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The family of Los Amigos football coach Romel Guess is seeking support after the coach suffered a ruptured intestine and underwent emergency surgery.
Guess said on Wednesday that he is hospitalized but close to being discharged.
The coach added that while his recovery could last six to eight weeks and includes another surgery, his goal is to return to the Lobos.
“Without a doubt, I will be coaching this season,” he said. “My boys need me.”
The family’s GoFundMe states that he has been hospitalized for more than a week.
Guess said he fell ill with stomach pain after ending a fast. He checked into an emergency room and later had surgery.
“(I) tried to deal with it the next couple of days until the pain got unbearable,” Guess said. “After a CT scan, I was told that I had a ruptured intestine.”
Last season, Guess guided Los Amigos to an 11-0 start — the best in school history — and a trip to the CIF-SS Division 11 quarterfinals.
Last fall also was special for Guess as he balanced his coaching duties with watching his son Xzavior star at quarterback for El Modena. Xzavior signed with UC Davis.
Guess, who played linebacker at Eisenhower, is the father of four children.
Guess is entering his fifth season as Los Amigos’ coach and has been coaching at the school since 2011.
Dave Mamelli, the athletic director for the Garden Grove Unified School District, said assistant coach Charles Galbreath — also an athletic director at Los Amigos — is running the Lobos’ practices in Guess’ absence.
Los Amigos opens the season Aug. 22 against Garden Grove.