As the 2024 high school season gets underway, Firebaugh High head coach Jorge Saldana has been impressed with the preseason work ethic of his team.
“We have been getting after it,” he responded to his team’s physical and mental mindset.
And ‘get after it’ they will have to do as the Eagles will face a tough preseason schedule that starts this Friday when they host head coach Alex Pitts and the Chowchilla Tribe.
Entering his third season as head coach, Saldana has his squad facing other tough preseason opponents in Fowler and Caruthers, then Roosevelt-Fresno before ending their preseason when they host Del Oro-Bakersfield, a new school that just opened in 2022.
Firebaugh finished last season with a 5-5 record and 3-2 in the West Sierra League.
There are many potential bright spots on this year’s squad which lists 30 players, and it will start with the “big uglies” up front. The Eagles return every starter on both the offensive and defensive lines. The anchor will be Anthony Mayo, who was selected as the WSL’s Lineman of the Year last season. Also expected to have a big season is senior Corbin Diedrich, a 6’5”, 175 lb. edge rusher.
“Corbin causes havoc for opposing offenses, and Jesus Garcia will be the ‘X-factor’ on both offense and defense,” said Coach Saldana. He is also counting on linebacker Jonathan Garcia at linebacker to spearhead Firebaugh’s 4-2-5 defense.
The coach commented that one of his big goals is to score more points this season, and he will have a blend of experience and newcomers at the skill positions too hopefully achieve that goal.
Isaac Ceja and Arren Alaniz will be the leaders in the backfield as both are good, all-around athletes.
“Isaac brings leadership and will be commanding our offense, and Arren also brings leadership and he makes big plays on both offense and defense,” said Saldana.
The Eagles will go to work with a 50/50 balance of run vs. pass on the offense.
