High School Sports

When a high school volleyball team graduates all six of its starters like Live Oak did last season, the next year is often a rebuilding year. Longtime Acorns coach Kathleen Davis described the upcoming season as such, though with a caveat.  “This is a good...

With a chance to ice the game, Live Oak High quarterback Xavier Catano went up to Acorns coach Mike Gemo and said, “Just give me the ball, coach. I’m going to get it.” Catano did just that, running for a 10-yard gain to put the...

Despite graduating nine seniors off last year’s team, the Sobrato High girls volleyball squad isn’t ramping down expectations. The Bulldogs fully expect to be in contention to defend the Blossom Valley League Santa Teresa Division championship they won in the Covid spring season.  That’s because...

From the moment Xavier Catano put on a Live Oak High uniform, he’s been a difference-maker. In the season-opener against visiting Gilroy High on Aug. 27, the junior standout had a career-best performance in the Acorns’ 41-26 win.  Catano scored three touchdowns—including a 70-yard TD...

Excellent talent at the skill positions but question marks on the offensive line. That’s the best way to sum up the state of the Live Oak High football team as it enters the season-opener against Gilroy on Aug. 27.  “Seeing what our offensive line does,...

The Sobrato High football team took every opportunity it got this summer to condition, lift weights and compete in 7 on 7 passing league contests. Coach Jubenal Rodriguez is banking on the team’s hard work and diligence to pay off as it plays its...

When Evan Stapleton was named a co-captain for the Sobrato High boys water polo team last season, he was floored. After all, it was Stapleton’s first year at the school as he spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Valley Christian in San Jose.  “I...

Jubenal Rodriguez knows the importance of having a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) on campus. The latter are mainstays at most or all of the private schools with strong athletic programs like those in the West Catholic League.  To be without one is a...

When Miguel Gutierrez was recently hired as the new assistant coach for the Hartnell College women’s soccer team, it was assumed that he would step down from his position as the Sobrato girls coach. Not so fast.  The 26-year-old Gilroy resident is going to do...

Five incoming sophomores and juniors from Live Oak High’s lacrosse team—Luke Richey, Ben Ledwith, Nolan Ledwith, Collin Fisher and Colby Allen—in May were selected to play for Pinnacle, a premier traveling team based out of Sacramento.  The players recently returned from a trip to the...