It’s been a long, agonizing and frustrating journey to get here, but a high school football season being played during a pandemic is kicking off in Santa Barbara County on Friday night.
After months of off-and-on conditioning workouts to finally receiving state approval to practice in pads three weeks ago, area prep football teams will now be playing games until the CIF-Southern Section’s competition end date of April 17.
Dos Pueblos coach Doug Caines called it the longest off-season in football history.
As we’ve learned from the days leading up to opening night, there will be hiccups. Three county schools were scratched from playing their openers because of COVID-19 issues, and another decided against playing this first weekend because the team needed more preparation.
On the South Coast, there are four openers that will be played under the lights in nearly empty stadiums: Santa Barbara at San Marcos, Fillmore at Dos Pueblos, Saint Bonaventure vs. Bishop Diego at SBCC’s La Playa Stadium, and Santa Ynez at Lompoc.
Under state health and school guidelines, only a limited number of immediate family members of the players and coaches will be permitted to attend the games.
Some schools will be live streaming their games online, and others will have radio broadcasts.
Here is a capsule look at the football teams on the South Coast:
Santa Barbara High
Standout quarterback Deacon Hill has remained loyal to his team and is playing his final high school games this spring before heading off to Wisconsin in the Big Ten.
He will be joined by a talented group of seniors who played in the CIF-SS Division 8 final in 2019. The class includes the multipurpose Ty Montgomery (who recently rejoined the football team), running back Justin Perez, wide receiver and UC Davis-bound Jake Knecht, and nose guard Noach Wood.
For this spring season, coach JT Stone is touting his underclassmen. He said junior offensive linemen Ryan Holguin (6-1, 255) and Johnny Perez (6-2, 265) are the backbone of the O-Line that protects Hill. They both earned All-Channel League accolades in 2019.
Also from the junior class, wide receiver/defensive back Trent Williams (6-1, 175) is a versatile player and a Division 1 prospect, according to Stone. Miguel Unzueta (5-9, 165) is a speedy wide receiver who will play a major role. Willie Sloan (6-2, 200) has made a good impression as a high-motor kid at defensive end.
Nathan Barrios (5-9, 175) is a sophomore who has stepped up to earn a starting spot at running back. “He’s a strong runner with deceptive speed,” Stone said.
On playing football in the spring, Stone said, “We are prepared and ready to go. Our seniors look forward to playing in the (renovated Peabody) stadium, especially after last season’s success.”
The senior class has yet to play a game in the stadium in their high school careers. They’ll finally get that chance in Week 3.
San Marcos
The Royals have a solid group of senior players.
“Many of the seniors have been in the program for four years, and it means a lot to them to finish their careers on the field with their teammates,” coach Jason Fowle said.
George Tracewell brings size, physicality and versatility on both sides of the ball. The tight end/defensive end “is a leader willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever is necessary to get the job done,” Fowle said.
Center Korey Becker is tough and resilient at center, and has taken on a leadership role in mentoring the younger players.
Jorge Medina has played every position on the offensive line. “He will play a pivotal role in our ability to compete at the line of scrimmage. He will also be relied upon heavily to help anchor the defensive line,” Fowle said.
Joaquin Salazar can play linebacker, tight end and special teams. Fowle said he gives the Royals the ability to vary their approach in personnel and scheme.
Running back/linebacker Noah Duenas figures to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball. “He brings high energy and a chip on his shoulder in all he does,” Fowle said.
Talented newcomer Lance Bermudes has impressed with his range and instincts in the secondary and in his route running as a wide receiver.
Rhys Morgan takes over at quarterback. Fowle says he’s “instantly earned the respect of the coaches and his teammates with the job he has done.”
Fowle said the team has shown great resilience and grit during these trying times.
“We are excited to be able to compete on the football field again and grateful for the opportunity to push each other to improve on a daily basis,” he said.
Dos Pueblos
All-Channel League linebacker Daniel Santacruz leads an experiened senior group.
“He’s the emotional and physical leader of the team,” coach Doug Caines said.
Josiah Severson returns as the starting quarterback. “He’s gotten stronger and faster and, with a full season under his belly, looks to make a name for himself,” Caines said.
Offensive and defensive tackle Jacob Perez is coming off a solid junior season.
Alonzo Cruz returns at cornerback and running back. “He has a great nose for the ball and tackling instincts,” Caines said. Cruz also is a standout wrestler.
Another key member on the line is junior Merrick Foster. “He has great raw potential, great feet and football IQ,” Caines said.
While it was challenging to keep training without knowing if they were going to play, the DP head coach and his staff have been “trying like heck to give these kids a season. There’s lots that ain’t perfect, and it may not be pretty, but they’ll work hard and build memories for a lifetime.”
“These seniors especially deserve a chance to finish off their high school careers with games,” he said. “I’m glad we have a chance to do that. I’m proud of the kids that stuck it out and had faith that this day would come. Some left, but for those that stayed, they can be proud that they showed the mental toughness it took to endure the longest off-season in football history.”
Bishop Diego
The Cardinals are loaded with experienced players and talented athletes.
Junior Marcus Chan leads the way. A first-team All-Camino League linebacker as a sophomore, Chan was named a Bishop team captain as a 10th-grader.
“Marcus will take on some added work on the offensive side of the ball this season,” coach Tom Crawford said.
The Cardinals have lots of weapons on offense. At quarterback, senior Buddy Melgoza and junior Michael Luckhurst are experienced and injury free.
“Both are healthy for the first time in awhile and likely to see action at multiple positions in this shortened season,” Crawford said. “They are two of the best athletes on the field who are playmakers.”
Whomever plays at quarterback will have the luxury of throwing to a pair of talented wide receivers in junior Sam Mikaele and senior Luke Knightley. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Mikaele is a Division 1-level talent. He earned first-team All-Camino League honors as a sophomore.
The 6-3 Knightley is a four-year varsity player who thrives on competition, Crawford said.
The real strength of this Bishop team might be up front with senior linemen Toby Pouso’o, Jordan Tagaloa and Semisi Falemaka. Pouso’o (5-11, 285) earned first-team all-league honors as a junior. Tagaloa (6-1, 285) and Falemaka (5-10, 320) are healthy and stronger after injury-plagued junior years.
Other Cardinals to watch include speedy wide receiver/defensive back Johnny Alvarado; linebacker/tight end Maddox Stretz and defensive end Logo Va’a.
Crawford said the pandemic really tested the resilience of the players.
“It’s great to see their hard work be rewarded with competition,” he said. “For the seniors in particular, to be able to play together and with their teammates will be very memorable, as there was so much uncertainty surrounding when and if a season would occur.”
Carpinteria High
The Warriors will start their season March 26 after their Friday opener against Fillmore was canceled because of a COVID-19 issue.
“We are excited about the opportunity to play this spring. We want to give the seniors the chance to finish out their high school football on a positive and give the underclass an opportunity to have experience before we start back in the fall,” coach Mario Robinson said.
The Warriors have a good mix of players.
Among the seniors to watch is second-year starting quarterback/defensive back Diego Mendez. “He brings leadership, mobility and experience in running the offense,” Robinson said.
Linebacker/running back Irving Garcia is one of the team’s best tacklers. “He is very physical and comes to play hard every day,” the coach said.
Wide receivers Christian Quintero, Justin Rogers and Junior Najera all possess good hands and speed.
Isaac Castillo is a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines. Colby Keiser will help on the OL and will be a pass rusher on the edge.
Junior Richard DeAlba has the best hands on the team and is also a good tackler and cover defensive back, Robinson said.
Alfredo Lopez brings size and speed to the lines. “He is the anchor of the line on both sides of the ball. We’re very glad he will be back in the fall,” Robinson said of the junior.
Robinson is also excited about sophomore running back/linebacker Esteban DeSantiago.
Cabrillo
First-year coach Andy Guyader is working hard to rebuild the program.
He’s counting on seniors Cade McNamee, Trey Robison, Tony Boneck, Ruben DeLeon and Alex Smith to lead the way.
The 6-4 McNamee will play quarterback after being a playmaker at tight end and defensive end as a junior.
Robison also is a multipurpose player.
Guyader said the younger players to watch include Josh Zent and Christopher Edwards.
The Conquistadores will make their debut on March 26 against San Marcos on the new Huyck Stadium turf.
Santa Ynez
The Pirates have a talented senior trio in quarterback Bennett Redell, running back Logan Ast and wide receiver Cam Prendergast to carry the offense.
Redell is a three-year starter and a two-time all-Channel League honoree. “He’s tough, gritty, and he’s improved his arm strength in the off season,” coach Josh McClurg said.
As a junior, Redell threw for nearly 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Ast, an honorable mention all-league pick as a junior, will be the featured back and also play cornerback on defense. The sure-handed Prendergast is a three-year starter and a two-time all-leaguer.
Santa Ynez has experience in the trenches with senior Emilio Figueroa and sophomore Nick Crandall on the offensive side and junior Brandon Welby on defense. Figueroa and Crandall were both second-team all-league picks, and Welby earned first-team honors as a sophomore.
McClurg added that seniors Aiden Sim and Jose Rodriguez are ones to watch on the O-Line, as are juniors Mikey Gills and Tanner Padfield, and senior Christian Shaw at linebacker and running back.
The coach said newcomer Deklan Pollenz, a star on the soccer team, is the fastest player on the team, making him a deep threat at wide receiver. Other new newcomers that could make an impact include juniors Tyler Gregg (wide receiver), Cash McClurg (safety), Canyon McClurg (safety) and Owen Hunt (tight end) along with sophomores Aidan Scott and Vincent Morab.
McClug cracked that the only thing weird about playing football in the spring “is having to wear a jacket and pants coaching at practice.”
He praised the players for sticking to their workouts even when things looked uncertain.
“I have been extremely proud of our players for never giving up. They continued to come to conditioning practice all the way through February,” he said.
Lompoc High
The Braves are loaded with playmakers. The concern is in the line.
“I think athletically we will match up well with most teams,” coach Andrew Jones said. “The biggest question mark will be, can we be physical in the trenches? We are missing a lot of linemen. Some kids decided not to play, and some graduated early.”
If they can get any kind of blocking, Lompoc will put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.
Junior running back Sheldon Canley is a returning all-league player who has offers from Nevada, San Jose State and San Diego State.
“He is a threat every time he touches the ball,” Jones said.
Sophomore quarterback Cavin Ross threw for 22 touchdowns and 1,911 yards and earned all-league honors as a freshman.
“He’s a very smart quarterback and can make all the throws,” Jones said.
Ross has a stable of talented wide receivers, led by senior Cailin Daniels, an all-league player last season. Others include athletic seniors Elijah Perkins, Bradley Waite and Gavin Townes. Waite is also a standout baseball player, and Perkins is the point guard on the basketball team.
Junior Deville “Joker” Dickerson also plays receiver, but his forte is making plays in the secondary.
“He’s one of the best defensive backs in the area,” Jones said of the first-teram all-league player.
Other key players on defense include senior linebackers Gabriel Navarette and Adam Lazaro. They also play fullback.
The offensive line has three returning starters in seniors Carlos Garcia, Johnny Balaam and Malaci Fonseca. Jones calls Garcia one of the better lineman in the the league; Balaam is the most experienced, and Fonseca is one of the best blockers on the team.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.