Golden Valley High Cougars ready to play ‘Iron Man’ football. What does that mean?
With six or seven players being asked to play on both offense and defense this season conditioning has been paramount for the Golden Valley High football team this season.
Cougars head coach Rick Martinez described the approach as “Iron Man” football.
“The conditioning is not a punishment, it becomes a tool in the tool belt,” Martinez said. “We have to be able to play five quarters and we have to condition are body to be able to do that.”
It’s not an unfamiliar position for Martinez, who spent 12 years coaching at Le Grand High, leading the Bulldogs to four Sac-Joaquin Section championships.
Martinez has succeeded with rosters under 30 players so he knows how to navigate a season with a roster close to 40 players.
The important hurdle is getting the players to buy-in early to prepare themselves to be on the field for long stretches during games.
“We don’t really have much depth, but we’re conditioned,” said Dominic Gonzalez, who will play receiver and defensive back. “We know that we can’t really come out the game. It’s tough but you have to stick through it. We have to be there for each other. One person might be tired, so someone might have to pick up the slack.”
Other two-way players for Golden Valley include: Tyrell Johnson (running back/defensive back), Benito Lara (offensive line/defensive line), Deavon Williams (running back/linebacker), Stephen Topetillo (offensive line/linebacker), Aiden Valierrra (receiver/defensive back) and Josiah McCray (receiver/defensive back).
Williams says he’s preparing by not going easy at practice.
“I’m going full speed in everything I do,” Williams said. “I want to get my body conditioned so I’m used to it in the game. So I’m going full speed on defense when we have our defensive period, and then when we go on offense I go full speed, running the ball, and pretty much taking everything serious.”
Martinez likes the group he’s got, especially the team speed.
Williams and Johnson give the Cougars two talented running backs who combined for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Gonzalez and McCray give Golden Valley two weapons at receiver with speed and the offensive line will be anchored by Topetillo and Lara.
The quarterback competition is between Gabe Richards, Aiden Pangelina and transfer from Stone Ridge Christian Mario Perez, who won’t be eligible to play until the sixth week of the season.
“I think they’re just great kids,” Martinez said. “I think every practice we had has been very productive. They’ve just been very responsive to to what we’re doing and what we’re trying to install.”
The Cougars will have a challenging non-conference schedule with games against Escalon, Elk Grove and Kimball.
“I think it’s going to prepare us for league,” Gonzalez said. “I think it’s good to have the competition to get ready for playoffs also.”
Golden Valley 2024 Schedule
Aug. 23 vs Bullard
Aug. 30 at Escalon
Sept. 6 vs Elk Grove
Sept. 13 at Pitman
Sept. 20 vs Kimball
Oct. 4 vs Merced
Oct. 11 at Buhach Colony
Oct. 18 vs Atwater
Oct. 25 vs Los Banos
Nov. 1 vs El Capitan
