Santa Ana Valley making strides in off-season preparing for season opener vs. Beckman

Coach Alfredo Macias welcomes players onto the field before a game last season. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Santa Ana Valley High School football players have been working hard in the off-season in preparation for the Falcons season opener with Beckman on Friday, Aug. 18, according to Coach Alfredo Macias.

“The team has been busy in the weight room and field the majority of the off-season,” the coach said. “We had a productive spring going up against solid programs in 7-on-7 and linemen competitions. The hard work has continued into the summer, and we feel we are making strides as a team.”

The Falcons lose 27 seniors, but the defense returns eight starters, Macias said.

“Our offense will be led by Bruce Sanchez, Enrique Banda, and Julian Pimentel,” he said. “The quarterbacks and receivers have been working hard all offseason with Coach Steve Calhoun and we are excited to see them perform in live game action. 

“We are expecting Diego Quiroz, Bryan Solis, Damien Roldan, and Alejandro Salado to lead the defense and be big impact players for us this year.”

Santa Ana Valley’s schedule is also tougher.

“We added Beckman and Westminster to the schedule this year,” Macias said. “Both programs are well coached and formidable opponents, but those are the types of opponents we need to prepare us for league games and the playoffs.”

Santa Ana Valley was 9-3 overall and finished in second place in the Orange League with a 4-1 record. The Falcons defeated Victor Valley 3-0 in the CIF Division 12 playoffs before losing to Hueneme in the second round 26-14.

2023 SCHEDULE

All home games at Santa Ana Valley

Friday Aug.18, at Beckman (Tustin)

Friday Aug. 25, (H) vs. Segerstrom

Friday, Sept. 1, at Westminster

Friday Sept. 8 (H) vs. Godinez

Friday, Sept. 15 (H) vs. Gahr

Friday, Sept. 29 (H) vs. Savanna

Friday, Oct. 6 (H) vs. Anaheim

Friday, Oct. 13, (H) vs. Western

Thursday, Oct. 19 (H) vs. Magnolia

Friday, Oct. 27 at Century

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