Despite Loss, Nighthawks Remain Hopeful

 

 

 

BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas head football coach Jeff Remington knows it will take time to get his program rolling.

But he is a man who is willing to work and says he is here to see his plan through.

“I am here for the long haul,” Remington said after the Nighthawks fell to 0-7 after losing 51-13 to River Valley in Tri-County Conference action. “This is not a one and done. I believe in what is going on. I believe in our administration and our athletic director has done everything you could ever ask for. Bottom line, we are here to build this football program to be the feature piece of this school.”

Bottom line, we are here to build this football program to be the feature piece of this school.

Remington does not look or sound like a coach that has been broken down by a winless season, either. He has high expectations for the future. And he was smiling—telling his players he was proud of them, and to be careful and have fun for homecoming despite losing in a blowout in league action.

“This high school is a sleeping giant,” Remington said. ”Given the time and the opportunity like the way we are going to do, this thing could be really special.”

One of the key components for the future is junior quarterback Daniel Guttierrez. Despite being no taller than five-feet, five-inches tall, the signal caller for the Nighthawks is a key, Remington says.

“We would like him to be the guy who guides this offense,” Remington said.

Despite the score (down 34-0 with less than five minutes left in first half), the Nighthawks offense was continuing to throw the ball at will.

“We were a little bit banged up and we had to throw it a little bit,” Remington said.

Guttierrez found sophomore D’Angelo Fields for two touchdowns, including a seven-yard score as the clock expired to end the game. Fields also intercepted a pass in the first half for the Nighthawks.

Both Remington and his young quarterback know that at this point in the season (0-7, 0-2 TCC), the play on the field on Fridays and all week in practice is geared to the future.

HOMECOMING COIN TOSS/T.HORN PHOTO

“You have to keep fighting. It doesn’t matter,” Guttierrez said. “We keep on fighting no matter what. They believe in us and we believe in them.”

The Nighthawks suited up only 21 players Friday. But after seven games, the offensive line, led by Alex Villalobos, Tariq Nichelson, Michael Gross, Shon Epps and Joey Ames, gave Guttierrez more time than he has had all season.

“The offensive line tonight was amazing,” Remington said.

The Nighthawks have three games left in the season, including a road game at Pioneer next week and final two home games against the top teams (Yuba City and Inderkum) in the conference.

For now, Remington is keen on teaching his team the nuances of his plan for this program and utilizing the one thing they have—time.

“We need time. We need an off season together,” Remington said. “They are getting it. There are smaller pieces that are coming together every week. But we just need to get some time in the saddle here and spend a quality off season together.”

 

 

 

All photos by Cael Kuhlman