Could Nogales football win the Montview and contend for a Division 13 championship?

By Aram Tolegian
Optimism is bliss across local high school football fields at this time of year.
Nobody’s lost a game. Everyone has league championship aspirations, if not more. However, precious few teams will actually their August goals in November. Nogales is bent on making sure that won’t be its story.

The Nobles, as the season nears, are arguably the area’s biggest mystery team. They’ve switched leagues from the difficult Valle Vista League, with Northview and San Dimas at the top, to the more doable Montview League.
And should the Nobles qualify for the playoffs, they’ll be in Division 13 … the lowest in the CIF Southern Section. It’s a much-needed reset for a once-powerful program and one that could pay off big starting this year.
“I think, as a staff, taking a look at the teams we’re going to play, it definitely brings a sense that there’s a chance to make something happen,” Nobles head coach Richard Salazar said. “I think the kids kind of see it, too.”
Another reason for a sunny outlook at Nogales is the return of 15 total starters (eight offense, seven defense) from last year’s team. That includes three-year starting quarterback Matt Olguin and a couple of outstanding in receivers in 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior La Renzo Williams and James Gray. The offensive line is also a veteran group led by senior Joseph Mantilla.
Nogales has to get better on defense, especially against class teams. The Nobles allowed nearly 30 points per game, but that number should come down against lesser competition. It also helps that standout defensive tackle Jonathan Guardado, an all-league selection in 2015, is back.
Nogales doubled its win total from two games in Salazar’s first season to four games last season.
Nogales doubled its win total from two games in Salazar’s first season to four games last season. Baked in those results were some good performances in losses and also a confidence-inspiring win over Azusa, which is annually one of the favorites in the Montview League.
Based on talent, Nogales might be the favorite to win the Montview League. Just finishing in the top three would likely lead to a trip to the playoffs where, again, the Nobles have a fighter’s chance of making a deep run.
“The new division poses a real chance for us schools that need the opportunity to try be successful and build that morale,” Salazar said. “It gives us an optimal way of getting results so that we can show these kids there is an end-product to what we’re doing.
“I don’t care what division we’re in because a CIF championship is a CIF championship. I’ve been a part of a CIF championship as a player and a coach at La Habra and it’s something that doesn’t come easy. Even league championships these days are as tough as anything to get. But again, I tell these kids everyday that success is a byproduct of what you do. You’ve got to put in that work.”
Nogales opens the season on Aug. 26 against Garey.

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