SANTA ROSA WARRIORS

Warriors trying to catch up

With their new coach not being named until one week before the season, the Santa Rosa Warriors started off a little bit behind the pack. But the effort the Warriors have been putting in since Day 1 under coach Joe Marichalar bodes well for the upcoming season.

“We’re a little behind, but I tell the kids, ‘Just one day at a time,’” Marichalar said. “Through time and through game reps, they’ll get better. It’s a great bunch of kids and a great place. Really good athletes, really good kids that are dying to compete. I’m eager and excited to work with the guys.”

Marichalar said competitions for playing time were wide open at the start of camp. He spent the first few weeks slowly teaching schemes and getting to know his personnel. After playing both preseason scrimmages and getting to watch some film, Marichalar and his staff will be better equipped to put guys in the right place.

A few players that impressed the new coach from the jump are Rene Flores, Felipe Alaniz, Antonio Saldana Jr. and David Bazaldua, a standout basketball player for the Warriors who returned to football for his senior season. They’re all two-way prospects that lead by example and will have big roles this season.

“By district we’ll start building an identity, but right now we’re just going to hang our hat on working hard,” Marichalar said. “They want to be successful, so we’re going to work for that. We’re just going to go out there and be opportunistic. We’re going to take care of the little things, and as we do that, hopefully it leads to big things. The plan is just we’re going to work hard, take it one day at a time and work to be the best that we can be.”

“through time and through game reps, they’ll get better. It’s a great bunch of kids and a great place.”

WARRIORS AT A GlANcE

COACH: Joe Marichalar

ASSISTANTS: Armando Alaniz, offensive coordinator; Jimmy Ortiz, Joe Nathan Alvarado, Victor Espinoza, co-defensive coordinators 2020 RECORD: 1-3

RETURNING STARTERS (O/D): 5/6

RETURNING LETTERMEN: 17

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rene Flores, DB/RB, sr.; Felipe Alaniz, WR/LB, jr.; David Bazaldua, LB/FB, sr.; Antonio Saldana Jr., C, so.