In Friday’s Almond Bowl, Coleman added two more records to list of accomplishments. Coleman set a new record for most rushing yards in an Almond Bowl (for Chico or Pleasant Valley) with 256, as well as a new record for most rushing touchdowns in an Almond Bowl for Chico or Pleasant Valley with five.

Because of Coleman’s standout performance Friday, he has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

Coleman ran for a 67-yard touchdown to open the game, a play he said he’ll always remember.

“That first opening play was a statement to make in front of the city for myself,” Coleman said. “I’m going to carry that one forever.”

Coleman then ran for 76-yard touchdown, a 70-yard touchdown, an 8-yard touchdown and a 3-yard touchdown.

“Dion is obviously a special talent, but what makes him truly special is his leadership this year,” said Chico coach Jason Alvistur. “He is their leader, he speaks to the team, rallies the team, chews out the team, he walks the walk and his teammates respect him. He works hard in the weight room, in the film room, on the field. Plays hard and wants to win. He expects nothing less from his teammates.”

Coleman began playing many sports like other athletes growing up. He’s played football since he was four years old, but also played baseball, basketball and soccer. In high school, it’s been all football.

Coleman believes his biggest strength is his mentality — to stay level headed at all times and to stay mentally and emotionally strong.

His strongest physical trait he believes is his knowledge of the game.

“Experience is wisdom, so I use all of my experience to my advantage,” Coleman said. “Carrying those with me, it’s made me who I am today.”

What you don’t know

Coleman mentioned three things you might not know about him. First, his real first name is not actually Dion. His first name is actually Marquez. Dion is his middle name and the name of his older cousin who passed away. In honor of his cousin, he goes by the name Dion and has since he was young.

Second, like his teammate Troy Sommer, Coleman is a hot sauce “freak.” He said he puts hot sauce on anything and everything.

Third, music is life to Coleman. He loves to make it and has since he was a young child with his older brother. He is often seen around campus with his headphones in listening to music. Before games, he plays artists like Drake, as well as softer music like “Sweater Weather” by The Neighborhood or “Ted It” by Cafune. He also prays before games, which Coleman said is a crucial part of his life.

Coleman’s favorite part about football is the brotherhood it has brought him, which he sat in class Tuesday thinking about.

“I try to stay in the present as much as I can, but I’m gonna miss these boys,” Coleman said. “I’m gonna miss all of them, but that’s why I’m going to get it across that we got to cherish the time we have together.”

Overcoming obstacles

Coleman’s road to success hasn’t been a completely smooth road. On Oct. 15, 2021 Coleman was playing defense and tipped the ball away from an opposing player, but in the process came up limping. He tore his ACL, and missed this Panthers’ Northern Section Division II victory against Foothill and their Division 4-A NorCal Regional Final game against Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.

“After his injury in ’21, he stayed a full member of the team, showing up everyday, coaching the running backs in individual drills, even though he wasn’t playing, the team really rallied around him,” Alvistur said. “I think that year I saw him grow into a person who was comfortable with being in front and sharing his love for the game and love for his teammates.”

Coleman joined the Chico High track team for part of the 2022 season, because he felt he needed to learn the mechanics of sprinting better. In the 52nd Almond Bowl, on Coleman’s second touchdown, he caught himself running with his head up instead of the proper way of leaning forward.

Coleman returned to the field wearing a large knee brace nearly one year after the injury on Oct. 14, 2022 in Almond Bowl 51 after missing the team’s first six games. He finished the 2022 season with 52 carries for 655 yards and six touchdowns in six games, but was clearly holding back and seemingly uneasy at times. It wasn’t until the start of the 2023 season that Coleman entered with no brace, fully trusted his knee, had a clear mind and was ready to show out his senior season.

Not only did Coleman struggle with his ACL, but off the football field he was going through pain at home. After Coleman tore his ACL, his father was sentenced to life in prison. That took a huge toll on the then sophomore, and he said his mindset was never the same after.

Coleman spoke about a special letter he received in eighth grade from his father that sticks with him strong every day.

“What consisted of that letter is that it’s my turn to take care of the family and feed my family, and to grind it out. Whatever happens, to grind it out,” Coleman said. “Since then I’ve been living like that. I want my family to have more than what I have right now, and my friends and to be able to take care of everybody that’s taken care of me.”

In seven games this season Coleman has had 114 carries for 1,331 yards (averaging 11.7 yards per carry and 190.1 yards per game) and 18 touchdowns. On defense Coleman has 19 tackles playing the free safety position. He said he uses his knowledge at running back to help him on defense, as well as his knowledge as a safety to help anticipate where gaps will open up. It is the second 1,000-plus yard rushing season for Coleman, who rushed for 1,176 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021.

Still, the success has brought challenges.

“It’s been pretty hectic. A lot of people at school are like ‘Dion Coleman, Dion Coleman.’ I love ’em up as much as I can, as much as they love me up, but at times it’s a lot,” Coleman said. “Throughout my high school years I’ve realized I can’t really have both of my headphones in at the same time because I don’t want people to be like ‘What’s Up Dion’ and think I’m ignoring them. I don’t want them to take to take it the wrong way, because when I got my headphones in I’m locked in. But all the love and the friendships I have, I’m blessed.”

Coleman’s ultimate goal is to be able to use football to support his loved ones.

“I want to be able to get a good career off of it, get a college degree off of it and then feed my family when I can,” Coleman said.

Coleman and the Panthers (6-1, 2-0 EAL) continue Eastern Athletic League play at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Foothill (4-3, 1-1 EAL). The Panthers and the Cougars are ranked No. 1 (Chico) and No. 3 (Foothill) in the EAL.

Chico has opened EAL play with wins against Red Bluff and PV. Foothill is coming off a win against Red Bluff, after falling to Shasta to open EAL play.

PV defeated Chico High 3-0 Tuesday at Chico High, and Winter led the Vikings in kills with 14. Eight of those kills came in the final set and an ace by Winter sealed the win for PV, after the Panthers and Vikings battled back and fourth in the second set. Winter finished with 14 kills, three blocks, two aces and seven digs Tuesday.

Due to Winter’s strong performance, she has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“100% Sophia is the most loved teammate on our team,” said PV head coach JJ Mitchell in an email. “Our setters always respond when I ask them who they believe in to get one kill for this match in our pre-match meeting it is always Sophia.”

Thau, the captain for the Vikings, said that Winter is one of the most positive people on the court and also brings a level of calmness to a team that is a perfect blend with the amount of energy on the team.

Thau spoke about seeing Winter’s growth since the two began playing volleyball together freshman year, and playing varsity together since their sophomore season.

“Just seeing her grow personally and being with her personally, seeing how we’ve both adjusted to new teammates and new ways of playing, it’s really impressive,” Thau said.

Winter began playing volleyball with CARD in elementary school, and connected with Vikings’ coach JJ Mitchell first in seventh grade at a camp. She played soccer growing up as well, but soon found her love for volleyball and now devotes all of her time to it.

At the camp in seventh grade, Mitchell mentioned to Winter that he also had a beach volleyball camp. It was there that Winter truly found her passion. Beginning the summer of her sophomore year she has taken beach volleyball season seriously. Now, Winter has achieved her dream of pursuing volleyball after high school. Winter, along with outside hitter Sadie Moore, have verbally committed to play beach volleyball at the University of Arizona.

Winter loves beach volleyball because she can get a touch on the ball so often and focus in on one teammate. She loves the mind game and placing the ball in specific places. Winter said both sports help each other, in terms of being able to jump higher and hit positionally.

“I think she’s going to do really big things when she goes to Arizona,” Thau said.

Winter said the key to her growth is showing up to practice early every day and working hard.

Winter’s coach Mitchell had high praise for his outside hitter. Mitchell talked about Winter’s exit and individual improvement planning meeting that occurred on Jan. 11, 2023.

“Sophia opened the meeting by stating, ‘I’m not the player I want to be.’ Sophia was genuine and accountable,” Mitchell said. “We developed a plan for her improvement and best possible senior year. Sophia asked and I granted a 30 minute pre-start to 7 a.m. workouts January through May. Sophia started right after the first tryout text and asked for feedback on skill and positional reads.”

After the Vikings’ 3-0 loss to Shasta Sept. 19 in Redding, Winter sat next to Mitchell for the entire bus ride home asking for more blocking breakdown work.

“Sophia has been the most accountable, detailed, off-the-court player this season in a season of multiple players investing in our off season trainings and coaching,” Mitchell said. “Sophia is a three starter that’s hard work when no one is watching is paying off big time right now. No one accepted three positional changes with more accountability and team first attitude. I think Sophia is really enjoying herself and playing free, fast, and physical.”

Winter said volleyball has definitely made a big impact on her high school experience, pointing to the friendships she’s made and the love for her teammates.

“I love them to death. They are my ride or dies, and playing with them just makes everything,” Winter said.

When asked about unique things about her, Winter mentioned three things: she drives a truck, she has a twin sister and her favorite color is orange.

Her goal for the final season for PV indoor volleyball would to make it to the CIF State finals. The Vikings lost 3-0 to Mercy in the CIF Division III Regional Semifinals in 2022.

Winter and the Vikings continue Eastern Athletic League play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Red Bluff. PV will compete in tournament play Friday and Saturday, before returning to EAL play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against Shasta. Winter and the Vikings will then face Foothill on Oct. 17, before closing out their regular season at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at home against Chico High.

Chico High senior Mason Winzenz has been an All-Eastern Athletic League swimmer and First Team at the Masters meet his first two seasons with the Panthers (unable to compete his freshman season due to the pandemic), and is on his way to a third straight his senior season.

At the Panthers’ most recent meet Sept. 20 against Shasta, Winzenz won took first place in the 100-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle, and was a part of teams that took first place in the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. Due to Winzenz’s success throughout his swim career as a Panther, he has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

Winzenz’s boys swim team has remained unbeaten in both duals and championships since 2021, and Panthers head coach Dene Ehrhart said Winzenz has been an integral part of the winning A relays each year.

“Mason Winzenz is a quiet leader. He doesn’t talk much about it, he (just) gets in the water and works hard,” Ehrhart said. “His races are some of the most difficult in high school swimming. He swims the 500-yard freestyle, which is 20 laps, and he does it at a race pace. He can swim whatever the team needs him to, and he does it with grace.

“Mason is always one of the first swimmers in the water even at 5:30 a.m. His work ethic is second to none.”

Winzenz says his favorite stroke is the butterfly, due to the technical challenges it provides. However, when asked about his strongest stroke, both he and Ehrhart said it is definitely the distance freestyle events. Winzenz said he can lock in at a consistent speed and continue on seemingly effortlessly.

Winzenz and his family have been a part of the Chico swim community since he was 3. He began with the MiniJets, part of the Chico AquaJets. He is the second in his family to excel as a swimmer at Chico High, as his sister McKenna Winznez excelled as a Panther before graduating in 2019.

Winzenz believes the key to his growth in the pool in nearly 14 years as a swimmer has being coming to practice, participating, staying consistent and most importantly having fun.

“Swim as much as you possibly can,” he said, “and have the mental drive to be there and enjoy it.”

Winzenz believes that having fun and constantly tweaking whatever can be with the aim of becoming the closest to perfect possible has been key.

“Mason has always been a quiet and thoughtful athlete. He listens carefully to stroke instruction and incorporates it into his swims,” Ehrhart said. “He worked hard to get to where he is today. His passion and commitment to swimming has not changed. That determined little boy has turned into a persistent young man.

“Above all, it has been exciting to experience Mason coming out of his shell, to witness his leadership with the team emerging.”

Winzenz said swimming has impacted his high school career tremendously. It has given him a perspective on team-building and being there for teammates, therefore being there for classmates.

“Being part of something bigger than yourself, which I think is just perpetuated by club swimming, and just part of a team that works, breathes and swims together,” Winzenz said. “It definitely opened up a new social world, which I’d never been exposed to.”

Winzenz hopes to continue swimming at the collegiate level, saying he would love to pursue his forte of distance freestyle.

Outside of the pool

In addition to Winzenz’ performance in the pool, he has made his mark as a Panther outside of the pool as well. His senior year, he was chosen as the Chico High Drum Major, and he has also been involved with the architecture and engineering program at Chico High all four years. Winzenz’s junior year, he won the California State Championship in Architectural Drafting, went to the national competition in Atlanta and finished eighth in the nation.

Winzenz is a part of the Butte County Department of Behavioral Health Prevention Unit’s Athlete Committed program. Athlete Committed’s website says the goal is “to promote athletic excellence and reduce underage drinking.”

In addition to his work with Athlete Committed, he is also part of the Impact Mentoring program, whose website says “matches high school role models with junior high school protégés in a cross-age mentoring experience. During the session, protégés set academic and personal goals and receive coaching from their mentors on ways to achieve those goals.”

Winzenz played baseball, basketball, volleyball and soccer growing up, but none stuck with him quite like swimming.

“For me I just love the water. There is something quite special about swimming that you don’t really find in any other sport, even some of the racing sports like track or cross country,” Winzenz said. “Yes you’re competing against other people in the pool with you, but it’s also a very individual sport in terms of its very individual towards yourself. Your biggest competition is the clock, rather than the person right next to you.”

Gampel, who began playing field hockey her sophomore year, is also a center back for the Vikings’ soccer team and has been a clutch performer who is consistent in her play. Gampel has been an integral part of the Vikings’ shutouts against Davis, Corning, Bella Vista and twice against Red Bluff.

Because of Gampel’s success thus far, she has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“Clara is a key member of our defense with her ability to read passes before they are happening and keeping her stick on the ground,” said Vikings’ head coach Stefanie Volk. “Clara always has a positive attitude. She leads by example, is willing to give feedback when necessary and gives her all in everything she does. She is well respected by her teammates. … She started playing hockey as a sophomore and has been a game changer for us ever since.”

For Gampel the idea of playing field hockey began her freshman year of high school, but when the pandemic hit and all sports were played in spring, soccer took priority. Gampel began playing soccer in kindergarten and played club soccer from third grade all the way through her junior year. Field hockey has given her a sport to play in the fall, with soccer being played in the winter.

After missing her freshman season, Gampel felt slightly behind her first season in learning the skills of field hockey. Two seasons later, particularly in the last month, Gampel said her technical skills have increased a lot which has boosted her confidence and on-field play.

When asked about the similarities and differences between soccer and field hockey, Gampel believes there is a lot in common between the two games. The set up of the field, both games are 11 verse 11, the movement aspect from a defender’s standpoint and knowing where to be at times — spatial awareness one might call it.

Gampel said field hockey has helped her in soccer in terms of leadership. With a soccer background and playing the same position, she’s been able to head be a leader on defense.

Formations are different, which was difficult for Gampel to grasp at first, and the game of field hockey requires is much less of a contact sport than soccer.

“In soccer you can use your body in ways you can’t in field hockey which was a challenge for me, but again that’s part of the skill,” Gampel said. “Not to say in soccer you don’t have to have the skill, but with field hockey you can’t use your body in replacement. You have to get around the player, you can’t slide tackle. I think adapting to that, I’ve been able to get better.”

What you might not know

Gampel has become a strong athlete in both soccer and field hockey, but there are several fun facts she shared that one may not know. While some athletes do not eat before games due to nerves, Gampel admitted she “pushes the limits” and eats whatever she wants for lunch before games and said she is often, “struggling for the first 15 minutes in pain and then adrenaline kicks in.”

She loves Christmas, and knows every lyric for every song from the movie soundtrack “Mamma Mia!” She said she slips into periods in which she loves to crochet, and does the New York Times game “Connections” every single day where one matches words with common themes.

For Gampel, both soccer and field hockey have had a tremendous impact on her high school experience at Pleasant Valley. She said without both sports, her experience as a Viking would be, “so different.”

“I think I’d be bored. And I would be less social,” Gampel said. “I think I’m more on the timid side, but I think just sports has given me a confidence I didn’t have before. Knowing that I’m strong in sports has helped me in other areas and given me some extra confidence.”

Gampel and the Vikings (5-0, 5-0 Eastern Athletic League) continue play with three games next week, beginning with a home game against Bella Vista at 5:15 p.m. Monday at Asgard Yard in Chico.

As a junior who has played all three seasons on varsity, Morehead is now the No. 3 singles player for the Panthers, plays doubles as well and has been called upon to play the No. 1 singles spot in many situations and has excelled. In the classroom Morehead is a straight-A student, takes numerous AP classes and is currently sporting a 4.2 grade point average.

In Chico’s most recent tournament last weekend at the Bay Area Tennis Classic, where the Panthers faced numerous Division I schools, Morehead won her singles matches at the No. 3 spot against Los Altos High, Mountain View High, Piedmont High and Monte Vista High. Due to her recent success, Morehead has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“Kaylee is an exceptional young lady, she is smart, determined and is an incredible hard worker on the court and in the classroom,” said Panthers’ head coach Randy Agnew in an email. ” Kaylee is a quiet leader, she leads by example and is a wonderful teammate. Kaylee is very well respected by her teammates. Kaylee has worked really hard in the offseason to improve her tennis game and she competes at a very high level. She puts in many hours of tennis at the racket club in the offseason to get better.”

Morehead plays No. 3 singles on a Chico High girls tennis team that is 2-0 in Eastern Athletic League play and has won 24 straight league matches by a score of 9-0 dating back to the end of the 2020 season.

For Morehead, who plays only tennis at Chico High, playing tennis and excelling in school are two things that piggy back off each other greatly. She specifically pointed to the challenges one faces in both.

“When I do badly in school I have to work through it. In tennis you can’t let yourself be put down by one point, just like in school if I get a bad grade on an essay I can’t pout about it. You have to learn and move on from your mistakes otherwise you’re not going to be able to move forward,” Morehead said. “I think tennis and school have been able to help me learn that — to be happy with doing what you’re doing and keep moving forward. If you’re not having fun in school or the sport then what’s the point?”

Morehead began playing tennis as a little kid with her dad at the Chico Racquet Club, and at the time it was just family bonding time. In fifth grade she began to take the sport more seriously, and later began playing tournaments over the summer in middle school as part of the Chico Racquet Club’s travel team.

“At that point I was doing it for myself and making friends, and liking the sport and liking the strategy,” said Morehead, who participated in swimming and soccer in her youth, but neither latched on as something she truly enjoyed.

When she arrived at Chico High as a freshman, she made varsity right away after defeating other girls above her in tryouts.

Morehead said what she enjoys about tennis is the strategy of the game and how it challenges her mentally.

“It’s you, one on one, versus your opponent,” Morehead said. “It’s very individual, even though you do play on a team and can play in doubles, you’re under a lot of pressure by yourself against your opponent and I really like that challenge and overcoming that stress and figuring out your opponent’s weaknesses.”

In the Panthers’ first regular season match this season in a tournament in San Luis Obispo against San Luis Obispo High School, Morehead played a singles match that she called her favorite she’s ever played in. She entered full of adrenaline, excited for the match, and it lived up to the hype. Both players were on equal skill levels and had consistent, long rallies. Both players went back and forth winning their service games, and then Morehead finally broke her opponent’s serve. Morehead was smiling the entire match. For her, it is truly about having fun and trying to win the strategy battle.

Morehead said tennis has helped shape her high school experience tremendously. Tennis has taught her a lot about going through challenges, but most importantly she’s gained a lot of friends.

“It’s definitely a big community and I feel very connected to that. I really appreciate that,” Morehead said. “I think playing tennis has really helped me in high school and I’ve built so many relationships through tennis and the coaches and people, and I think that’s really valuable.”

As for what’s next, as someone who loves school she says if tennis were to continue after high school it would be in the form of a club sport. As someone who loves school, she still does not know what she wants to do after college, but could see herself going into some type of research. She loves school, but said with a laugh, “I could probably have fun being in school forever, but I still have to get a job at some point.”

Chico High hosts Red Bluff at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, before traveling to Roseville to take on Woodcreek on Wednesday. The Panthers play at cross-town rival Pleasant Valley at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 21.

In two victories to begin the season, Diego Sanchez has thrownb 771 yards and 10 touchdowns, including 474 yards and six touchdowns in the Braves’ most recent 49-20 victory against Berean Christian.

Due to Diego Sanchez’s success to begin the season, he has been named the Chico Enterprise-Record’s Prep Athlete of the Week.

“I think what makes Diego special is his mental processing and vision of the field,” said Hamilton offensive coordinator Tim Bushard. “His arm talent is elite, paired with his ability to throw off platform with accuracy, makes him unique at this level.”

Quarterbacks coach Tyler Rutledge said Sanchez has “tremendous awareness,” but what sets him apart is his accuracy.

Hamilton head coach Aaron Elliot echoed his assistant coaches’ words when saying, “Diego is a special talent. He can make every throw on the field. He has developed chemistry with his receivers and an improved knowledge of the offensive playbook from last year.”

Unlike many quarterbacks who have played quarterback since youth football, playing quarterback is new for Sanchez. He grew up a soccer player since age five, similar to his brother, and started played flag football in seventh grade. He kicked for the team originally, but was convinced to play quarterback in flag football by the senior class who graduated in spring 2023.

“It’s natural, that’s all I can say,” Diego Sanchez said. “I never threw a ball until middle school flag football. I fell in love with it because I was just able to throw it naturally.”

Sanchez said he enjoys making plays from the line of scrimmage and reading the defense, and the chemistry he has with his receivers is key to his success.

“My vision is my biggest strength I’d say,” Sanchez said. “Even if I’m running around the pocket I know where my teammates are going to be because we’ve got that chemistry together after working together all summer.”

One of Sanchez’s most familiar targets is Omar Sanchez, his twin brother who plays wide receiver and defensive back. Diego Sanchez and Omar Sanchez connected for three touchdowns in Friday’s victory, including a 49-yard touchdown on the second play of the game. The two have been working together 5-7 days a week every summer beginning their freshman year.

“It’s a lot from my older brother, but also a lot from us,” Diego Sanchez said. “As a kid in that soccer background, it was 8 a.m. we had a net and I’d set it up at the soccer field and we’d go practice on my shooting.”

Diego Sanchez hopes to continue his football career past the high school level, similar to that of his brother Rigo.

Despite leading the Braves at quarterback his senior season, Diego Sanchez said he envisions himself punting and kicking at the next level. He has not kicked this season for the Braves due to a back injury he sustained in practice, but hopes to be back kicking by the start of Mid-Valley League play on Oct. 6 against Willows if not sooner.

Diego Sanchez said the decision has been hard on what position he aims to play for in college, but he’s had a lot of talks with all members of his family including his brother Rigo.

“It’s a big decision, I’ll tell you that,” Diego Sanchez said. “I enjoy both, but I think I’m most likely going to go with the kicking because I have my brother right there to give me a hand. He has connections as well, but it’s for me to put in that work to get to those connections. I also have more experience with kicking. Most quarterbacks actually start from little league and go from there. They have the experience and mechanics which helps a lot. From kicking I’ve been doing it all my life.”

A fun fact Diego Sanchez said about himself is that he does not eat 4-5 hours before each game, stating nerves do kick in and he has a hard time holding food down. He’s excited for his senior season because, “being my last year. you got to show out. There’s nothing else to do in high school than being able to come out and play under the Friday night lights.”

Hamilton (2-0) now prepares for its biggest test of the season at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Las Plumas at Harrison Stadium in Oroville. The Division IV Braves take on the D-II Thunderbirds.

That’s just what wide receiver Troy Sommer did, as Sommer connected with quarterback Azari Cruz for six catches and two touchdowns in the first half. Sommer finished with seven catches for 84 yards, two touchdowns and a possible game-saving deflection on defense when he was in a one-on-one situation with Sutter’s leading receiver Jordan Lee (7 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs). Sommer dove and batted a ball away inside the 5-yard line, and the Panthers sealed the victory on the next play.

Due to Sommer’s standout performance, he has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“He is very athletic, loves football and works hard during off season,” said Panthers’ head coach Jason Alvistur. “Going into his senior year he has been one of our hardest working kids, consistently participating in all of our off season activities, demonstrating his dedication and really becoming a leader. This team is depending on him to be a two-way starter and make big plays on both sides of the ball. I am really pleased how much he has grown up the last year into one of our top kids, not just physically but as a kid who coaches and teammates can count on and someone who his teammates look up to.”

For Sommer, it wasn’t always football that was his No. 1 sport. Despite being an athlete his entire life, he grew up a basketball player and always thought that was going to be his path. It wasn’t until fourth grade when he started playing football. In eighth grade he decided to fully devote his time to football, realizing his passion for basketball was not what it used to be.

“We were putting so much grind in and having fun and I just lost my love for basketball and gained a love for football,” Sommer said. “It was so real, and I realized I could actually do it. I wanted to focus all my energy on football. I knew what I wanted to do and I had to put my everything and all into it.”

Sommer’s first experience was traveling to Durham with a friend in fourth grade. He got on the team after practice had already started, and was put on the offensive and defensive line. He quickly transitioned to the outside to wide receiver, where he’s been ever since.

In fifth grade he met the Panthers’ quarterback Cruz and running back Dion Coleman. All three players were playing for the Chico Jr. Panthers under Chico High School varsity quarterbacks coach Roger Cruz. By the time the three players teamed up with the Panthers’ current tackle and a captain of this year’s team Travis Dobson, they were blowing teams out and playing some of the toughest teams in the West in Sacramento and Las Vegas.

“That’s when we knew we had a special group and wanted to keep it tight,” Sommer said.

Sommer, along with Coleman and Dobson, are the only three four-year varsity players who Alvistur has coached. Sommer said playing four years on varsity has helped a lot.

“Being at this competition at such a young age it’s nothing new now.”

In the first season Sommer and Cruz played together at the varsity level, Sommer had what many would call his breakout season. He had 23 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 15 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Now, just one game into his senior season, he’s already got two receiving touchdowns.

“Me and Azari hadn’t connected in so long and it felt like we finally got it back right there. Everything came together,” Sommer said about his touchdown catch in the back of the end zone in the second quarter of Friday’s game.

Sommer credits several people for the development of his game to where it is today. Coach Kysean Green and Coach Quinn Riley came to Chico from North Carolina and have been training with both Sommer and Coleman since their sixth grade season.

“I don’t expect anything less from either of them and they both hold themselves to a very high standard,” Green said.

Sommer also credited Panthers’ wide receiver/defensive back coach David Brannon with helping his game the last two seasons and taking it to the next level.

“(Brannon) got here and kind of put everything together and put the final touches on me,” Sommer said. “He elevated my game to where I’m at now. His knowledge on the game, what he has us do and how hard he pushes us has helped a lot.”

As for several things the everyday person may not know about Sommer, he started off by saying his favorite food (by far) is chicken wings. He’s scared to go on roller coasters, but loves water slides. His family is all from the East Coast in New York and Florida. Sommer prays before each game, and locks in on his hype song before every game “First Day Out” by Tee Grizzley ever since it came out in 2017.

“I think high school sports are really everything,” Sommer said. “Being out here being coached and being disciplined shapes us as young men and young individuals in general. It gets us ready for the real world more than any teacher could show us. Having these personal connections and bonds out here with these teammates and coaches is everything.”

With no seniors on the team and their tallest players being 5-foot-10, Dunn’s effort on defense and rebounding the ball has been key to PV’s success as she is regularly assigned to guard the opposition’s leading scorer. Entering the season PV head coach Bob Paddock said the team would be similar to last season’s team with stellar shooting, but he and his staff were putting an emphasis on defense and rebounding.

Despite Dunn’s success rebounding and playing defense, Paddock said he hoped Dunn would get more involved in the offense, which would open up other players.

Dunn did just that in her most recent game against Foothill on Tuesday, converting on 2-of-3 3-point attempts and 4-of-6 free throw attempts and finishing the game with 12 points. She entered Tuesday averaging 5.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.

For these reasons, Dunn has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“Ava is a very good defensive player but had the potential to be a very formidable offensive player as well,” Paddock said. “Unfortunately she had delegated herself to be a rebounder and passer to her high scoring teammates. It wasn’t until she was told that an opponent coach game’s plan was not to guard her, ‘because she never shoots the ball.’ Well she finally has a couple breakout practices and the Foothill game where she displayed what she can do offensively as well as the defense.”

“I knew with league starting I wanted to help my team more on the offensive side,” Dunn said. “We have AJ (Gambol) and Maddux (Wilson) who score a lot for us and I wanted to take some pressure off that — kind of make it better for the team in general.”

Maddux felt with her ability and confidence in knocking down 3-pointers from the corner, the middle of the floor will open up for her teammates to drive to the hoop.

“it will open the middle more because people are less likely to help off,” Dunn said.

Paddock emphasized that with shooters from the outside such as Wilson, Gambol, Shannon Fong, and Nyah Fortune, Dunn’s scoring threat opens the entire offense up. Dunn was just 2-of-5 on 3-pointers in 11 games entering Tuesday, but shot 2-of-3 in Tuesday’s game.

“I knew that I was better than what I was doing at that moment, so when the coach made the comment it kind of gave me an extra push to start doing more on offense,” Dunn said.

In her sophomore season Dunn applied to be a captain of her team, submitting an application in which Paddock said she discussed how she could lead by example and improve the team’s defense and rebounding. She said she could criticize teammates in a manner that is more positive than negative and help the team get back to a Northern Section title and make a run in the NorCal Regional Playoffs.

“This camaraderie really helps with our team chemistry which is so important for any success down the road in any playoff run,” Paddock said.

Dunn agreed with her coach, saying she wanted to get her voice out and step in as a leader on and off the court.

“I bring a lot of defensive aspects to my team and our big focus this year is defense and rebounding,” Dunn said. “So I wanted to get my voice out there and teach them to do more with defense and rebounding as well.”

As for what you may not know about Dunn, off the court she was also the starting catcher for the Pleasant Valley softball team her freshman season.

Like many student athletes, Dunn said sports are a key part of her life and who she is as a person, whether that be on the softball field or on the basketball court.

When asked about what makes this year’s team special, Dunn talked about the chemistry.

“I think we’re special because we’ve been playing together since third grade and we’ve kind of created a special bond with each other that is kind of hard to not trust each other,” she said.

As for her goals for the rest of the season, Dunn said the Vikings are aiming to go undefeated in Eastern Athletic League play and go far in the playoffs. As for her personal goals, she said she hopes to keep scoring more and keep helping the Vikings on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Dunn and the Vikings play next at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Enterprise, before taking on Shasta at 7:30 p.m.. Tuesday in Redding. The Vikings then host cross-town rival Chico High at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Valley.

The Trojans are led on offense by quarterback Grant Foster, the Butte View League MVP. In Foster’s most recent game against Clear Lake on Saturday in the NorCal Division 5-A final, when he ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns, he became the all-time leading rusher in OHS football history with 2,680 career rushing yards in 25 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Foster surpassed Dave Bryant’s mark of 2,560 yards from 1986-1988.

“It’s a team game. That offensive line got me that record,” Foster said when asked about the record following the win Saturday. “We got one more left, that’s the goal. That’s stuff you think about after the game. That’s a secondary thought we go to win the last game first.”

Due to Foster’s recent success and success throughout the 2022 season, the QB has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“The kid is incredible. I don’t know if there’s a better player in the Northern Section than Grant Foster. I’ll put him up against anybody,” said Orland head coach Nick Velazquez when asked about Foster. “He’s an unbelievable player and he’s an unbelievable leader.”

Several of Foster’s teammates spoke about his leadership skills.

Running back Jaime Albarran, a junior who is the Trojans’ second leading rusher and looks to make a run at Foster’s rushing record next season, said Foster is a great leader and is encouraging. He constantly tells his peers to keep going whether they make a 2-yard run, a key block or long run for a touchdown.

“It’s a mindset,” said senior running back, wide receiver and defensive back Alex Martinez. “He gets everyone going before the game. If people are quiet and doing their own thing he gets us in check and says to focus up. ‘This is a huge game so let’s get ready to roll.'”

Albarran, Martinez and Foster have known each other since early days of youth football when they began playing together at age 5.

“He was a leader from the start. Everyone knew that he was going to be that guy in high school,” Albarran said.

Albarran’s first memories of seeing Foster be “that guy,” were his peewee year at age 12.

“We were losing and he just breaks out for a big run and says, ‘I’m going to keep scoring,'” Albarran remembered. “I was like all right this is our guy and he led us to victory.”

Orland offensive coordinator Larenzo Garth also had high praise for his quarterback Foster, who he first noticed Foster’s freshman year when Garth was the varsity team’s running backs coach.

“We knew he was going to be good coming through. He just has a knack for gaining yards and falling forward,” Garth said.

Garth mentioned three instances that show what Foster is all about.

Starting with last season, Foster and former running back Brayden Schumann would lead optional film sessions on Wednesdays each week, separate from the mandatory team film sessions. Foster and Schumann would point things out as Foster, then a junior, looked to develop into a leader.

Over the offseason Foster was out early wanting to throw footballs and never once missed a workout, despite holding a grade point average above a 4.0.

“There’s a group of them — him, Alex Martinez, Jaime Albarran and a couple others — they’re in the weight room, they’re doing their speed work in the offseason and the biggest thing is he keeps is GPA above 4.0. That’s the biggest leadership quality right there,” Garth said.

One of the most memorable things for both Garth and other members of the Orland coaching staff came in Saturday’s game against Clear Lake. With the Cardinals looking as if they may rally as they had done against St. Vincent de Paul, Foster approached Velazquez and said, “Coach just feed me the ball. Just let me run the ball.”

Velazquez relayed that message to Garth and said, “let him win this.”

“It’s a coach’s dream to hear that and sincerely mean it because a lot of times players want the rock but it’s mainly for selfish reasons,” Garth said. “Not Grant, Grant wants to win. It doesn’t matter what it looks like as long as we get the W.”

Foster and the Orland football team will kick off the CIF Division 5-A state championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Trojan Stadium in Orland. Tickets for the game are available by visiting https://gofan.co/p/F4240E79632DAB8E5041C62B7F252A3DBD0C78B3D2EC420C?fbclid=IwAR3EPbL3z5sow7I2C1dlWR8qWbgFdoeNSuCCCERfGTVGWvDCLWbmg6stuKQ. The game will be available to be streamed on NFHSnetwork.com, or follow @JCouchot_Sports on Twitter.

Volleyball has quickly become Cota’s passion, being named a captain her junior and senior seasons after being named to the varsity squad her sophomore season — which was shortened due to the pandemic.

In her senior season Cota leads both the Bulldogs and the Butte View League in kills and hitting percentage. She leads the Bulldogs in blocks, digs and aces as a middle hitter as well.

She has one superstition and it is that when her mom braids her hair prior to a match, she knows she will play well.

Despite her all around success on the volleyball court, what head coach Liz Ayon believes is Cota’s strongest characteristic is her leadership ability.

Due to Cota’s success on the court and as a leader throughout the 2022 season, she has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record’s Prep Athlete of the Week.

“She has a unique way to bring energy when the team needs it most,” Ayon said. “Her communication through each point and set and her ability to get the best out of those around her has been a quality that sets her apart.”

Cota credits learning to be the leader she is today to two leaders she learned from her sophomore season — Ally Mardesich and Elesia Fuentes — in addition to Ayon.

“(Ayon) just fits what I look for in a coaching style. She’s super passionate which makes me passionate,” Cota said. “She made me love volleyball and when I play I want to work hard and play better for her because she’s really inspiring and puts 100% into us, so I know I need to put 100% into every practice and every game.”

Off the court Cota is a leader as well, serving as the senior class president at Gridley High School while keeping up in the classroom with a 4.5 grade point average.

“I would say sports fed my leadership the most,” Cota said. “I’ve always been a natural leader in sports because of my talent, but that’s what brought out my other passion for being able to lead people.”

In addition to her role as class president Cota has served in leadership roles in the Future Farmers of America organization, including the chairman of activities in her chapter her junior year.

With FFA she’s shown animals, but found a love for public speaking. She began her freshman year where she was a state qualifier and her sophomore year she did persuasive speaking and won at the state competition. Her junior year she traveled to Indianapolis for the FFA National Convention where she competed in prepared public speaking, after winning awards at state for public speaking and an agriculture issues forum.

Cota was in Indianapolis once again Sunday. She said she loves FFA and grades seemingly come natural, but sports are where she feels most at home.

Despite succeeding off the court as well, Cota said she feels most like herself on the volleyball court. After thoughts of swimming at the collegiate level, she has shifted her mindset and has hopes of continuing her volleyball career at the collegiate level. She sees swimming as a lifestyle, but loves the intensity on the volleyball court.

“I love the competitiveness of the game and I love to win. Swim I don’t put as much pressure on the competition and so that’s kind of why my college interest in that has died down because I know I’ll be able to swim just for fun,” Cota said. “I definitely can say I feel most myself on the volleyball court. I’m super loud and energetic so that just lets me get it all out. I get to be so intense and that’s what I love the most.”