Pueblo’s football team finished off the season with a winning record of 6-4, which was slightly disappointing compared to last year’s record. However, the team did score a major victory over Palo Verde for the second year in a row.
Despite a less than stellar season, Coach Brandon Sanders was proud of his team and how well they played this season.
Sanders said, “We played good this year, being a young team.”
Impressed with his young teams determination, senior linebacker Anthony Garcia said,”I’m really proud of how devoted we were, being as young as we were.”
Sanders hopes that for next year his team will grow not only physically but mentally as well.
“My hope is that the players this year grow to have more commitment [to football],” said Sanders.
Senior Anthony Garcia leaves his team with confidence knowing the varsity team will do even better next year.
Pueblo Magnet High School hosted the first annual student athlete signing ceremony on Friday, Jan. 15. Seven of our Warriors announced their schools of interest or their choices of where they will be attending college in the fall.
Among these Warriors, only one senior, Vanessa Molina, officially signed. She committed to attending Central Arizona College to play softball.
“The student athletes had the choice of signing at the college, their home, or here at Pueblo,” said Assistant Principal Frank Rosthenhausler. “Vanessa Molina decided to sign here at her high school and wanted to give the opportunity to her fellow student athletes.”
Three of her fellow softball teammates, Vanessa Duarte, Alizea Corday, and Sierra Gaskill, committed to attend Phoenix College and signed the next day, Jan. 16.
“I am extremely proud of the girls’ commitment on and off the field,” said first year high school softball coach Curtis Ruiz. “It makes coaching worth every minute especially when you get to see the players you have had for years finally achieve their dreams of playing ball at the next level.”
Senior Frankie Gomez was also apart of the celebration, and he expressed three schools of interest for baseball. Gomez is still undecided as to where he would like to attend college in the fall.
“I would like to thank God and my family for the amazing opportunities and support they have gave me over the years.” Gomez said. “I still haven’t committed to which college I’ll attend. It’s going to be a difficult decision.”
Jasiah Booth and Justin Pledger have both received offers to play football at the collegiate level.
Booth said that he is also undecided about where he will attend college but has narrowed the choice between Arizona Christian University, Jacksonville University, and three community colleges: Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale.
Pledger has the two choices of attending Pima and Eastern College.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Brandon Sanders said, “Our student athletes deserve the best. This ceremony was very successful, and I hope this will become an annual event for our Pueblo students.”
Pueblo Magnet High School hosted the first annual student athlete signing ceremony on Friday, January 15. Seven of our Warriors announced their schools of interest or their choices of where they will be attending college in the fall.
Among these Warriors, only one senior, Vanessa Molina, officially signed. She committed to attending Central Arizona College to play softball.
“The student athletes had the choice of signing at the college, their home, or here at Pueblo,” said Assistant Principal Frank Rosthenhausler. “Vanessa Molina decided to sign here at her high school and wanted to give the opportunity to her fellow student athletes.”
Three of her fellow softball teammates, Vanessa Duarte, Alizea Corday, and Sierra Gaskill, committed to attend Phoenix College and signed the next day, January 16.
“I am extremely proud of the girls’ commitment on and off the field,” said first year high school softball coach Curtis Ruiz. “It makes coaching worth every minute especially when you get to see the players you have had for years finally achieve their dreams of playing ball at the next level.”
Senior Frankie Gomez was also apart of the celebration, and he expressed three schools of interest for baseball. Gomez is still undecided as to where he would like to attend college in the fall.
“I would like to thank God and my family for the amazing opportunities and support they have giving me over the years.” Gomez said. “I still haven’t committed to which college I’ll attend. It’s going to be a difficult decision.”
Jasiah Booth and Justin Pledger have both received offers to play football at the collegiate level.
Booth said that he is also undecided about where he will attend college but has narrowed the choice between Arizona Christian University, Jacksonville University, and three community colleges: Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale.
Pledger has the two choices of attending Pima and Eastern College.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Brandon Sanders said, “Our student athletes deserve the best. This ceremony was very successful, and I hope this will become an annual event for our Pueblo students.”
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the 2015-16 Pueblo varsity football team advanced to their first playoff appearance since 1991, taking on the Estrella Foothills’ Wolves. Unfortunately, the Warriors lost with a final score of 35-13.
The Warriors ended the season with a final record of 7-4, giving them their second consecutive winning season.
Junior Michael Beltran said, “Last year we set the trend of a triumphant season, and I hope this year we set the precedent for next year’s post-season performance and appearance.”
Pueblo secured their playoff status by being undefeated in their class to become section champions.
“We may not have finished our season with a state championship, but we are making a name for Pueblo again,” said senior David Greenwood. “We want the community to know that we are not a ghetto south side school and that we have so many great programs here including an outstanding athletics department with committed players with pride and devoted coaches who want us to learn the meaning of team spirit.”
Another senior, Jasiah Booth, said, “I couldn’t be any prouder of my team, and I want to wish all upcoming sports just as much luck in their seasons as our football team had this past season.”
On Nov. 23, several of our Warrior football players were honored by coaches for their commendable performances in Division IV, Section II, including:
Justin Pledger (Offensive Player of the Year)
Jorge Romero (First Team Running Back)
Frankie Gomez (First Team Receiver)
Michael Beltran (First Team Offensive Lineman)
Jasiah Booth (First Team Offensive Lineman)
Elliott Perez-Guillen (First Team Linebacker)
David Greenwood (First Team Defensive End)
Justin Pledger (First Team Defensive Back)
Jasiah Booth (First Team Interior Lineman)
Justin Pledger (First Team Returner)
Armando Lucero (Second Team Receiver)
Adrian Madero (Second Team Linebacker)
Frankie Gomez (Second Team Defensive Back)
Raul German (Second Team Interior Lineman)
Jesus Rodriguez (Second Team Interior Lineman)
Jasiah Booth
Booth added, “Pueblo is back on the map, and I am proud to say I am a part of the school’s turn around years. Once a Warrior, always a Warrior.”
Pueblo Magnet High school’s football team ended the regular season with a record of 7-3 and as section champions secured their first playoff appearance since 1991. The Warriors are set to take on the Estrella Foothills Wolves on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m.
Last season, Pueblo’s football program set the precedence of a 7-3 season; however, the team fell short of the playoffs by one game.
Senior Jasiah Booth, who has played varsity football at Pueblo for four years, said, “Playoffs is something I have dreamed about since my freshman year and to be the class to accomplish this is such a great feeling.”
The 25-year post-season drought has definitely come to an end for Pueblo, and the Warriors are eager to have the opportunity to play in the November tournament.
Warriors excited about representing Pueblo at State Playoffs
“Getting to playoffs is an accomplishment in itself,” said senior Jorge Romero, “however, I am no where near satisfied just yet.”
Junior Angel Faras added, “We’ve had one goal all season: [to make playoffs]; and now that we have made it this far, we are ready to fight for what we truly want which is State.”
The team has been preparing for the post-season since late May, and the Warriors are proud to have the opportunity to represent Pueblo in Goodyear, AZ, this weekend.
“Our team has become a brotherhood and I am excited and eager to play with my family in this amazing opportunity,” said senior Justin Pledger.
“We are not some ghetto south side school, we are going above and beyond people’s expectations this year,” said senior David Greenwood.
Senior, Luis Armenta said, “We are going to put all our hearts into this game and go out there and fight like true Warriors.”
Although the Warriors will still continue their season into playoffs, here is a recap of the last five regular season games.
Game 6: Friday, October 2:
Pueblo was victorious against the Catalina Trojans with a final score of 72-0, breaking the school’s record for all-time points in a single game. The Warriors scored in all ways possible: punt return, kick return, passing touchdown, rushing touchdown, interception, and fumble. This was also the Warriors’ first home game of Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all athletes wore pink in support.
Game 7: Friday, October 9:
Pueblo traveled to Palo Verde and took their fifth win of the regular season with a final score of 56-7.
Game 8: Friday, October 16:
The Warriors took on the Pusch Ridge Lions in weather that was less than 60 degrees—with rain and winds of more than 20 mph. Unfortunately, Pueblo lost with a final score of 13-35. Pueblo Cheer continued to rally for the Warriors throughout the cold, wet night.
Game 9: Friday, October 23:
The night began with senior recognition, a chance for seniors to be escorted across the field by family members before the beginning of their last game at Lou Farber Field. The night was filled with smiles and laughs. This was not a night just for seniors but also the night that Pueblo could secure their spot into the playoffs as sectional champions. The Warriors were victorious, with a final score of 73-41 against the Empire Ravens, once again breaking the school record for most points scored in a single game.
Game 10: Friday, October 30:
The last game of the regular season for the Warriors was against the Santa Rita Eagles, and the Warriors took the win with a final score of 55-6.
Now, it’s time for the Warriors to advance to the State playoffs, and we all cheer them on. On Saturday, Nov. 7, students and the Pueblo community are encouraged to travel to Goodyear, AZ, on the “Spirit Bus” to give our team some hometown support. The bus trip will cost $10, and another $8 for admission into the game. The bus will leave at 3:15 p.m. at Pueblo, and will return to Pueblo at approximately 11:30. Support our football team!
For the past two years, Class of 2016 Senior Brianna Bertsch has been a committed varsity football player, the only female on the field this year.
When Bertsch toured the Pueblo campus as an eighth grader, she recalls seeing the mural in the cafeteria, and one of the images was a dignified native holding a football, and this image inspired her to want to be dignified as well.
“I suffered from low-esteem because of a poor family life,” Bertsch said. “So, I knew that I had to get myself out of the gutter—and I found that sense of belonging on the football team.”
In the past four years, Bertsch has been awarded many accolades for her commitment to the football team, including the Superintendent’s Cup Scholarship as well as numerous pins and patches.
“I learned early on that I was a big girl,” Bertsch said. “I was teased a lot in elementary and middle school, but once I entered high school and tried out for football, all of the teasing ended and I started to have friends.”
She paused and said, “Being on the football team literally saved my life. I stopped a lot of bad habits in my life, and I found direction.”
Bertsch said that when she became the only girl on the boys’ football team, as a freshman, some of the players ignored her and didn’t take her seriously. “I was like a ghost to some of these players,” she said. “It wasn’t until I started breaking records in the weight room when I started to get the respect that I always thought that I deserved.”
Following high school graduation next spring, Bertsch plans to attend Pima and become a member of the AZ Prep Team, which is an organization that caters to players who may not be prepared to be on the regular college football team.
Eventually, Bertsch wants to pursue a career to be a paramedic.
“I’ve always wanted to save people—always,” she said.
