File photo – Former Eureka standout Isaak Gutierrez has wasted little time establishing himself along the offensive line at Butte College this fall.

By Ray Hamill — Isaak Gutierrez has wasted little time adapting to college life, both on and off the football field.

It’s very different, he admits, but it’s a difference he’s embracing, and one that is helping him grow both as a football player and as a person.

After leading one of the greatest ever Eureka High teams the past two years, this fall Gutierrez has taken his talents to Oroville, where he he has had an immediate impact playing for Butte College, one of the most respected community college programs in the nation.

In training camp, Gutierrez beat out four other centers for the starting job, where he has quickly established himself on an extremely talented line and started all four games so far.

The former Loggers is the only true freshman on a unit that includes three sophomores, two of whom are on their way to top D-I programs next fall.

All in all, it’s a remarkable achievement for any freshman, but especially for one at such a key position as center.

“Being the center on a Butte team, you’ve got to know everything,” Gutierrez said. “You’re a second quarterback almost.”

Adjusting to college life

Gutierrez has also been adjusting to college life off the field, although he admits his focus has been almost exclusively on football.

He has family close by, which has helped ease the transition, as well as some former teammates with him every day.

Eureka’s Tyce Mullins and John Foster and Fortuna’s Sheaden Kadle have also brought their all-league talents to Butte, where each is redshirting this fall.

And meeting new teammates from a variety of different backgrounds has been one of the best parts of the college experience for Gutierrez.

“It’s a lot different,” he said. “But one of the great things about it is I get to know all these guys, people coming here from all over the country.”

Up-and-down season

From a football perspective, the season has been up-and-down so far, with the Roadrunners winning their opening two games before dropping two straight the past two weeks.

They’ll try to get back on track when they host Laney College on Saturday, and Gutierrez knows there’s no more room for error with conference play beginning in two weeks.

“We’re supposed to be a top-tier program. We have the talent here,” he said. “We have to win league now to get into the playoffs, and our goal is to win the state title.”

The Roadrunners are coming off a 35-24 loss to powerhouse City College of San Francisco and a narrow 13-10 loss to Fresno City.

“We’ve shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times too many,” he said. “No excuses.”