When 6-foot-5, 315-pound all-league offensive sort out Jorge Gonzalez of Santa Paula Excessive needed to take a compulsory two-week break this summer time below the Southern Part useless 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 might purchase a automotive.
“My uniform turned inexperienced,” he stated of his day by day work within the fields.
The Santa Paula group is closely concerned within the agriculture enterprise, and soccer coach Myke Morales stated lots 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.
Morales and Fillmore’s Charles Weis mentioned their 100-year-old rivalry recreation performed on the finish of every season. It’s in contrast to every other so far as uniting each communities.
“It’s the best way it’s alleged to be,” Weis stated. “It’s a group occasion. It’s what’s proper is for highschool soccer.”
Agoura is able to welcome again quarterback Gavin Grey, who suffered a season-ending knee harm within the fourth recreation final season. He’ll have baseball standout Tyler Starling at receiver, plus the Chargers have working 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 working 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 prior to now.
“Yearly, we’re problem-solving,” Dos Pueblos coach AJ Pateras stated. “We simply navigate.”