GUSTINE - Now the fun begins for the Gustine High School football team.
After having the bye last week, Gustine (0-3) begins Southern Athletic League action when it makes the trek into the foothills to play at Mariposa (2-1). The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:15 p.m.
Gustine head coach Collin Lane, who is also the school’s athletic director, talked about what his squad did during the bye week.
“We kept our regular practice and lifting schedule,” Lane said. “We really worked on fundamentals to help improve on both sides of the football.”
Lane feels the bye week came at the right time for his Reds team.
“I do feel that the bye before the league play has helped give our team more life,” Lane said. “I felt like we were getting a little banged up, and now we are starting on (a) new chapter in our season. All of the goals of the team are still in reach and now they have a chance to achieve them.”
Now the Reds are focused on playing a Grizzlies team that has proven to be tough this season.
“You can tell Mariposa is being coached hard,” Lane said. “Mariposa plays very hard and physical. They run their offensive scheme very well, and they are very tough on defense.”
Mariposa lost to Amador 29-28 on Friday to wrap up its non-league schedule. The Grizzlies defeated Bret Harte 49-0 and Sierra of Tollhouse 42-0 to start the season.
Running game
The Reds have three players who have triple-digit rushing yards this season.
Quarterback Juan Aguilera has 20 carries for 160 yards. Wingback Adrian Campos follows at 16 carries for 108 yards and fullback Avery Etheridge at 18 carries for an even 100 yards.
Preseason games
The league opener is also the Reds’ third consecutive road game. Gustine last played on Sept. 11, a non-league game at Big Valley Christian of Modesto. The Lions roared to a 56-20 win.
Gustine played at Riverbank, also a non-league game, on Sept. 4, where the host Bruins slipped past the Reds with a 7-6 win.
The Reds started their season on Aug. 28 against Westside rival Orestimba in the Battle of the Chief game. The Warriors produced a 21-13 win.
After Gustine plays at Denair in an SAL game on Friday, Oct. 2, it will play its next home game against Modesto Christian on Friday, Oct. 9.
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 @mikebushmedia.
