dismal and he now calls the University of Massachusetts his home, as he is the second string quarter back at UMass.
In his first and only year as a Raider, he broke six records, including most passes in a season, and a career, with 214. Ian also holds the record for most pass yards in a game when he threw for 432 yards against Santa Ana.
“He had a terrific year for us last year,” said Moorpark College Athletic Director Howard Davis. “He was one of the few bright spots of the season last year.”
Though Ian will acknowledge the accomplishments he had as a Raider, he is not shy to acknowledge the shortcomings.
“… I loved my time and Moorpark and if it wasn’t for those guys, and that program I could not be where I am right now. My season last year was disappointing, but it was a complete disappointment,'” said Ian in an email.
“What I mean by that is we went 0-10 and all the records I broke cannot make up for that terrible statistic. But the men who played with me understand that season was a big part of our lives and a huge reason for the success the team has this year.”
More than the records, Ian also left a bigger part of himself in Moorpark; his brother. Zach Shultis has now taken over the Raiders at quarter back.
The Raiders football program has turned around its act this season, as it has gone 3-2 behind the play of Zach, and he has truly done it all. Not only has he done it with his arm, but he has also called on his foot, as he beat Santa Barbara with a 21-yard game winning field goal.
According to Davis, last year’s season was on all account a fluke.
“We feel really good about where we’re at this year,” Davis said. “We think last year was an aberration; our program has typically been one of the best in the state, so to go through that 0-10 year was a stress to say the least.”
The Raiders are coming out of a bye week for the first time in two seasons with a winning record of 3-2 and look to keep things rolling against Antelope Valley with kick off set for 6 p.m.
As for the brothers as athletes, Moorpark College is proud of the past and present.
“It’s really cool to have Zach, and they’re both great kids and great students,” said Davis. “They are both model athletes and that’s what makes it best of all. It is that they are both such terrific young men.”
As for brotherly love, Ian is Zach’s biggest fan, and ultimately Moorpark College’s biggest fan on Saturday night.
“As for my brother, I love him so much and I’m not surprised with his success,” said Ian. “He’s always been ‘Mr. Reliable’, the ‘team player’ you need to have in your program. However, he finally he got his chance to be the guy, and he’s really taking advantage and leading his team,” said Ian. “Moorpark College football is about a bunch of tough guys grinding it out and they’re winning because of experience. They know what it takes to win, and how it feels to lose.”
