Watsonville High football head coach Tige McSwain gave the players their first look at some live action in last week’s Santa Cruz County Jamboree at Harbor High.
During the event, they scrimmaged against some challenging teams from over the hill in Lincoln and Carlmont high schools.
The Wildcatz’s first-year skipper said it was eye-opening to the fact that they can still improve, which is what they’ve been focused on this week leading up to the regular season opener against Santa Cruz on Friday at 7:30pm.
“We’re not going to worry about anybody else,” McSwain said. “We’re going to worry about us, and we’re just gonna do our best to get better.”
McSwain this season plans to use multiple formations and motions with senior quarterback Edwin Cornejo-Zavala returning under center. The ‘Catz also have sophomore Bryce Ruiz waiting in the wings.
The anchors on both the offensive and defensive lines feature juniors Brody Barto and Tim Ruelas, along with sophomore Max Martinez-Molina. McSwain said this trio of ‘Catz are intelligent and work hard on their technique and fundamentals.
Other key returners playing both ways are seniors Jayden Ayala and Mark Flores, and junior Noel Navarro. McSwain said they have a high football IQ and the capability to make big plays on the field.
Barto said he believes the new pro-style offense works for them because they might not be the biggest when it comes to stature, but he knows they’re quick and it fits them well.
“It’s really gritty,” he said.
One of his favorite parts about the offense is that there’s always somebody to rely on, and teamwork is extremely important to him.
“I like to just keep everybody in check,” Barto said. “Always have something to rely on.”
McSwain said he expects that type of player leadership from the veterans, while raising the level of the entire squad.
“They have to raise the level of themselves in practice and in games, and then raise the level altogether,” he said. “We’re going to go as far as they take us.”
Flores is another one of those veterans expected to lead the ‘Catz. He’s fired up about having a large group of returning players, because it should help with team chemistry come gameday, and practice.
“We played ball together most of our lives,” he said. “I’ve known my QB Edwin Cornejo since we were in second grade, first grade. It just feels good to still be out here with them. Just great team chemistry.”
Flores echoed his head coach by saying his teammates are smart football players, and running the pro-style offense lets them play to their strengths.
“I like our zone runs,” he said. “I’m able to read that hole, hit it whenever I want to, cut back, and be versatile.”
On defense, the ‘Catz plan to be a base four-man front with some flexibility in the second and third levels. Flores said having a strong defensive line that can tear up the gaps and take up some double-teams, allowing the linebacker corps to do their jobs with more ease.
“Give me and my other linebackers a chance to be free and make those tackles that we need to make,” he said.
Some newcomers looking to have a big impact include juniors Larry Raygoza and Chris Sigala, and sophomore Judah Leota.
“They give great effort, and they really want to help us build the foundation of our program,” McSwain said. “They want to be a part of it. It’s good to see, it’s fun to see. I’m blessed to be here, and we’re ready to go.”
In 2025, Watsonville placed fourth in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission North Division with a 2-3 record in league play. They finished with a 4-6 overall record.
Flores is ready to make a run with hopes of turning things around, and perhaps make a name for themselves.
“Get out of the bottom of the leaderboard,” he said. “Obviously, we don’t like seeing our team’s name at the bottom anywhere because we think we can compete. We think we can play, and we’re just ready to show that.”
Watsonville hosts Santa Cruz in the teams’ regular season-opener Friday night, followed by three road games at Alisal, North Monterey County and Stevenson.
The ‘Catz will host Soledad on Sept. 25 at 7:30pm to cap off the non-league portion of their season before heading into Mission North Division play.
The Mission North includes familiar foes in Monte Vista Christian, St. Francis, Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley and newcomers Aptos—which were all once rivals in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
“If we execute and we take care of ourselves, and we do what we need to do, we’re gonna let the scoreboard take care of itself,” McSwain said. “We’re gonna compete, we’re gonna do the things that we should do. Play Wildcat football, and we’ll go from there.”
It’s been 27 years since Watsonville won a league title in the now defunct Monterey Bay League. That’s a streak Barto is aiming to break this year.
“All the doubters could get in your head, but I just try to stay focused on the ultimate goal: Win league,” he said.
Watsonville High football 2026 schedule
Aug. 28: Santa Cruz, 7:30pm
Sept. 3: at Alisal, 7:30pm
Sept. 11: at North Monterey County, 7:30pm
Sept. 19: at Stevenson, 2pm
Sept. 25: Soledad, 7:30pm
Oct. 2: St. Francis*, 7:30pm
Oct. 8: at Aptos*, 7:30pm
Oct. 23: vs. Scotts Valley* [at Harbor High], 7:30pm
Oct. 30: San Lorenzo Valley*, 7:30pm
Nov. 6: Monte Vista Christian*, 7:30pm (Senior Night)
*PCAL Mission North Division game
