High school football notebook: Optimistic times for Fillmore High program
Charlie Weis gave Fillmore High officials reason for optimism — most literally — when he interviewed for the head football coaching position back in 2020.
"I let them know I was a relentlessly positive person, and that's what I wanted to instill in the program," he said.
Two seasons later, there are smiles all around the Flashes football program.
After finishing 8-3 in Weis' first season a year ago, including a playoff victory, Fillmore has its sights on a special encore.
The Flashes stand 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the Citrus Coast League, and can wrap up the regular season with a prized package and a glitzy bow on top in the final two weeks.
Fillmore will take on host and defending league champion Hueneme (3-5, 2-0) on Friday night with the Citrus Coast title almost certainly going to the victor.
A victory in the next two weeks — the Flashes end the regular season vs. historic rival Santa Paula on Oct. 28 — would cinch a postseason berth.
"We're all excited," said Weis. "The kids have pulled together from the first day of practice, and they've gotten better every day. We're playing well right now. We're ready for the challenge."
What Weis likes most about coaching at Fillmore? It's about more than a football team.
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"The whole community supports Fillmore football, and that's such a special feeling," he said. "We're a small town where the players are homegrown. That's what high school football is really about.
"Most of the players had their parents and grandparents go to this school. The town shuts down on Friday night to pack the stands for the football game."
Fillmore is coming off decisive wins over Nordhoff (49-0) and Carpinteria (41-7) with a team that virtually had to remake itself from last season.
The Flashes lost their best player and star running back Anthony Chessani in the offseason when he was injured on the basketball floor. Standout wide receiver Mathew Magana was injured in the third week and has not played since.
Fillmore has not blinked.
Sophomore quarterback Anthony Tafoya is in the midst of a remarkable campaign in which he's thrown for 1,487 yards, 23 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He tied the county record with seven TD passes in a 69-0 nonleague victory over Vasquez on Sept. 23.
Jarod Uridel is the top target with 38 catches for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Even without Chessani, the Flashes have used a group effort to rush for 1.386 yards and 18 TDs. Four players have rushed for more than 190 yards, led by Nathan Torres (347 yards, 4 TDs) and David Jimenez (330 yards, 5 TDs).
The defensive leader is senior middle linebacker Tory Cabral, who has amassed 85 tackles, including 54 solos.
In true Fillmore fashion, it is the family-first mentality that might be the program's biggest strength.
The fathers of Tafoya and Cabral are members of Weis' coaching staff.
Then there's Chessani, who won't play this season but has remained a steady influence.
"He's with us every day, helping the guys at practice and doing everything he can to make us better," said Weis. "He remains a leader and morale booster for everyone on the team."
With the playoffs just a few weeks away, the Flashes could be a handful for opponents in whatever division they are place.
"That's our goal," said Weis. "They believe in themselves. We're excited about what we can do in the playoffs."
Agoura soldiers on
It's been a difficult season for Agoura, starting with a tragedy. Freshman JV player Carter Stone died in August from complications during what was expected to be routine shoulder surgery.
More: Agoura High football program pays tribute to freshman Carter Stone
The varsity team is 1-7 heading into its home game Friday night vs. undefeated Thousand Oaks. Standout quarterback Ty Dieffenbach suffered a knee injury in the second game that appeared to be season ending.
But team bonding, camaraderie, togetherness and football can provide a glimmer of ... resiliency? Even hope.
"I've been a member of the Agoura Hills community for a long time, and I played for the football team," said head coach Dustin Croick. "I've always known how special this community and school are, and they've pulled together like never before these past couple of months.
"The administrators and community have been so amazing. We're all trying to get through and I think football has helped our players to do that."
Croick said daily practices and weekly games have provided healing for players. He said it won't end when the season does in two weeks.
"That's my concern," he said. "There won't be team meeting and practices to attend. But we want our players to know the coaches will still be here for them. They're never alone."
There are some optimistic story lines for the Chargers, too.
Dieffenbach was not out for the season after all, and the senior has played for the past three weeks. He threw three touchdown passes a week ago in a 28-21 loss to Royal.
Croick has made it clear he wants to protect his senior star, who will next play for UNLV.
"We don't want to expose him to any risk," said Croick. "He's got a big future in front of him. At the same time, it's meant a lot to him to play these past few weeks. He's always a competitor."
Agoura's JV team is undefeated at 8-0, which bodes well for the future.
"We expect to be much better next year," said the coach. "We'll bounce back. I know what kind of players we have in this program."
In the red zone
Jim Benkert will coach against Oaks Christian School for the first time when Simi Valley hosts the Lions on Friday night. Benkert was Oaks Christian's head coach for three season from 2015 through 2017, with the Lions winning the CIF-SS Division 2 championship that final season. ... St. Bonaventure senior Leilani Armenta booted home her 100th career PAT in the Seraphs' 41-28 victory over Simi Valley last Friday. ... Camarillo and Moorpark will square off Friday night with winner likely securing a guaranteed playoff berth. ... According to our stats guru Derry Eads, Thousand Oaks quarterback Travis Endicott has now thrown for 5,047 yards in his career.
Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: High school football notebook: Optimistic times for Fillmore program
