Sports Nutz

Time to suppport wrestling

Being a San Diego Charger fan at this point of the season I'm usually stuck not really caring about the NFL playoffs. I'm not a cheese head nor am I rooting for the "Black and Yellow" so at this time of the year I choose to focus my attention on the ever exciting high school wrestling season.

This weekend is the ever-popular Holtville Rotary Invitational wrestling tournament which is entering its 48th year of existence. For as long as I can remember I have been attending this tournament to cheer on the Brawley wrestling team but now as a sports writer for the entire Imperial Valley I find myself cheering on every local team when they are on the mat.

The tournament brings together all sorts of fans from all over the valley as well as other parts of the state which always makes for a great atmosphere, but it's the traditions of the tournament that make it second to none. Since the tournament's inception the brackets have been written by hand and to this day there are still a group of faithful Holtville wrestling supporters that give up a weekend to run the tournament by hand. I used to think they were crazy to want to write out all the bout sheets and brackets by hand and I would constantly beg them to switch to a computer system but it never seems to work.

The tournament wouldn't be able to work without all the support it gets from the Holtville natives and other helpers throughout the valley. In a small community like ours tradition is important and for me the Holtville tournament is one tradition that I look to keep alive in any way I can, so I encourage everybody who is a fan of wrestling or just good competition go head out and show your support.

Ryan Leon, Sports Writer

Time to send our support

On Saturday night, Holtville's Juan and Martha Arroyo were involved in a T-bone accident. Martha, who was the Holtville High girls' soccer team varsity head coach, didn't survive while her husband, the head varsity coach of the boys' soccer program at Holtville, did. I've known the couple for many years, back since I was in high school and the two were perfect for each other. The two loved soccer and had a dedication to it. They have lived in Holtville as far as I can remember and helped soccer there grow. For such a small community, they have helped that soccer program, from the youth level to the high school level. Juan led the boys' squad to the CIF-San Diego Section Division IV championship game a few years ago, a feat that isn't accomplished very often. It's saddening that she died on many levels. They had three boys and they are good boys. They are a good family and it's saddening to know they lost a good mother and good woman. But her death will also affect the city. She helped put together and organize youth girls' soccer squads in the city. I wish the family my best. Today, the Holtville boys' squad will host Southwest at 2:45 p.m. and Juan will be there, trying to move on and be strong for his family. I hope you take the time to go and help show him support as well.

Mario Renteria, Sports Editor

Semi-pro football coming to town

So as you might have read, the semi-pro football squad Southwest Blitz will kick off its season against the Scottsdale Sharks at 6 p.m. Saturday at Imperial High. I attended both games they had in the Valley a few years ago and it was pretty fun. That team is pretty competitive. This squad also has a lot of local talent that you might find interesting. Former Imperial High running back Caleb Hogue is one of them. The kid was our All-IVP player of the year a couple of years ago and rightfully so. He is their running back. There's also so many other players that played high school ball that I think we should all attend, to at least show our support. I wonder what it will feel like for Hogue to come back to play at his high school, a couple of years after graduation. I'm going to have to find out Saturday. Hope to see ya there.

 

Mario Renteria, Sports Editor

Who will win IVL basketball?

The Imperial Valley League boys' basketball season has tipped off and I'm wondering who will win league. Brawley Union High is the defending league champion with Southwest High finishing second, Calexico High third and Central Union High fourth. This year, Brawley seems to be the favorite again but Southwest has a good team to battle against the Wildcats. Calexico and Central seem to have competitive teams as well so I think it will be up in the air this season. What do you think?

 

Mario Renteria, Sports Editor

Who will win the Super Bowl?

So we all know who is in the playoffs. My question to you is who will win the Super Bowl?

Chargers need to stay in San Diego

I would hate to see the Chargers leave town. I don't think they would be loved as much in L.A. as much as they would be in San Diego. But I guess I understand if they decide to go.

Mario Renteria, Sports Editor

Get rid of Norv Turner

I've never liked either of them. Turner hasn't won anything and he's leading one of, if not the best, offenses in the league and the best defense in the league and yet, they probably won't win the AFC West. He needs to go. It's embarassing that they've lost to the Raiders twice this season when they have so much talent on the squad.

Eagles make IVSC championship

The Southwest High boys soccer team made the Imperial Valley Soccer Championship hosted by Central Union High on Saturday. The Eagles didnt didnt win it but it was good they made it. It was especially good to see a local team almost win it like last year when Holtville High won it. Congrats to the Eagles.

Semi-pro sports returns to Valley … it’s about time!

I’ve always heard the stories of the previous semi-professional sports teams that played in the Imperial Valley.

The Imperials baseball team was one of them, but it happened so long ago that I never had the chance to become a fan.

Now, the former Yuma Blitz semi-pro football team is moving to the Imperial Valley and changing its name to the Southwest Blitz.

As soon as I received the word all I could say is, “It’s about time!”

As a sports fanatic I’m excited about this move for a few reasons.

Without a post-high football program in the Imperial Valley, those that can’t leave the Valley to continue playing in a college or university now have a venue to continue their passion.

Before I continue, let me make myself perfectly clear — I strongly recommend high school athletes, not just in football but in any sport, to make getting an education their priority.

With that said and done, let’s be honest, unfortunately not every athlete has the opportunity to leave the Valley to pursue their dream in their respective sport.

I think this team will provide an opportunity for those players to keep their dream alive and in the end, it’s keeping that dream alive that motivates them to keep progressing.

Team owner Ken Blankenship was correct when he said there is a lot of untapped talent in the Valley.

Plus think of the revenue it could generate for our local high schools and even businesses.

It’s sad but many Valley youth never get a chance to attend pro football because it is expensive, let alone the drive to the closes city that has it — San Diego.

This is the opportunity for families to watch high-quality, competitive football for an affordable price without having to drive more than an hour to watch it

And as you might have read in my article, the Blitz is a good team.

I see no downside to this move, only upside for the Blitz and our community.

Our community has a big handful of people that promote their respective sports in a very positive way and that has helped produce fine athletes in many sports.

With Blitz’s move here, that can be enhanced by giving our youth a taste of that next-level of play.

I’m jumping aboard this move, from everything from supporting it to making my own fantasy football team league based on the Scout Dream Football League.

Just a thought, now that John Bishop retired from the Brawley Union High football team, maybe he can join the Blitz … that would be cool.

Central to host international college football game

A press release from the Holtville Athletic Club stated Central Union High is set to host a college football game between Arizona Western College from Yuma and Monterrey Tech University from Mexico City at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Doors are set to open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.

The event, hosted and sponsored by the Holtville Athletic Event, will provide all the net proceeds to the athletic programs at Brawley Union, Calexico, Calipatria, Central Union, Holtville, Imperial and Southwest high schools.

The event will include a halftime performance by the Great Spartan Band.