New Citrus Coast League is 'the essence of high school football'
The Citrus Coast League was created in the Northern Area's newest releaguing format, and the seven teams are a more perfect fit than a set of legos.
New Citrus Coast League is 'the essence of high school football' The Citrus Coast League was created in the Northern Area's newest releaguing format, and the seven teams are a more perfect fit than a set of legos. Check out this story on vcstar.com: https://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/2018/09/13/new-citrus-coast-league-essence-high-school-football/1269305002/
Loren Ledin, Ventura County Star Published 1:30 p.m. PT Sept. 13, 2018 | Updated 4:57 p.m. PT Sept. 13, 2018
New Citrus Coast opens with old-time rivals
Nordhoff's Brayden Rogers stays low while running the ball during Wednesday's practice. Rogers has rushed for 512 yards and six touchdowns in four games.(Photo: JUAN CARLO/THE STAR)Buy Photo
There are old-fashioned, traditional football leagues, then there's the Citrus Coast League.
More traditional than the family set of china. Probably older than grandma's prized dishes, too.
The Citrus Coast circuit is brand-new, which is totally a misnomer. The league's rivalries are virtually older than the hills, just like the ones that link Santa Paula, Nordhoff and Fillmore.
"I think the thing that makes this league so special is that it's all about the essence of high school football," says Santa Paula coach Mike Montoya. "Our players grow up here and they represent our schools and our communities. They're playing for all of us.
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"This is what high school football is supposed to be about, and what we're losing in this day and age in so many other areas."
The Citrus Coast League was created in the Northern Area's newest releaguing format, and the seven teams are a more perfect fit than a set of legos. There's Santa Paula, Nordhoff, Fillmore, Santa Clara, Hueneme, Carpinteria and Malibu.
Nordhoff to face Santa Paula in opener of new Citrus Coast League
Nordhoff running back Brayden Rogers jumps over some teammates during Wednesday's practice. The 3-1 Rangers host unbeaten Santa Paula (4-0) in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff High wide receiver Colby Stevens makes a one-handed catch during Wednesday's practice. The 3-1 Rangers host unbeaten Santa Paula (4-0) in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff head coach Lance Wiggins gathers his team during Wednesday's practice. The Rangers are off to a 3-1 start and will face unbeaten Santa Paula in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff High football players practice jumping over some bags during Wednesday's practice. The Rangers were preparing for Friday night's showdown with Santa Paula. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff quarterback Leeram Stoneman gets ready to unleash a pass during practice Wednesday. The sophomore has thrown for 473 yards and three touchdowns in four games for the Rangers. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff wide receiver Colby Stevens makes a catch during Wednesday's practice. Stevens has been one of the leaders for the Rangers, who are off to a 3-1 start ahead of Friday night's league opener against Santa Paula. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff's Brayden Rogers stays low while running the ball during Wednesday's practice. Rogers has rushed for 512 yards and six touchdowns in four games. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff head coach Lance Wiggins gives some pointers during Wednesday's practice. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff quarterback Leeram Stoneman shows his passing form during Wednesday's practice. The Rangers host Santa Paula in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff wide receiver Colby Stevens waits to make a catch during Wednesday's practice. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
Nordhoff High runs some plays during Wednesday's practice as it gets ready for its league opener against Santa Paula. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR
They all mesh logistically and geographically, and are about to demonstrate how close they are competitively.
The Citrus Coast's league competition kicks off Friday night, with Santa Paula (4-0) at Nordhoff (3-1), Fillmore (3-1) at Carpinteria (3-1) and Malibu (4-0) at Hueneme (0-4). Santa Clara (0-4) will play its first league contest in two weeks when it hosts Santa Paula.
Competitive equity isn't just a buzzword in this new league, it's a reality. Pick on somebody your own size? Absolutely.
That's much appreciated by teams that have tangled in recent years with league opponents and Southern Section strongboys like Grace Brethren and Bishop Diego.
This week Santa Paula Cardinals will face the Nordhoff Rangers in the Ventura Orthopedics Game of the Week, presented by the Ventura County Star. (Photo: vcstar)
"I love this new league," said Nordhoff coach Lance Wiggins. "I was so excited when it was formed and I can't say enough about it. We're excited. The kids are excited. I can't wait to get started."
Montoya concurs.
"It's just nice knowing that we've got a shot to win a league championship," he said. "Nothing going to come easy. Every game is going to be tough because we're all so much alike, But we've all got the same chances and that mean's so much to the coaches and players."
How traditional is this league? Santa Paula vs. Fillmore's football rivalry began in 1924 and ranks among the oldest continuous rivalries in California.
What's often overlooked is that Santa Paula also played Nordhoff for the first time in 1924, though there's a gap between 1932 and 1962 when the schools didn't meet.
Carpinteria's association with all three schools is nearly as long, and the football programs of Santa Clara and Hueneme date from the 1930s and 1959, respectively.
Santa Clara head coach Tony Vazquez may lead the Saints, but he's no stranger to the deep roots that run through the Citrus Coast teams. He's a Santa Paula graduate and a former Cardinals football player.
"I know all about the rivalries and what they all mean to each school," he said. "That's why I'm so excited to be a part of this now. Football means so much at all of our schools."
Fillmore first-year coach Sean Miller is a graduate of Royal High who played his high school football for the Highlanders in Simi Valley. But he's been a teacher at Fillmore and knows all about the school's storied rivalries.
"A bunch of coaches and teachers and told me all about the rivalries and what they mean to the school," he said with a chuckle. "I know just what to expect. I'm definitely excited to be a part of this. The team is excited. We've made good progress. Now comes the part of the schedule that's so important.
Nordhoff High football players practice jumping over some bags during Wednesday's practice. The Rangers were preparing for Friday night's showdown with Santa Paula. (Photo: JUAN CARLO/THE STAR)
What might be equally special is that all seven programs seem to be a close match. Hometown kids populate rosters. Transfers are about as rare as a Johnny Hekker shagged punt.
"We're all going with homegrown kids," said Montoya. "I can't tell you how proud I am to have a team that represents an entire community. I know I've got tough kids who will come together in any challenge."
Entering the league campaign, there are two teams that are 4-0, three that are 3-1 and two that are 0-4. The records may matter in terms of momentum and confidence, but not much for qualifying for postseason.
All seven teams play in divisions with limited, if any, at-large berths available. Citrus Coast teams must earn a playoff spot through their league races. The top three teams are guaranteed playoff berths.
For the 0-4 teams, league play represents a total reboot.
Nordhoff head coach Lance Wiggins gathers his team during Wednesday's practice. The Rangers are off to a 3-1 start and will face unbeaten Santa Paula in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. (Photo: JUAN CARLO/THE STAR)
"It doesn't matter if you're 0-4 or 4-0," said Hueneme coach Lui Toilolo. "This is a fresh start for all of us. Our players know that we've played a tough preleague schedule and hurt ourselves with a lot of mistakes.
"We've shown glimpses, played well in stretches, then hurt ourselves with mistakes and brain farts. We know where we need to improve and this is our first chance to do just that."
Vasquez agrees. His team finished 10-3 a year ago, earned the Frontier League championship and won two playoff games.
That's the Saints team he expect to see in the league chase over the next seven weeks.
"I'm always confident," he said. "We're 0-4, but we've played good teams from higher divisions and I think its' prepared us well for our league. Our kids have battled and come up short. This is a new opportunity to show what we can do. I full expect us to defend our league championship."
Nordhoff High wide receiver Colby Stevens makes a one-handed catch during Wednesday's practice. The 3-1 Rangers host unbeaten Santa Paula (4-0) in a Citrus Coast League opener Friday night. (Photo: JUAN CARLO/THE STAR)
Santa Paula vs. Nordhoff might's be the league's first premier matchup.
"I think we're both meeting at the right time," said Wiggins. "The funny thing is, we're used to meeting at the end of league when we're both 0-2 in league (after losing to Grace Brethren and Bishop Diego). I like this a lot better. We're 0-0 in league and both playing well.
"It should be just a great matchup, and it's so important for both of us."
The Rangers' senior class went 1-9 as freshmen, 2-8 as sophomores and 6-4 last year on the varsity. Now they're 3-1 with a bona fide chance for a league title or playoff berth.
"It's a blessing to watch this group grow up," said Wiggins. "They've not only grown up as football players but as people too. They're good citizens. That's what we encourage here, because we're not only part of a football team, we're part of a community.
Nordhoff quarterback Leeram Stoneman gets ready to unleash a pass during practice Wednesday. The sophomore has thrown for 473 yards and three touchdowns in four games for the Rangers. (Photo: JUAN CARLO/THE STAR)
"These are guys who help senior citizens cross the street. And you know what? Santa Paula runs the same kind of program. That's what makes our rivalry so special. The heat of competition is one thing, but afterwards is another. We're all going to shake hands and move on."
Wiggins is proud of the collective mindset.
After his team won is Week 1 game vs. Eastside to level its record to 1-1, one coach wrote a series of goals on the locker room blackboard that included league championship and playoffs wins.
Wiggins was having none of it.
"I came in and erased all of that," he said. "I just wrote: 'Win in Week 2.' That's our focus. One game to the next. Each week is the most important game we play."
The Rangers' 3-1 start has been a team effort.
Brayden Rogers has rushed for 512 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Leeram Stoneman has come on to throw for 473 yards and three touchdowns. Nate Rhodes has five quarterback sacks.
Santa Paula's Montoya also extols his team balance. Running back Tim Luna and quarterbacks Jacob Munoz and Hector Zuniga lead the offense.
"I like the way we're playing," said Munoz. "It's the right time for us to start league and it's going to be a tough ball game. At the same time, we've got to be ready for a long league season. One game isn't to make or break the season.
"The team that wins this league is probably the team that can best handle adversity."
Fillmore and Hueneme can shake up the league with victories Friday night.
Fillmore finished 0-10 a year ago, but has put that behind under Miller with a solid start. A win over Carpinteria is a big start toward a playoff berth.
"I think these players have proven that they can handle adversity by coming back from what they went through last year," he said. "We've made good progress through these first four games. The kids have shown they buy in, We just need to keep getting better every week in league."
Hueneme has finally escaped from the Pacific View League, where it was tough to garner a playoff berth. With a win over unbeaten Malibu, the Vikings are well on their way to postseason.
"The kids aren't about to quit," said Toilolo. "I think we've learned from our mistakes and we're ready to put it together."