Rio Mesa at Ventura

Friday night started full of hope in the face of a stiff challenge as the 1-0 Rio Mesa Spartans traveled to North to take on the 2-0 Ventura Cougars.

A very mediocre week of practice combined with a Cougar squad which was very ready to play, made for a very looooong evening for the Red and Black.

Great Goal Line Defensive Surge

It was only one of several goal line snaps on the night, not a good sign for the Spartans. The Cougars would jump out to a 23-0 lead early in the second period.

TD Jordan Nunnery

Jordan caught a pass in the right flat and reversed his field all the way to the left sideline in route to this 54 yard TD with 3:08 left in the half.

This remarkable play kept the flicker of hope alive a bit longer at the break.

QB Trent Thornton

We changed QBs at the half as Trent came in and showed a lot of moxie in moving the team and getting up quickly from some viscious hits. He passing stat line was 10 for 17, 96 yards, 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions.

Mike Moon Rallying the Defense

It was a very disappointing night that revealed how far we still have to come to be a decent team. We were held to ZERO yards rushing on 23 carries. That just will not cut it in any game at any time. Credit Ventura's defensive front that dominated the LOS from start to finish -- they brought the hat!

The Final Score was Ventura 44 - Rio Mesa 13.

Cronies Camarillo

To help ease the pain, we gathered at Cronies after the game. I'm here with Peppe Strano (our TE from the Catania Elephants), Laurie, Valeria (Peppe's wife) and Jason Johnson (our QB in Catania and currently the QB coach for Pacific Lutheran University who was in town for PLU's game against California Lutheran University on Saturday.

Our son Mike, who coaches the JV team at nearby Newbury Park H.S., took this picture and gave Peppe the Panther Football T-shirt he is proudly holding.

I was grateful that Peppe and Valeria had hooked up with Jason for the evening and did not see the Ventura game.

It was that embarrassing.

Week #2 Results: BOLD = RM Opponent

Ventura 44 - Rio Mesa 13

Beverly Hills 20 - San Marcos 14

Lompoc 36 - Santa Barbara 14

Cabrillo 28 - Dos Pueblos 0

Saugus 34 - Buena 32

Pacifica 64 - Santa Paula 39

San Luis Obispo 28 - Oxnard 7

Nordhoff 41 - Hueneme 0

Channel Islands 38 - Santa Clara 24

Righetti 35 - Camarillo 21

Week #3 Games: BOLD = RM Opponent

Friday, September 23rd

Rio Mesa (1-1) at Santa Barbara (1-2)

Hueneme (0-3) at San Marcos (0-3)

Nordhoff (1-2) at Ventura (3-0)

Dos Pueblos (0-3) at Lompoc (3-0)

Buena (0-3) at Oxnard (0-2)

Golden Valley (0-2) at Channel Islands (3-0)

Camarillo (1-1) at Canyon (2-0)

BYE: Pacifica (2-1)

Pacific View League Standings

Channel Islands 0-0 PVL, 3-0 overall

Pacifica 0-0, 2-1

Camarillo 0-0, 1-1

Rio Mesa 0-0, 1-1

Oxnard 0-0, 0-2

Hueneme 0-0, 0-3

Sicilian Invasion of Ventura County

GREAT news today as two of our favorite people, Peppe Strano and his wife Valeria Guglielmino, from our two seasons coaching in Catania, Sicily came to Camarillo to first clean out the Camarillo Outlet Mall an then to visit with us for a fun time.

The Sicilian Trinacria flag

was set out to greet them

Valeria, on the left, was a member of the Italian Women's Ice Hockey Team in the XX Winter Olympics held in Turin, Italy in 2006.

Laurie, on the other hand, watched those games intently on TV in Camarillo.

Peppe is still the TE/H-Back

on the Catania Elephants

Peppe is a good receiver that runs well after catching the ball and has played on the Italian National Team, the Azzuri, in international tournaments.

Valeria and Peppe at Chuy's in Camarillo

Married for just a little over a year, one of their first stops on their Western U.S.A. tour was Las Vegas, Nevada where they renewed their vows in one of Sin City's numerous wedding chapels.

Chips, Tri-Tip sandwiches and burgers were the calls for the evening's meal.

As I said, earlier in the day they pretty much cleaned out the Outlet Mall here in town. Thanks for supporting the city's economy!

Our close friends, Brian and Koreen FitzGerald, were very generous in offering the use of their family's condo on the beach in Carpinteria to Peppe and Valeria. After a week in Las Vegas with side trips to the Grand Canyon and Utah's Monument Valley, a couple of days relaxing at "The World's safest Beach" will be a welcome event I'm sure.

THANKS BRIAN AND KOREEN!!!

More Used Football Gear for Europe

Thanks to the generosity of various local schools and Pop Warner organizations, the help of Laurie in taping up boxes and some Rio Mesa football players helping to load up a rental truck, we were able to send A LOT of much needed used football equipment to Sweden and Sicily in the last few weeks.

Behind Laurie are 12 boxes (28"x28"x20") full of Youth sized helmets, shoulder pads, practice pants, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, tail pads and girdles. We shipped all of these boxes off to the Hässleholm Hurricanes via a slow boat that will deliver these goods in about five weeks. We got a great rate thanks to California Shipping's Magnus Karlsson, a former Göteborg Marvel of the Swedish American Football Federation.

Over the last two weeks we have also been mailing, via USPS Parcel Post, a series of 18 smaller boxes (20"x20"x20", the largest allowed by the USPS) to Sicily's Catania Elephants as well. Their gear was of the Adult variety and consisted of mostly shoulder pads.

Lots of work and a near divorce but it was worth it and making up with Laurie is always a good thing!!!

Another Solid Sicilian Mystery Novel

This is the third novel by Sicilian Andrea Camilleri, starring Inspector Salvatore Montalbano, that I have read in the last two months. Another quick, fun read with lots of flashbacks to our wonderful lifestyle in Sicily.

CAT CONTI UPDATE

Here is another link to an update on Cat Conti's relentless pursuit of her dream, to become the first female referee in NFL history. Cat is a Ventura County product who is now working Diivision I college games in the Southland Conference.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Female-referee-Catherine-Conti-NFL-goal-as-close-as-ever-090511?gt1=39002

ANOTHER FOOTBALL

WEEKEND LOOMS

The Rio Mesa Spartans tee it up at 7:00 p.m. Friday night at Ventura H.S. to take on the talented 2-0 Cougars.

On Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Peppe and Valeria will join us to watch Jason Johnson's Pacific Lutheran University Lutes (1-0) take on the California Lutheran Kingsmen (0-1) at Moorpark College. The game had to be moved because CLU's brand new football stadium is still not quite finished.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

We are going to be Grandparents AGAIN!!!

Laurie and I are so excited to be able to finally tell ours friends that Mike and Vanessa are going to have their first child!!! We've known about it for a few weeks but they wanted to wait until their 12 week check-up before going public. That happened this week and after they drive down to San Marino to tell my Mother and Aunt about the news today, we were finally given the green light to post the news.

The scheduled arrival date is March 17, 2012 but they still do not if it will be a boy or a girl.

The Baby's 12 Week Photo

In keeping with his/her cousin Kevin's sports related nickname of "Tank Ranger," we need to come up with something catchy in case it is a boy.

After Michigan's incredible come from WAY behind 35-31 victory today over Notre Dame, if it is a boy, I'm leaning towards Denard Roundtree Contreras.

CONGRATULATIONS

MIKE and VANESSA!!!

RMHS Wins Season Opener

The 2011 Rio Mesa High School football season officially started last night as the San Marcos Royals (0-1) invaded John Reardon Field to try to upset the homestanding Spartans (0-0).

Before we review the game, let us take a look at last week's games that our opponents played while we scrimmaged Royal.

Week Zero Results: BOLD = RM Opponent

Cabrillo 44 - San Marcos 7

Ventura 36 - Pacifica 16

Channel Islands 20 - Santa Barbara 14

Righetti 27 - Dos Pueblos 7

Newbury Park 17 - Buena 7

Thousand Oaks 62 - Hueneme 0

BYES: Camarillo, Oxnard and Rio Mesa

"What a BEAUTIFUL Night

for American Football!!!"

Coach Bo Espinoza

Bo coaches our Falcons (Strong Safeties) and they played well last night! Bo was a great player for the Spartans in the '90s, a three year starter and one of the best I've coached in my 20+ years at RM. He brings great passion for the game every time he steps on to the field.

Coaches John Du Bose and Steven Stroh

They both work with our Offensive Linemen and did a great job getting the Hogs ready to play last night.

"Captains Out"

#8 QB Christian McNair, #4 RB/DB Jordan Nunnery, #11 RB/LB Tanner Wrout and #3 Falcon James Turner

The Spartans Take the Field

QB DOWN!!!

This was a big, clean hit on the QB by OLB Mitchell Haerterich . . . AWESOME!!!

#95 NG "Che" Williams and #28 DE Nick Holt

These two both did a GREAT job on the Defensive Line.

Punt Block Team

Good pressure on this first punt of the game resulted in . . .

. . . Jordan Nunnery TO THE HOUSE!!!

Good pressure on the punter plus great blocking downfield resulted in a 65 yard punt return for a TD only 41 seconds into the game.

Rio Mesa 7 - San Marcos 0

Besides this great TD producing punt return, Jordan would rush ten times for 130 yards and two more TDs.

Coach Brett Phillips and Head Coach Bob Gregorchuk

Brett handles our Special Teams which did very well on this cool evening. Bob also doubles as our Offensive Coordinator.

Shotgun

Christian McNair did a nice job as our QB. Our line performed well in protecting him.

Tim Dominguez on the PAT

Defensive Action and Lots of Colorful Uniforms

One Royals Ballcarrier

and Six Spartan Defenders

I like our odds here, good swarm.

At the half, Rio Mesa led 30-0.

RM Cheerleader Run-Through Banner

Spartans Take the Field Again

Tanner Wrout for Six!

Tanner trucked a few Royals along the way this evening as he totaled 13 carries for 116 yards and two TDs.

Defensive Coordinator Mike Moon

When I retired from teaching and started coaching in Europe, I strongly recommended Mike as my successor as RM's DC. He works hard and proves daily that my faith in him was duly warranted!

Our back ups played most of the second half as we scored on the last play of the third quarter to make it 44-7. Thus, by new rule in high school football this season, once we had a 35+ point lead at any time in the 4th quarter, we automatically finished with a running clock.

"Tiger" Defenders Still Running to the Ball!!!

Love seeing these kids have success in the 4th quarter.

Post Game Talk, Final Score:

Rio Mesa (1-0) 44 - San Marcos (0-2) 7

Bob had a lot of positive things to hit on as we led in first downs 17-1 and outgained the Royals 369 yards to 82!

I firmly believe that "Shutouts are Fascist." I think it is good for both teams to leave the field with a modicum of dignity, thus I was glad to see the Royals have one shining moment, it was a good one.

Although they were only 1 for 11 passing, the Royals lone score came on a 68 yard TD pass late in the 3rd quarter.

Things become much harder next week as we travel to Ventura H.S. to play the very physical Cougars (2-0). Last year's game was a shoot-out with VHS prevailing 55-41. Should be a great game next Friday!

Week #1 Results: BOLD = RM Opponent

Rio Mesa 44 - San Marcos 7

Ventura 38 - Agoura 0

Santa Barbara 27 - Beverly Hills 6

San Luis Obispo 36 - Dos Pueblos 23

Camarillo 20 - Buena 15

Pacifica 60 - Nordhoff 56

Quartz Hill 42 - Oxnard 13

Santa Clara 35 - Hueneme 34

Channel Islands 23 - Oak Park 7

Week #2 Games: BOLD = RM Opponent

Friday, September 16th

Rio Mesa (1-0) at Ventura (2-0)

San Marcos (0-2) at Beverly Hills (0-1)

Santa Barbara (1-1) at Lompoc (2-0)

Cabrillo (2-0) at Dos Pueblos (0-2)

Buena (0-2) at Saugus (1-1)

Pacifica (1-1) at Santa Paula (0-1)

Oxnard (0-1) at San Luis Obispo (1-1)

Hueneme (0-2) at Nordhoff (0-2)

Channel Islands (2-0) at Santa Clara (1-0)

Camarillo (1-0) at Righetti (1-1)

Pacific View League Standings

Channel Islands 0-0 PVL, 2-0 overall

Camarillo 0-0, 1-0

Rio Mesa 0-0, 1-0

Pacifica 0-0, 1-1

Oxnard 0-0, 0-1

Hueneme 0-0, 0-2

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

Hawaii Warriors (1-0)

at

Washington Huskies (1-0)

White *&%#ing Helmets!!!!!!!!

I have been a University of Washington fan since January 1, 1960 when they thrashed the heavily favored Wisconsin Badgers 44-6 in the Rose Bowl. In all of these ensuing 51 years, the Huskies have worn mostly gold lids with a few seasons of purple hats for the team as well as the coveted, defense only Purple Helmets of the late 1960's.

Today we wore white helmets with white pants . . . after Labor Day . . . at least we won 40-32 but at what fashion sense cost???

Up next for the Huskies (2-0) is a dangerous road game at Nebraska (2-0), still smarting from their Holiday Bowl loss to washington last December in San Diego.

We watched Michigan's (2-0) incredible comeback 35-31 win against Notre Dame (0-2) tonight with the Murphy clan at Cathy Saltee's house. WHAT A GAME!!!

Swedish Football Playoffs

The Swedish Division I football playoffs continued today and I hate to report that Ryan Bolland's #1 seeded Division I Södra Kristianstad Predators squad lost to their rivals, the Limhamn Griffins 21-14 in the semi-finals. Thus the Predators finish the year with a 9-3 record. A disappointing end I am sure to a great first season as a Division I team.

To date, that is the only result from this weekend's games that the SAFF website has posted.

Semi-Finals Games:

Saturday or Sunday, Sept. 10-11

Nyköping (6-0, Ö #1) at Uppsala (8-2, N #1)

Limhamn 21 - Kristianstad 14

Relegation Games:

Saturday or Sunday, Sept. 17-18

Nyköping-Uppsala game winner at Superserien #6

Limhamn (10-2, S #2) at Superserien #5

Swedish American Football Federation Playoff Updates

Thanks to Sweden's #1 newshound and die-hard West Virginia Mountaineer fan, Johan Hammarqvist for the updates on SAFF's two missing playoff game results from the weekend. The SAFF new and improved SAFF website still has not posted these results even though it is late Monday afternoon in Sweden as I write this.

WAY TO GO JOHAN!!!

2011 SAFF Division I Playoff Qualifiers:

Uppsala 86ers (7-2, Norra #1)

Gefle Red Devils (6-2-1, Norra #2)

Nyköping Baltic Beasts (5-0, Östra #1)

Södertälje Truckers (4-2, Östra #2)

Göteborg Marvels (6-0, Västra #1)

Karlskoga Wolves (4-2, Västra #2)

Kristianstad Predators (8-2, Södra #1)

Limhamn Griffins (8-2, Södra #2)

First Round Playoff Results:

Uppsala 33 - Södertälje 0

Nyköping 26 - Gefle 7

Kristianstad 1 - Karlskoga 0 - Win By Forfeit

Limhamn 47 - Göteborg 30

Semi-Finals Games:

Saturday or Sunday, Sept. 10-11

Nyköping (6-0, Ö #1) at Uppsala (8-2, N #1)

Limhamn (9-2, S #2) at Kristianstad (9-2, S #1)

Relegation Games:

Saturday or Sunday, Sept. 17-18

Nyköping-Uppsala game winner at Superserien #6

Limhamn-Kristianstad winner game at Superserien #5

Again, with one game left in the Superserien regular season, the fifth place team is the Örebro Black Knights (2-6-1) who play at home on Saturday against the STU Northside Bulls (3-6). In sixth place at the moment are the Arlanda Jets (1-7-1) who finish on Saturday as well with a game at the home field of the Stockholm Mean Machines (7-2).

If you are not familiar with the Relegation Game concept borrowed from soccer, if either Division I team beats their Superserien opponent, they can claim the right to replace them in the 2012 Superserien. As a result, said Superserien Relegation Game loser would shift back to Division I next season.

Last year, both Superserien teams won their Relegation Games.

In the first Relegation Game in 2010, the Arlanda Jets (5-6, Superserien #5), defeated the Örebro Black Knights (13-1, Västra #1) 28-6.

In the other 2010 Relegation Game, the Djurgården IF (1-10, Superserien #6) defeated the Ystad Rockets (10-2-1, Södra #2) 7-0.

After the 2010 season Djurgården folded their team. Even though they lost their 2010 Relegation Game, the Örebro Black Knights still were promoted to the Superserien which is made up of Sweden's top six clubs in theory.

Rio Mesa Spartans on NFL Rosters

The 2011 NFL season starts next week and two of our former Rio Mesa H.S. Spartan players made the final roster cuts to be on the opening day rosters for their respective squads.

Scott Fujita, OLB

Cleveland Browns

Rio Mesa H.S., Class of 1997

University of California

Scott starts his 10th NFL campaign this season. He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs (3 years), Dallas Cowboys (1 year), New Orleans Saints (4 years) as well as the Browns (2 years).

The crown jewel of his career was being the Saints starting OLB on their Super Bowl XLIV Championship team.

Kevin "Quito" Thomas, CB

Indianapolis Colts

Rio Mesa H.S., Class of 2005

University of Southern California

Officially this is Quito's second season in the NFL, both with the Colts. In actuality, he missed all of the 2010 season due to a pre-season injury. He has fought hard to rehabilitate himself and it has paid off!

Good luck to both of

these Spartans in 2011!

First Full Football Weekend

Lots of American football this weekend but let us start out of order with the big college game of the week in the Contreras household, the season opener for the Washington Huskies.

The 2011 season got under way yesterday at home as the Dawgs hosted defending Division I-AA (I know that it is called something else but pleeeease) Champion Eastern Washington University Eagles.

I was very worried about this game as EWU is obviously a quality program and had everything to gain in this contest.

As expected they gave the Huskies all that they wanted until the very last minute of the game.

UW Defensive Back Desmond Trufant

This interception in the end zone, with 29 seconds left to play, sealed the 30-27 victory for the U. of W. It was that close.

Up next for the 1-0 Huskies is another home game next Saturday against a 1-0 Hawaii squad that beat the PAC-12's Colorado Buffaloes 34-17 last night.

Mike Contreras' First NPHS Game

Laurie donned her new black and gold Newbury Park Panther outfit, grabbed our good Nikon camera and went to Mike's first game as the J.V. Defensive Coordinator for the Panthers.

Nice Blowup Bulldog

It was the Newbury Park Panthers at the Buena Bulldogs.

Mike's 3-5-3 Defense in white

Mike coaching up his kids

Nice yellow belt.

Coach or Equipment Man,

it's all part of the job

Sideline Pageantry

Getting swarmed by the Bulldogs

Mike surrenders to long time

NPHS Head Coach George Hurley

George is retired now but is still pacing the sidelines on Friday nights. He is now very active as an American Civil War reenactor.

Leaving a Bulldog in his wake

Good pressure on the Buena QB

Breakaway for SIX!!!

George Hurley with NPHS Principal Athol Wong

Mike and his very happy fellow J.V. coaches

The reason for all of the post game smiles?

Final Score: Newbury Park 14 - Buena 7

The 1-0 Panthers have a BYE next week before opening Marmonte League play on Friday, Sept. 16th at Simi Valley H.S., home of the Pioneers.

Speaking of the Simi Valley . . .

Rio Mesa at Royal Scrimmage

The Spartan Varsity, J.V. and Frosh teams all traveled to toasty Simi Valley for the annual scrimmage against the Royal Highlanders.

The Frosh L.O.S.

Royal is in yellow on offense. The RMHS Frosh are in the red.

Spartan QB Cameron Wrout going deep

Mini-Spartans in Hot Pursuit!

After the Frosh and the J.V. teams finished their work, the Varsity teams took the field both wearing white. Because of this, RM wore their yellow scrimmage vests.

Spartan Punt Block

Spartan Punt

Here comes the BLITZ!!!

The ever explosive Jordan Nunnery

An old fashioned low tackle by a Spartan

Coaching DE Nick Holt

Only a Junior, I think Nick can be a very good high school lineman.

I don't think he always believes me.

Backside pressure by James Turner

Arm Up on the Pass Rush

Center Orion Du Bose

NICE BLOCK!!!

Overall, it was a good learning experience for both teams, just what a scrimmage should be.

We open our season next Friday night at home against the 0-1 San Marcos Royals. The Royals lost to the Cabrillo Conquistadores 44-9 Friday night.

Camarillo Hospice Country Music

Festival and Chili Cookoff

Today, many of our players volunteered their time to help in this very worthy fundraising extravaganza.

Lots of people and lots of activitiies

It was held at the historic

Camarillo Ranch House

About 20 different chili cooks were competing for the top prize including this one . . .

Really???

They had a Classic Car Show too.

Mustang

No clue but it looks GREAT!

'56 Chevy Bel Air Wagon

For Sale, only $39,000

SWEDISH FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

The 2011 Sewedish American Football Federation Division I playoffs began this weekend. As opposed to last year's eight team, two four-team pool format ala soccer, this season it is still eight teams but in a now single elimination tournament.

Sort of.

Their will again be no official Division I National Champion at the end of the playoffs. Instead, the two sem-final game winners will play the two bottom feeding teams from Sweden's top league, the Superserien, in relegation games.

As mentioned in previous posts, Division I is divided into four regional Conferences Norre (North), Östra (East), Västra (West) and Södra (South). The top two teams in each conference advanced to the playoffs this weekend.

First Round Games:

Södertälje Truckers (4-2, Ö #2) at Uppsala 86ers (7-2, N #1)

Gefle Red Devils (6-2-1, N #2) at Nyköping Baltic Beasts (5-0, Ö #1 )

Karlskoga Wolves (4-2, V #2) at Kristianstad Predators (8-2, S #1)

Limhamn Griffins (8-2, S #2) at Göteborg Marvels (6-0, V #1)

First Round Results:

Södertälje at Uppsala - No Score Posted Online

Gefle at Nyköping - No Score Posted Online

Kristianstad 1 - Karlskoga 0 - Win By Forfeit

Limhamn 47 - Göteborg 30

Semi-Finals on Sept. 10 or 11:

Winner of Gefle-Nyköping at the winner of Södertälje-Uppsala

Limhamn (9-2) at Kristianstad (9-2)

Relegation Games on Sept. 17 or 18:

Winner of Gefle-Nyköping/Södertälje-Uppsala games at Superserien #6

Winner of the Limhamn-Kristianstad game at Superserien #5

Let's look at Ryan Bolland's Kristianstad forfeir win over Karlskoga. He was notified last Sunday, the day after the regular season by Karlskoga that they would forfeit due to their inability to afford the travel costs of the 285 mile drive to Kristianstad. The Limhamn-Kristianstad "rubber match" is up next.

As for the relegation games, with one week left in the Superserien regular season, the fifth place team is the Örebro Black Knights (2-6-1) while the Arlanda Jets (1-7-1) bring up the rear.

Kevin "Tank" Contreras

Turns One Month Old

That's Our Grandson!!!

Great Tank Hat

We visited our friends Terry and Elin Terrazone Saturday night. Their son Tyler is a jet pilot in the U.S. Air Force currently stationed in Iraq. This is one of his flight helmets, his nickname is Tank too!

Awesome.

God's Spreed Tyler!!!