There have been a handful of coaching changes for Central Coast football programs entering the new season, one of those being at Righetti High School where Tony Payne taken over for Ed Herrmann.
Payne was the lineman coach last year for the Warriors when they went 5-6 overall and received an at-large bid into the CIF Southern Section playoffs. They were defeated by Antelope Valley in the first round.
Payne adopts an abundance of talent, including reigning PAC 5 League ‘Player of the Year’ Caleb Thomas, who’s college offers continue pouring in as he enters his senior year on the Warriors’ defensive line.
There’s plenty of expectation for Righetti this season but Payne and Thomas say the Warriors are ready for the challenge each and every week.
"I could not be more excited. It’s a lot of work and I’ve got to bring that intensity every day as well," Payne said. "This is my alma mater and I love this school. I love this area, and I want this football team to do everything that it’s capable of."
"The expectation is to win each week and go 1-0 every week, win the Mountain League, and go off to CIF in the Central Valley and show everybody what we’ve got," Thomas added.
The Warriors begin their season at home when they host cross-town foe, Santa Maria, on August 17.
