Vote: Who should be SBLive’s California High School Football Coach of the Week (11/2/2023)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s California High School Coach of the Week for Week 10 (Oct. 26-28) as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote below. Voting will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 11:59 p.m and the winner will be announced on Wednesday. If you would like to nominate a coach in future weeks, please email Lance@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveCA.
Ray Fenton, Los Alamitos: In a 21-10 victory, the Griffins defeated Edison (Huntington Beach) for an undisputed Sunset League title for the fourth consecutive season.
Mike Jacot, Clovis North: In Jacot's fifth season at the helm, Clovis North cemented one of the strongest regular seasons in recent CIFCS memory 10-0 with a 27-20 win over Central (Fresno). The TRAC title is Clovis North's first since 2014.
Darryl Thomas, Upland: Upland upset previously-unbeaten Rancho Cucamonga 17-14 to force a tie for first place in the Baseline League and win its first title in Thomas' five seasons as head coach.
Tony Gates, Reedley: In perhaps the upset of the year in the Central Section, Reedley (which entered 2-7) upset previously-unbeaten Exeter 22-21 to establish a three-way tie atop the Tri-County League - Sequoia Division.
Stafon Johnson, Dorsey: Under former NFL running back and Dorsey Don Stafon Johnson, their fifth-year head coach, the Dons beat King/Drew 20-12 in the South L.A. Classic at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. With the win, Dorsey overcame an 0-5 start to grab a share of the Coliseum League title.
Greg Zomalt, Orange Vista: For the first time in their brief history (2017-present), the Coyotes are back-to-back league champions. They won their second straight Ivy League title with a 35-27 win over Rancho Verde guided by the only head coach they've ever had.
Floyd Burnsed, Acalanes: In a battle of rivals that were both unbeaten in Diablo Foothill League play, Acalanes handed Las Lomas its first loss of the year by a score of 34-14. Acalanes' victory sets up a league title match against Campolindo this week.
Charles Collins, Oaks Christian: The Lions held off St. Bonavaenture 13-10 for a Marmonte League title, their first since 2018 and second total in Collins' six years as head coach.
Mark Krail, Los Gatos: A 24-21 victory over Wilcox clinched a conference title for Los Gatos in its first season as a member of the Peninsula - Bay League. Boxer Kopcsak-Yeung ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and amassed 112 yards returning kicks in the Wildcats' victory.
David Peña, Central (El Centro): With a 14-7 win over Brawley, Central won its fifth undisputed conference title in Peña's seven seasons as head coach.
Nathan Mendoza, Santa Barbara: With a 43-0 rout of Buena, Santa Barbara recorded its third straight shutout and seventh straight win. Quarterback Abel Renteria and running back Koa Herrera led the way for the Dons as they also clinched the silver medal in the nine-team Channel League in their first season under Mendoza with the victory.
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca