Coaching transition begins, season starts
By Hector Trujillo
The Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) varsity football team looks to have another memorable season, hoping to repeat as league champions. The Falcons opened the season Aug. 22 at home versus Poway High and next play on the road against Warren High School in Downey on Aug. 29.
“We are a strong team with a lot of returners from last year,” Falcons head coach Marlon Gardinera said. “As always, we want to compete for a championship.”
Among the more significant changes for 2025 is John Taylor sharing head coaching duties after previously serving as defensive coordinator, with Gardinera stepping down from his duties at the end of this season.
“We went ahead and made the move so that the program is left in better hands than I had … so that the future is secure with the rest of the staff coming back as well,” Gardinera said.
Taylor is in his eighth year as part of the coaching staff while Gardinera is in his ninth. Between the two of them, the Falcons have enjoyed several noteworthy moments which include three Eastern League championships (2019, 2023 and 2024) along with a CIF Division 2-A State Championship in 2021 when Scripps Ranch defeated Wilcox High School 31-28. The game was decided in the final seconds with a last-minute touchdown pass from Jax Leatherwood to Dean Paley.
“The day (Taylor) got here, the program transformed,” Gardinera said. “He’s brought in most of our incredible coaching staff, along with being a great engineer and architect behind football.”
Among the standout players returning are junior quarterback Parker Armstrong, senior linebacker and tight end Jackson Rochet, along with senior wide receiver and linebacker Kasen Mendez.
After the game versus Warren High School, SRHS will go on two more road matches against Point Loma High on Sept. 5, and La Jolla Country Day on Sept. 12. The Falcons then return home to host archrival Mire Mesa High in the Battle of the 15 on Sept. 19.
SRHS will face Ramona High at home on Sept. 26 followed by a meeting with Christian High on Oct. 10. SRHS closes out with a road game versus University City High on Oct. 24 and the regular-season finale at home against Lincoln High on Oct. 31.