SLO County high school football kicks off this week: What’s new and who to watch
It’s that time of year again, when the Friday night lights return, the whistles sound and the pads crunch.
San Luis Obispo County’s high school football season is back with the first regular season games set to kick off this week.
Here’s a look at the outlook for each of the Central Coast high school teams, including key players, changes and team approaches.
Arroyo Grande
While the Eagles are still in the Mountain League, they’ll face three new league members in Mission Prep, Lompoc and Santa Ynez.
Arroyo Grande’s schedule includes seven league games, which “will make for a long and exciting league schedule,” Eagles’ Coach Mike Hartman said.
Coming off an 8-4 (4-1 league) record, Arroyo Grande will look to build upon its momentum from last fall.
“Our goals remain the same,” Hartman said. “We want to improve and compete every week. This approach has always served the Eagles well.”
Key players: Damian Santos (receiver); Junior Herlihy and Ben Walz (running back); Drake Missamore (quarterback); Koa Kopcho and Brandon Butler (secondary); Brody Bottini (linebackers); Josh Brock (defensive line); Josue Lopez (kicker).
First game: Away vs. Golden West (Visalia) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Atascadero
The Greyhounds will be looking to rebound from a 3-8 record and a first-round loss in the Division 5 CIF-Central Section playoffs.
With a roster of 42, Atascadero has rededicated itself to off-season training, Coach Vic Cooper said.
“Look for a strong running game paired with a solid defense,” Cooper said. “We will grind out the clock as much as possible. We have high goals in an Ocean League championship and a deep run in the playoffs. Come see the Greyhounds this season. We promise it will be entertaining.”
Key players to watch: Trey Cooks (running back/linebacker); Diego Real (runningback/linebacker); Skyler Silva (tailback); Dallas Parish (tight end/defensive lineman); Celtin Vert, Jaiden Ramirez, Anthony Tejeda and Jackson Cooper (offensive line).
First game: Away vs. Santa Ynez at 7 p.m. Friday.
Coast Union
The Broncos graduated many seniors last year but are “looking strong” on the outset of their eight-man football season in the Coast Valley League, said Coach Andrew Crosby.
“Our goal at the start of the season is the same: Win league,” Crosby said. “We want to have a great non-league season to prepare us for league.”
Crosby also preaches being the “best student-athlete you can be and be a role model and mentor on campus and on the field.”
Key players to watch: Caiden Kennedy (quarterback/linebacker); Diego Fernandez (215-pound tailback and wide receiver); Adair Ponce (fullback/defensive end).
First game: Home at 5 p.m. on Sept. 1 vs. Laguna Blanca
Mission Prep
Royals Coach David Schuster said his squad is “a very dynamic and probably the most athletic since I’ve been here..”
Mission Prep is coming off of a 10-1 season in 2021-22 in which they went 5-0 to take the Ocean League crown.
“We’re very excited to be up in the Mountain League this year and competing against all the big boys,” Schuster said. “It’s a tough schedule and there are no easy games, and that’s exciting to our players and program.”
Schuster said he wants the football season to be a source of “joy for the MCP community, and that starts with care and the way they play on the field.”
R.J. Esmon is a high-rated offensive tackle with several college offers and “more to come,” Schuster said.
Players to watch: Esmon (offensive tackle); Colby White (quarterback); twins Mario (linebacker/tight end) and David Luera (linebacker); Cole Tanner, a transfer from Atascadero who will have to sit out five games; Tyler Garrett (tight end); George Kardashian (safety and running back); Jamar Howard (receiver); Gabe Rodriguez (lineman).
First game: Away at Bakersfield Christian at 7 p.m. Friday
Morro Bay
The Pirates have a new face at the helm in Coach Robert Dougherty, who last served as football coach and athletic director at Maui High School in Hawaii.
Dougherty replaces Jake Goossen-Brown, who guided the Pirates on a thrilling run last year, winning four straight Division 7-AA playoff games by a margin of a touchdown or less before falling to Fall River of Shasta County in the final.
Dougherty previously coached high school football in Visalia and at the College of the Sequioas for a decade. Tyler Hoyt is Morro Bay High’s new athletic director, replacing longtime AD John Andree.
“When this opportunity came up, it was perfect timing,” said Dougherty, who also teaches physical education at Morro Bay High. “My son is going to be an eighth-grader, and all my kids are going to be on the mainland for college. So it’s a perfect transition time to take on a new program.”
Dougherty said he doesn’t have a deep squad in terms of overall numbers, but it’s a talented and smart group.
“We’re not sneaking up on anybody because of last year, and every knows we’re not going to be a walkover,” Dougherty said.
Senior quarterback Nicky Johnson returns as a third-year starter, after thrilling fans with his pinpoint passing and elusiveness behind center.
“He’s a special player,” Dougherty said.
Key players: Johnson (quarterback); Hunter Whitson (offensive/defensive lineman); Titan Popp, Brody Rust, Angel Loeza and Jose Salazar (offensive line); Nami Hoag (running back); Aiden Blackwell and Johnny Botello (receivers).
First game: Home vs. San Marcos on Friday at 7 p.m.
Nipomo
The Titans have a new head coach in Stephen Field, who was a two-time All-American center at Cal Poly in 2007 and 2008.
Field, a 2005 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School, will also teach physical education at Nipomo.
“We want our team to grow as young men, have character and integrity, and to be the best teammates they can be, and to learn to love and serve one another,” Field said.
Players to watch: Team captains Gabe Sanchez (running back/linebacker) and Gabe Evans (running back/quarterback); Preston Kier; the offensive line.
First game: Home vs. San Luis Obispo at 7 p.m. Friday.
Paso Robles
The Bearcats are coming off of a 7-4 (4-1 Mountain League) mark last year, and “our approach this year is to have continuous improvement next week with a strong defense and a solid run game on offense,” said Coach Matt Carroll. “Our philosophy is one game at a time. Our goal is to compete on a week-by-week basis in the strong Mountain League. Our goal is to make the playoffs and to be one of the strongest teams going into CIF.”
Players to watch: Leo Kemp (tailback); Tyler Luna (quarterback); Randy Dye (offensive line); Hayden McKanna and Andrew Allen (defense).
First game: Away at Kingsburg (Fresno County) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
San Luis Obispo
The Tigers are coming off a 6-4 (4-1 Ocean League) season last year.
They return a number of players in key positions and are eager to play on their newly renovated home field.
“Getting to play home games in our new stadium has the whole school excited,” said Pat Johnston, the Tigers’ head coach.
Jace Gomes, who started at quarterback midway though his freshman season last year and went 4-0, will get the starting nod as a sophomore.
“In our football program, we prioritize improvement on a daily basis,” Johnston said. “If we can ensure that we are improving daily, then bigger goals will present themselves.”
Players to watch: Miles DeBrum (wide receiver/cornerback); Gomes (quarterback); Luca Cuccaro (linebacker/running back); Nolan Attala (receiver/cornerback); Eli Smiley Rooney (receiver/safety); Brady Birdsong (defensive line); Leo Miller (defensive line); Brody Johnson (receiver); Isaiah Hernandez (running back); Sully Medici and Roman Engelmeier (offensive line).
First game: Away vs. Nipomo at 7 p.m. Friday.
Templeton
The Eagles went 5-6 last year and 2-3 in Ocean League.
They return 15 returning starters and “feel like we will be a competitive team in the Ocean League,” said Coach Don Crow. “We opened a new weight room in January and the players put it to good use the past seven months.”
The Eagles will start around 16 to 17 juniors, but “12 of them started varsity as sophomores,” including first team all-league offensive lineman Johnny Peschong, a team leader, Crow said.
Another junior, Walker Craven, is back after being severely struck by a pickup truck while riding his bike to a morning weight lifting session last year before Templeton’s first league game.
“He was air lifted to Stanford the morning of the accident and his recovery has been very impressive,” Crow said. “Walker has done an amazing job getting himself ready to play this year.”
At the quarterback position, the Eagles return two players “who both started at different times due to injury” in senior Noel Brady who took the initial snaps last season and then broke his collarbone and junior Anthony Chavez, who took his place.
“Fans should keep an eye on senior Landen Miller in our offensive backfield,” Crow said.
Players to watch: Landen Miller (wingback, defensive back); Noel Brady (quarterback); Anthony Chavez (quarterback, wingback); Johnny Peschong (lineman); Jan Martinus (three-year starter at cornerback); Kohen Sizemore (linebacker); Aiden Wall (lineman).
First game: Home vs. Coalinga at 7 p.m. Aug. 26
This story was originally published August 19, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
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