Stubbs surprises Golden Valley with new uniforms

Dennis Stubbs still has some tricks up his sleeve.

The Golden Valley High School football coach shocked his players with new gray uniforms just before the Cougars’ Homecoming game against Chavez on Friday night.

Stubbs had been playing coy with his players all week, telling them he wasn’t sure whether the uniforms would arrive in time for Friday’s game. He told his players if the uniforms didn’t arrive by Friday, they would save them to wear against Merced on senior night.

When the players went into the locker room to dress for the game, they saw not only the new gray jerseys but new gray pants.

“The team went crazy,” quarterback Armando Muzquiz said. “Then when we went out for warmups, we hid them from the crowd by wearing our red jerseys over them. We love the new jerseys.”

Golden Valley came out in the normal cardinal jerseys and pants for warmups. The Cougars returned to the locker room and went back on the field just before kickoff sporting their gray jerseys.

“The uniforms came in Friday afternoon,” Stubbs said. “We really weren’t sure if we’d get them in time.”

Originally, the plan was to purchase only new jerseys, but some of the coaches wondered how the gray jerseys would look with cardinal pants. Some of the coaches’ wives donated some money, and Stubbs had some money in the football account to buy gray pants to go with the jerseys.

Stubbs had some fun with the players after the 30-26 win over Chavez, letting them know he outfoxed them.

“The old man played the teenagers,” Stubbs told the players after the game. “I want you guys to remember that. The old man got you. I’ll tell you what, the uniforms looked great.”

The team liked the jerseys so much they wore them for team pictures.

Sacks piling up for Hooker again

Stone Ridge Christian defensive end Mark Hooker was one of the sack leaders in the state last year with 22.

The senior is on pace to better that mark this year. After recording 2 1/2 sacks in the Knights’ 37-0 win over Big Valley Christian on Friday, Hooker has 10 sacks this season.

If the Knights make another run to a Sac-Joaquin Section section title, he could surpass his school record from last year.

Meanwhile, the Stone Ridge Christian defense continues to dominate, posting its third consecutive shutout. The Knights have outscored their last three opponents 151-0.

Big night for Land

Mariposa running back Josh Land made the most of his nine carries in Friday’s 48-6 win over Waterford.

The junior ran for 211 yards, a 23.4-yard per-carry average, and four touchdowns. Land had three touchdown runs of 50 yards or more.

Streakin’

▪ Shane Casillas had another big night for Stone Ridge Christian with 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Casillas has rushed for at least two touchdowns in all five games this season and has 12 touchdowns total.

▪ Golden Valley’s Cadrian McDaniel caught two touchdown passes in the Cougars’ 30-26 win over Chavez. The junior receiver has caught at least one touchdown in all five games this season.

▪ Buhach Colony senior Logan Lemas extended his streak of games with an interception to three, making a pick against Central on Thursday.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 3:21 PM with the headline "Stubbs surprises Golden Valley with new uniforms."