Vote: Who should be SBLive’s California High School Football Coach of the Week (10/19/2023)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s California High School Coach of the Week for Oct. 12-14 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote below. Voting will conclude on Monday, Oct. 23 at 11:59 p.m and the winner will be announced on Monday. If you would like to nominate a coach in future weeks, please email Lance@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveCA.
Eric Martinez, Diamond Ranch: Not even a month after having heart surgery, Martinez returned to the sideline and guided his team to an overtime victory against Los Altos (Los Altos) in their Valle Vista League opener. D'mariya Thomas had an interception and a touchdown in overtime for Diamond Ranch.
Adam Contreras, Liberty (Winchester): In 2022, Liberty made the de facto Mountain Pass League title game against eventual CIFSS D6 champion San Jacinto in its first season of existence, but got thrashed 42-0. The Bison responded to win the title game 40-37 against San Jacinto in year two under their first-year head coach.
Jason Negro, St. John Bosco: In the most highly-anticipated regular season game of the year, St. John Bosco routed its rival, top-ranked Mater Dei, 28-0. The Braves' victory will likely constitute an undisputed Trinity League title, and represents the first shutout of Mater Dei by any team since 2011.
Kris Krempien, Tehachapi: Tehachapi became one of the only 9-0 teams in the state and clinched a South Yosemite - Mountain title with a 49-6 rout of South (Bakersfield). Jacob Root threw two touchdowns passes and ran for three more TDs as the Warriors won their second league title in Krempien's three seasons at the helm.
Fale Poumele, Oceanside: It's a new year for Oceanside, which is 6-3 and winning a conference title in its first year under Poumele and first year in the Valley League. The Pirates, coming off a 0-10 campaign, flattened Vista 48-6 led by Andrew Miller's four touchdown passes.
Jaime Ortiz, San Clemente: With a 20-10 victory at Mission Viejo, San Clemente earned its first road win against its arch rival since the 1990s and first under their 11th-year head coach. Aiden Rubin ran for 234 yards and a touchdown for the Tritons, who've now won three out of the last five games in the series.
Mario Millan, Kennedy (Delano): The Thunderbirds zapped McFarland 62-7 to remain perfect in South Sequoia League play and set up a championship match with unbeaten Shafter. Jace Demacabalin turned just four carries into 96 yards and three touchdowns for Kennedy, which enters on a six-game tear as it pursues its second consecutive league title.
Verlain Betofe, Mount Miguel: In its first season under Betofe, Mount Miguel is poised to win its first Grossmont Valley League title in a decade after a 46-20 win against El Capitan (Lakeside). Matthew Barton completed 27 of 37 passes for 332 yards and six touchdowns for the Matadors.
Doug Case, Foothill (Santa Ana): A daring two-point conversion proved to be the game-winner as Foothill pulled off one of the top upsets of league play so far – a 22-21 win over previously unbeaten Villa Park. Foothill had dropped two of its last three against El Dorado and Chino Hills, but is unbeaten in Crestview League play.
Ben McEnroe, Thousand Oaks: In another big-time league upset, the Lancers handed previously unbeaten Moorpark its first loss thanks to a 15-0 fourth quarter, winning 36-23. With the win, Thousand Oaks went from nearly eliminated from the Canyon League race to the top of the conference in McEnroe's first year at the helm.
Robert Metzger, Oak Hills: Oak Hills clinched its third consecutive Mojave River League title with a 42-21 victory over Apple Valley, led by four touchdowns and over 200 yards from running back Karson Cox. That makes the Bulldogs three for three in league championship races under Metzger.
Thadd MacNeal, Carlsbad: Carlsbad unofficially clinched its fifth straight Avocado League championship with a 17-7 victory against Torrey Pines. That makes six total under their 13th-year head coach.
Joey LaRosa, Chino: In a battle of 6-1 teams that likely constituted the Sierra League championship, Chino took down Covina 38-25. Now 7-1 and on a six-game tear, Chino appears to have its best team in LaRosa's five seasons at the helm.
Tom Carroll, San Marcos (San Marcos): In what was expected by many to be a neck-and-neck battle between two teams unbeaten in Palomar League play, San Marcos rolled to a 27-0 win over Ramona (Ramona). The Knights have a real chance at their first conference title in 10 years in Carroll's second season as their head coach.
Paul Lawrence, University City: After starting 0-7 playing a tough schedule, University City shocked Scripps Ranch 33-30 in non-league play for its first win of the season. Sophomore Quentyn Demara threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns on 17-22 completion for the Centurions, and ran for 82 yards.
Robbie Robinson, Great Oak: Great Oak is likely on the verge of its second consecutive Big West - Lower title following a 14-7 victory over Murrieta Mesa. It defeated Murrieta Mesa 13-7 for the championship last year.
Andrew Ramer, Chaparral: The Pumas knocked off scorching-hot Murrieta Valley 36-35 for their first victory of conference play, putting themselves in position for another top-two or top-three finish in the Big West - Upper. Chaparral has had a winning record in all five seasons under Ramer, and it appears the streak will live on in his sixth year.
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca
