Culture has a massive impact on the success of a high school football program.
When coaches take over programs or players step into leadership roles, the goal is almost always to establish a culture that leads to success on the field.
Ralph Molina has been part of winning football cultures at Bishop Diego and Santa Barbara high schools.
When he took over the San Marcos football program, the Royals were in need of a culture change. Three years in, the remake is becoming evident.
One of Molina’s goals when he began his tenure with the Royals was to have the players who entered the program as freshmen remain for all four years.
This year, he said, 90% of the players who started in his first season three years ago are still with the program.
“(Keeping the players together) is huge for us,” Molina said. “Keeping that core of kids together is paying off, and it’s going to pay off even bigger next year when we finally go to a different league.”
Developing talent across all levels of the program has made a difference in leadership.
On this year’s San Marcos varsity team, junior linebacker Brody Branstetter, junior running back Nathan Jones and senior wide receiver Luke Crawford will be impact players and leaders.
Branstetter, who played on the varsity as a sophomore, leads by example, according to Molina. He was one of the team’s leading tacklers last year.
“I just try to go out there and go my hardest every play and keep the morale high,” Branstetter said about his leadership style. “I’m excited because I get to step up more this year.”
Jones is the team’s vocal leader that “his teammates rally around,” and Crawford also leads by example with his play on the field.
“We’ve definitely worked harder this year than we did last year,” Crawford said. “Everyone has been fully committed.”
As the leadership, talent level and commitment have improved, the gap between San Marcos football and postseason play has decreased.
The team has gone 4-6 in each of the last two seasons, and Molina believes they were just a “few plays away” from reaching the playoffs.
He “likes where (the team) is at” going into this season.
“The kids have worked hard in the weight room in the offseason and we have had a good summer,” Molina said. “They’re excited about what’s going on and they’re hungry.
“All we want to do is get there.”
Molina and the Royals take their first step toward a playoff run with Week Zero matchup against Knight High School of Palmdale (2-8 last year) on Friday at Warkentin Stadium.