Durham Among Five Glendale Players Cut

Darrell Durham, an all-state running back, was among five Glendale College football players cut by Coach John Cicuto because of violations of team policy.

Durham, who rushed for 1,500 yards last season and 878 in seven games this season, and four other players repeatedly missed practice, particularly last week while the Vaqueros (2-6) had a bye.

Cicuto said the players’ personal lives conflicted with football.

“What it boils down to, is [some] kids don’t understand commitment,” Cicuto said. “They have more important things to do than football.”

Cicuto excused Durham for one week last month because of personal reasons. But he said he can be only so accommodating.

“Darrell had some things a few weeks ago and we tried to help him out,” Cicuto said. “But I sometimes tell kids, ‘Maybe this isn’t the time to play football.’ You can’t run a team like that.”

Paul Smith and Marquis Thomas are expected to split time at tailback Saturday against first-place Bakersfield in a Western State Conference Northern Division game at Glendale High.