High School Sports

On the team’s first offensive play in the season-opener, Gilroy High junior Chimezie Elias knew things would be vastly different this year compared to the Covid spring season in March and April.  “I lined up, ran the first route and knew I was going to...

With a chance to ice the game, Live Oak High quarterback Xavier Catano went up to Acorns coach Mike Gemo and said, “Just give me the ball, coach. I’m going to get it.” Catano did just that, running for a 10-yard gain to put the...

Usually when a team out-gains its opponent by just 26 yards in total offense, the outcome is razor close. That wasn’t the case in Christopher High’s season-opener against Sobrato on Aug. 28. After a somewhat slow start, the Cougars turned it on en route...

Even after victories, coaches tend to nitpick on things their teams could have done better. But Christopher High field hockey coach Dani Hemeon admitted there wasn’t much—if anything—she could offer in constructive criticism after the host Cougars dominated Leigh 3-0 on Aug. 26.  “They did...

Every sports team needs players who lead by example. Christopher High football stalwarts Payton Wheeler and Rossi Oteri are splitting reps in practice at one of the offensive tackle positions, a byproduct of the Cougars graduating their entire offensive line.  “Payton and Rossi are the...

Gilroy High football coach Tim Pierleoni liked what he saw after his team scrimmaged Seaside on Aug. 20.  “I’m very happy with the way the kids played,” said Pierleoni, who returned to his alma mater in the off-season after spending 11 seasons on the sideline...

The past year of uncertainty with high school sports has left the Gilroy High girls volleyball team excited about the upcoming season. “Our No. 1 goal is to enjoy the sport,” Mustangs coach Brian Calimpong said. “After the last 18 months, I am just thankful...

As the only remaining player from the 2019 Christopher High team that advanced to the CIF NorCal Division III Regional playoff semifinals, Elizabeth Holderman knows the effort and focus it will take for this year’s team to achieve its potential.  “The girls have already made...

For one of the few times in his 20-plus seasons as the coach of the Gilroy High field hockey team, Adam Gemar has inherited a roster that is 20 deep. That’s mostly a good problem to have, Gemar said, as it creates fierce competition...

When Ella Rodriguez got to the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Trials in Minneapolis last month, she and her coach Andrew Dela Cruz received news they were entirely unprepared for: Rodriguez was entered in the long jump competition.  “I went into the Trials training for...