Golden Valley going young in hopes of turning the program around

Rick Martinez isn’t afraid to go young.

The first-year Golden Valley head coach made a similar decision back in 2011, throwing a trio of talented sophomores into the varsity fire during his tenure at Le Grand.

The move worked out OK, with the group dropping just three games in their varsity careers, winning three consecutive section titles and finishing as the runner up in the 2011 Division IV State Championship game.

While it’s unlikely that history repeats itself in Martinez’s first year as the Cougars’ head coach, he’s just looking to change up the culture coming off of an 0-10 campaign.

“We’re going real young,” Martinez said. “We’re going to have five sophomores up and try to build from there. We don’t have a ton of numbers, but we like the players we have out.

“When you come off of an 0-10 season, you take things one step at a time. The first goal was showing up. Who was going to be committed to this team during the spring and the summer? The kids have responded to that and consistently put in some good work.”

Golden Valley graduated quite a few of its statistical leaders from a season ago, but Martinez doesn’t inherit a completely barren cupboard. Simon Valdovino and Alejandro Munoz are a nice pair of experienced bookends to build an offensive line

around. Fullback/defensive lineman Davon Johnson gives Martinez a tough playmaker on both sides of the ball and receiver Etrell Bowers (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) presents defensive matchup nightmares.

Defenses won’t be able to entirely focus on Bowers, however, as speedy newcomers Zach Fernandez and Avery Townsel will demand attention in the passing game as well. Who will be throwing them the ball remains undecided as senior William Bailey and junior Jonathan Peredia are locked in a battle for the quarterback position. One thing that is certain is whomever wins the job will have a pillar protecting them in sophomore offensive lineman Aaron Davis (6-foot-3, 235 pounds).

“It’s definitely a different feel this year,” Bowers said. “Last year we just couldn’t seem to focus. We’d make mistakes at big moments in games. It doesn’t feel like that’s going to be a problem this year.

“We had a good offseason. Guys put in the time and showed they wanted to be here. I know I’m hungry to get some wins. I hope everybody else is too.”

The potential for wins is certainly there early. The Cougars’ nonconference schedule combined for 11 wins a season ago. But Martinez is quick to point out his young team needs to learn how to walk before it runs.

“The first goal was to show up and be dedicated to this team,” Martinez said. “The next goal is to get that first win. The goal after that is to get a conference win.

“We liked the way that we closed last season. The results weren’t always indicative of how competitive the games were, but we competed. Now we have to start finding a way to win.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2018 at 7:36 PM.