Pigskin Preview redux

Prep season was set to kick off this week; players, coaches now look forward to January



TIME OF THE SEASON—Westlake High football players jog onto the field after a timeout as the sun sets during a 2019 home game against Rancho Cucamonga. Westlake’s 2020 season will start in January 2021. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

TIME OF THE SEASON—Westlake High football players jog onto the field after a timeout as the sun sets during a 2019 home game against Rancho Cucamonga. Westlake’s 2020 season will start in January 2021. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

COMMENTARY /// Football

There will be no football this fall in Acorn country.

This week should have been a celebration of the game.

Local high school players should be practicing in 100-degree heat and preparing to kick off the regular season on Friday while we deliver the Pigskin Preview special section to our faithful readers—but the coronavirus pandemic crushed our hopes and dreams like an apathetic sneer of Smokin’ Jay Cutler upon viewing the Sistine Chapel.

All games have been postponed to Jan. 8, 2021. If kids don’t return to campus by mid-November, the season could be pushed back once more, to the spring.

This year has been the living embodiment of the Mark Sanchez butt fumble.

But there is a flicker of hope. Cutler cannot crush the human spirit, even if his customized “J Cutty” jersey hangs in a forbidden zone of Thousand Oaks Acorn editor Kyle Jorrey’s armoire.

I spoke with players and coaches about what they miss and love about the game, and what’s on their mind as virtual school begins with virtual football. Here’s what they said for our Pigskin Preview Redux.

Dustin Croick, Agoura’s rookie head coach, has it tougher than almost anyone else. He hasn’t directed a single padded practice or met any of the newcomers in person. The Chargers will resume their online training camp after Labor Day.

“I miss the kids. I miss all the fun being around them, getting prepared for football season,” Croick said. “There’s something about fall camp in the summer, on the hottest week of the year. Right now, we’d all do anything from a football standpoint to be there and exercising in it and getting ready.”

Fletcher Gravel is a fourth-year varsity player for Camarillo.

Gravel quietly toiled as Jesse Valenzuela’s backup running back for the last few years, and Gravel scrapped for playing time at outside linebacker. This should be the Scorpion’s breakout campaign.

The pandemic isn’t cramping his positive attitude.

“I love the game of football,” said Gravel, who sports a 3.75 GPA. “I just love working out, getting out there catching, throwing, running with the football. It’s an escape from work, from school, from everything. It’s my happy place.”

Gravel enjoys working at In-N-Out Burger, but he’s dreaming about rumbling for 100 yards and a couple touchdowns in the opener for the remodeled home stadium.

Newbury Park has trotted out multiple superstar quarterbacks the past few years, including Ben Gulbranson and Cameron Rising, current Pac-12 Conference gunslingers at Oregon State and Utah, respectively.

Trent Dagan, a senior QB, wants to be the next Panther standout under center. He can’t wait to begin in earnest.

“I’m really stoked for that first practice, whenever we can get our hands on some footballs,” said Dagan, an honors student with a 3.8 GPA.

Dagan, who played cornerback in 2019 and sprints in track and field, stays sharp by zipping passes to receivers at local parks, but not on George Hurley Field.

“If we were to try, we’d be kicked off there,” he said.

Dagan has no offers yet, but he’s been talking with the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

Alex Jones is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the area.

The senior at Oak Park had 54 receptions for 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall.

“For me, football is my whole life,” Jones said. “Even if it’s not in season, I’m working out on the field or watching YouTube videos of NFL players. I do that all the time. I’m always at the field running routes, working catching, working on my speed, stuff like that. That’s mainly what I’ve been doing.”

Jones picked up an NAIA offer from Benedictine College in Kansas, but he still seeks Division I love. Count him out at your own peril, skeptics.

“I’m going to be ready whenever we start,” Jones said. “I don’t care what time it’s at, I’ll be ready to go.”

Brenden Segovia, a senior punter and kicker for Oaks Christian, hasn’t skipped a beat during the extended break.

He’s added five new punts to his tool belt, and he’s fine-tuning his skills at every opportunity.

“As a specialist, I’m going to have more time to get technical work done,” said Segovia, who has also played soccer and lacrosse in high school.

Segovia, one of the top special teams players in the state, shared his thoughts about the health of the sport.

“I have a theory that this might be the best season of high school football California has seen in a long time,” he said.

Segovia, who spent his first two seasons at El Camino Real in Woodland Hills, has offers from Kansas and Fordham.

Since March, Julien Stokes has settled into a routine during the unpredictable pandemic.

“It’s hard to say, but I’m actually used to it,” said Stokes, a senior running back for Grace Brethren.

Stokes provides a voice of calm, a beacon of light in these strange times.

“Can’t complain. I’m healthy, family’s good. There’s a lot I’m grateful for,” the Newbury Park resident said. “Just a few months ago, I had zero offers. ‘Man, do I have enough film. I’m not sure if I have enough film.’ But I got my first (offer) and picked up a few more from there. A few buddies of mine don’t have anything, and that’s scary for some guys. I feel for them. I was in their position not too long ago. It’s unfortunate.”

The Acorn MVP and All-Interview Team headliner has offers from Air Force and the University of San Diego, and Penn and Columbia of the Ivy League.

“One thing I love about football is the reward,” Stokes said. “After countless Zoom sessions, countless hours practicing, calls to do your homework, you show up on game day. All your people are there: Your friends, your family and your fans are there to support your work. That’s something I love and miss about the game.”

Miles Briers, a free safety and wide receiver for Thousand Oaks, missed half of last season with a broken collarbone. He’s been working tirelessly to get back in shape . . . only for his senior season to be delayed.

“It’s tough,” he said. “Obviously we can’t play football right now. At T.O., we’re really excited and pumped up for this year.”

Briers, his teammates and first-year head coach Evan Yabu hope to end Thousand Oaks’ 25- game losing streak against . . . drum roll, please . . . crosstown rival Newbury Park for the Conejo Valley Championship on Jan. 8.

“Last year is behind us,” Briers said. “We’re all taking advantage of this time improving and trying to get better.”

Royal’s first-year head coach Christian Dearborn spent Monday, the first day of the school year, teaching history in a virtual setting.

What does the Moorpark grad miss about football?

“Just being around the kids,” Dearborn said. “Definitely a highlight of my day is being on the field with those kids. . . . I’m going to miss the kids’ excitement and getting prepared for a game. There’s nothing else quite like that.”

Dearborn said he will be vigilant when it comes to his players’ grades.

“Our big priority is to make sure everyone’s academics are in line before we get on the field,” he said.

We’re all living in a Philip K. Dick dystopian story, except there are no blade runners retiring poet androids named Roy Batty, and Jorrey hasn’t donned his “Cutty” jersey in public during this quarantine—as far as we know.

There’s still hope.

“I would way rather be practicing in 100-degree heat. I miss it so much,” Gravel said. “I’m definitely excited for January.”

We all are.

Follow sports editor Eliav Appelbaum on Twitter @EliavAppelbaum.