SBART Luncheon: Local Fall Prep Sports Are Back in Action

Local fall coaches and players made their return to Harry’s Plaza Cafe for the first Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon of the school year on Monday.

With at least a week of non-league competition under most of the team’s belts, some sports are already heading into league action this week.

Now in its second season as a CIF sport, the local girls flag football season is turning the page to league action with San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara High hosting their respective Channel League openers this week.

The Royals and Dons will host Ventura and Buena, respectively, on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. while the Chargers will welcome Rio Mesa on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

“Flag football is here and girls flag football is kicking butt,” Dos Pueblos flag football coach Doug Caines said. “Get ready for some really good flag football in this community, it’s super exciting, it’s magical.”

The local Channel League teams are off to hot starts as the Chargers and Royals are each 4-0 while the Dons won their opener over Bishop Diego, who will also field a team this season.

The three Channel League schools will also have their girls volleyball teams begin league action on Thursday. San Marcos and Dos Pueblos will host Buena and Pacifica, respectively, while Santa Barbara High will be on the road against Ventura. All matches begin at 6:30 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to just getting better and better every match and just seeing where it takes us,” Dons coach Kristin Hempy said.

The opening week of the school year also brought the return of Friday Night Lights in which the four local teams competing went 3-1 in total.

Bishop Diego (34-13 vs. Salesian), San Marcos (55-0 vs. Knight) and Santa Barbara High (42-17 vs. Camarillo) all came away with resounding season-opening victories.

“Our goal was simple: let’s just do what we need to do,” Royals coach Ralph Molina said. “I was really pleased with the way we played… We were really balanced and that’s what we wanted to see… It was a good way to start the season.”

Molina and the Royals will be the lone local team at home this week when they host Beckman on Friday at 7 p.m. The Dons will take on Valencia, the Chargers have a matchup against Royal and Bishop Diego will face off against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

On Thursday this week, the Carpinteria Warriors will begin their season on the road against Hollywood High at 7 p.m.

“I think it’s going to be a good game, I think we’re going to be very competitive with them and I’m looking forward to it,” Warriors coach Van Latham said of the upcoming season opener.