Ranger CIF championship 2013

Nordhoff Football
An Ojai Valley News supplement commemorating Nordhoff High School’s
second consecutive CIF championship season
C1
Friday,
Dec. 13, 2013
www.ojaivalleynews.com
RANGER
REPEAT!
(photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff repeats as CIF-SS
Northwest Division champions!
C2 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Varsity
Raʼad Abasi
Anthony Abayan
Ryan Abayan
Emanuel Alva
Austin Baker
William Blake
Noah Bohnett
Jake Boyd
Dustin Boynton
Taylor Brown
Mark Burdick
Oscar Camarena
Miguel Carbajal
Max Carmona
Jesus Ceja
Marc Conley
Cesar Cornejo
Lawrence Davis
Cody Deason
Marcos Diaz
Alexander Esquivel
Wyatt Fuchs
Cooper Garcia
Hannah Greene
Ian Hampel
Jesus Hernandez
Shane Hersh
Ivan Jauregui
Emmett Johnsen
Jacob Kunde
Damian Lang
Tayler Livingston
Michael Martel
Remington Martin
Nicholas McGrew
Dominic McLeod
Jevon Morrison
William Moses
Tiarnen Nelson
Atticus Reyes
Allen Rogers
Baylee Rogers
Taylor Rowson Moir
Austin Santino
Warren Sterling
Erick Thrush
Brandon Wadsworth
Koby Welch
Joshua Williams Lopez
Austin Wolcott
Matthew Woodcock
Tanner Workman
The 2013 CIF-Champion Nordhoff Ranger Varsity team.
13 players who helped the Rangers get back to the postseason again this year
by Mike Miller
This season’s CIFSS Northwest Division championship
title was a total
team effort as described by head
coach Tony Henney,
but there were a
core group of seniors who performed
week in and week
out to help the
Rangers repeat as
champions. That
group included:
Brandon
Wadsworth:
Wadsworth has
been one of Nordhoff’s most versatile
players this season.
On offense,
Wadsworth has
scored three rushing touchdowns and
has four receiving
touchdowns. He has
Tanner Workman: 26-2. That is
Nordhoff’s record
over the last two
seasons with Workman over center.
Over his career, the
Jake Boyd
Tayler Livingston
Boyd is the team’s
leading receiver this
season with 679
yards and five
touchdowns.
Matt Woodcock:
No Nordhoff player
juries all season,
Livingston has
rushed for 947 yards
and 11 touchdowns.
As a junior, he enjoyed one of the
best seasons in NHS
history with 1,535
yards and 20 touchdowns. If the game
is on the line, look
for head coach Tony
Henney to call Livingston’s number.
Alex Esquivel: Esquivel has been a
key contributor on
defense this season
for the Rangers. He
Matt Woodcock
Brandon Wadsworth
also been the leader
of the defensive secondary, recording
103 tackles on the
season.
Jake Boyd: The
senior wide out has
emerged as a solid
player for the
Rangers and has
caught the attention
of college recruiters.
has played as well as
Woodcock since the
playoffs got underway. The senior running back scored 10
touchdowns in the
playoffs alone. So
far this season,
Woodcock has
rushed for 1,134
yards and 17 touchdowns and is averaging better than
seven yards per
carry. He has rushed
for 28 touchdowns
in his career.
Tayler Livingston:
Despite battling in-
The big tight end
has four touchdown
catches so far this
season and his
blocking has been a
key element in the
success of the Nordhoff ground attack.
Ryan Abayan:
One area of concern
heading into the
season for the
Rangers was their
Rangers this season.
As a go-to wide out,
the senior has
hauled in 31 passes
for 454 yards and
five touchdowns.
Emmett Johnsen:
Despite facing double teams most of
the year, Johnsen
Tanner Workman
les and has been the
emotional leader for
the stout NHS defense.
Allen Rogers:
Rogers was the
leader of the offen-
Allen Rogers
team captain has
thrown for 4,487
yards and 51 touchdowns to just 21 interceptions. The
Rangers have been
running the ball
more since the post
season got underway, but Workman
has been able to
keep defenses honest with his arm.
Workman will go
down as one of the
most productive
quarterbacks in
school history.
Austin Wolcott:
Emmett Johnsen
Ryan Abayan
defensive secondary. Abayan has quietly had an excellent
season in his first
season as a starter
for Nordhoff. He has
recorded 26 tackles
and two interceptions on the season.
Taylor Brown:
Brown has been one
of the biggest surprises for the
still managed to be
a force along the defensive front for the
Rangers. Johnsen
made 85 tackles and
had six quarterback
sacks on the season.
Koby Welch: The
team’s defensive
captain broke Nord-
sive line for the
Rangers this season.
As the only returning starter from last
year’s line, Rogers
was called on to
provide leadership
to this year’s crew.
Tiarnen Nelson:
Nelson was another
key member of the
offensive line this
season for the
Rangers. The play of
the line improved as
the season went
along and Nelson
was a big reason for
the improvement.
Alex Esquivel
has recorded 55
tackles, and interception and a fumble recovery. He also
leads the team in
tackles behind the
line of scrimmage.
Koby Welch
Austin Wolcott
Taylor Brown
hoff’s school record
for most tackles in a
career this season.
As a senior, Welch
was in on 162 tack-
Tiarnen Nelson
The Ojai Valley News
Community
Church
supports the
Nordhoff Rangers
would like to honor
The Nordhoff Football
Rangers for bringing home
the 2nd consecutive
CIF Championship
to our community
We would also like to honor
Head Coach Tony Henney for
being named SS Northwest
Conference Coach of the Year
CONGRATULATIONS Coach Henney
and the 2013 RANGERS!
Congrats on
BACK 2 BACK
CIF CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Now on to STATE!
Congratulations on your historic journey to become the
2013 CIF Northwest Division Conference Champions!
Jake Boyd #3
Thank you for the
opportunity to serve
as Varsity Parent
Reps for this great
group of players
and coaches these
past two years. Proud Parents Bob & Stacey Boyd
Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 C3
A ball in the air...is worth two in the hand
In action against Sierra Canyon, high-flying Nordhoff defenders Mark Burdick, No. 25 and Baylee Rogers, No. 26, try their best to prevent a finger-tip catch by Trailblazer Eric Markes, No. 5. Nordhoff went on to win the sixth game of the season 31-14. Rogers was named defensive player of the game. (photos by Ken Brown)
Junior Varsity
Junior varsity season recap
by Mike Miller
The 2013 season was
a great learning opportunity for the Nordhoff
junior varsity team.
According to head
coach Lance Wiggins,
the Rangers were young
and had to overcome a
number injuries during
the season. Despite
having 16 freshmen on
the JV squad this year,
the team still managed
three wins and Wiggins
remains optimistic.
The defensive unit
was led by freshman
Scott Barron, who also
played hurt all season.
Barron also saw significant action at running
back for the Rangers.
On offense, Max Carmona, Joe York, Jason
Floyd, Spenser Bliss,
Daniel Todd and Noah
Osborn all helped NHS
light up the scoreboard
this season. Wiggins
loved the play of his offensive linemen, especially late in the season.
That group included
Dane Campbell,
Homero Espana, Casey
Crane, Brandon Ocheltree, Cameron Frisk and
Ryan Mahler.
“I am looking forward to having this
group of players again
next year. I think the
freshman group had a
lot of experience and
they should be a strong
unit of players in 2014,”
Wiggins said.
This year’s schedule
and results were: Aug.
29, Moorpark (42-7,
loss); Sept. 6, Pacifica
(20-7, win); Sept. 20,
Nipomo (33-20, win);
Sept. 27, Thousand
Oaks (57-26, loss); Oct.
4, San Marcos (37-7,
loss); Oct. 10, Sierra
Canyon (20-6, loss);
Oct.18, Oak Park (forfeit); Oct. 25, Carpinteria (26-13, loss); Nov. 1,
Bishop Diego (50-19,
loss); and Nov. 8 (35-8,
win).
The 2013 Nordhoff junior varsity Rangers squad.
2013 Nordhoff High School junior varsity roster
Joaquin Alcantar
Scott Barron
Layne Bell
Spencer Bliss
Anthony Brown
Dane Campbell
Johnny Contreras
Casey Crane
Cade Crawford
Timothy De Fisher
Robert DiGiulio
Homer Espana
Salvador Flores
Jason Floyd
Drew Ford
Camren Frisk
Tyler Fulcher
Zackary Funk
Dylan Hamblin McAtee
Kyle Hermosillo
Cody Holder
Christopher Imhoff
Steven Keller
Jack Kelley
Shane Lisle
Brendon Looker
Ulises Lopez
Jose Quino
Daniel Rangel
Alvaro Ruiz
Jerin Sharif
Zebadiah Sheets
Jared Skaggs
Nicholas Teixeira
Vincent Villa
Ryan Mahler
Samuel Marks
William McGrew
Dylan Merry
Justin Mortensen
Brandon Ocheltree
Noah Osborn
Jake Perry
Tate Phillips
Regin Wilson
Daniel Yanez
Joseph York
Efrain Zara
JV coaching staff:
Lance Wiggins, Charles
Seymour, Josh Benitez,
Alex Hernandez, Don
Rodarte, Sean Strben
and Joe Moss.
Ojai Eagles
Eagles running back Richard Arellanes, No. 44, stiff arms a Santa Barbara defender in
Ojai’s 20-16 Super Bowl victory. (photo by Ken Brown)
Ojai Eagles recap and roster
by Mike Miller
If the 2013 Division 3
Ojai Eagles team is any
indication, the future of
football in the Ojai Valley is bright. The Eagles
claimed the 2013 Youth
Football Super Bowl
championship thanks
to a last second 20-18
victory over the Santa
Barbara Red team. Ojai
finished their season
with a 10-1 record and
their win over Santa
Barbara in the Super
Bowl avenged their only
loss of the season.
This season’s opponents and results included: Week 1: Ojai
Eagles at Santa Barbara
Red (6-28 Loss), Week 2:
Ojai Eagles at Santa
Ynez (14-6 Win), Week 3:
Carpinteria at Ojai Eagles (48-0 Win), Week 4:
Ojai Eagles at Nipomo
(22-0 Win), Week 5:
Santa Ynez Black at Ojai
Eagles (50-22 Win),
Week 6: Ojai Eagles at
Santa Barbra White (286 Win), Week 7: Vandenburg at Ojai Eagles
(42-16 Win), Week 8:
Ojai Eagles (Gold) at
Ojai Eagles (Blue) (32-0
Win), Playoffs: Vandenburg at Ojai Eagles (30-8
Win), Santa Barbara
Black at Ojai Eagles (3618 Win), Super Bowl:
Santa Barbara Red at
Ojai Eagles (20-18 Win).
This year’s championship team was
coached by Jeff Osborn
and the team’s roster included: This year’s team
included: Richard Arellanes, Trent Beaty,
Nicholas Cansler, Colin
Cline, Keiran Crane,
Austin Franco, Tyler
Johnston, Wyatt Jones,
Brook Meier, Drake
Morris, Sage Osborn,
Junior Patino, Mason
Pena, Connor Pilkington, Brayden Rogers,
Kyle Schneider, Colby
Stevens, Korey Stevens,
Nicholas Stringer,
Michael Trejo and
Mason Workman.
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C4 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Chain gang members (from left) Dave Skaggs, Mario Del Negro, Dave Del Negro, Steve
Perry and JT Todd. (photo by Tim Dewar)
Havin’ a ball!
In action against San Marcos, Ryan Abayan, No. 18, hauls in a long pass and then
has a mid-air battle to retain possession while Jake Boyd, No. 3, and Alex Esquivel,
No. 10) look on. (photos by Ken Brown)
Coaches
Back on the Chain Gang
For this group of guys, being sidelined is a privilege
by Mike Miller
There are many traditions and familiar
faces at Nordhoff’s
home football games.
One group of Ojai residents that attends every
home game, but who
may not be visible to
those in the stands, is
the Nordhoff Chain
Gang.
The Chain Gang
is always positioned
on the visitor’s side
of the field so they
are out of view of
most NHS fans, but
the role they play is
vital. The group,
which is comprised
of Steve Perry, Dave
Skaggs, Dave Del
Negro, Mario Del
Negro and JT Todd,
volunteers for this
duty because they
want to support
local sports — but there
are also other perks to
the gig.
“It is the best seat in
the house,” said Perry
who has manned his
post for more than eight
years now. Skaggs
agrees with Perry about
being close to the action. “I run the downbox so I am virtually on
the ball every play,” Skaggs said. “It just doesn’t
get any better than
that.”
18 years ago. We have a
great time doing it. We
usually have dinner before the game and sit
and talk. We take the
duty very seriously, but
we also have a great
time doing it.”
Being that close to
the action, the Chain
Gang has seen
some great players
up close and personal. Perry noted
enjoying watching
former Ranger
Skyler Logsdon,
while Skaggs went
with St. Bonaventure’s Lorenzo
Booker. “He was
simply amazing to
watch,” said Skaggs.
Next time you
see
the official sig— Dave Skaggs
nal first down or
you see a measureDave Del Negro is the ment about to take
place, you can thank the
longest-standing memNordhoff Chain Gang
ber of the group and he
for volunteering their
has been at it for more
time to be part of
than 20 years. Skaggs
Ranger Tradition.
said, “He got me into it
We take the
duty very seri-
ously, but we also
have a great time
doing it.”
Savor these moments sports fans,
they don’t come around often
Nordhoff’s 2013 varsity team coaches are (back row from left) Cliff Farrar, Mark
Weedon, Randy Haney, Justin Haney, Tony Henney, Dave Andrews, Evan Hardman,
(front row from left) Russell Farrar, Gerald Deason, Scott Titus and Tyson Hardman.
Ventura Roofing and the entire Reed Family would like to congratulate the entire 2013 Nordhoff Ranger Varsity Football team for making history!
The second CIF Northwest Conference
Football Championship in 104 years!
Thanks for giving us something to cheer about!
It took Nordhoff High School more
than 100 years to win its first CIF title
in football and then over the last two
seasons, they have won back-to-back
championships. After Hall of Fame
coach Cliff Farrar turned the Nordhoff
program into a perennial power, NHS
fans grew accustomed to winning and
going to the playoffs. Since current
head coach Tony Henney took the
helm, it has been much of the same,
plus add in a couple of CIF trophies.
As hard as it is to step back and
enjoy the moment when you are winning, I hope the Rangers and their fan
base can do just that. What this group
has done is special. To put the last
two years in perspective, only two
other Ventura County football programs have repeated as CIF champions and they were powerhouses Oaks
Christian and St. Bonaventure. Your
Nordhoff Rangers are now in that exclusive fraternity!
About 15 minutes after last Friday
nights game I met Henney for a postgame interview. After a brief discus-
sion, we said our
goodbyes. For a
few seconds before walking
away to celebrate
the victory, Henney looked into
the frigid Ojai sky
and with a calm,
OVN Sports Editor
satisfied smile,
Mike Miller
he reflected. I did
not ask what he was thinking, but I
think I know. Henney, who make no
mistake about it, is among the best
young coaches in the state, grinded at
times this year. You could see it in his
intensity and demeanor on the sideline. Henney and the Rangers were on
a mission to repeat this season and at
times, it was tough.
One can only hope that slight
pause and look to the sky was one of
satisfaction and joy. We should all
enjoy this time and appreciate the excitement of back-to-back titles. History proves that it doesn’t happen
everyday.
Congratulations Rangers
2013 CIF Champs
Making Ojai Proud!
Tim Reed, Nona Reed, Kasey Reed (CIF Finalist & Alumni),
Micah Reed (CIF Finalist & Alumni) and Jolene Reed Catlett
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Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 C5
The dancers topple the Lancers
The body language of Thousand Oaks Lancer Matt Spadaro, No. 77, says it all as Nordhoff players celebrate in the end zone during week four action. Nordhoff went on the
road and came home with a 28-10 victory. (photo by Ken Brown)
The
Farrars
In Ojai, “football” and “Farrar” are words that
have gone together for more than 20 years. Son
Russell played for his dad, Cliff, in the ‘90s, eventually coming back to Nordhoff to help Tony
Henney coach in the late 2000s. They recruited
Cliff to return to the team last year, where he was
instrumental in the team’s first-ever championship title.
“Cliff does a great job on the defensive side of
the ball,” said Henney, “and since he’s been here,
Russell’s been my right-hand man.”
Russell (left) and Cliff Farrar.
The
Haneys
Randy Haney has been an assistant coach
for Nordhoff for about 15 years, but this is the
first year his son, Justin, has been able to add
his talents to the coaching staff.
Both former Nordhoff players, Justin, who
graduated in 2002, went on to play for Nebraska before returning to the West Coast.
“We’re glad to have them both,” said Nordhoff Head Coach Tony Henney.
Anthony (left) and Ryan Abayan.
The
Abayans
The Abayan twins, Anthony and Ryan, have
been in the football program since they were
sophomores. Now seniors, only Ryan is able to
play, after Anthony had a season-ending
should injury. “But he still comes to practice,”
says Nordhoff Head Coach Tony Henney.
“They’re just great kids,” Henney added. “It’s
always, ‘Yes Coach, no coach,’ and they play
hard, and they’re coachable.” He laughs remembering when he first met the boys. “I was
their freshmen basketball coach, and all they
ever talked about was football. So I knew they
were interested.”
Justin (left) and Randy Haney.
The
Hardmans
The Rangers boast a third father-son coaching
duo in Tyson and Evan Hardman.
“Evan was on the first team I coached here,”
at Nordhoff, Head Coach Tony Henney said. “So
it;s really fun having them both back here.” The
elder Hardman has been coaching for about 30
years, and both he and Evan were Bronze Shoe
winners. “The kids really like them,” Henney
noted. “They both do just a great job for us.”
Tyson (left) and Evan Hardman.
For Nordhoff, winning season is a family affair
by Misty Volaski
it.”
much time together
It’s special for the enOjai’s Wadsworth
The Rangers’ win
these days, they say the
tire family, too, Brantwins have been partic- against El Segundo Dec. gridiron has always
don said. Their dad,
ipating in team sports
7 was the third big
brought them together.
Brian, and older
together for more than
championship the
“That’s always been
brother, Tyler, both
10 years now.
Wadsworth kids have
our thing ... It’s amazplayed for Nordhoff as
They began as 8experienced together.
ing, actually, watching
well. “They’re really
year-olds — Brandon
The first came in their
him play,” reflected Bri
proud of us,” he said.
playing in the Eagles
last year in Eagles,
of her brother. “I like
“My dad played back in
Youth Football League,
when the boy won the
watching how happy he the ‘80s when they
and Brianna cheerlead- Super Bowl. “That’s
is (out there) ... but it
weren’t very good ...
ing . They continued
kinda like CIF (for
definitely puts the pres- Then (my brother)
that tradition all the
kids),” Bri said. “That
sure on! When he does
made it to the finals,
way through to their
was really fun.” Then
so well on the field, I
but that team lost to
final year at NordOaks Christian.
hoff High School.
So it was like we
“The fact that this is the end of an era
“It’s kinda
were a generation
weird to think
closer and closer
hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s pretty intense,
we’ve been doing
to winning. AlI don’t think I can get my mind wrapped
it for that long,”
most like we were
said Brandon.
one-upping each
around it.”
The pair face
other.”
— Bri Wadsworth
what may be their
Though the
last game toboys in the family
gether tomorrow night
came the historic 2012
feel like we should be
boast a long-standing
at Orange Coast Colwin against North Tordoing just as well on the tradition of Ranger
lege, when the Rangers
rance, which brought
sidelines.”
football, Bri is the first
take on Corona Del Mar the Rangers their first
“Bri is really support- cheerleader in the famin the CIF Regionals.
title in 103 years. This
ive of Nordhoff footily. A captain on the
The fact that this is
year was icing on the
ball,” said head football Nordhoff team, she’s
the end of an era hasn’t
cake.
coach Tony Henney.
also a “flyer.” As the title
really sunk in yet, said
Though their extra“Brandon and her are
suggests, she’s one of
Bri. “It’s pretty intense, I curricular activities
pretty close. So that’s
the girls soaring
don’t think I can get my keep the Wadsworths
been a special deal for
through the air, permind wrapped around
too busy to spend
us.”
forming stunts. But
when she cheers for the
competition team the
California All-Stars, a
regional squad based in
Ventura, she holds the
position of “backspot”
— one who supports
the flyers.
Both Bri and Brandon plan to continue
cheering and playing
football in college; Bri
has been accepted to
the University of
Hawaii, although she
hasn’t made a final decision yet. Brandon,
meanwhile, is looking
at Harvard, Brown, East
Washington University,
Cal Lutheran, and a few
others.
Brandon (left) and Bri Wadsworth
C6 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Montana Titus leads the team into action against Crescent Valley in the opening game of the season. (photo by Ken Brown)
Ranger mascot does some serious horsing around
by Misty Volaski
Five years ago, Scott
Titus agreed to return to
Nordhoff High School
as an assistant coach.
His return, however,
came with a condition:
that his daughter, Montana, be allowed to ride
her horse during the
games.
These days, Ranger
fans can hardly imagine
a home game without
their mascot leading the
charge as the football
team takes the field.
“I kinda hope she
never grows up! I wish
she could do it forever,”
head coach Tony Henney said. “It’s been a lot
of fun having her involved.”
But it almost didn’t
work out that way. Montana, who grew up with
both her dad and
brother, Brandon, living
and breathing football,
once had other plans.
“When I was little, I
wanted to be a cheerleader,” she explained.
“But now that I have
this job, oh no, no way! I
feel more like a part of
the team this way.”
The Nordhoff sophomore has been riding
for the Rangers since
she was in fifth grade,
and has been riding
horses for as long as she
can remember. Her
family has seven horses
on their ranch in Upper
Ojai, so she has plenty
of opportunities to keep
her skills sharp.
This year, Montana
has been riding her
mother’s horse, Ribeye,
and has been wearing
an outfit she and her
mom picked out. “I love
it! ... I do get a little
nervous (before going
on the field), but it’s really fun,” she stated.
“And it’s not really for
me, it’s for them, for the
players. It’s cool, it gets
them fired up.”
There have been a
couple of close calls,
such as last year, when a
homecoming skit didn’t
go exactly as planned.
And one time, “I rode
off, and he slipped a little — well, that happened more than once!
People think it’s really
nerve-wracking, but I’ve
been riding my whole
life, so it’s not that big of
a deal,” she explained.
Montana plans to
continue her position as
the Ranger mascot until
she graduates in two
years, but she’s already
thinking about finding a
suitable replacement.
“I’m going to be
teaching a bunch of
kids how to ride soon,”
she said. “I figure by the
time I’m through, one of
the kids might be able
to replace me.”
Montana and Ribeye lead the charge before each home game. (photo by Ken Brown)
Two-man grounds crew is definitely outstanding in their field
by Misty Volaski
Craig Robbins and
Chuck Crawford have
their work cut out for
them.
The pair are responsible for maintaining
the grounds at all eight
schools in the Ojai Unified School District. But
come late summer, they
spend more time at Ojai
Valley Community Stadium, preparing the
football field for the
Ranger gridders.
Though field upkeep
is a year-round job to
some extent, wear and
tear from practices and
games — especially
when it rains — keeps
them busy. It’s tricky
with only two guys,
Robbins admits. About
six years ago, he took
over for former lead
groundskeeper Mark
Ditchfield. Back then,
“We had a full crew —
four guys — and no furlough days. But probably in the last three
years, we’ve only had
two guys, and furlough
days. So we have less
guys, less time,” Robbins says.
Still, they get the job
done well, managing
watering schedules,
seeding, fertilizing, laying out a mixture of
sand and dirt to level
the field. Robbins
knows the Ranger gridiron like an old friend,
referencing details like
Craig Robbins (right) and Chuck Crawford help the team in their own important way. (photo by Tim Dewar)
Back to Back
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soil temperatures and
grass types and aeration
techniques.
Although football
season undoubtedly
beats down the turf,
there’s other events, like
graduation, spring
training and the Fourth
of July festivities, that
take their toll as well.
Robbins and Crawford
try to keep people off
the grass after soccer
season as much as possible. “The longer the
grass gets a chance to
grow, the better the field
is (for football season),”
Robbins says.
During the late summer and fall, they’re
spending about half
their Fridays at the stadium getting things
ready.
For Saturday’s championship game, they
gave the stadium some
extra TLC. “The whole
priority right now is
sprucing up the field,”
Robbins said the day
before the big game.
“We pulled out the big
300-foot tape to make
sure everything’s right
on. We put all the marks
down, we painted it yes-
terday (Thursday) and
today (Friday), and if we
get rain tonight, we’ll
come back tomorrow ...
the more paint the better, so people can see
the lines during the
game.”
Although the subject
of astroturf has been
discussed in the past,
Robbins says he hopes
Nordhoff never goes
that route. “We coined a
phrase: ‘Real turf, real
football.’ That’s why we
get the turf as perfect as
we can.”
The Ranger football
teams and coaching
staffs are grateful for the
groundskeepers’ dedication. “They’re a twoman crew, so they’re
always short-handed,”
said varsity head coach
Tony Henney. “Sometimes we need things in
a pinch, and they always figure out how to
get it done. We’re
blessed to have guys
who love Ranger football, who get that we
think it’s important, and
the community thinks
it’s important. We’re just
so appreciative of the
work they do.”
Congratulations
Nordhoff Rangers!
2012 and 2013 CIF Champions
Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 C7
The cheerleading squads perform intricate and dangerous routines to help keep the
crowd into the game. (photo by Ken Brown)
Varsity cheerleading roster
Emma Allen
Sophia Botti
Karla Ceja
Courtney Dickerson
Mireya Esquivel
Liliana Ferreira
Ali Garcia
Audrie Gomez
Savanna Johnson
Zoe Jordan
Taylor Koester
Madison Landsverk
Bomi Park
Kaitlyn Ramirez
Megan Rose
Carly Skiba
Maria Vacio
Brianna Wadsworth
Promise Wall
Laurie Wishard
Making it look easy
JV cheerleading roster
Brianna Ames
Paola Avila
Riley Conn
Kalin Flores
Juana Garcia
Sara Ignacio
Toni Nicholson
Jennifer Patino
Karina Rodriguez
Mariana Vacio
In the second game of the season, against Pacifica, Matt Woodcock breaks a
run thanks to blocking help from Austin Santino, No. 8; Daniel Cornejo, No. 20;
and Shane Hersh, No. 21. The Rangers would go on to beat Pacifica 44-7.
(photo by Ken Brown)
Marching band members perform songs from the James Bond movie series during a
recent game. (photo by Tim Dewar)
Marching band/color guard roster
MARCHING BAND
Jordan Alvarez
May Battleson
Andrew Belser
Brandon Boyd
Graham Bunce
Sean Capron
Benjamin Cohen
Carson Demmond
Nathaniel Eck
Alexis Garcia
Rafael Guerrero
Russell Hughart
David Isaac
Sikeli Jorgensen
Klaus Marx
Ramiro Mejia
Lauren Monarres
Spencer Perkins
Santiago Picco
Rocio Reyes
Sebastian Reyes
Angelica Rodriguez
Dylan Sherman
Hannah Strickland
Rane Tumamait-Stenslie
Emilio Uribe
Brianna Wisegarver
Cody Wisegarver
Garrett Woll
Pia Zonic
Elaine Zumaya
COLOR GUARD
Yesenia Diaz
Victoria Murillo
Rianna Sharif
Kolbie Wills
Mahalia Woodall
No nip nor tuck against Nipomo
In the third game of the season, against Nipomo, (above photo) Taylor Brown
hauls in an easy catch to help Nordhoff rout their opponents 61-0. The team’s
lone female member (below photo), Hannah Greene, No. 27, was a perfect eight
for eight on extra points she attempted this year. (photos by Ken Brown)
Color guard members concentrate during a recent performance. (photo by Tim Dewar)
Jesus “Chucho” Ceja #56 we are
proud of you in all your accomplishments
academically and athletically in your four
years as a Ranger. You have
made us very proud as a
son, brother, and uncle.
Keep up the amazing work!
We love you!! Love always,
your parents, sibling
and nieces. Hannah Greene #27
You stepped out of you
comfort zone and did
something no other girl in
our valley had done. You
are an inspiration and have
always walked your own
path, even if sometimes
that meant walking alone.
We are honored to be your
family and love you forever,
Dad, Mom and Finn.
Congratulation to you
and your team of Rangers
for inspiring our
community and bringing
us together!
CONGRATULATIONS 2013 RANGERS!
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
TO RAISE A CHAMPION!
Congratulations Nordhoff
xx
Ojai Village Pharmacy — 202 E. Ojai Ave.
805-646-7272
C8 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Rangers 2013 —
Nordhoff
24
Game 1
Aug. 30, 2013
Crescent
Valley
7
by Mike Miller
The Rangers kicked off their
season by welcoming their firstever, out-of-state opponent in
Oregon powerhouse Crescent
Valley. A big crowd showed for
the “Battle of the Valleys” and
they saw first hand that the 2013
Rangers were for real. NHS
jumped out to a 10-0 first half
lead and then hung on for their
first victory of the season, 24-7.
Matt Woodcock scored two
touchdowns for the Rangers and
Tanner Workman threw his first
touchdown pass of the season to
tight end Austin Wolcott.
The NHS defense was the
story of the game as they corralled Oregon State bound quarterback Tanner Sanders and
avoided giving up the big play.
Senior Koby Welch led the team
with 14 tackles, 11 of them were
solo.
Austin Wolcott stiff arms a Crescent Valley defender. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
44
Game 2
Sept. 6, 2013
@ Pacifica
7
Against Pacifica, Alex Esquivel, No. 10, makes a tackle while Cody Deason, No. 17; Koby Welch, No.
28; Emmett Johnsen, No. 24; and Shane Hersch, No. 21, swarm to the ball. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
61
Game 3
Sept. 20, 2013
Nipomo
0
Tayler Livingston breaks through Nipomo’s line with help from Austin Wolcott, No. 16; Jesus Hernandez, No. 55; and Jake Kunde, No. 23. (photo by Ken Brown)
Husted Appliances
Congratulations to the
NHS Rangers
Varsity Football Team
for winning Back to Back
CIF Championships
408 Bryant Circle • Ojai, • (805) 646-1933
In week two, the Rangers took
the short trip to Oxnard to face
the Pacifica Tritons. Despite
Pacifica’s athletes and team
speed, they were no match for
the Rangers who dominated the
Tritons in a 44-7 drubbing.
Workman had a big game,
going 14 of 21 for 252 yards and
three touchdowns. Senior wide
out Jake Boyd torched the Pacifica secondary with five catches
for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Also scoring touchdowns
for the Rangers were Brandon
Wadsworth, Tayler Livingston,
Woodcock and Wolcott.
Much like the Crescent Valley
game, the defense was on fire
and did not surrender points
until late in the game. Seniors
Noah Bohnett and Alex Esquivel
had big games for the Rangers
and junior Nick Sterling had an
interception. With the win, the
Rangers improved to 2-0 on the
season.
On Sept. 20 the Nipomo Titans came to Ojai and they
quickly learned that was not a
good thing as Nordhoff jumped
all over them en route to a 61-0
thrashing. Workman had another monster game with five
touchdown passes and junior
Austin Santino threw his first career touchdown pass as well.
Welch carried the ball for the
first time in his career and
scored a rushing touchdown.
Wadsworth, Boyd and Taylor
Brown all had two receiving
touchdowns on the night and
the defense recorded their first
shutout of the season. Senior
Emmett Johnsen had a big night
with a sack and an interception.
Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 C9
The season in review
Nordhoff
28
Game 4
Sept. 27, 2013
@ Thousand
Oaks
10
Cooper Garcia, No. 13, kicks against Oak Park, while Taylor Moore, No. 81; and
Shane Hersh, No. 21 provide special team support. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
48
Game 5
Oct. 4, 2013
San Marcos
7
After the lopsided win over Nipomo, the
Rangers hit the road to take on a tough Thousand Oaks crew. After NHS upset Thousand
Oaks in 2012, the Lancers had lots to say leading up to this year’s game, namely that last year
was a fluke and this game wouldn’t be close.
Well, the Lancers got one thing right, the
game was not close. The Rangers dominated on
both sides of the ball and improved to 4-0 on
the season with a 28-10 victory.
When head coach Tony Henney needed a big
performance, he put the ball in the hands of
Livingston and that recipe worked against
Thousand Oaks. The senior running back had
101 yards and two touchdowns while Workman
threw touchdowns to Wadsworth and Johnsen.
Defensively, Shane Hersh had a monster
game for the Rangers will 11 tackles and a sack.
Also recording sacks for the Rangers were Cody
Deason and Johnsen. The win over Thousand
Oaks once again got Ventura County football
fans talking about the Rangers and their ability
to repeat as CIF-SS champions.
Next up for NHS was a vastly improved and
undefeated San Marcos team. The Royals came
to Ojai and before they knew what hit them,
they were going to the locker room at half time
trailing 41-0. The Rangers would go on to win
easily 48-7.
Scoring for the Rangers were Woodcock, Livingston, Wadsworth, Brown and Boyd. The offensive line gave Workman all night to throw
and he made the Royals pay. Johnsen continued
his hot play with two sacks while Wadsworth
and senior Ryan Abayan both recorded interceptions.
Touchdown machine Matt Woodcock deals with a would-be tackler in action against
San Marcos. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
31
Game 6
Oct. 11, 2013
Sierra
Canyon
14
Now 5-0 on the year, the Rangers welcomed
a dangerous Sierra Canyon team to town in
their final non-league game of the season.
Woodcock would step up in a major way
against the Trailblazers. The senior carried the
ball 23 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns
as the Rangers went on to win 31-14.
Junior Baylee Rogers emerged as the Defensive Player of the Game for the Rangers after intercepting two balls and recording nine tackles.
Welch, Hersh and Johnsen continued their
dominant play on defense and the Rangers improved to 6-0 on the season as they entered TriValley League play.
After scoring a touchdown against Sierra Canyon, Tayler Livingston, No. 9, celebrates
with Tiarnen Nelson, No. 77; and Jevon Morrison, No. 33. (photo by Ken Brown)
Oak Park
23
Game 7
Oct. 18, 2013
The only blemish on Nordhoff’s record this
season came on Oct. 18 when the Rangers traveled to Oak Park to take on the Eagles. Oak Park
outplayed the Rangers on both sides of the ball
and left many wondering how they would rebound from the loss.
Nordhoff
3
Cooper Garcia, No. 13, kicks against Oak Park, while Taylor Moore, No. 81; and
Shane Hersh, No. 21 provide special team support. (photo by Ken Brown)
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C10 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Rangers 2013 —
Nordhoff
28
Game 8
Oct. 25, 2013
Carpinteria
0
The following week after falling to Oak
Park, NHS needed to respond and they did
in convincing fashion. The Rangers hosted
the Carpinteria Warriors in what amounted
to a must-win game. Henney kept the ball
on the ground, only throwing six times, and
pounded the Warriors with the power running game. Livingston would carry the ball
30 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns. This was the game that saw the
NHS offensive line turn the corner as a unit
and the Rangers started relying more on
their ground attack as the season went
along.
On defense, the Rangers pitched their
second shutout of the year and Sterling
came up with two interceptions for the
Rangers as NHS went on to win 28-0.
Defensive plays, like this one by Koby Welch, No. 28; Austin Baker, No. 54 and Cody
Deason, No. 17, held Carpinteria scoreless. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
20
Game 9
Nov. 1, 2013
Bishop Diego
17
Next up was a huge showdown with the
Bishop Diego Cardinals. Fans knew this
would be an entertaining game and the
teams did not disappoint. NHS took a 7-3
lead in the half and then hung on for the
close 20-17 victory.
Wadsworth and Brown both scored
touchdowns for the Rangers and then junior kicker Cooper Garcia got into the action
with two field goals to help propel the
Rangers to their 8th victory of the season.
Welch was named Defensive Player of the
Game as he continued his torrid pace from
the middle linebacker position.
Defensive pressure played a big part in getting a close win over Bishop Diego.
(photo by Tim Dewar)
Nordhoff
52
Game 10
Nov. 15, 2013
@ Santa
Paula
8
For their regular season finale, NHS hit
the road to take on the Santa Paula Cardinals and they blitzed SPHS, winning 52-8.
Without both Woodcock and Livingston,
Henney promoted Hersh to first string running back and the junior came up aces as
he rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Rogers and Bohnett
also scored rushing touchdowns for Nordhoff and Brown continued his hot play,
catching four balls for 57 yards and a score.
In last year’s action, the Rangers faced Santa Paula at home. This year they traveled
there and brought home a lopsided victory. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
42
Game 11
Nov. 15, 2013
Verbum Dei
0
When the playoff brackets were released,
NHS found out that they would be hosting
the Verbum Dei Eagles in the opening
round. Behind four rushing touchdowns
from Woodcock, the Rangers stormed into
the second round after winning 42-0.
The NHS defense was spectacular as
they held the prolific Verbum Dei running
attack in check and shut out yet another
opponent. The Eagles never really threatened to score against Cliff Farrar’s defense.
Shane Hersh, No. 21, breaks yet another big run against an overmatched Verbum
Dei team in Nordhoff’s first playoff game. (photo by Ken Brown)
WOW!
Congratulation 2013 Nordhoff
Rangers!
Back to Back CIF Championships
You hometown is
SO PROUD to be
able to celebrate
the 2013 season
with your second
C.I.F.
CHAMPIONSHIP!
From Coach Cory
Sandefur and all
of your fans at
J.A. SANDEFUR
CONSTRUCTION,
we congratulate you!
WAY TO GO,
RANGERS!
2013 C.I.F. CHAMPIONS!
Now go beat Corona Del Mar!
Danny Cole — Proud Supporter and Alumni
Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 C11
the year in review
Nordhoff
38
Game 12
Nov. 22, 2013
@ Torrance
20
In the second round, NHS
took to the road to take on the
Torrance Tartars and came
away with the 38-20 victory.
Torrance grabbed a couple of
late scores, so this game was
not as close as the score indicates.
After falling behind early,
the Rangers stepped on the
accelerator and scored 38
unanswered points. Woodcock has another big night
with 144 yards and three
scores. Hersh and senior full
back Daniel Cornejo also
scored rushing touchdowns.
On defense, Abayan had a
huge game, intercepting a
pass and recovering a fumble.
While Brandon Wadsworth wraps the Torrance runner’s leg, Nick Sterling, No. 11; Baylee Rogers, No.
26; Will Moses, No. 75; and Emmett Johnsen, No. 24, converge in support. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
24
Game 13
Nov. 29, 2013
@ Bishop
Diego
21
Baylee Rogers No. 26, makes a crucial flying tackle to prevent a touchdown in the playoff game against
Bishop Diego. (photo by Ken Brown)
Nordhoff
49
Game 14
Dec. 7, 2013
El Segundo
21
The semifinal game was a
rematch between NHS and
Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara
City College. A huge crowd
turned out for the game and
they got their money’s worth
and more as the Rangers won
a last second thriller 24-21.
The game went back and
forth as the two rivals exchanged power shots. With
BDHS driving late in the
game, the Nordhoff defense
came up with a big play when
Hersh intercepted an Anthony
Carter pass to seal the threepoint victory for the Rangers.
Woodcock and Livingston
both scored rushing touchdowns and Rogers made the
play of the year on defense to
negate a touchdown and force
a fumble that resulted in a 10point swing for the Rangers.
Garcia came up huge for the
Rangers with three field goals,
including one from 50 yards
away to help Nordhoff advance to the finals.
In the finals, it was the
Nordhoff running game and
their stingy defense that
earned the school their second CIF-SS title in as many
years. Tayler Livingston shook
off the rust after missing four
games down the stretch and
made his way into the end
zone four times on the night.
Matt Woodcock would find
pay dirt twice and the Rangers
powered their way to a 49-21
in front of a massive hometown crowd.
El Segundo’s star quarterback Lars Nootbaar, No. 8, felt pressure all night from Emmett Johnsen, No.
24; Austin Baker, No. 54; and Noah Bohnett, No. 47. (photo by Ken Brown)
Way To Go Rangers
Dustin-
Congratulations to you and the entire team on making school history with
your second CONSECUTIVE CIF Football Title! Whether your team was winning or not, you have always played like a CHAMPION, even from your first
football season over 10 years ago! We are so proud of you,
you are always a WINNER to us!
Go #7!!
Love Dad, Mom, and Shaun
#75 Will Moses
208 E. Ojai Ave.
in Ojai’s historic downtown arcade
Wine tasting special
Buy one tasting, get the
2nd free with this coupon
Congrats to our very own Emmett King Johnsen! The #24 Ranger jersey has been worn by
The Johnsen Family Brothers for the last 12 seasons! We are so proud of you and what you
have been able to represent! Passion, Integrity, Confidence,
Competitiveness, Loyalty, Strength,
and just being the awesome person
you are!
Go Rangers! We love you Em! Mom, Dad, Jessica , Austin, Parker
and Mckay
C12 Ojai Valley News • Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Jake Boyd, No. 3, snags a pass over the middle just beyond the outstretched arms of El Segundo defender Nick Karrsboom No. 5. (photo by Ken Brown)
Freezing cold can’t stop red-hot Rangers
Thousands brave the elements
to watch history being made
Nordhoff’s Tayler Livingston takes advantage of a block by Austin Wolcott, No. 16, to break away from El Segundo’s Isaac Luna, No. 7. (photo by Ken Brown)
Daniel Cornejo, No. 20, sneaks past El Segundo’s Griffen Martes, No. 27. (photo by Ken Brown)
In front of a hometown crowd of 3,000, on a
frigid Dec. 7 night, the 2013 Nordhoff Rangers used
a powerful running attack and swarming defense to
bring home their second CIF-SS title in as many
years.
On their opening drive, the Rangers jumped out
to a 7-0 lead — a lead which they were never in
danger of surrendering the rest of the night. The
team eventually powered its way to a 49-21 win behind four touchdowns from Tayler Livingston and
two from Matt Woodcock.
With this win, Nordhoff qualifies for a spot in the
CIF Div. III championship bracket.
The Rangers will face Corona del Mar Dec. 14 at
7:30 p.m. The game will take place at Orange Coast
College in Costa Mesa.
If the Rangers win, they will face either El Cerrito
or Sacred Heart Preparatory in the Division III
championship game Dec. 21.
Braving sub-freezing temperatures, 3,000 Ranger fans packed the stands. (photo by Tim Dewar)
Serving the Ojai Valley since 1971 for all your Insurance needs
Doug Crawford
Insurance Agency is a proud supporter of
the Nordhoff Rangers Football Program
and Cheerleading Squad
NORDHOFF RANGERS
ARE CIF DIVISION
CHAMPIONS AGAIN
NORDHOFF 49
EL SEGUNDO 21
CONGRATULATIONS!
THANK YOU PARENTS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FANS, AND COMMUNITY FOR
YOUR DEDICATION AND SUPPORTING YOUR RANGER FOOTBALL PROGRAM!
Rangers Gridiron Club
Join Today!
NHSRANGERFOOTBALL.COM
Congratulations Rangers for
bringing home Back-to-Back
CIF Championships
GO RANGERS