Narbonne begins rebuilding after exodus of players, coaches
It's going to be his most challenging, trying to rebuild a Narbonne program that once again had an exodus of players and coaches after rule violations caused the City Section to impose a three-year playoff ban and make the program vacate its City title. This also happened in 2019 and the team dropped to 2-9 during a similar transition year in 2021.
Bledsoe insists, 'The Narbonne Gauchos ain't dead.'
He has four returning all-league players, including King'leon Sheard, a defensive end who had two sacks in last season's City Section Open Division final won by the Gauchos. They chose to stay even though there will be no playoffs when the 10-game regular season ends.
'They love the school,' Bledsoe said. 'We told them what we could do for them.'
There's about 30 varsity players. Bledsoe is confident he and his staff can prepare his many new varsity players for the season ahead. Playing 10 games will be better than the eight games played last season when Marine League coaches boycotted playing the Gauchos, resulting in the loss of four games.
A new coach and a new principal give the Gauchos a chance to start over. The harsh penalty imposed also could be reduced with good behavior. One sign of the dramatic change in a year's time is that the Gauchos had 27 transfers in the football program a year ago. There are currently none in the City Section transfer portal for this season.
The starting quarterback will be basketball point guard Quamare Meadows, who was the JV quarterback two seasons ago but didn't play last season.
Narbonne opens on the road against Los Osos on Aug. 22. It will play its first league game in two seasons against runner-up San Pedro on Oct. 3.
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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Narbonne begins rebuilding after exodus of players, coaches
Doug Bledsoe has made the rounds as a high school football coach. He's been head coach at North Hollywood, Dorsey, Pasadena and University. He says his latest coaching position will be his last until his 3-year-old grandson reaches high school. It's going to be his most challenging, trying to rebuild a Narbonne program that once again had an exodus of players and coaches after rule violations caused the City Section to impose a three-year playoff ban and make the program vacate its City title. This also happened in 2019 and the team dropped to 2-9 during a similar transition year in 2021. Bledsoe insists, "The Narbonne Gauchos ain't dead." He has four returning all-league players, including King'leon Sheard, a defensive end who had two sacks in last season's City Section Open Division final won by the Gauchos. They chose to stay even though there will be no playoffs when the 10-game regular season ends. "They love the school," Bledsoe said. "We told them what we could do for them." There's about 30 varsity players. Bledsoe is confident he and his staff can prepare his many new varsity players for the season ahead. Playing 10 games will be better than the eight games played last season when Marine League coaches boycotted playing the Gauchos, resulting in the loss of four games. A new coach and a new principal give the Gauchos a chance to start over. The harsh penalty imposed also could be reduced with good behavior. One sign of the dramatic change in a year's time is that the Gauchos had 27 transfers in the football program a year ago. There are currently none in the City Section transfer portal for this season. The starting quarterback will be basketball point guard Quamare Meadows, who was the JV quarterback two seasons ago but didn't play last season. Narbonne opens on the road against Los Osos on Aug. 22. It will play its first league game in two seasons against runner-up San Pedro on Oct. 3. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Narbonne begins rebuilding after exodus of players, coaches
Doug Bledsoe has made the rounds as a high school football coach. He's been head coach at North Hollywood, Dorsey, Pasadena and University. He says his latest coaching position will be his last until his 3-year-old grandson reaches high school. It's going to be his most challenging, trying to rebuild a Narbonne program that once again had an exodus of players and coaches after rule violations caused the City Section to impose a three-year playoff ban and make the program vacate its City title. This also happened in 2019 and the team dropped to 2-9 during a similar transition year in 2021. Bledsoe insists, 'The Narbonne Gauchos ain't dead.' He has four returning all-league players, including King'leon Sheard, a defensive end who had two sacks in last season's City Section Open Division final won by the Gauchos. They chose to stay even though there will be no playoffs when the 10-game regular season ends. 'They love the school,' Bledsoe said. 'We told them what we could do for them.' There's about 30 varsity players. Bledsoe is confident he and his staff can prepare his many new varsity players for the season ahead. Playing 10 games will be better than the eight games played last season when Marine League coaches boycotted playing the Gauchos, resulting in the loss of four games. A new coach and a new principal give the Gauchos a chance to start over. The harsh penalty imposed also could be reduced with good behavior. One sign of the dramatic change in a year's time is that the Gauchos had 27 transfers in the football program a year ago. There are currently none in the City Section transfer portal for this season. The starting quarterback will be basketball point guard Quamare Meadows, who was the JV quarterback two seasons ago but didn't play last season. Narbonne opens on the road against Los Osos on Aug. 22. It will play its first league game in two seasons against runner-up San Pedro on Oct. 3.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Yahoo
The Times' City Section preseason football rankings
Let's offer a preseason top-10 rankings in high school football for the City Section: 1. BIRMINGHAM: The Patriots have weaknesses (lack of a passing game), but a big offensive line, two transfer running backs and a big-play weapon in receiver Paul Turner make them the team to beat. They have a 49-game winning streak against City teams thanks to forfeit wins against Narbonne. 2. SAN PEDRO: Junior quarterback Seth Solorio takes over as the starter behind a veteran offensive line. There's speed and kicker Dylan Moreno starts out as the most accurate in the City Section. 3. CARSON: A new coach but lots of talent. Quarterback Chris Fields will have plenty of weapons. The defense needs to prove itself. 4. GARFIELD: New coach Patrick Vargas learned from the retired Lorenzo Hernandez. Vargas might call a few more passes but has a top running back in Ceasar Reyes. 5. PALISADES: The passing combination of quarterback Jack Thomas throwing to Bishop Alemany transfer Demare Dezeurn is going to be fun to watch. Dezeurn is one of the fastest athletes in California. 6. EAGLE ROCK: The Northern League favorites return quarterback Liam Pasten, who passed for 3,600 yards as a junior. Their opening game against Kennedy should provide clues whether they are an Open Division team. 7. DORSEY: A new quarterback to team with receiver Deuce Johnson should benefit the Dons, who went 5-0 in the Coliseum League in a breakthrough last season. 8. KENNEDY: Valley Mission League favorites will rely on All-City quarterback Diego Montes. 9. BANNING: Must break in new quarterback but lots of players to build around, including linebacker Keshawn Galloway and defensive back Alonzo Ruiz. 10. VENICE: Quarterback Bennett Dome, defensive back Joshua Aaron and receiver Aaron Minter are standouts on a team capable of winning the Western League. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
