Page 20 - Mid Valley Times 8-8-19 E-edition

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ba Trojans and the Dinuba Gladiators.
“Coach B is the head coach,” said Emperor’s assistant coach Michael Wright. “He controls foot- ball all the way down, as far as coaching staff. The idea is he hires all his coaches so that he’s run- ning the same program as he’s running.”
For the eighth grade program, Coach Barajas brought in a familiar face in Dinuba football, Roland Rico. Coach Rico has been the Junior Varsity football coach at Dinuba High School for many years,
establishing a group of young men who have ready and able to move up to the next level.
A couple of years ago, Rico’s JV squad capped off a winning streak that spanned over three sea- sons, going more than 30 games without a loss.
“This is going to be great,” said Washing- ton Intermediate School teacher Greg Garrison. “All Rico does is win. I think he’s only lost like one game in the last five years.”
Coaching Washington seventh grade squad will be Jacob Stucky.
The ten-year plan for the tackle football pro-
gram calls for tackle foot- ball to eventually go down to the fourth grade in the district, as is done in other districts.
Part of the plan was implemented recently, as intramural sports was introduced at the elemen- tary level last school year, replacing boys volleyball with flag football in prep- aration for the transition.
Dinuba’s junior high tackle football teams will have sevev regular season games, beginning with the Tenaya match on Sept. 7. They then travel to Martin Luther King on Sept. 21, followed by two home games, one against El Capitan of Central Uni-
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
Washington seventh grade football coach Jacob Stucky looks on as a player performs a drill at their first practice on Aug. 1.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
| B10 | Mid Valley TiMes fied on Sept. 28 and the
other against Desmond of Madera on Oct. 5. They then travel to Thomas Jef- ferson on Oct. 12 before closing out the season with a home game against Sanger on Oct. 19.
Signups are still being taken for both seventh and eighth grade teams, and unlike the other youth football programs, because the program is part of the Dinuba Uni- fied School District, reg- istration is free.
The reporter can be contacted by email at editor@thedinubasentinel. com or at 591-4632.
Pirates, Eagles prepare for new season
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times (Left) Reedley High School quarterbacks take snaps during the Pirates’ first week of fall practice on July 30. Tony Gates returns to RHS as head coach, taking over a Pirates squad coming off a 3-7
campaign in 2018.
The Valley Pride International 13-and-under team after winning the championship game in the Domini- can Republic. The team had two players from Dinuba, Jose De La Cruz and Armando Mejia.
Valley Pride teams take championships in Dominican Republic
MVT staff report
Two Dinuba all star base- ball players recently had the experience of a lifetime as part of the Valley Pride Inter- national Baseball Team.
The two players, Jose De La Cruz and Armando Mejia,
traveled to the Dominican Re- public with other players from Fresno, Porterville and Clovis and won the championship in the 13U division of the Interna- tional Little League Scotiabank Tourament.
Mejia had two home runs
in the tournament, including a two-run homer in the champi- onship game to give his team the lead.
Valley Pride's 12U team al- so won the championship. Both teams were coached by former MLB player Jose Ortiz.
Photo contributed
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times (Right) Immanuel High of- fensive lineman work on blocking technique under the direction of new head coach Drew Halstead, left, on Aug. 1. The Eagles, coming off a 4-6 record in 2018, open the season on Friday, Aug. 23, at home against Roosevelt High
of Fresno.
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