“Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.” – Stan Smith
POINT LOMA – Point Loma High’s football head coach Ryan Price is counting on the large amount of experience shared by his players to propel them to more wins as the season gets underway at Del Norte High School Tuesday night.
Price returns for his second year at the helm after leading the Pointers to a 6-6 record last year. But some key changes this season, along with that experience, should make the team’s road a little easier.
Most importantly, the Pointers are no longer members of the Western League, which is often labeled as the county’s toughest. Last year, the Pointers’ lone league win was 21-16 over a St. Augustine team that finished 4-11 overall and 0-4 in league after many players reportedly transferred to another league school.
For the 2025 season, both the Pointers and Saints find themselves in the Eastern League, the second-highest of four City Conference circuits. League opponents this year are Christian, La Jolla, Madison, San Diego, and Saints.
Price views each league team as a challenging opponent, but also believes his team could become a league champion.
Ironically, two of those Western League teams are on the Pointers’ non-league schedule with Scripps Ranch in Week 3 and Cathedral Catholic in Week 8, both on Bennie Edens Field.
So when Price looks ahead to the season, his first thoughts are about his 26 seniors.
“We had a young team last year,” Price recalled. “But we have a lot of returning players, including 9 or 10 starters on defense, which is a huge advantage for us.
“It’s their second year in this defensive scheme, and we’ve noticed they just keep rolling with it, making it one of our strong suits. Building on last year, a lot of returning knowledge. We’ll add a couple wrinkles too.”
But everyone, including the newer varsity players, has impressed Price with their ability to pick up changes, including a new offense.
“I’m impressed with how quickly they are taking on the learning of the new offense and how fast they picked it up,” Price said.
“We’ve leveraged some of the concepts we had last year, but built a lot of new ones. What’s impressed me is just how quickly the kids are picking up this new information, in addition to how much they’ve retained from the previous season defensively. And we will add concepts during the season. Defense will be pretty strong on this team.”
And that new offense?
“It will stretch the field both vertically and horizontally,” Price said. “There are a lot of formations and motion, and adjustments. It’s a pro-style system that was also run at the college level.
“Our new offensive coordinator (Gavin Pruitt) coached at the college level before, so he brings a really good advanced game. It’s easy for the kids to learn and adapt to, so it’s been awesome. We’ll keep teams on their toes with our formations and motion. We’ll add on to it as the season goes on, but we’ve already got a ton in.”
For quarterbacks Henry Heuser, a senior, and Ryder Watson, a junior, their playing time will be “week-to-week,” Price said. “Both of them are going to play. They have strengths in different areas, so we can game plan around them. They have handled the situation well with each other and with the team. We are in a great position. We have two guys who have done things the right way, have competed, and can help the team.”
“Braeden Lane has been doing an amazing job at running back, and he’s gonna shine this year,” Price predicted. “And Romeo Carter at receiver.”
Carter is a Boise State University commit who, at 6 feet 3 inches tall, has the leaping ability to go above defenders and catch well-placed throws.
“Also, Wade Mettler has had a great spring and summer. He’s stood out at receiver. And then we have a sophomore, Tanner Spradling, who’s been doing a heck of a job. Our tight ends, Ryan Patterson and Leo Sahd, have stood out as well,” Price added.
On the offensive and defensive lines, Price notes, “We’re solid with a lot of returning guys. Kobe Kelly, Jack Lepore, Kevin Bulindera, Steve Buening, Luc Harris, Carson Allen; and Braeden Bartocci was our sack leader. We are not huge up front, but we have a lot of physicality and a lot of returning knowledge, so they will be better than last year.”
Linebackers include leading tackler Mateo Correia, and Sahd has been moved there also, “which is a good fit for him,” Price noted. “And at defensive back and safety, who also played for us last year, so we also have a lot of returners who should be very solid.”
Owen Ice returns to safety from a season-ending injury.
Kicking duties will again be handled by junior Ryan Cleator, who kicks consistent field goals in practice from 40 yards out. He should provide points when the Pointer offense is stopped anywhere inside the opponents’ 25-yard line.
Other new coaches include John Martinez, moving from head JV coach to varsity defensive line, and Demetrius Edwards, previously at University City, taking over the linebacker group.
Next week, the Pointers travel south to Otay Ranch High for their second non-league game before their home opener on Sept. 5 against Scripps Ranch, followed by a bye week on Sept. 12, and a home game on Sept. 19 against Eastlake.
Extra points
Fans are reminded the school district prefers fans to purchase tickets before games on gofan.com to expedite gate entry.
Also, fans are not allowed to enter the stadium gate on Voltaire Street. Enter the school parking lot via Clove Street and follow signs to the stadium.
School officials remind parents that children are not to be dropped off without adult supervision at the game. Children are to sit with those adults during the game except when visiting restrooms or concession stands.
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