Friday Night Lights With the Sabolićs

Friday, September 4, 2026

We had a wide variety of games to pick from for tonight's edition of our latest Friday Night Lights experience.

Our final decision was simple, join Joanne and Paul Sabolić for a pre-game meal before watching their son Jason's game at Simi Valley H.S.

Jason is the Pioneers' Wide Receiver Coach.

For once it was not yours truly picking our dining spot, Joanne had an insight into the fine dining scene in Simi Valley.

This spot in the heart of Simi Valley

was FANTASTICO!

It was a new spot for us that we thoroughly enjoyed, we'll revisit Elvira's again in the future to be sure.

Fully sated, we were off to . . .

. . . the Home of the Pioneers

for our game tonight

The Knights were (0-2) coming

into the contest

Bishop Montgomery was coming off of a troubled 2025 campaign that saw their program shut down to a recruiting scandal.

I'm not sure what that means anymore in today's Wild West high school transfer world that saw Buena H.S. and Newbury Park H.S. each get a new transfer Varsity QB this week.

The Pioneers (1-1) were riding high

on a one game winning streak

It was a BEAUTIFUL day for

American football!

Can you name two Simi Valley H.S. female

students that are NOT cheerleaders?

The Pioneers Kickoff Return to start

the game set the tone for the night

I was disappointed to see the sparse crowd on the Bishop Montgomery side that made the trip from the beach city of Torrance.

We had a few problem issues watching the game.

First, the PA system was on FULL BLAST all game long.

Second, the PA announcer was also FULL BLAST in his delivery.

Finally, piped in, FULL BLAST rock music between every play and often during plays when Bishop Montgomery had the ball.

The net effect was the inability to converse with our friends due to the mind numbing volume.

Not Fun!

Catch the ball . . .

. . . throw the ball to the

WIDE OPEN receiver

That was the the ongoing theme for the night.

At the end of the First Quarter, Simi Valley was having their way with the Knights, 35-0. The Pioneers were already mercifully pulling their starters,

The non-competitive nature of the game combined with obnoxious PA situation begged the question, "Why were we still at the game?"

After sober reflection, and with the Pioneers ahead 49-6 midway through the Second Quarter, Laurie and I headed home.

A wise choice as soon after we left, the coaches agreed to invoke the Mercy Rule and play with a running clock the rest of the game.

Final Score

Simi Valley (2-1) - 56

Bishop Montgomery (0-3) - 6

Thank goodness for our time with Joanne and Paul!