The varsity football team has started off 5-0 for the first time in program history, and is ranked sixth in CIF-SS Division 1. The Owls’ success comes as no surprise as the boys have been training rigorously since late May. Their offseason workouts consisted of heavy lifting, sprint mechanics, and position-specific skills. After the graduation of four starters on both sides of the ball including All-CIF quarterback Stephen McCaffery, the Owls knew they had their work cut out for them.
Head Coach Shane Lopes revamped the coaching staff hiring former NFL linebacker and three-time Wisconsin high school football state champion Taylor Selby as the defensive coordinator and SBCC offensive tackle Matt Escobar as the offensive line coach while Lopes took over the reigns as offensive coordinator.
The Owls’ hard work and commitment in the offseason showed in their season opening rout of 2014 LA City Section Semifinalists Sherman Oaks CES 64-0 in the team’s first shut out in eight years and the first in Lopes’ four-year tenure. The blow-out win not only established Laguna as a serious contender for CIF, but also showed the emphasis the Owls placed on improving their defense in the offseason, the team’s Achilles’ heel the last three seasons.
The Owls continued their winning ways on the road against 2014 CIF Finalists Animo Robinson. They knew this was going to be a big test because the boys barely squeezed out a 48-46 victory a year ago. The Owls improvement on defense showed again as they romped Animo 42-14, and travelled to Cambria where they beat Coast Union 44-0 in their second shut out in three games.
The boys returned home to host undefeated Crystal Springs from San Francisco. The Owls jumped out to an early lead and never let go, beating the Gryphons 46-12 to move to 4-0. No team in the history of Laguna football had started off 5-0, so the players knew it was their chance to make history if they won their next game. They knew it wouldn’t be easy though because the fifth game was their Condor League opener at Villanova Prep. The Owls flew into Ojai and vanquished the Wildcats behind a 29-0 run to close out the 43-13 victory. After this big win, the Owls moved to 5-0 and proved that they can compete with any team in the division and achieve greatness this season. The Owls enter their second and final bye week as they prepare for their homecoming game against no. 7 Orcutt Academy. This will be a big game for the Owls as they chase a Condor League title and look to keep their perfect season alive with senior captains Pierce O’Donnell, Bjorn Lindskog, Christian Fowler, and Robert Estrada leading the way.
