STOCKTON — There are no playoff berths and championships on the line in this five-week sprint of a Valley Oak League season, and that's just fine for a Weston Ranch program that
Ron Wayman is simply elated to finally get his first season underway, 14 months after he was hired as the Cougars' eighth head coach in 18 varsity seasons and fifth in the last four.
“If I could take off this mask you can see me smiling,” Wayman said. “I'm excited to have my first season here, even though it's only a five-game season. However, I'm more excited for my players. After a year of work, it would have killed me not to be able to get these guys on the field, especially for those in their senior season. Personally, this is a dream come true.”
The players are certainly grateful to have the chance to compete after spending the summer, fall and winter months training for a season in doubt.
“It was real tough, but we always practiced like we were going to have a game that week,” slot receiver/free safety Pulusi Ionatana said. “These coaches were trying to help us out any way they can, and not just with football.”
This truncated version of a season gives Wayman and his staff an opportunity to affect change in a pressure-free situation, and with only 30-plus players in total he has decided to oversee the transition as a single varsity squad — no JV team, no freshman.
The Cougars earned a share of the VOL championship back in 2005 and haven't been to the playoffs since. They don't have to worry about ending that drought this year.
“This is a rebuilding year for us,” Wayman said. “We want them to get some confidence, show we can compete in the VOL and hold our own.
“What do we want to accomplish this spring? We just want to be competitive, continue to embrace the change and build for the future.”
Weston Ranch won one game the past two years, but there is hope for a turnaround this season and beyond. While there are only nine seniors on the roster, many of them were key players on the JV squad that made some noise in a 6-4 season in 2018. There are juniors like linemen Bryan Ibarra and Elian Urbina who ground through the rigors of the unforgiving VOL as sophomores. Now, the Cougars have both size and experience in the trenches.
Ricky Sanchez, a four-year player with the program, is an anchor at left tackle and middle linebacker who has a positive outlook for the program.
“I see the foundation,” Sanchez said. “We're going to do our thing as seniors for this team, but what I like about all these coaches is that they want everything they're showing us now to still be here in 5-10 years.”
Aaron Jaimes-Rodriguez returned to the Ranch after playing for Lincoln last year. The receiver/safety is glad to be back. He plans to continue playing for City College of San Francisco.
“Wayman has changed it,” he said. “It's been different so far, and it's been good.”
Also returning is Rogelio Ruvalcaba. He starred at quarterback for the JV two years ago but did not play last year. Wayman has him penciled in as the signal caller for the pistol-spread offense that he believes can better showcase the school's athletes.
Last season, the Cougars heavily relied on electric running back/return specialist Aaron Vickers Jr. to provide some scoring punch. He was able to make big plays as a junior, even against some of the league's heavyweights, and was named All-VOL Co-Utility Player of the Year.
“Coach Clay (Clayton Buttram) and I sat down last February, looked at our talent and said, 'What can we do to best fit the players we have?” Wayman said. “We have to go with the skill we have here at Weston Ranch.
“It's best for us to spread it out, then they're not keying on one person. Aaron (Vickers) is an outstanding ball player and that was evidenced in him getting all-league utility last year, but this year we're going to spread it out.”
Weston Ranch is preparing for a tough schedule that begins next Friday, March 19 at Sierra — the reigning Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion. The Cougars then head to Denair, a resurgent small-school outfit that claimed a state title two years ago.
It doesn't get easier from there, with 2019 Division VI-AA state champ Ripon lined up in Week 3. They'll finish up at East Union on April 9 and Kimball for their lone home game April 16.
“Every team we play is pretty well established,” Wayman said. “They each have a coaching staff that is outstanding, they have the players and the tradition. That's what we aspire to be.”
It may take some time to get there, but these seniors would like to be the group that nudged them in toward that direction. For them, there may be something to play for after all.
“Bragging rights,” Sanchez said. “We're coming back as a program. It's personal for us.”
