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Sunny Hills’ football team won two games in 2024, Fred Gambrell’s first season as coach.
The Lancers enter their game Friday against district foe Sonora with a 3-1 record after scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter to stun Canyon last week.
What has changed for Sunny Hills in just one year?
Plenty.
From a stronger commitment to the weight room, new personnel and an attitude shift, the Lancers have experienced sweeping changes.
“(It’s been) a culture change,” Gambrell said on Monday. “As a head coach, you realize things that you need to change and you grow, and you find things to fix.”
“I’m happy for the kids,” the coach added. “I’m happy for the school. I’m happy for the program … especially after what we went through last year. They deserve it because they’re putting in the work.”
Sunny Hills lost its first seven games and finished 2-8 last fall under Gambrell, who arrived after rising to defensive coordinator at San Clemente.
Gambrell tapped into his South County knowledge for one of his first moves. He hired former San Juan Hills and San Clemente assistant Oscar Montecinos to serve as offensive coordinator this season.
“That’s been one of the big highlights,” Gambrell said of Montecinos, who is in his second season at Sunny Hills. “We’re scoring a lot of points. (Montecinos) does a great job. He runs Coach (Mark) McElroy’s old offense. He’s a San Clemente guy. He’s a San Juan Hills guy.”
Sunny Hills’ pro-style/spread attack is averaging 33.3 points per game after a 49-42 victory against Canyon.
San Clemente transfer Mikeal Khan has stabilized the Lancers at quarterback. After opening eyes in 7-on-7 competition over the summer, the senior has impressed Gambrell with his leadership.
“He’s such a great team player,” the coach said. “(Like against Canyon), he only had to throw the ball nine times … because we were running so well, but you just see a kid who didn’t care (about his individual stats). He was so excited for his running backs. He was so excited for his team.”
Sunny Hills has developed several other offensive weapons.
Gambrell is high on senior running backs George Shelledy, Austin Knight and Elias Vorathavorn. Shelledy rushed for 121 yards and two TDs on 12 carries against Canyon.
Wide receiver Kruz Sandle and tight end Josh Stewart also have emerged as playmakers. Sandle had four catches for 116 yards and a score last week.
Sunny Hills’ commitment in the weight room began shortly after its ’24 campaign ended on Nov. 1.
“We just got right after it,” said Gambrell, who teaches special education at Sunny Hills. “I knew that was a huge fix for us. We needed to get in the weight room. That’s one of the reasons we’ve won so many games. We’re in good shape.”
Before rallying past Canyon, Sunny Hills outscored Westminster and California in the second half en route to victories.
The conditioning is especially important for Sunny Hills because it starts several players both ways.
The two-way starters include Shelledy, Knight, Vorathavorn, linebacker/offensive guard McAnthony Decastro, linemen Tate Garcia and Zachary Castillo and receivers/defensive backs Sandle and Tyler Kim.
Gambrell, 41, considers San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz a mentor. He has tried to inject the Lancers’ program with the same “blue collar attitude” the Tritons are known for.
Sunny Hills’ schedule will toughen in the Lambda League but the Lancers are progressing.
“(We’re) learning how to fight, learning how to grind,” Gambrell said. “You can see it on our play. (Canyon) was a huge statement for us. The kids never, ever gave up.”
JD HILL’S RECRUITING RISE
Mission Viejo senior defensive lineman JD Hill (6-2, 270) announced he is no longer committed to Northern Arizona after landing recent offers from Utah, Arizona State, Oregon State and Miami among others.
“JD was a tweener last year,” Diablos coach Chad Johnson said. “He put the work in the weight room and now is a legit (Division I) defensive lineman.”
“He didn’t complain,” the coach added. “After four games his senior year, the offers are flowing in.”
SHORT ROUTES
San Juan Hills senior offensive lineman Cooper Javorsky (6-4, 295) decommitted to UCLA following the firing of coach DeShaun Foster. …
El Modena (1-3) plays San Pedro (2-2) at SoFi Stadium on Thursday at 5 p.m. “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” Vanguards coach Matt Mitchell said of playing in the home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers. “These boys only get one opportunity to play high school football.” …
Edison and Los Alamitos will play their Alpha League opener at SoFi on Thursday, Oct. 16. The Griffins will be the home team. …
The Alpha League, which includes Mission Viejo and San Clemente, is a combined 14-3. …
Troy ran the ball on 42 of its 43 offensive plays in a 49-21 victory against Foothill last week. Running back Ethan Mundt capitalized by rushing for 376 yards and six TDs on 27 carries. …
Laguna Beach linebacker Wyatt Bogdan had 15 total tackles and two sacks in a 36-15 win against Tesoro last week.