Football season is almost here

On October 2, 1924 a community tradition was born as Santa Paula High School played the first football game in school history, a 20-13 victory over Fillmore. Coach Lester McNichols and his players practiced for two months in preparation for the inaugural season of Cardinal football.Eighty years have passed and the SPHS coaching staff and players have been hard at work since January in preparation for the 2004 season. Over the past 80 years Santa Paula High School football has been a cornerstone in the community, and the community has been the cornerstone of Santa Paula High School football. Coach Ed Gomez says that once again the team is calling on the community to get behind them. “Please accept my invitation to renew your sponsorship or start a new one,” Gomez said. “The sponsorship program will help defray the costs of equipment and activities for more than 100 athletes who are expected to participate in our program.”A full player or position sponsorship is $250. Sponsors may purchase full sponsorships or partial sponsorships ($62.50). Each player or position may have up to four sponsors. The sponsor’s name will appear here on the sports page along with the player and his position.