Guest Column: A changing football culture at Gilroy High

The culture is slowly changing at Gilroy High and standards have been set high for the Mustangs’ football program.
The Mustangs just wrapped up the offseason phase for the upcoming football season and are looking forward to their preseason phase. Their offseason consisted of two cycles of 6 a.m. workouts, which ended in late May and were followed by two weeks of spring football. Gilroy recognized 16 student-athletes after a Friday night practice for having 90 percent attendance during the 6 a.m. workouts. On top of that, soon-to-be-senior William Soares not only achieved 90 percent attendance, but did so while playing varsity baseball and maintaining a 3.6 GPA in the classroom. He has exemplified what a Mustang should be on and off the field.
As Gilroy’s spring football campaign comes to a successful close, the foundation is being laid for next season. The coaching staff implemented their offense along with a new defense. While it’s all new for the seniors, they have bought in and embraced Gilroy’s fast-paced practices—and the rest of the team has, too.
Defensively, I’m excited and looking forward to working with the group I have. Our defensive-line will look to Soares and Azrael Avila to anchor and lead it. In the linebacker corps, seniors Noe Garcia, Omar Prieto and Brandon Rojas along with sophomores Spenser Soares and Tony Andrade will all compete for a spot. Seniors Daniel Angulo and Charles Good are anticipated to lead to secondary, and the Mustangs are expecting big things out of newcomer Dylan Hsu to help out there, too.
Rick Dukes, the Mustangs’ Offensive Coordinator, is excited for the upcoming year and is looking forward to continue working with the team this summer. The O-line will consist of incoming juniors Zach Delarosa, Jose Torres and Victor Sanchez, all of whom will be expected to lead it. Sophomore Max Pierce stood out during spring football at tight end, and he will compete for a job there.
There is a wealth of talent at running back, including seniors Nick Perez, Mathew Griffith and the sophomore Andrade, who will play both sides of the ball.
The wide receiver position, along with all the other positions, is wide open for competition. Riley Filice-Holler and Gianni Filice, both seniors, as well as juniors Eddie Vargas and Alejandro Servin will compete for time at WR.
Senior quarterback David Munoz, Dukes said, has needed little time adjusting to the new offense. Dukes said he’s looking forward to seeing him develop further alongside junior Anthony Lealoa.
Overall, the upcoming season looks promising. Gilroy’s student-athletes are slowly changing the culture everyday as they show up and work. For more information about the Gilroy High football program, please visit gilroymustangsfootball.com.
GILROY MUSTANGS
Sept. 4 vs. Live Oak, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. Sobrato, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 Bye week
Sept. 25 at Piedmont Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Watsonville*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Alisal*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Christopher, Severance Bowl, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Seaside*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 at North Monterey County*, 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 vs. Pajaro Valley*, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 at North Salinas*, 7:30 p.m.

CHRISTOPHER COUGARS
Sept. 5 at Sobrato, 1:45 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Live Oak, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 Bye week
Sept. 25 vs. Hillsdale, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Palma*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Salinas*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Gilroy, Severance Bowl, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. San Benito*, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Monte Vista Christian*, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 vs. Everett Alvarez*, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 at Monterey*, 2 p.m.
*Denotes league contest