FRESNO AND TULARE COUNTIES – The Friday night lights are almost ready to come on to usher in a new season of high school football throughout the Central Section. When teams in the Tri-County-Sequoia League take their first snaps, three potential contenders in a crowded league could provide a tight race towards the end zone.
For two of the last three seasons, the Exeter Monarchs have sat atop the throne of the TCS. After finishing 8-2 overall, and claiming the TCS outright at 4-0, the Monarchs enter the 2025 season knowing that a return to the top is expected.
“Even with that accomplishment, and the good record and everything, we really felt, as a coaching staff and as a team, that we fell short of our expectations,” said Exeter head coach Ruben Ruiz. “With that talent and what we had, we really thought we should’ve been competing for a section title last year.”
The Monarchs season ended prematurely as they lost to Roosevelt 23-16 in the opening round of the 2024 Central Section D IV Playoffs.
With that loss still lingering in their mind, Exeter is determined to run it back in the TCS again, with a return trip to the playoffs to contend for that desired section championship that’s eluded them for so long.
“My philosophy is, we expect our team to compete for a league championship every year, and we expect to make the playoffs and we expect to win games and playoffs every year,” said Ruiz. “Our ultimate goal every season is to try to get to a section championship, which we have not done since, I believe, 1975.”
According to Ruiz, a young nucleus will be expected to develop throughout the season. Top returning players such as wide receiver Owen Robertson and free safety Joseph Ruiz, will be looked upon for leadership and stellar play.
“We lost 22 seniors last season, some of them like Jacob Molina, the quarterback, my running back Niqo Calderon, two extremely talented kids that you just can’t really replace,” said Ruiz. “We have a very young roster; I’m actually really excited about the group of juniors and sophomores that I have right now.”
Exeter’s return to the top won’t be easy. Immanuel (10-3/3-1) and Selma (9-6/2-2) figure to remain the Monarchs main obstacles in the competitive TCS. But the Eagles and the Bears will both be returning young rosters, with questions to answer about how to fill the spots vacated by some of their skill players.
Unless Sierra Pacific and Hanford West make significant strides, they could still lurk near the bottom of the league.
“Selma’s the defending D V champion, so they’re coming in with a lot of momentum based off last season’s success. Immanuel has been a tough test for us every year since I’ve been on the coaching staff,” said Ruiz. “We know we’re in for a battle with both of those teams, so we don’t underestimate anybody.”
