Kindled by the big-play ability of senior Aaron Jaimes-Rodriguez and its bend-don’t-break defense, Weston Ranch’s football team notched the first win for new head coach Ron Wayman on Friday 26-6 at Denair. 

It’s a confidence boost for a team that went 1-19 the past two seasons. With no freshman or junior varsity teams, the Cougars (1-1) were able to get key contributions from their underclassmen as well as the senior class.

“It did feel very good to get that first win, but I’m more excited for my players,” Wayman said. “It’s heen a long time since they’ve had one in the win column. From top to bottom, senior to freshmen, they gave it 120 percent tonight. I couldn’t have asked to coach a better team for my first win.”

Jaimes helped get the Ranch rolling with his 89-yard touchdown on a kickoff return in the second quarter following Denair’s lone touchdown. 

The Cougars took over from there, needing just five plays to score three times in the third period. Senior quarterback Rogelio Ruvalcaba hit Jaimes for an 82-yard touchdown pass. He was later replaced by freshman Noah Deed, who connected with Jaimes and Mauricio Morales for 52- and 13-yard scoring strikes. 

Wayman said Ruvalcaba played with a minor injury and decided to rest him, as he is gearing up for the start of baseball season next week. 

Defensively, the Weston Ranch stuffed the Coyotes (0-2) four times on fourth-and-short situations. Morales broke up a pass in the end zone on one of those fourth-down plays, preserving the Cougars’ second-half shutout. Sophomore linebacker Namir Brown-Sanger recovered three fumbles for turnovers. 

“The goal of tonight’s game was to put together a complete game and these guys came alive tonight,” Wayman said. “We started a little slow but started putting it together before halftime. Our defense stepped up and our offense stepped up. I was just very proud of them.”

GIRLS SWIMMING

Sierra 79, Weston Ranch 31

The visiting Timberwolves closed out their Valley Oak League season victorious.

Sierra had winners in every race, including the 200-yard medley and 200 freestyle relays. Multi-event winners in individual events were Taylor Miske (200 individual medley, 100 butterfly), Rebecca Thomson (50 free, 100 free) and Marisa Rush (500 free, 100 breaststroke). Won the 200 free, and Zoie Wilson took first in the 100 backstroke.

BOYS SWIMMING

Sierra 77, Weston Ranch 24

Zach Van Zwaluwenberg (200 free, 100 breast), Jordan Shinn (50 free, 100 free), Moises Alvarado (100 fly, 100 back) and Gabriel Monasterio (200 IM) were the standout performers for Sierra in its season finale. 

The quartet also won the 200 medley relay.