The Santa Barbara Saints Juniors football squad rounded out a perfect season with a 26-6 victory over Valley Rush in the GCYFL Championship game at La Playa Stadium in early November.
The Saints were dominant all season long, ending with an undefeated record of 11-0 while outscoring opponents by an eye-popping margin of 396-56.
“I’m extremely proud of this group,” Santa Barbara head coach Michael Soracco Jr. said. “From the beginning, we knew winning a championship wouldn’t be easy. You have to go through pain, hard work, and adversity to earn something great, and we preached that all year.
“This team showed heart every single week. They embraced the grind, trusted the process, and pushed through every challenge put in front of them. I couldn’t be prouder of how they grew as athletes and as young men. I can’t wait for next season.”
While head coach and offensive coordinator Soracco Jr. led the highest-scoring offense across all Junior divisions, defensive coordinator Adrian Soracco was at the helm of a defense that did not allow a single second-half touchdown all year.
On the field, running back Nico Ayala was one of the top players in the league and was the catalyst of the Santa Barbara offense. Ayala ran for 1,743 yards and 30 touchdowns, including 215 yards and two scores in the title game to win the Offensive MVP.
As for the defensive side of the ball, Jackson Jimenez earned the Defensive Player of the Game award in the Super Bowl for a crucial third-quarter interception. Jimenez contributed all over the field throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Colton Bryant was named the Saints’ Most Valuable Player for the entire season after leading the team in tackles and playing a key role in the blocking game on the offensive end.
The Junior Saints team was the only team in the Santa Barbara Saints chapter to win a championship this season.
“The coaching staff played a major role in the team’s success,” Soracco Jr. said. “Assistant coaches included Misael Ayala, Noah Bryant, Joe Zender, Michael Soracco Sr., and Rich Tenold.
“The team was supported all season by dedicated team moms Evelyn Martinez, Marissa Hernandez, and Desiree Garcia, whose behind-the-scenes work kept the program running smoothly.”
The Saints will now look ahead to the 2026 season, where this group will compete in the Senior Division.