East County Sports

Monarchs football declared champions

2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

 

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

SPRING VALLEY — Since the opening of the school in 1961, Monte Vista High football has suffered just two seasons of winless football until last season’s 0-10 mark following the pandemic.

Indeed it was a difficult campaign.

However, the Monarchs still came away as surprising winners.

Following the season, the San Diego County Football Officials Association announced that Monte Vista football has been named the honoree for its inaugural team sportsmanship award.

“It was a very positive experience after an 0-10 season,” said veteran Monarchs head coach Ron Hamamoto. ” It was an honor to receive this award because the officials association voted on it.”

“It shows how our players and coaches are doing the right things whether we win or lose. I hope it is a positive that will help us have a better season this year.”

The criteria were simple.

Following each weekend of ballgames, crew chiefs decide whether to nominate one of the two teams they officiated, based on the sportsmanship exhibited.

The school with the most nominations is declared the winner.

“The 2021 Monte Vista football squad — despite being depleted/outnumbered — and its coaching staff — exhibited exemplary sportsmanship earning more points in their division than any other football team,” said Gary Gittelson, an officer for SDCFOA.

“With sportsmanship on the wane throughout the sporting world, the SDCFOA, in conjunction with the CIF, not only made these awards possible but wanted to bring them to the forefront by issuing the awards during the 2021 section finals.”

Hamamoto accepted the award along with Monte Vista director of athletics Anessa Carroll.

SDCFOA is also seeking former football players to join and become on-field officials, whether referees, umpires, linesmen or back judge.

SDCFOA officiates all levels of football from youth to high school, with many members moving on to major college and professional football, including some members reaching the Rose Bowl, the National Championship Series, and even the Super Bowl.

Loading

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *