Area football teams compete at Rio Mesa tournament

Tim Gutierrez's wardrobe has already made the seamless transition — he looks good in blue.

"That's what my wife tells me," he says with a grin.

Blue becomes the dominant color scheme, of course, after Gutierrez was named the head coach of the Buena High football team last spring.

The former Santa Clara High standout quarterback and ex-Saints head coach is apparently adjusting to his new football team as well.

"It's going great," he said. "The kids are responding to all we're trying to teach them by working hard and putting in the effort. I think everybody's excited about what lies ahead."

Buena put the finishing touches on its summer program on Saturday by participating in the 7 on 7 passing competition and the hogs tournament at Rio Mesa High. Buena's linemen placed second in the 10-school hogs event.

Photo by Carlos Chavez, Special to The Star

Players shake hands during the Rio Mesa Hogs and 7 on 7 passing tournament on Saturday.

Gutierrez acknowleges that it's always a challenge for players to mesh with a new coaching staff.

"It can be difficult," he said. "It's not always easy for players to learn a new system and quickly apply those lessons on the football field. These players seem determined to show that they can make the transition."

Brad Burnett, a senior defensive end, said the Bulldogs find motivation in their latest challenge.

"We want to show them (the coaches) what we can do," he said. "It seems like everybody is putting in a lot of hard work to make it happen."

VALENCIA IN CHARGE

Making their first appearance at the Rio Mesa event, the visiting Vikings dominated the hogs competition.

Valencia won six of nine events, including the prestigious tug-of-war, to finish with 13 points. Buena, which lost to Valencia in the tug-of-war finals, was second (52 points), followed in the top five by Newbury Park (54), Canyon (55.5) and St. Bonaventure (56.5).

Then again, winning isn't everything to a hog. Good competition is the main motivation.

"It means a lot," said Royal senior tackle Billy Carrillo. "The drills we do as a group in practice help us to do well in something like this. It's a lot of fun, because it gives us a chance to do something different, and it also gives us a chance to look at the other teams in our league."

Simi Valley senior lineman Trevor Romine said that qualities that serve a group well in a hogs competition can translate to the football field.

"It's a lot about heart and dedication," he said.

Among the trademarks of the Rio Mesa competition are a host of unique events, including a truck pull and a tire push.

"It's always a lot of fun," said Rio Mesa junior Joe Gonzales. "We work hard all summer, and this is a chance to do something different. We try to get ready. We'll pick up rocks and tires and try to throw them around. But it's always a challenge."

Buena's Burnett agrees.

"Don't give up. Keep going hard. The same things that are important today are important in football," he said.

GOING TO TOWN

Ricky Town is just a sophomore, but he's the frontrunner for the starting quarterback slot at St. Bonaventure this fall.

"It feels great," he said during a break in the Rio Mesa passing tournament. "St. Bonaventure is a great school with a great program, and I'll do everything I can to help us win football games."

Town, who grew up in Valencia, transferred to St. Bonaventure last January and said he immediately felt at home.

"We're a family," he said. "That's what makes the school so special. Everybody cares about each other."

The challenge this summer, he said, is to learn how to lead an offense.

"There's a lot to work on, but I've got a lot of support," he said. "I'm really excited about the season."

THE NEW MARMONTE

Agoura coach Charlie Wegher supports the two-division setup for the Marmonte League this fall.

"I love it," he said. "The big thing is that it enables us to schedule games that are very competitive. We open our season with Oak Park, and it should be the start of a great rivalry in our area."