Segerstrom football coach says 2021 spring season was ‘one big emotional roller coaster’

Segerstrom seniors got together for a group picture following their final game. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Segerstrom High School football coach Joseph Tagaloa said the spring 2021 football season was one that included constant challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic which delayed play until March but said his players showed a positive mental outook to help them finish with a 2-1 record.

The Jaguars defeated Katella 14-7 and Garden Grove 26-20 in overtime before losing to Marina 41-7 in the battle for first place in the Big Four League. No CIF playoffs were held this season after the abbreviated regular season.

It was a struggle for Segerstrom to reach the first game. When CIF and state officials finally allowed football to start in March, Segerstrom coaches and players found out that the team’s first two games were cancelled due to coronavirus protocol.

“I personally felt like this season was one big emotional roller coaster, especially having a senior son (Nathan),” Coach Tagaloa said.

“We went from the concerns about not getting to play any games, to getting a shortened season, to being shut down for two weeks due to Covid protocols, to playing for a league championship. It was nothing like I ever experienced. The challenges of keeping everyone physically prepared was difficult because of the limited time we actually got cleared to be on the field as a team (due to protocols).

“There is no question that we were not where we wanted to be physically, but I am sure the same can be said for others as well. That being said, the positive outlook and mental toughness from our players showed through in their resilience, which allowed us to play at a high level.

“The highlights of the season would be the result of the team’s overall approach to every week. Our goal is to always compete, no matter the situation. Our players did exactly that. Beating a tough Katella team that knocked us out of the playoffs in the previous season and getting an overtime win at Garden Grove really showed what our guys are made of.
The senior group is such a great group of young men.

“Seeing them overcome adversity and their perseverance makes them special. Having Israel Escobedo come back to play his senior year was remarkable. After all that he battled, he was still able to get back on the field and play at a high level.”

Escobedo returned to the field and made significant contributions to the team after a battle with leukemia.

Other players stood out too, Tagaloa said.

“Seeing first year starters Johnathan Mota, Nick Padilla, Miguel Gonzalez, Isaiah Martinez, Robert Rodriguez, Jose Nunez, Benjamin Muniz, Arthur Prado, Mathew Villa, Joseph Meza and Luis Padilla excel was exciting,” he said.

“The contributions from Damian Hernandez, Matthew Arroyos, Carlos Mora, Nathan Gutierrez, Andrew Bernal, Sebastian Nava, and Allan Serrano cannot go unnoticed. The way our returning two-way starters Nathan Tagaloa and Pablo Flores were able to elevate their game and lead the team was commendable.”

Tagaloa said he also had empathy for the seniors who could not compete.

“…. My heart goes out to our seniors who were not able to compete: Sidney Chandler (torn ACL), JT Mendevil (torn ACL), and Braulio Avila (family obligations). I am proud of each and every single one of them, and know that their journey this year has prepared them to face and overcome anything that life can throw their way.”

Tagaloa said the team is already preparing for the 2021 fall season scheduled to start in August.

“Moving forward we will return starters QB Frankie Gonzalez, DB/WR Markos Correa, TE/DE Jalen Cervantes, DE MJ Leuma, FS/RB Erik Martinez and OT Miguel De Loera and look towards their experience to lead the team,”
he said.

“We have several future seniors looking to make an impact such as FB/LB Julian Diaz, DT Jonathan Duarte, DE Paul Mendoza and RB/OLB Raymond Lopez. The soon to be juniors RB/OLB William Lara, OL Brian Silva, and RB/DB Abram Valadez look to compete as well. We have several 2024 grads who will also be given an opportunity to win a starting spot including RB/DB Noble Acosta, RB/OLB Isaiah Valdivia, RB/LB Mokey Leuma, RB/DB Adam Garica, OL/DL Sonny Naiuli and OL/DT Damien Orejel.

“We are currently working on our physical preparation with our strength, speed and conditioning. One of our goals during the off-season is to increase our team speed and overall strength, which requires all athletes to put in the work. Our practice schedule is still a work in progress as our winter and spring sports get priority. I encourage all of our athletes to play multiple sports, which more than half are currently doing. With that being said, we will start throwing and having our linemen compete the first week of May, so the turn around is extremely quick.”

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