Big Red Gearing Up for 2023-24 Season

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Cordova Lancer football team has been preparing in the off-season for the 2023-24 season with conditioning, weightlifting, game situation drills and a 7 on 7 touch football competition with other area football programs including Jesuit, Vista Del Lago and Fremont. They have been learning new offensive and defensive plays. They also have been doing this with a completely new set of coaches, as once again the historic program has new leadership.

Heading the new leadership is Coach John (JP) Dolliver. Dolliver came to Cordova from El Camino High where he helped rebuild their football program. Dolliver, in his 25^th plus year of coaching football will make this season his 8^th year at the head coaching position. He knows a great deal about the success and tradition that precedes him in this position. “I’m excited for the opportunity to help return Cordova Football to a proud tradition while understanding the shoes I will be filling. The names of Dewey Guerra, Ron Lancaster and Max Miller float around me everyday”, said Dolliver.

Coach Dolliver’s philosophy starts with the foundation that he established at his other programs. This philosophy, which he calls the “Four C’s”, are Commitment to the task at hand, Courage to see the task through, Compassion for others and Quiet Confidence in our success.  “My father taught me to embrace these words at a young age and I have lived by them ever since”, said Dolliver. 

I asked Coach Dolliver what his expectations for the upcoming season were and his response was very grounded. “I’m more concerned with the grade book than the scoreboard and how my young men conduct themselves in the community over reaching the end zone. If we build strong men of character who understand their priorities, success on the field will come”, said Coach Dolliver.  Dolliver plans on striving for a positive team culture that is characterized by his “Four C’s”. The virtues that he hopes to encompass in all of his Cordova football players are academics, community, and sportsmanship.

Coach Dolliver understands that a successful program requires a great coaching staff and he has compiled a team of coaches to accompany him on the sidelines and in the press box. His coaches are Pedro Garza as Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line, John Luat as Offensive Coordinator, Merv Brookins as Defensive Coordinator, Xzavion Kirk in charge of Defensive Backs and Wide Receivers, Damon Wheeler in charge of Linebackers, Christ Tamez in charge of Quarterbacks & Strength and Conditioning, and Chris Dills in charge of the Defensive Line. Also joining his staff is Krista Mayfield as Assistant Head Coach & Director of Football Operations (Team Mom).

The team has elected three returning players to fill the roles as captains this season. The three 2023-24 team captains are quarterback Jayden Ryce, wide receiver Michael Brown and running back Aleksey Medvedev. All three captains are seniors and should play a pivotal role in their positions this year. Also mentioned by Coach Dolliver was a couple of offensive linemen, sophomores Aayden Huson and Ryker Woolfe. They should help give their quarterback extra time in the pocket and open up big holes for the running backs.

The season officially gets underway on August 18^th with the first two games away against Fairfield and El Capitan of Merced. The following three games will be home games against Rio Linda on September 1^st, Rio Vista on September 15^th and Highlands on September 22^nd. Come on out and cheer the players and coaches on to victory. 

GO BIG RED!