Besides championships, the best part of football is the preseason. Everyone is healthy. Hopes and spirits are high. Talk of the future is at the forefront of every conversation. And the past is the past.
For the Yellowjackets, one would think everyone is a new player this season. On the sidelines there is no talk of last year’s disappointing 4-6 record, or the 1-4 performance in the Skyline League.
Instead, it would be easy to assume this is a team that has experienced success and ready to turn up the dial for even more.
Tonight, the team opens its 2024 campaign at home against the Jurupa Valley Jaguars in the annual “blackout” game (all fans are encouraged to wear all black in support of the team). In preparation, let’s take a look at what makes this year’s Yellowjackets positioned to take home a league championship.
Superstar QB
There’s no getting around it. Just read the Sun newspaper. Koa Regalado is a star.
The sophomore standout was exceptional in his freshman season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception in his first four games. His poise in the pocket and smart decision-making were true highlights from the season.
However, he is only going to be better.
“He spent last year getting his feet under him with signs of a great career ahead of him,” says assistant coach Myles Herrera. “This year it’s clear he has a genuine understanding of our offense, what we want to do, and when we want to do certain things while holding himself and the people around him accountable to high standards.”
It’s a resounding endorsement for the QB. And he is only in year two.
Experience and Character
“There are always big changes each season in regards to the entire team just because boys mature more each season,” says head coach Ray Rodriguez. “I think the biggest difference this season is the growth the boys have made over this past off season.”
Experience and maturity are the hallmarks of a solid football team, and this year’s team features both. Unlike last season, in which a large number of players were underclassmen, this season the Yellowjackets are returning several key players at impact positions, including captains Ryan Villalpando (OL/DL), Damian Sanchez (RB/DB), Koa Regalado (QB), and Athan Aguayo (LB/TE). “We have high expectations of all four,” Rodriguez said.
In addition to the captains, the team is also seeing the return of other notable players: Kalvin Leon (WR/DB), Ethan Moreno (WR/DB), Adam Sanchez (OT), Isaiah Ruiz (OL/DE), Mateo Barboza (LB/TE), Kyle Mejia (WR/DB), Cesar Loera (WR/LB), Michael Perez (DE) and Marcus Rios (OL/DT).
The experience on the field, combined with the maturity of youth has built the character of this year’s squad. They took it upon themselves to focus heavily on off-season workouts to make themselves better players and a better team.
Rodriguez puts a fine point on it. “This is a high character team, we have a great group of young men. We might not be the largest team but we have a lot of high character young men.”
New Competition
This year, Colton returns to the Skyline League to battle many of the same teams: Bloomington, Fontana, Arroyo Valley, and Notre Dame. Last year’s league champion San Gorgonio moved over to the San Andreas League this season, leaving the top spot open for the taking.
Joining Skyline this season is Carter High School. Last season in the San Andreas they finished last place with a record of 0-3 and an overall record of 2-8. However, they are returning several key players, including QB Logan “Ryder” Carson, who ended 2023 with 1300 passing yards in a run-heavy offense.
Don’t count on the Yellowjackets looking ahead on the schedule to circle any opponents. According to Rodriguez, “Every game is circled on the calendar as a must win, we try not to look ahead to any games down the road because the next one is the most important one.”
The next important win is tonight against Jurupa Valley at Memorial Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.
