LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - It took Live Oak varsity head coach, Jim Arostegui, two full seasons to get the football players at Live Oak High School to buy in and believe in his coaching philosophy. In his third season back with the football program, Coach Arostegui and the varsity football team brought home another league championship to Live Oak High School and earned a spot in the Division III Northern Section football playoffs. Coach Arostegui stepped away from coaching football at Live Oak High School in 2007 after going 9-3 overall (5-0 in league), winning a league championship and a playoff game. The 2007 season ended in a close 7-0 loss against Hamilton.  

On Friday, November 15th, the Live Oak football team was back in action on the gridiron when they traveled to Paradise High School to face the undefeated Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs. Although the game didn’t go according to plan, the Lions left it all on the field to end their season. Some may feel as if they fell short of their overall goal, but they made the community proud with their accomplishments this year. The community has been supportive of those players every step of the way, with a large crowd in the stands cheering them on in what became their final game of the season last Friday. The final score was 56-0.

The Lions, led by junior quarterback, Tony Vallejo, will bring back a very talented group next season, with aspirations of another league title. Vallejo passed for over 460 yards on the season, with 9 passing touchdowns, and 5 rushing touchdowns. The offensive run attack was led by junior, Odin Moody, who rushed for over 1,300 yards on 167 carries, with 12 rushing touchdowns, and 2 receiving touchdowns on over 75 yards. Moody had six games in which he rushed over 100 yards, with his best rushing game coming against Willows on September 27th, in which he ran for almost 240 yards. Junior fullback, Hayden Langley, was a huge part of the offensive run attack this season. Langley rushed for over 840 yards on 126 carries scoring 6 touchdowns. Langley also had four 100 yard games, with his most successful game coming against Willows, rushing for almost 160 yards. Sophomore, Ta Jon Bloomer, led the air attack with over 170 yards on the season and 2 touchdowns. Senior, Eddie Torres, was also a huge threat for the offense with over 115 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. Torres also led the team on defense with 55 total tackles. 

Coach Arostegui looks to step away from coaching football again, leaving behind a very talented, and win hungry class of athletes next year. With this season, Coach Arostegui leaves with a record of 44 wins and 35 losses in seven seasons.