Martin to Kerman High???

There are rumors swirling out of the westside community that recently dismissed Clovis West coach, Marty Martin, will interview for the vacant head coaching position Wednesday. If this hire does happen it will only confirm my reports on the relevance of Kerman football. This program is definately heading in the right direction and bringing in a guy like Martin will elevate the program a little more. | MORE

Following Efrain Guizar's footsteps

Kerman High School is searching for a head football coach just like a few other schools in the valley. However, the soon to be Division IV school, did not fire their previous head coach. In fact, he was promoted. Coach Guizar will now be the assistant principal for the Lions. The former Fresno State football player has made Kerman Football relevant in the valley. More importantly he has made football relevant... in the "Gateway to the Westside" community.

The kids at the school are believers in what coach Guizar has preached in his years as the Kerman go-to guy. Forget about the wins, like the one that ended a 20 plus-year losing streak to the infamous blue-gold from Dos Palos. What will be remembered is the effort to involve the community. The fundraisers he worked on so diligently. The way he taught his players about life, not just football, and taught them to be grateful. Guizar started the tradition of the players thanking the fans after every game. Yes, the entire team walks towards the stands and as collective unit thank the fans for their continued support. Are you kidding me, I couldn't get a 16-year-old to say thank you without bribing him with a PS3 or XBox 360. And Guizar manages to make them say thanks to parents, strangers, business owners, etc. with respect. Isn't that what coaching is all about? Teaching young adults the proper way to behave, act and most importantly do both of those in either defeat or victory.

I have spoken with coach on several occasions; he's as humble as they come. He praises his assistant coaches constantly. He thanks the community of Kerman over and over. He shows great faith in his players; you know the ones he’s developed. Oh, he can probably name you the starting 22 players on the Pop Warner team. Yes, he was that involved.

"He does so much for the community," said first year assistant coach Mark Gutierrez. Gutierrez is shocked how serious football is in Kerman, he played his ball at Lincoln High in Stockton and coached at Hoover High. The small-town feel leaves him overwhelmed at times. What he doesn't know is that Kerman football was irrelevant in the valley before Guizar.

"Everyone wears red in Kerman on Fridays, Efrain started that," said Gutierrez, who worked the booth during varisty games this past season.

Let's face it, no one is going to come in and do what Efrain Guizar has done for Kerman as a community, school and team. The simple reason this won't happen, is because the next coach at this school will have a great foundation to begin with. The new coach will have the support of the new assistant principal. The new coach will have the community behind him, because football matters in this town now. The new head coach will be getting great athletes and better yet, student/athletes that understand if you don't follow the rules you won't be playing.

“I love that guy," is what senior all-purpose stud Adrian Ruiz told me earlier in the year when talking about coach Guizar. Ruiz also said Guizar is easily the best coach he’s ever had.

I’m sure that sentiment is felt throughout the locker room by other players. Now the team and I stress team, which Guizar has developed will be handed off to a new face. You better believe this is something Guizar didn’t want to let go off. He’s been watching his team develop and grow into something special. Now Kerman must do the right thing and bring in the right man to follow in Guizar’s lead. Good luck with that. | MORE

CV ATHLETE PROFILE - Adrian Ruiz

CV Athletes is introducing a new Athlete Profile Feature to our site. Week 8 CV Athlete of the Week, Adrian Ruiz, from Kerman High School is first up. Enjoy and be on the lookout for more profiles in the very near future.

WHO: Adrian Ruiz | Senior
WHERE: Kerman High School
POSITION(S): Possession Receiver/Lockdown Safety
IN A FEW WORDS: Devin Hester-like return man

He put up 42 points in a basketball game against Yosemite High School as a junior. He was running at the high school a couple of weeks ago when a lady stopped him and told him, “You are Adrian Ruiz, my son wants to meet you.” Before this football season he wanted to be in the spotlight by having the ball in his hands. He’s definitely Kerman’s youngest celebrity. He has... plenty of confidence and swagger.

I am talking about do-it-all Kerman High standout Adrian Ruiz. No he hasn’t been offered by USC, Michigan, CAL or even Fresno State for that matter. Don’t forget neither was the man he patterns his game after; receiver for the Carolina Panthers Steve Smith.

If you see him standing at the snack bar you would just mistake him for another high school student. Once you step on the field it’s a whole different story. Ruiz is the go-to receiver, best safety and elusive return man for Kerman and oh by the way he has yet to reach his full potential according to head coach Efrain Guizar. Even Ruiz himself admits he’s still learning the game.

“As a junior I didn’t start on defense…I couldn’t understand my reads,” Ruiz calmly says in phone conversation. “I’ve come a long way and gotten better. All the team meetings really help. I’m just humble and happy we are winning.”

Forget the fact that it will take you hours to try and name another player in the valley that has two career wins against the Dos Palos Broncos. Forget the thought of your team having the best receiver in the valley.

“I believe I can lockdown any receiver in the valley,” he said with great confidence.

There is nothing better than a stud athlete with great confidence. He’s ready for any challenge. I asked him about college. His answer was simple:

“I haven’t got any offers. I wish I was a little taller but I’m not,” said Ruiz. “I’m not going to let it stop me though, I just have to work that much harder and get better.”

He’s the same height as Steve Smith. That Smith guy he’s a pretty good NFL receiver.

Coming into this season Ruiz wanted to be like Keyshawn Johnson, by that I mean he wanted the damn ball. Eight weeks into the season, he describes the highlight of his career as becoming the team leader. He’s accepted that if he gets double-teamed someone else is open.

“It’s all about wins,” said Ruiz.

Now that’s a mature high school senior. He doesn’t care about stats, just wins. You can thank coach Guizar for installing that mentally in the entire Kerman team.

“I love coach Guizar, I love that guy,” Ruiz acknowledges. “He yells at us, but not to be mean just to get us prepared and motivate us. He’s one of the best coaches I have ever had.”

Forget about getting in Ruiz’s head. He doesn’t play mind games. Before every game he gets taped up and thinks about his assignments while blasting some rock songs or rap to get pumped up. The kid doesn’t need any disruptions as he mentally prepares. Preparation is key.

The interception he returned for a touchdown against Dos Palos was due to that. Ruiz said the coaches worked on that play Dos Palos ran all week.

“I just made my read, saw the tight end coming out, stepped in front and did my thing, I took to the house,” said Ruiz.

He’s humble. He also knows he’s good. Confidence can take you a long way in life. He doesn’t want to go a long way however, suiting up for Fresno City or Merced College will suffice for him. Ruiz wants to remain close to his hometown—Kerman.

He’ll have to go far if he is to achieve his ultimate goal.

“I want to make it to the NFL. If not that I want to be like coach Guizar and teach and stuff like that.”

It’s good to see there are still role models in sports these days. | MORE