NEWMAN, Calif – Four non-league games under its belt, the Orestimba High football team started Trans-Valley League action against a school that was a part of the league that in a short time switched to an independent schedule.
Then Warriors ended their season in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Football – Division VI Playoffs on the east side of San Joaquin County.
Orestimba head coach Aaron Souza and his assistant coaches and players put in their time in which it produced a 7-5 record, including a 3-4 mark in the TVL. Another winning season that started in January inside the school’s weight room.
“I just saw a team that was very dedicated,” said Souza of the players in the weight room during the offseason. “I just saw a group of guys that were very hungry. Transition from the Southern (Athletic) League to the TVL.”
Orestimba returned to the TVL at the start of this school year after spending the last eight years in the SAL. The Warriors were members of the TVL from 2010 to 2014 before returning to the SAL.
“Football is a long journey,” Souza said. “Football is a long process. Team building takes months upon months.”
Here’s a final look at the Warriors’ season.
At Modesto Christian
After finishing its preseason with a 4-0 record, Orestimba opened TVL play at Modesto Christian.
But there was a catch – this scheduled league game became a non-league contest.
That is because Modesto Christian announced in early September that, due to having a 13-player roster and knowing the riggers of playing in the TVL, it would play an independent schedule for the rest of the 2024 season.
A league or non-league game didn’t matter, as Orestimba rolled to a 50-0 win on the Crusaders’ field on Sept. 20.
At Sonora
One of the two TVL schools that won a section title over the weekend, Orestimba, made the trek to Sonora, which had rolled past TVL champion Escalon in their league opener and its four non-league opponents.
The host Wildcats showed the Warriors, along with the rest of the TVL, why it was one of the teams to beat by posting a 44-20 win on Sept. 27.
Sonora knocked off Bradshaw Christian 23-20 for the section’s D-VI title at Sacramento City College on Friday.
Ripon
Hosting Ripon in its first TVL game at Warrior Stadium, Orestimba won a tight game over the Indians by a 10-7 score on Oct. 4. This was also the Warriors’ homecoming game. The win gave the Warriors their first TVL win of the season, improving to 1-1 in league and 5-1 overall.
This would also be the last game for Chris Musseman, who was the Ripon head coach. Reasons were not disclosed as to why Musseman resigned shortly after the Warriors’ win. Interim head coach Cole Williams took over the team and led the Indians to the section’s Division VI playoffs.
At Hilmar
The Westside rivalry between Orestimba and Hilmar renewed at McSweeney Field on Oct. 11.
This was another slugfest for the Warriors against the Yellowjackets, who had celebrated their homecoming game by pulling out a 21-13 win.
Hughson
At Warrior Stadium on Oct. 18, Orestimba welcomed Hughson, which won the section’s Division V title over Sutter, 30-29, at Sacramento City College on Saturday.
The Huskies held a 6-0 lead after one quarter. But Hughson flexed its muscles with its offense and defense, en route to a 48-12 win.
Ripon Christian
Two former SAL teams now in the TVL, Orestimba and Ripon Christian continued their rivalry in the TVL with another stellar game on Oct. 25.
The Warriors held the Knights’ offense scoreless in the second half. Orestimba added another touchdown in the third quarter to post a 21-17 victory.
At Escalon
The TVL finale on the road had Escalon jump out to an early lead to post a 41-14 victory on Nov. 1
Despite the loss, Orestimba, along with Escalon and the rest of the TVL, earned section playoff berths.
Delhi
In its first-round playoff game against a former SAL foe on Nov. 8, Orestimba sent the Delhi Hawks flying back to the east side of Merced County with a 33-0 win.
At Linden
On Nov. 15, Orestimba made the trek to the east side of San Joaquin County on a cold night that displayed a full moon.
The host Lions led only 7-0 after the first quarter. But Linden continued to score throughout the game to end the Warriors’ season with a 47-0 win.
Statistics
Orestimba quarterback Jacob Valenzuela finished his prep career by completing 127 of 236 passes for 2,153 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games.
Running backs Allen Garcia and Nico Cuevas carried the rock most of the time for the Warriors this season. Garcia had 642 yards on 106 carries and six touchdowns. Cuevas had 82 carries for 566 yards and eight touchdowns.
There were five wide receivers who had 200 or more yards for the Warriors this season. Dylan McCauley led the way with 52 receptions for 908 yards and 12 touchdowns.
On defense, Cuevas, a linebacker, had 132 tackles. Another linebacker in Colby Cabral was second in tackles with 75. Garcia, a linebacker, was third at 59 tackles and defensive lineman Nathan Ceja next at 54.
Cuevas led the Warriors in sacks with 24.
Defensive back Richie Rivas had four interceptions in 11 games.
Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushphotography.
