Hayden players are putting in the practice before Friday night’s game against Superior. Photo by James Carnes
Those Friday night lights are about to turn on and our boys of fall are gearing up for another season on the gridiron.
What have the teams been up to over the summer?
Superior Panthers
The Superior High School football team is preparing for their 2025 season. The Panthers have eight seniors, five juniors and three sophomores. The seniors are: Antonio Lopez, Brandon Ramirez, Adam Ramirez, Gabriel Ochoa, Andrew Blair, Raiden Sommer, James Henriquez and Zachary Bryant. The juniors are: Josiah Stultz, Adam Sandoval, Ryland Duarte, Mario Bogenschutz and Noah Jimenez. The sophomores are: Dominic Denogean, Christian Hollenbeck and Lawrence Armenta. Returning as head coach is Elias Olmos. His assistant coaches are Manuel Ortega, Daren Casillas and David Olmos.
The Panthers will open their season with an away game at Hayden on Friday, Aug. 22, with a kickoff time of 7 p.m.
San Manuel Miners
The San Manuel High School football team has been hard at work preparing for their 2025 season. Returning as the head coach is Ernie Ivy, with assistant coaches, Mike Ochoa, Manny Laguna, Vince Zazuteta and Daniel Najera.
“The summertime was really good,” began head coach Ernie Ivy. “They worked out really hard. We got some 7-on-7s and 5-on-5s, and did really well. I think skill wise, we’re doing good. We’re lacking a little bit on linemen, but you know we’ll get them into shape here soon.”
The team captains for this season are seniors, Marcos Smith and Ivan Flores, and juniors, Brody Fletcher and Daniel Najera.
“We got people in the weight room, just got to keep pushing. We’re going to really show off our athleticism during the games and trying to get a win,” said Ivan Flores.
“A lot of kids are in the weight room this summer, so we are putting in that work, and you know, we’re just ready to go. We wanted the regular season to come,” said Marcos Smith. Commenting on starting their final year of high school football the senior captains had this to say:
“I grew up playing all kinds of sports, but football, I’m going to leave everything on the field, every game,” added Marcos Smith.
Ivan Flores said, “I’m definitely going to work hard throughout this last season and really push myself and others, so hopefully next year they can do the same thing.”
The Miners will officially kick off their season on Friday, Aug. 22, with a home game against Valley Lutheran. The kickoff time is at 7 p.m. Be sure to come support the Miners!
Hayden Lobos
The Hayden Lobos High School football team is back on the field, ready to take on their 2025 season. The Lobos are returning off of a championship season from 2024. But this is nothing new to the boys, because last season they returned off of their 2023 championship season. The Lobos do not take their back-to-back champion status lightly though. They know the hard work, discipline, and dedication that goes into it. John Estrada continues his career as the Lobos head coach.
“A lot of guys worked in the off season and weights,” commented assistant coach Armand Cruz. “They worked, and after work they would come in do weights, and they would come on the field and do their field work. There’s a lot of commitment.”
The discipline, dedication and commitment is something that had been established in Lobo football for a long time ago. The coaches put it into the players minds that if you work hard it will pay off.
Losing six starters from last season, the Lobos will have some shoes to fill this season.
“Every year it’s the same goal,” commented Armand Cruz, “We work hard, and it’s been working, we’re going to continue to work hard and get better everyday.”
The Lobos will kickoff their season on Friday, Aug. 22, with a home game against Superior with a start time of 7 p.m. Be sure to come out to support the Lobos!
Ray Bearcats
The Ray High School football team has taken to the field in preparation for their 2025 season. Richard Bravo takes over as the head coach, with assistance by Ray Carmelo and Scott Warren. The Bearcats have five seniors, six juniors and four sophomores this season. The team may be smaller, but the boys are putting in the effort to compete with their 1A rivals.
“So far we’re looking good, a lot of speed,” began head coach Bravo. “Got some good experience. We’re a little behind the eight ball due to a late start, but other than that, we’re improving daily, and that’s our goal, make sure the boys are understanding and getting better by the day.”
The Bearcats will officially kick off their season with a home game against Desert Heights Prep. The game will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, with a kickoff time of 7 p.m. Be sure to come out and support the Bearcats on the football field this season!