Foothill football team heads to Santa Barbara for season opener vs. Bishop Diego

Head coach Doug Case leads the Knights into the season opener Saturday. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Foothill High School’s football is making its annual season opening road trip this weekend to start the season.

The Knights, coached by Doug Case, travel to Santa Barbara to take on Bishop Diego Saturday at 7 p.m. at Santa Barbara City College.

Bishop Diego was 9-4 overall last year and ranked fourth in its section.

“We are excited to play in Santa Barbara this year,” Case said. “Bishop Diego is a central coast powerhouse that seems to reload every year. Obviously, we are playing for the victory, but we also use this as an opportunity to team build.

“Every year for the last eight years (except two during the pandemic) we have gone out of county/state to challenge ourselves and grow as a team. We are ready to show what we can do and take the first step to a great season.”

Case is expecting big efforts from a number of players, including running back Aaron Mitchell, who he said “will be the featured dude.”

Other players to watch on offense include quarterback Nick Miali, wide receivers Connor Pietras, Jac Zerkel and Nico Mancini, tight end David Man and center Ryan Worden.

Defensively, the Knights have “a lot of experience returning in the linebackers and defensive backs,” Case said.

Standouts include middle linebacker Preston Raymond, outside linebacker CJ Sims, free safety Bryce Perkins, strong safety Bode Jellerson, cornerbacks Jose Navarete and Will May and defensive end Juan Juarez.

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