Warriors vs. Heatwave

by Jeremiah Gomez and Catherine Spears

This is the first time in over four weeks that the temperature has dropped below 100 degrees. One might ask themselves, how has the football team been battling this heatwave. Well, the Owlet interviewed a couple of players and Coach Kevin Ochs, the Offensive coordinator, to find out.  

Jermaine Schexnayder and Lee’qae Rice are both players for the Fresno High School football team. Jermaine has played all four years while Lee’qae has only played two ½ years. They both play at the wide receiver and cornerback positions. The football team practices Monday through Thursday straight after school at 3:45 pm to 6:15 pm.  The boys have been handling the heatwave by drinking lots of water before and during practice, and because of the heat, they had to practice inside the gym, limiting the amount of space they have for actual game play. “The adjustment wasn’t hard just a little challenge we had to overcome to make do the weather,” Lee’qae said. The games they are most eager to win are the Homecoming and Pig Game they say these are the most important to them.

Mr. Ochs, also well known as Coach Ochs, the offensive coordinator of the football team for four years now, gave his thoughts on the football team and how they are handling their season so far. He believes the team has built a family atmosphere and that they constantly improve with honest communication that helps fix weaknesses in their game. Coach Ochs said, “The recent heatwave in Fresno has been struggling for pretty much everyone, for the football players, there hasn’t been many issues, and there hasn’t been any canceled practice.” Fresno High wants to keep a positive attitude even when adversity comes up, they want to keep encouraging each other, and keep focus while playing.

With the lower temperatures, according to Coach Ochs, things are looking up for the football. But, he wants everyone to know that, “A heatwave isn’t going to stop the Warriors!”

Check out the varsity Cheer’s moves.

Sideline Cheer Supporting Each Other… Literally and Figuratively

by Joshua Butz and Xylia Manriquez

Julissa Marquez Martinez, Alysa Pursell, and Amy Perez Rocha are part of Sideline Cheer and considered bases. This is here they hold girls in the air. This is Julissa’s first year cheering. She attends CART (Center for Advanced Research & Technology) (Center for Advanced Research & Technology) in the AM and is good at balancing school and sports. Alysa has been cheering for three years. Amy has participated for two years.

Julissa and Alysa both believe that to make the team successful they need to have a bond, the same goals, and a persistent work ethic. If they see another cheerleader struggling, they calm them down and try to figure out the problem. Amy also believes in the importance of staying positive and reminding her teams that there is “always a next time.” The cheerleaders are always supportive of each other. They try to stay positive by making jokes. They address weakness by gathering around, supporting each other, and keep on trying harder. 

When the weather was 110-degree, one would think they would give up, but no, varsity Cheer practices Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7 pm, and both Julissa and Alysa agreed that it isn’t “that bad.” During the heatwave, the practice took place in the gym, so thankfully, there was air conditioning. For Amy, who is on JV, practice was also indoors, in the MPR, and it took place 4:30-6:60 pm. 

All the girls said they are most excited about the Little Big Pig Game, which they play against Roosevelt. 

JV Cheer in action.