Segerstrom football players have a busy summer in preparation for season opener

Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa talks to his team before a scrimmage last season. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone).

It’s a busy summer for Segerstrom High School’s football team as it prepares for the season opener against Thousand Oaks on Friday, Aug. 19 at Thousand Oaks.

“We started our first phase of summer on June 6 and will continue until our dead period June 25,” said Segerstrom Coach Joseph Tagaloa. “During this time we planned a three-week review of spring in preparation for fall camp that starts at the end of July.

“We have been competing in 7 on 7 and lineman tournaments throughout the month of May and will continue through July. We’ve been fortunate to get a lot of good work in playing first in Lakeside’s tournament, followed by Dana Hills’ and most recently Western’s.

“The improvement we have seen is a direct result of the hard work and commitment our guys have put in thus far. Our last tournament of the summer is this weekend, as we will take our guys up to Atascadero and play in their 7 on 7 and lineman competition. On our way home we will be visiting Cal Poly SLO to take our guys on a tour of the campus.”

The Jaguars will have a couple weeks off after next week before returning on Monday, July 11 which Tagaloa said will be the “last step before we put the helmet and pads on in August. This summer and fall camp are so important to get our guys ready to go as we play a tough schedule again.”

The Jaguars have some key returners who will lead the way.

“I am looking forward to having our guys get back out there and put the pads on,” Tagaloa said. “We have several key guys returning on both sides of the ball from last year’s league championship team. Jalen Cervantes will return at defensive end as the Big 4 defensive lineman of the year from last season. Our two inside linebackers Isaiah Valdivia and Mokey Leuma both earned All-Big 4 League honors and are returning starters as juniors.

“On offense we have Noble Acosta and Noah Tagaloa as All Big 4 League running backs coming back along with MJ Leuma playing tight end. Upfront, Brian Silva and Dylan Avila will anchor the offensive line.”

The Jaguars will have a scrimmage against Fullerton before opening the season.

Segerstrom was 4-7 overall last year and was co-league champion with Garden Grove.

2022 schedule:

Friday, Aug. 19, at Thousand Oaks

Friday, Aug. 26, (H) vs. Santa Ana Valley

Friday, Sept. 2, at California

Friday, Sept. 9, at El Modena

Friday, Sept. 16, (H) vs. Kaiser

Friday, Sept. 23, (H) vs. Trabuco Hills

Friday, Sept. 30 at Laguna Beach

Friday, Oct. 14, (H) vs. Garden Grove

Friday, Oct. 21, at Marina (Huntington Beach)

Friday, Oct. 28, (H) vs. Katella

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