FIRST AND GOAL: High school football is back
Devin Munoz stretches with the team during practice at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
NORWALK – It’s been almost 16 months since the last local high school football game was played, going back to December 2019.
Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, John Glenn, St. Paul and Santa Fe will soon finally get to play under those famous “Friday Night Lights.”
After months of indecisions and rumors and hours and hours of athletes “conditioning”, the first hits to an opponent will be felt from near and far.
“I can’t wait for the feeling of running out on the field and getting that initial hit,” La Mirada senior defensive end/guard Austin Ritto said. “I was super excited and can finally have a senior season.”
That is the unanimous feeling among players, who have waited for these – albeit four or five games – this season.
To make matters worse for Santa Fe, which was scheduled to play Del Rio League opponent La Serna – the game was cancelled due to a positive case on the Chiefs’ roster.
“I’m just frustrated and sad for the players,” said Santa Fe coach Dave Pierson, who has a senior-heavy team this year. “We’re just crossing our fingers. Hopefully, we can go full steam ahead. There is no room for error in the calendar.”
Isaiah Dunn takes a snap during St. Paul High School football practice. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
When they actually get to play, Pierson added, “at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity for them to be kids.
“The idea of putting the pads on was special. They are saving themselves for Friday nights.”
Recently, CIF-Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod appeared on the Petros and Money Show on Sports Talk, KLAC and talked about the return of football.
“You don’t know how excited I am to stand on the sidelines of a high school football game this week,” Wigod said. “One of the things that we told the kids is, don’t give up hope. We’ll have a full complement of sports in a couple of weeks.”
Wigod briefly explained how the attendance situation would play out. “It’s been a challenge, but we’re going to do whatever we can do to help,” he said. “So far, it’s immediate family only. Schools will handle it themselves.”
St. Paul High School football players practice ahead of their season-opener. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Athletic directors Christine Mead of La Mirada and Linda Parra of John Glenn both talked about the many months of planning that has gone into the schedules for this year.
“It’s a whirlwind,” Mead said. “We didn’t know for so long if it was even going to happen. And now, we are jamming 10 months’ worth of sports into 2 1/2 months.
“This is a good thing, though, the kids get to play. I am stressed, but happy to put in the work so these kids can have some sort of season.”
Mead, who along with football coach Mike Moschetti, planned and worked out schedules for players conditioning off and on for months.
“Hopefully by August we have returned to a more normal way of life and we get back to traditional sports seasons,” Mead said. “For now, I will take what we can get.”
Moschetti, who is the assistant athletic director, saw the excitement in the eyes of his players.
Assistant coach, Juan Vigil, center, works with linemen as they practice for their upcoming season at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“The kids are excited,” Moschetti said. “They were around each other. They were locked up in their houses and now they are playing sports and also being around coaches and trainers.”
Parra, who is a former girls basketball coach, sees the excitement in the return of sports.
“We are very excited to be able to bring sports back on campus,” Parra said. “Our athletes have expressed how happy they are to be given the chance to play again. We have seen more students come out to join workouts lately, now that they know there will be a season.
“Our football coaches are working hard to prepare the kids as best as they can for a game in such a short amount of time. Ideally, it would have been great to have more time to prepare for a full contact game but at the same time, kids are getting an opportunity to play that many of us did not think was going to happen this year. We will be able to host two home football games this year on March 26 (Cerritos) and April 16 (Artesia).”
Moschetti, who has 100 kids in his program, talked about the journey they have gone through this year.
“These kids have been through hell this year,” he said. “I just want these kids playing. I need to be here for the kids.
“They’re excited and if they are able to have grandma or grandpa out there, that’s great.”
Head coach, Rick Zepeda talks with Athletic Director, Rich Avina, left, during practice for their upcoming season at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Unfortunately, La Mirada has been unable to play on its home field since 2018, as they have been playing at Excelsior since then. The school is expected to break ground on a new stadium this summer.
The newly renovated gymnasium is almost complete, which will have football locker rooms adjacent to the facility.
“We are just grateful for anything,” Moschetti said. “We got started late with about nine conditioning practices.
His first official practice this last week was special, but not as hard-hitting as he expected.
“The kids were very emotional, but it was more of a pillow fight than hitting,” said Moschetti, smiling no doubt. “We just want to play.” The Matadores open at Orange High next Thursday, March 18.
Another longtime area coach, St. Paul’s Rick Zepeda, also weighed in on the first day of practice last week.
“We had fun and we could see the light in the boys’ eyes,” said Zepeda, who will have the Swordsmen’s traditional Blue/White game on March 19.
Junior running back, Sonny Trancoso, works on a drill during practice at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“The coaches said they feel ‘alive’,” he said. “They missed it (competition). I tried to keep the practices as close to what our traditional August start was like.
“We’re still trying to get to know each other. It’s really about the camaraderie now.”
Zepeda is still trying to schedule one more game (March 26), as are numerous coaches around So Cal.
“Everything changes every day,” he added.
The Swordsmen, like most schools, had their first practice last Saturday. “It was our first practice with full pads in a year and five months. We never saw this coming.”
Zepeda, who is a big believer in tradition, can’t wait for that first game. “I still envision the other team rushing to the other side of the field. I’m looking forward to competition against another team.
“I can’t wait.”
And finally, to top it off, Norwalk High has been waiting an eternity it seems to step into its new on-campus stadium and sports complex. It’s in the final stages of completion, as the softball complex is nearly completed too.
The Lancers first real “home” game is expected to be Friday April 9, as they host La Mirada.
Perhaps Moschetti, who always has lots to say, said it best. “We’ll just show up and play in a parking lot if we have to.”
Receiver Daniel Pallan works out with the receivers during practice at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
What the players said:
Damian Hernandez, junior, center, Santa Fe: “It’s been a long wait. It’s been frustrating. Now that we have one, I have four games to prove that I can play at the next level.
“I was excited and finally got to be playing with my buddies. I can’t wait for the first night. Everyone was really energetic, as we have a lot of returners. We just have to be ready.
“I look forward to going out on the field under the lights and for the Santa Fe tradition.
“I was also concerned for the player that tested positive.
“I’m dedicating this season to our announcer, Carlos Casillas, coach Jack Mahlstede and Rebecca Pierson.”
Shaun Grayson, senior, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, La Mirada: “It was amazing to see all of my guys on the first day of practice. Just to put the helmet on, the shoulder pads on and my cleats on was special. When you see the players in pads, not in your backyard, and the field under your feet, there’s nothing better to describe than that.
“I’m here to perfect my craft to show what I’m able to do in college.
“Ever since my freshman year, it feels great to have the LM on my jersey.
“I try to treat every day like it’s my last.”
Note: Grayson will be playing at UNLV next fall.
Austin Ritto, senior, defensive end, guard, La Mirada: “I think it’s great and glad we’re going to get to have a few games. On the first day back I’m always hitting hard. We practiced last December and didn’t come back until mid January.”