Santiago football team, led by experienced offense, looks for another big year

Quarterback Daniel Gonzales is expected to lead the Santiago offense. (Photos courtesy Santiago football, Brian Ticas).

Santiago High School’s football team, coached by second year coach Doug Ozsvath, is working hard in preparation for the start of the 2022 season against Godinez.

The Cavaliers were 8-3 overall and finished in second place in the Garden Grove League with a 4-1 record last season.

“Santiago Cavalier football is up and rolling with a great spring and a competition filled summer,” said Ozsvath. “We have been hard at work in the weight room and on the field preparing for the upcoming season.”

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Santiago has competed against Garden Grove, Anaheim, La Quinta, Saddleback and
Sunny Hills in a number of passing league and linemen competitions this summer, according to the coach.

“The staff has been very excited about the way the kids have competed,” Ozsvath said. “The players and coaches have brought a good energy to the football field.

“I coached most of the senior players at the lower levels so I know what we are capable of and how we respond to adversity. These are players that I know I can count on when things get difficult.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to give back to the game of football and continue with the
tradition of physical, hard working, disciplined football at Santiago.

Santiago has some talented players returning this season, the coach said.

“We have been led this off-season by returning first team all-league wide receiver Daniel
Padilla in our off season workouts,” Ozsvath said.

“Nine of 11 offensive starters return, including quarterback Daniel Gonzales and running back Art Martinez, for a team that averaged 33 points per game. Most of the O-line returns with Sera Villalobos, Daniel Rubio, Joseph Cruz, Anthony Machuca and tight end Jesse Fuentes leading the way.

“An intriguing new lineman is 6-4, 290 pound junior linemen Daniel Granados. All the boys have stepped up and taken ownership of the team.”

The coach is also looking for big contributions from the defense.

“On defense we return starters in Alex Rios, Roman Cruz, Victor Garcia and Edwin Garcia and
have some hard hitting linebackers in Angel Hernandez and Evan Phan,” Ozsvath said.

“We have a great mix of juniors and seniors who will be ready to put a great product out there
under the lights. It looks like even a few sophomores will be called on to step up for us.
We don’t have huge numbers, but we will come at you with everything we have.”

The Cavaliers play their home games at Garden Grove High School.

2022 schedule:

Friday, Aug. 26, at Godinez (Santa Ana Valley)

Friday, Sept. 2, at Santa Ana Valley

Thursday, Sept. 8 (H) vs. Estancia

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

Thursday, Sept. 22, (H) vs. Anaheim

Friday, Sept. 30 (H) vs. Bolsa Grande

Thursday, Oct. 6, at La Quinta

Thursday, Oct. 13, (H) vs. Loara

Friday, Oct. 21 (H) vs, Los Amigos

Friday, Oct. 28, at Rancho Alamitos

Football coaches: This is another in a series of summer football updates. Please send information to timburt@ocsportszone.com so we can share with our readers. OC Sports Zone is a free website for Orange County and there is no charge for articles.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com