Corona del Sol
Head coach Jake Barro has seen a transformation take place as he heads into his third season. From one of the state’s top arieal attack offenses in 2023 to now a much more physical team, he has reason to believe 2024 will be the year his Aztecs take a step further into the 6A postseason. He has planted the seeds of winning football, and it starts with buy-in of the culture.
Barro, accompanied by his 2024 varsity captains, previewed their thoughts on the upcoming season and expectations during a Wrangler News special Q&A.
Senior linebacker Keane Abril:
Q: Being the leader of the defense, the linebacker position is a pretty essential part of that unit. What are you expecting out of the defense this year? Yourself?
A: I’m expecting this to be a shutdown defense. We have a younger secondary, but I think the front seven is going to be extremely essential…that we’re going to stop the run game…you got to deliver the blow, come out early with energy. Basically, it’ll be the hammer, is what we go by.
Senior center Joey Taitano:
Q: [Coach] Barro talked a lot about the offensive line; what have you seen as the biggest improvement?
A: [It] took a lot of guys to just get together and be on the same page in order to get into one motion. I’ve definitely seen a lot of improvement during the summer camps. I would probably say at ASU, we placed third against St. Bosco (Ca.) and Liberty [in bigman tournaments] — just powerhouse teams like that. The O-line, we’ve really picked it up in our run game. We are more on one page than we were last year. I would say this is probably the best O-line Corona has had since I’ve been here.
Senior tight end Jacob Helt:
Q: Having a new look offense, what kind of impact do you think you’ll see this season?
A: I think we’re gonna run the ball a lot more this year. Just our whole line has made a lot of strides this offseason, so I think we’re going to have more of a balanced approach with the run game and the pass game. I think for my personal abilities, I’ll be blocking more, and I’ll be helping out on the run game more. But, you know, we’ve been throwing the ball a lot in offseason too, so I think I’ll be able to go out and catch passes.
Senior wide receiver Domonick Ruiz:
Q: Going back to the scrimmage game you guys had last night; what you saw from the offense, do you think that served as a preview for what you guys would be like this season?
A: The offensive line blocked really well for the run game, so I think our run game will translate well into the season. Our pass game was good as well — getting the ball downfield and driving down the field.
Marcos de Niza
Head coach Anthony Figueroa saw a senior-heavy roster in 2023 molt its shell. The 2024 roster will have roughly a dozen seniors, but what it lacks in age, it makes up for in tenacity and chemistry. From the offensive line to the defense, team bonding has been a staple of the Padres’ offseason.
Figueroa said he got goosebumps thinking about the 2024 season. His squad has been sharpening iron on iron, he says, and they will be ready for they’re first true test week 1.
Junior left tackle Nikolasi Tonga’uiha:
Q: You really came into a new program and stepped up as a leader and an anchor on the offensive line. What are you most looking forward to in this program?
A: Culture. When I first moved to Marcos [from McClintock high], the first thing I noticed was the culture — and diversity. Not only on the football team, but the whole school. It’s like everybody is family…As soon as I first came to Marcos, I felt like I was respected by these boys. We kind of new each other because we’ve versed each other, linemen challenged and 7 on 7’s.
Senior defensive line Cibrian Patton:
Q: Coach Figueroa harped on the D-line over the summer; you being the leader and captain, what are you seeing from that group? What’s the strongest part?
A: I think the strongest part of our defensive line is the connection. Knowing what we’re able to do and knowing that we can trust one another to do our job. Every time just be aggressive and go at it and give 100 percent…you won’t ever see us give up — mentally we’re tough and physically we’re tough.
Junior quarterback Jaeden Lott:
Q: This is going to be your first year starting on varsity, I’m sure there’s, of course, emotion, but there’s also adjustments to the speeds at this level. What have you been doing this offseason to prepare yourself?
A: Just doing my own offseason training and trying to get a personal connection with each player just to know we have that brotherhood…It’s been good, we’ve all been working to get closer with each other and get to know plays.
Q: As for the offensive output this season, what do you see this offense being capable of?
A: The biggest goal is to say at the end of the season, that we put in 100 percent…I think we’re capable of nearly anything. We have a lot of good players coming up and new starters. We’re going to get to work.
Senior linebacker Jullien Jones:
Q: Linebacker is typically the quarterback of the defense, what will your role be and what are you looking forward to?
A: Being vocal — got to be the leader of the defense. [I] basically got to call out the plays and watch a lot [of film] — just more shut outs for the team…the corners guarding everything, the D-line getting sacks and linebackers filling gaps — it’s all put together.
