SAN LUIS OBISPO 7 Former Arroyo Grande football player Chad Simonson, now at 13th-ranked Cal Poly, hates to not be part of the action when a football game is going on.

It/s why Mustang head coach Rich Ellerson had to confiscate the former Eagle/s helmet during a practice.

He was trying to keep the injured Simonson on the sidelines, but the sophomore linebacker kept strapping on his helmet and sneaking into the huddle.

Watching from the sidelines is not something Simonson has to worry about this season, as he is playing an increased role with the Mustang defense. He is ninth on the team with 10 tackles.

He is splitting playing time with junior linebacker Demetre Booker while also making appearances on special teams.

Simonson and Booker are part of a linebacking corps that is the strength of a Mustang defense that has held opponents to 41 points in three games.

That defense will get its first crack at a Great West Conference opponent when it faces South Dakota State tonight at 6 p.m. at Mustang Stadium.

Sitting out also goes against Simonson/s good work ethic, a phrase that is used often to describe the youngest of four brothers to play football at Arroyo Grande and one of three former Eagles on the Mustang roster.

"I was never one to doubt his commitment," said Arroyo Grande head coach Jon Huss. "He is classy and respectful of the game. He played to the nth degree of what his body allowed him."

Sometimes he put forth too much effort, Huss said.

"One of the concerns we had is that he was going to knock himself out (of the game)," Huss said. "He played with full abandon."

Huss ordered a special helmet for Simonson to protect him from himself and his hard hits.

It/s also hard for someone to sit out when they are living a dream. Simonson said he wanted to play for Cal Poly ever since he went to games at Mustang stadium as a child with his father.

Simonson didn/t waste any time once he achieved his goal, either.

He saw playing time in 2003 as a true freshman, a rare distinction on the Cal Poly football team. He was one of only two recruits in 2003 to see playing time in his first year. No first-year players will suit up for Cal Poly this season despite a strong recruiting class, Ellerson said.

"I wish I could have redshirted him, but it/s hard to imagine being without him," Ellerson said. "He made the adjustment (to the Cal Poly defense) very quickly."

Times Press-Recorder Sports Editor Sean Martin can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5008 or at smartin@pulitzer.net

Oct. 3, 2004