Members of the Santa Ana Valley team include (from left) Gerson Garcia, Jesus Ramirez, Josue Cruz, Alexander Maldonado, Jimmy Vu, Andrew Mora, Pedro Ayvar, Juan Navarro and Emmanual Cholula (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
It’s already been a milestone season for Santa Ana Valley’s football team, which has clinched a berth in the CIF playoffs beginning next week.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
One more victory Friday night against Katella at Santa Ana Valley would make it even better.
Santa Ana Valley (8-1, 4-0) takes on Katella (8-1, 4-0) for the Orange League title. Santa Ana Valley is shooting for its first league title since 2013.
Hard work in the off-season and senior leadership has contributed to the team’s success, said Coach Larry Mohr, now in his 13th season. He’s assisted by his sons James (defensive line coach) and Joe (offensive coordinator).
“It’s definitely one of my better ones and from what I understand it’s one of the better ones that Valley has had since the 70’s,” Mohr said. “We started off a couple years at 4-1, but we never got to 8-1.
“It’s the good senior class we have. It’s funny because they only won two games as freshmen. They have great leadership and they all bought in and they are all committed and they work hard every day and they’re just a pleasure to be with. I’m not surprised at all.”
The 36-7 victory over an upstart Magnolia team last weeek was a big boost for the Falcons.
“The Magnolia game was a big game for us, it was a chance for us to win eight games which we haven’t done in a long time and Magnolia was playing really good football,” Mohr said.
Mohr said the Falcons have been hurt by injuries, losing three linemen in the first game. But they will be healthy for Friday’s game with Katella.
“We’ve been playing without five or six starters most of the time,” he said. “One time about eight starters were out.”
The offense has been led by senior quarterback Jimmy Vu, who has passed for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“He’s getting better each week,” Mohr said. “In his sophomore year, he played defensive end. He’s just starting to learn the game of football.”
Juan Navarro (free safety/wide receiver), Raymond Casillas (free safety, wide receiver) and Michael Vizcarra (running back) have also contributed to the team’s success, Mohr said.
Vizcarra was out for three games with an ankle injury but has returned and “he still makes a huge difference,” Mohr said. “He’s 100 percent now.”
Vizcarra has rushed for 635 yards and eight touchdowns. Casillas, a sophomore, has 24 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Navarro has 10 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Oscar Munoz has rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
The offensive line consisting of Abrahan Hernandez, Adrian Luna, Erik Cervantes, George Murillo and Alex Maldonado, three who are underclassmen, has been solid.
“They’re good and they’ve gotten better each week too,” Mohr said.
On defense, linebaman Josue Cruz has been a force.
“Him and Pedro (Ayvar), our two inside (linemen), have played really good football for us,” Mohr said.
Cornerback/free safety Agustin Albarran has also been solid.
“He’s a defensive back and he’s been steady all year,” Mohr said.,
The Falcons are excited about the season so far and look forward to the playoffs.
“We’ve been dominating,” said Cruz, one of the noseguards. “All of our seniors have been putting in work since our sophomore year. Senior year is the year we get to show all the hard work we’ve been doing. It’s paying off.”
Cruz said the team’s hard work in the weight room has made the difference.
“Every day we were working hard and pumping weights,” he said.
Last week’s victory over Magnolia stood out, said Cruz.
“It secured our spot for CIF. It feels amazing knowing that you’re hard work keeps paying off every week, Cruz said.
Vu, the quarterback, is also excited about the season.
“This Friday is a league championship game against Katella; we’ve been doing pretty well and we have had a good start,” Vu said.
Vu got some experience calling signals last year.
“Last year, I got a few reps, I learned a lot from the previous starting quarterback,” he said.
The Falcons’ success can be attributed to a couple factors, Vu said.
“Teamwork and everyone coming in ready to work and the coaches preparing everything, like the practice plans….and just breaking it down,” he said.
Vu said he and his teammates are looking forward to the CIF playoffs. The Falcons were ranked ninth in this week’s CIF Division 13 poll.
“We’re excited for CIF,” Vu said. “We’re planning to go all the way this year, that’s the goal. We got to come out and practice hard every day and work hard and be focused.”
Mohr, the head coach, is also optimistic.
“We want to go as far as we can,” Mohr said. “I think we have a good chance if we stay healthy. It’s all about staying healthy. We will have a great test Friday night with. Katella. They will give us an idea of where we’re at. But I think we’re good enough to go a long ways, especially when you can play defense.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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