Santa Fe football players ‘happy to just play and compete’
Santa Fe’s Jeremiah Solares (5) runs after intercepting a pass as they play Chino Hills during their non-league game at Pioneer High School in Whittier on Saturday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
WHITTIER – In one of the most challenging football seasons for every team this year, Santa Fe High School had a tough start with a game cancelled due to Covid-19 and only has a four-game schedule.
For a team that didn’t reach the end zone in a 14-0 setback to visiting Chino Hills last Saturday night, they played like it was for a league title, especially the seniors, since it was their last home game.
“It was frustrating (Saturday),” said Santa Fe coach Dave Pierson, of the loss. “Because we felt like we could have done more. I’m proud of our kids. I told them when we got together right now, ‘I’m super proud of you guys’.
“For most of the game it was 7-0 and we were in it the entire game and there was a chance for us and we just didn’t get it done. Hats off to Chino Hills. We had a lot of kids that played both ways.”
After their opening game against La Serna was cancelled, the Chiefs had five days to prepare for the Cal High game (a 23-16 loss) and only a few days for Chino Hills.
“I’m not going to say woe is me, but it’s challenging,” Pierson added. “I’m happy our kids competed and I’m happy our kids had a chance to come out here and play football and compete.”
And compete they did.
Santa Fe quarterback Thomas Reyes (32) makes a pass as they play Chino Hills during their non-league game at Pioneer High School in Whittier on Saturday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Trailing 7-0 late in the third quarter and Chino Hills knocking on the door for a second score, the Santa Fe defense made a huge stop.
After a long, nine-play Huskies drive that started at midfield and was at the Santa Fe 1-yard line, two back-to-back goal line stands were huge at the time.
Chino Hills running back Jamar Williams (17 carries, 99 yards) was stopped for no gain on third and goal and again was halted on fourth and goal at the one.
On the fourth and goal play, Santa Fe sophomore middle linebacker Pedro Debora and junior defensive linemen Jacob Contreras and Damien Hernandez all stopped Williams again.
“Pedro got through when I pushed the guard back and he came right behind and Jacob went inside the tackles and made a great play,” Hernandez said.
Contreras came out of the pile and with excitement went running to the sidelines, as the offense took the field.
“Jacob is going to remember that (play) this whole offseason and going to talk it no matter what,” Pierson said. “It’s something to build on no matter what. It was a huge momentum play.
“The defense played great for the entire game and my hats off to our defensive coaches. The defensive players, they played outstanding.”
Santa Fe's Pedro Deborah (42) is congratulated by Michael Gonzalez (9) after recovering a fumble as they play Chino Hills during their non-league game at Pioneer High School in Whittier on Saturday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Contreras described the defensive stop which he hoped would change the momentum for the Chiefs.
“It was such an amazing moment,” he said. “I thought we would get momentum and the offense would go and tie it up. It’s (the play) going to be on my mind and I’m going to be ready for next season. Every play I want to make plays like that.”
In the second quarter the Santa Fe defense made two big plays in one series.
Senior defensive end Daveon Parks sacked the Chino Hills quarterback for an eight-yard loss. Two plays later, Contreras blocked a punt and Debora recovered the ball on the Huskies 29.
However, the Chiefs couldn’t move the ball and Chino Hills took over the ball on downs.
With seven minutes left in the half, sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Solares made the first of two defensive plays. The first was a fumble recovery. Again, the Chiefs offense couldn’t move the ball.
After two short series’ by each team, Solares intercepted a Huskies pass and ran it 35 yards back, but the half came to an end.
In the first eight minutes of the third quarter, there were four turnovers – two by each team.
Highlighting the Santa Fe plays was another big play by the defense, with Parks stopping a Huskies drive deep in Santa Fe territory with a fumble recovery.
Senior linebacker Matthew Gonzalez recovered a second consecutive Chino Hills fumble.
After that great goal line stand late in the third quarter, the Chiefs were punting from their own 18-yard line early in the fourth quarter. But, it fell short and the Huskies had the ball again deep in Santa Fe territory at the 10-yard line.
Three plays later, Chino Hills scored its second TD on a 16-yard TD pass for the 14-0 lead with 7:37 left in the game.
Santa Fe senior quarterback Thomas Reyes threw for 39 yards on six of 39 passing in the game, while senior running back Caleb Campero had 17 yards on four carries.
Santa Fe played Whittier on Thursday (April 8) in a Del Rio League game. Results weren’t available at press time.
Santa Fe's Damian Hernandez (52) and Matthew Gonzalez (10) sack Chino Hills' quarterback during their non-league game at Pioneer High School in Whittier on Saturday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
What they said
Santa Fe coach Dave Pierson: “We have some alumni here and they come out to watch the game. The parents are here to support their kids and the football program. I couldn’t be prouder of our kids, the parents and the administration.”
Jacob Contreras, jr. defensive lineman: “There were interceptions that we had that we could have taken to the house.”
On the crazy season and chance to play again: “I just thank God for blessing us and every team in California the opportunity to play again. I prayed at night to please give us one more chance to play.
“When they announced that we were going to play, I was excited and jumping and was ready.”
Alano Cardenas, sr. middle linebacker: “I was sad that this was going to be my last game here. I was excited to play. I don’t know how to explain the feeling. It gave off a wierd emotion – either exciting or sad – I don’t know which one to choose.”
On how it feels to play again: “I was excited when (CIF) announced it that we were playing. I was ready to play out there, any game, one game, four games, any type of scrimmage, anything. I’d play anything to get back on the field.
“It was a lot of fun playing here at Santa Fe. It was definitely a learning curve. I’m definitely sad it’s the last home game.”
Jeremiah Solares, so. wide receiver: “As a sophomore, I’m still learning. I thought we were going to play way earlier this year. There were rumors going around that we were going to have the whole season. Then we found out we were going to have only four games. But I was still happy for it. As a sophomore, just getting varsity experience is great. Last week I scored my first touchdown on varsity and when I was running into the end zone, I was thinking to myself, ‘Is this real?’ It didn’t feel real to me. Because I was just a sophomore and didn’t expect to score a touchdown.”
Damien Hernandez, jr. defensive lineman/center: “It felt real good to be playing with my teammates and my family. There’s nothing in the world I’d give up for them.
“This was like an NFL preseason with only four games. We just played to see who were the starters. I think we have a bright future for this program.
“It just feels real good to be playing.”
Results around the area
La Mirada football: The Matadores dropped to 0-3 on the season with a 35-14 loss to Mayfair in the Suburban League opener last week. La Mirada played Norwalk last night (Thursday April 8) with another league contest. Results were unavailable at press time.
Norwalk football: The Lancers lost to Chaffey last week, 30-7, in a non league game.
St. Paul football: With only two games played to date, the Swordsmen are 0-2, with a 22-15 loss to Crespi last week. St. Paul tied the game at 15-15 in the third, but the Celts scored a fourth-quarter TD to win.
The Swordsmen host 2-0 Loyola (Friday April 9) in an Angelus League game.
St. Paul softball: The Lady Swordsmen are off to a 6-2 start. This week, with four games, they defeated Covina, 6-3, and lost to Torrance (7-0) and Chino Hills (9-5). They played Diamond Bar on Thursday (April 8) in tournament action. Results are unavailable at press time.