It’s a holiday weekend, but the local Channel League football teams will be busy at work as they get a jump on the season Friday by playing Week 0 games.
Santa Barbara is at Channel Islands in Oxnard, DP visits Righetti in Santa Maria and San Marcos travels to Lompoc to take on Cabrillo. All games kick off at 7 p.m.
Santa Barbara at Channel Islands: The Dons take a much more experienced squad into the opener. Last year, they started 11 sophomores in the first game and came away with a 17-0 win over the Raiders.They’ll face a CI team that also is more experienced. The Raiders feature 6-6 Jeremiah Valoaga, who is considered one of the top tight ends in Southern California. Santa Barbara also has a solid receiver in 6-4 Emilio Gonzalez. Quarterback Shawn Ramos is primed for a breakout season. The pick: Santa Barbara
Dos Pueblos at Righetti: Last year’s game (a 7-3 Righetti win) was dominated by the defenses. This one figures to follow the same scenario as both offenses try to sort things out with new quarterbacks. Senior Armando Arzate takes the reins at DP while junior Troy Prober, a part-time starter last year, steps in full-time at Righetti. The big thing DP has going for it is a strong running game with senior Josh Bartley (1,280 yards, 14 TDs last year) and junior Anthony Spiritosanto. The pick: Dos Pueblos
San Marcos at Cabrillo: Coach Dale Perizzolo’s debut as varsity head coach won’t be easy. The Royals open against the No. 6-ranked team in the CIF Northwest Division. Running back Marquis Glover figures to carry the offensive load as the Royals break in new quarterback Gabe Loza. Cabrillo has a workhorse running back in T.J Babouta. Henry Fienga returns at quarterback after finishing last season as the starter. Linebacker Nick Bell is a force on defense for the Conquistadores. The pick: Cabrillo.
Good luck to all the local teams in their season openers especially the
DOS PUEBLOS CHARGERS!!!!
Go Armando!!!Go Josh!!!Go Manzai!!!Go Anthony!!!GO ALVARO!!!!!
GO BOLTS!!!!!!