Colton, Ca—Colton High football is back!

On August 20, the Yellowjackets take to the gridiron at Yellowjacket Stadium for their first official football game in nearly two years against Alta Loma High. COVID quarantine, spring Zoom chalkboard talks, summer practices—they have all created anticipation for this moment.

Friday night, pads will be tightened, cleats laced, and helmets fastened as the Crimson and Gold prepare to run onto the field to the cheers of the local faithful.

“I’m excited for this season to get kicked off,” said Head Coach Ray Rodriguez, who is optimistic about this season, especially about the potential of his young crew.

“Obviously coming off a COVID year, we lost a full season and we have a lot of green players out there. I need to see we are developing these kids for the future.”

The benefit of having such a young core is a high ceiling. Standout Juniors Gabriel Aparicio (QB), Xavier Sandoval (WR), and Colton Suchil (C) join Seniors Steve Medina (WR), Jacob Ramos (WR), and Brice Martinez (WR) to lead this developing group of players into battle against their competition as the number four team in the San Andreas League.

“I wanna lead this team,” Gabriel Aparicio said before joining his guys on the practice field. “I want to go deep in the season, but we have to take it one step at a time.”

Aparicio and the captains will have to do this after losing running back Nathaniel Martínez to a clavicle fracture in last week’s scrimmage against Xavier Prep and Coachella Valley High. Stepping into the backfield is rising star Sophomore James Gonzales.

About Gonzales, Coach Rodriguez said, “He’s a good athlete who could play multiple sports.” Assistant coach Alex Ramos added, “He gives it his all every down.”

Ramos was also very excited about the team’s receiving core. He noted the “passionate” play of Sandoval and Brice Martínez, whom he considers “electrifying playmakers.”

Despite hope’s eternal spring, there are concerns facing this team, most importantly fatigue and conditioning. While Coach Rodriguez has implemented a conditioning regimen with an eye toward avoiding injury after a 22-month layoff, because of his inexperienced squad, many of the key players will be required to play both sides of the ball.

“Right now we have a lot of guys going both ways,” Rodriguez admitted, “Hopefully as the season progresses and those new guys get more familiar with what we’re doing offensively and defensively, we’ll be able to sub these guys in and get some of those other guys some rest time.”

If the Yellowjackets look to make the playoffs in a conference in which several teams were able to play a hybrid season last year, they will have to develop very quickly.

Rodriguez agrees. “It’ll be trial by fire for them. In my experience coaching, I feel kids learn from that.”