As San Juan Hills starts quest for state title, coach reflects on first CIF championship

San Juan Hills Coach Robert Frith with players who all contributed to the CIF championship title run (from left) Tyler Wegis, Austin Hogan, Jonah Johnson and Joey Hobert before the season. (File photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

San Juan Hills football team has already made history, capturing the first CIF title in the program’s history.

Now, the Stallions embark on another mission, to bring home a state title.

San Juan Hills, coming off a CIF Division 4 title last weekend, hosts South Aquinas (12-2) in the opening round of the CIF 2-AA Regional Friday night at 7:30 at San Juan Hills. The winner moves on to the state championship Friday, Dec. 13, at Cerritos College at 4 p.m. against the winner of the North Elk Grove vs. Clayton Valley Charter game.

In capturing the CIF Division 4 title with a 21-15 victory over Loyola, San Juan Hills got big-time performances from the players who helped the team reach the finals for the first time.

Joey Hobert scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one on a fumble recovery and had two catches for 27 yards. Austin Hogan led the way offensively, rushing for 144 yards on 29 carries and one touchdown for San Juan Hills (11-3).

Coach Robert Frith reflected a couple days after the championship on what made the Stallions successful, not only Saturday, but throughout the season, He believes his team followed three main characteristics.

“I feel in order to be successful and win really close games (the key) is to play championship defense and we were able to do that thus far throughout the playoffs and especially in the championship game against Loyola,” Frith said.

“Number two is to be dynamic on special teams and win that hidden yardage battle. So much emphasis is on offense and defense, but there is a third phase of the game that runs about 25 to 30 plays and those are big plays. We work extremely hard on our special teams and try and be very sound and win the hidden yards battle.

“The third thing is that you have to control the ball on offense and limit your turnovers. This year, our defense created 28 turnovers and the offense has only given away the ball eight times in 14 games so we’re real proud of our ability to hold on to the football and our goal is to kick the ball after every possession either it’s a field goal or a PAT or a punt. That’s our philosophy and our kids have bought in 110 percent.”

Frith, the second coach in the program’s history, praised the efforts of his players.

“‘I’m extremely proud of my players, I’m extremely honored and humbled to be the head football coach at San Juan Hills High School,” he said. “We have the best admin team in Southern California. Our prinicipal is amazing, our parents’ support is second to none and when you have those things in place and then you add a dedicated knowledgeable staff of men doing things the right way, treating kids the right way, it’s a formula for success.”

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