When 6-foot-5, 315-pound all-league offensive deal with Jorge Gonzalez of Santa Paula Excessive needed to take a compulsory two-week break this summer time beneath the Southern Part lifeless interval guidelines, he didn’t simply sit at dwelling. He went to the wheat fields of Santa Barbara and earned cash utilizing a weed whacker eight hours a day so he may purchase a automotive.
“My uniform turned green,” he stated of his each day work within the fields.
The Santa Paula neighborhood is closely concerned within the agriculture enterprise, and soccer coach Myke Morales stated a lot of his gamers have labored within the fields.
Gonzalez is a three-year starter with a 3.8 grade-point common and made the journey to Ventura on Thursday for a Tri County League media day that additionally featured gamers from Agoura, Hueneme, Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Fillmore.
Fillmore coach Charlie Weis and Santa Paula coach Myke Montoya discuss in regards to the a hundred and first 12 months for a rivalry that’s among the many finest in California. pic.twitter.com/9M87Bpet80
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) August 7, 2025
Morales and Fillmore’s Charles Weis mentioned their 100-year-old rivalry sport performed on the finish of every season. It’s not like another so far as uniting each communities.
“It’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Weis stated. “It’s a community event. It’s what’s right is for high school football.”
Agoura is able to welcome again quarterback Gavin Grey, who suffered a season-ending knee harm within the fourth sport final season. He’ll have baseball standout Tyler Starling at receiver, plus the Chargers have operating again George Hastings, who will turn into No. 7 on the roster.
Dos Pueblos returns all-league receiver Micah Barnhart.
Hueneme has excessive hopes for operating again Jeremiah Alvarado.
San Marcos might need among the best multi-sport athletes within the state in elite golfer Austin Downing, who’s additionally a kicker and performs baseball.
Fillmore will depend on 4 gamers who will probably be three-year starters — linebacker Carlos Cabral, receiver Mauricio Ocegueda, lineman Marcus Lechuga and lineman Genaro Villela.
All of the coaches are getting ready for attainable disruptions due to wildfires and have had experiences previously.
“Every year, we’re problem solving,” Dos Pueblos coach AJ Pateras stated. “We just navigate.”
