San Juan Hills will be led in the finals by (from left) Tyler Wegis, Joey Hobert, Austin Hogan and Coach Robert Frith. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
San Juan Hills players are getting ready for the biggest game in school history.
That will be Saturday night at 7 when the Stallions (10-3) take on Loyola of Los Angeles at Loyola in the Division 4 championship game. San Juan Hills, coached by Robert Frith, comes into the game with an eight-game winning streak and looking forward to participating in its first CIF final in its eighth year of varsity competition.
“It’s been awesome, every week we’re with the kids is just a bonus,” said Frith, now in his second year. “Football doesn’t get old at San Juan Hills. Football can get long at some places, but at our place, every time we win, it’s like a resurgence and the kids’ attitude has been awesome and the coaching staff has been great. It’s a phenomenal place and been a phenomenal run.”
San Juan Hills offense is led by wide receiver/safety Joey Hobert, who has committed to Washington State.
“Joey has over 1,000 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns receiving and 26 touchdowns overall so he’s been a real impact player for us,” said Frith, who is also the co-athletic director. “He also has 95 tackles as a safety, he’s our punter averaging over 35 yards a punt. He’s also our kickoff returner and punt returner. He’s like that old school throwback kid who does it all. He’s just a really good football player.”
Defensive end Tyler Wegis, who has 10 and a half sacks and 30 tackles for a loss, is another standout player.
“He just committed to the University of Utah last night so he will be going there to pursue his athletics and academic career,” Frith said.
Senior running back Austin Hogan is another standout.
“He has over 1,300 yards rushing with 20 touchdowns,” Frith said.
San Juan Hills quarterback is junior Hudson Jones, who has passed for more than 2,400 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Linebacker Jake Hall is another standout for San Juan Hills, which captured the Sea View League title.
Frith said his team will be going against a Loyola team which comes from a program rich in tradition. Loyola (6-6) was an at-large team out of the Mission League. The program has brought home five CIF titles.
“I know they are tough and very well disciplined and they play good defense and they have structure in all three phases of the game,” he said. “They look like they’re a very well coached football program that’s back in the finals.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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