Tigers face Paso Robles in football opener Aug. 26 with new coach, new spirit

By Ed Martin, Editor
Angel Solis, who led the team in sacks last season, will return in a variety of roles this year.
Angel Solis, who led the team in sacks last season, will return in a variety of roles this year.
Photo by Bill Burris

Another football season, another West Yosemite League championship? Not so fast. While Lemoore’s vaunted football team has easily won the last two league championships, this year’s campaign might not be as easy.

For starters, Lemoore is minus a number of last year’s top players, including Al Perryman, now plying his unique skills at Sacramento State, Trey Perryman, quarterback Logan Ahlin, talented wide out A.J. Bow, Jerald Campbell, defensive standout Kyle Jue, and top lineman Mitchell Foote. The list goes on.

Head Coach Mitch Crossley
Head Coach Mitch Crossley

It was relatively easy for the Tigers a year ago, scorching their WYL opponents 6-0, and putting up impressive numbers which included three shutouts and outscoring the six league teams 258-26.

The Tigers played in the Central Section Division II championship game against Ridgeview High School absent the coach who took them there. Tiger coach Shannon Pulliam was suspended following a “hazing” incident.

MaxxPreps West Yosemite League Schedule

Pulliam has since resigned and just recently took over the head coaching duties at Hoover High School.

Pulliam won three league titles with the Tigers, including last year’s 10-3 overall mark, which included a loss in the Central Section title against the Wolfpack.

Enter Mitch Crossley, the Tigers’ new coach, who is stepping into some rather large shoes. His last job was at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, California. Crossley came from a struggling program at Montgomery where he was an assistant coach. According to MaxPrep.com, the Montgomery Vikings were 2-8 last season and 2-5 in the North Bay League.

Crossley has worked at several high schools during a long career in coaching. The 57-year-old coach has been the head man at various schools for nine years and served as an assistant 16 years. He’s worked at Montgomery High the past two years.

He has coached just about everything from golf, to wrestling, to football.

He also played football in college, but excelled in baseball, earning All-American status while at college in Oregon.

Despite the loss of a number of stars, Crossley is optimistic about the Tigers’ chances this year. “We won’t have as much experience as last year,” he said. But he is high about several of the returning players who he says will light up the field this season, and he says the rest of the league will be gunning for them again this year.

“We were way ahead of everyone this year,” said Crossley. “Everyone will be gunning for us. They’re going to want to stick it to us after what we’ve done to them lately. We need to make sure we don’t take anyone lightly and understand that what we need to do to get into the playoffs.”

In particular, one of those returning stars is Angel Solis, who Crossley says will play offense and defense. The talented player led the team in tackles last year with 12.5, including several key sacks in the playoffs. “He’s very aggressive,” said Crossley. He’s playing fullback this year, and we’ve added him to the offense. He’s probably one of the most aggressive kids on the team. He can run, he can tackle, he can block. He does everything you ask of him.”

Crossley’s also high on Noah Wright, Lemoore’s 6-4, 315-pound lineman - back for his senior year. Fresno State already wants the big man to anchor its line. “He’s one of the best players in the state,” said Crossley who intends to play him at center and nose guard. “He’s one of the best players around, period.”

Then there’s all-around athlete Jack Foote. Only a junior Crossley says he can do everything on the field. “Overall he’s fast, catches, runs, does everything, plays defense, and tackles,” said the new Tiger coach.  “He’s probably our best all-around athlete. He’ll play slot back, tailback, running back, wide receiver, strong safety too. He’s definitely a good player and an amazing athlete.”

Crossley will have plenty of coaching experience with offensive coordinator Dean Cardoza returning, Ron Jackson, the backs’ coach, Jose Morales on the defensive line, Carlos Lopez coaching the linebackers, and Jeff Kirchoff taking offensive line duties.

Lemoore, once again, has a difficult schedule, starting Friday (Aug. 26) with a game at home against Paso Robles. “Paso Robles might be the best team we play all year,” said Crossley. “They’re a big physical team that has a really fine running back. They have the program. They’re going to be a real physical team. They just want to beat you up. They want to run right at you.”

The Tigers will host Memorial High School on Sept. 2 and then travel to Clovis on Sept. 9 for another matchup with powerful Buchanan High. A trip to Sanger on Sept. 16 will be followed by the WYL opener at Redwood High School on Sept. 23.

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