Fundamental Football and Sound Technique Keys To Temecula Valley High Resurgence

Since taking over as the third head football coach in the school’s history in 2010, McGowen has stressed fundamental football and sound technique.

He has steadily been working to bring the Golden Bears back to the top of the pack in one of the nation’s toughest high school football leagues.

McGowen said he and his coaching staff are dedicated to forming Temecula Valley Football into a program that “builds men, leaders in our community, and a program that prepares men with the desire, drive, and athletic ability to have success at the next level."

This year the Bears have key defensive starters returning. All-Southwestern League linebacker Jarrod Iwasaki is only a junior and had 42 tackles, one interception and is the heart of the Golden Bears' defense. 

The Bears return 10 defensive players with game experience.

“We are much more experienced on defense," McGowen said. “We look forward to greater success this year."

Senior defensive lineman Nathan Chupp also can play linebacker and will anchor the D-line. He had five sacks and 38 tackles last year. Senior Parker Yocum moves from linebacker to defensive line this year to increase speed and agility.

Seniors Bailey Gallagher and Zach Ortega will be prowling the secondary for the Bears. Gallagher had 60 tackles and also will be used for kick off and punt returns. Ortega had 38 tackles and played in every came last season.

The Golden Bears have All-Southwestern League quarterback Kyle Plantier returning under center. The senior passed for 170 yards per game and had eight touchdown tosses. 

He will have junior wide receiver Griffin Doran, who caught 32 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns. Plantier also has the speedy Derrick Hooks at wide receiver, who had 20 catches with 225 yards and a touchdown. 

On the ground, the Bears will look to senior Garrison Flores to move the chains out of the backfield. 

The offense doesn’t move without a good line. Senior Kai Simmons is the leader of Temecula Valley’s offensive line consisting of Tim Rodriguez, Ben Burdette, Greg Jenkins and Bryan Bieber.

The Golden Bears look solid this year and the roster has 30 of 61 returning varsity players. Even with the toughest schedule in the league, look for Temecula Valley to be right in the thick of every game.

Fundamental football and sound technique is what Golden Bears' football is all about in 2013.