When Del Sol and Nordhoff play a Citrus Coast League game on Oct. 2, the Jaguars will be the home team, even though the game will be held in Ojai.
“We’re going to treat it like a home game for them,” said Nordhoff coach Dillon Lowen. “We’ll wear our whites. They’re probably sick of playing their white uniforms every week.”
The teams are united this fall by their anticipation over new facilities, which could come to a crescendo next month.
“We get it,” said Lowen. “We’ve been dealing with stadium stuff, too.”
Del Sol is hoping to play its first home game in its new stadium, which is nearing completion.
“I keep getting asked when,” Del Sol athletic director Chris Holdworth. “The answer
is, ‘Soon, soon.’ ”
The project is part of the $285 million Measure E bond, approved in 2024.
Just how close is the home opener? The Jaguars are practicing in the stadium for the first time this week.
“There’s a couple hurdles that we have to pass in the next few weeks,” said Holdworth. “One being lights.”
If the hurdles are cleared, Del Sol could end its current series of five road games with a home game against Channel Islands on Oct. 16.
Nordhoff hasn’t been able to use the home side of Ojai Valley Community Stadium since 2023, when the nearly 50-year-old stand was condemned and subsequently torn down.
The $5 million rebuild of the stadium is also nearing completion and could be ready in time for one of the Rangers’ three home games in late October.
“The district is targeting late October to early November,” said Atticus Reyes, a trustee with the Ojai Unified School District. “Some folks feel good that we may be a little ahead of schedule, but wet weather can delay a lot of these projects.”
Electrical and landscaping are among the final touches still to be completed, according to Reyes.
View from the top
Jim Benkert is only concerned how many wins his Simi Valley High football team has earned this season.
Not that he entered this fall as the winningest active high school football coach in the state of California.
“I think you guys are making other people more aware of it than I would be,” Benkert said. “I’m not building a resume or anything. I’m enjoying what I’m doing.”
For the record, Benkert’s teams are 319-142-2 in 37 seasons at Westlake, Oaks Christian and Simi Valley.
If the 2-1 Pioneers win Friday night in Reno, Nevada, against host Spanish Springs, Benkert will move past Lou Farrar of Charter Oak and into seventh place on Cal-Hi Sports all-time wins list.
He’s just four wins behind sixth place and 20 wins shy of third place, where Bruce Rollinson of Mater Dei currently sits.
The young Pioneers have started the season well. Junior Sal Villa has rushed for 625 yards and 10 TDs through three games. Junior Connor Petrov has thrown for 580 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. A young defense led by senior linebacker Denver Smith and junior cornerback Micah Hannah has allowed just a lone TD the past two games.
But the veteran coach knows wins will be even more precious come the arrival of Marmonte League play next month.
“We’ve got to get some wins now,” Benkert said. “We saw last year what happens when we get into the gauntlet.”
Jags rising
It seems James Nelson has already built a team worthy of Del Sol’s eventual digs.
Santa Paula coach Mike Montoya was left impressed after the Cardinals’ 37-30 win over the Jaguars last Friday.
“They’re a very, very improved football team,” Montoya said. “They were physical. Coach Nelson and his staff are doing a great job over there at Del Sol. I don’t know that I’ve seen a team improve so much from year to year.”
Del Sol lost 42-0 to Santa Paula last September.
“They’re night and day from last year,” Montoya said. “They’ve got some dudes. They’re a very physical team.”
Growth mindset
Does the second 0-3 start in program history have Rudy Carlton reconsidering the Lions’ difficult nonleague schedule?
The answer from the first-year Oaks Christian head coach was direct.
“We got to build a team that can play this schedule,” Carlton said. “I’d much rather play this schedule with a roster that can compete.”
The Lions have been outscored 82-31 by Chaminade, Rancho Cucamonga and Bakersfield-Liberty. Seniors Josh Tyler and Xavier Burkett have been among the key players who missed games because of injury.
“When you’re thin on numbers, injuries seem bigger,” Carlton said. “How do we build for the future? How do we build for right now? You focus on growth and getting better each week.”
Oaks Christian’s worst start to a season came in 2021, when it started 0-5 under Charlie Collins.
But there was a silver lining. The Lions reached the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 final that season, falling to Valencia, 28-14.
Banged up
Three weeks into the season, the injuries are already beginning to pile up.
Moorpark receiver Davis Benson, Ventura running back James Watson, Camarillo receiver Cruz Howe and the Santa Paula brother duo of Xavier Alcantar and Dominic Alcantar were among the big names missing last weekend.
Being without both Alcantar brothers was like missing four players, Montoya said.
“It was a big blow for us to have both of them out the same week,” Montoya said. “They’re both two-way starters.”
Joe Curley covers football for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter/X, Instagram/Threads, Facebook, Bluesky and TikTok.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Del Sol, Nordhoff anticipating new, improved facilities
