Los Gatan 12-7-2022

HUNDREDS ATTEND TREE LIGHTING ON 99TH ANNIVERSARY

Holidays Parade drenched in rain, smiles and optimism

Drew Penner, Reporter

Heavy rains are a rarity in Los Gatos, but last week saw the community get quite the nat ural wash. And it put a serious damper on holiday shopping.

By Friday evening, no more droplets were falling—though it was still wet and cool—and hundreds turned out for the Holiday Tree Lighting at Town Plaza Park.

“We were looking forward to it,” said 62-year-old Margie Gonzales, who was there with husband Enez, and 18-monthold grandson Thiago. “This is his first one.”

The evening community ritual involves turning on the power to bulbs adorning a fir tree planted by the History Club of Los Gatos in 1923.

That means next year will be the 100th anniversary.

“This gets us in the mood for decorating,” Margie said. “To morrow we go get a Christmas tree.” Enez said he feels like the Tree Lighting is a great event because it caters to people of all ages.

“We get to run into neighbors we haven’t seen in over a year,” he said, adding it reminds him of drinking in the streets during

LOS GATOS HILLS AND SARATOGA SERVE AS THE BACKDROP FOR ‘NUTCRACKER’

Local dancers have memorable roles in production

Drew Penner, Reporter

Two local dancers are honing their moves to get ready for the upcoming “The San Jose Nut cracker” production, which re imagines the Pyotr Tchaikovsky classic amid the Saratoga and Los Gatos hills.

Grace Wu, a 12-year-old Saratoga resident, told the Los Gatan she’s excited to portray a toy soldier.

“We’re imitating how toys move,” she said. “It’s the holiday season, so we’re spreading fes tive feelings to everyone.”

➝ Ballet, 8

Subscribe to receive Los Gatan home delivery every week.

W asserman c olumn p6 : P o P W arner F ootball p12 : s occer P revie W p14 : ny times cross W or D P uzzle

LOCAL STAR Stefana Seizovic of Los Gatos is about to take on the role of a California poppy for New Ballet’s “The San Jose Nutcracker” production.

Daniel Garcia

LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DE ANZA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2022

LOS GATOS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DE ANZA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2022

Incredibly Proud and Grateful

Incredibly Proud and Grateful

Incredibly Proud and Grateful

For more than 25 years, as a Top Producer, Lucy's passion has been 'Selling Silicon Valley'. From palatial estates and vintage victorians, historic gems and charming bungalows! Joined by Keith Andry, who brings a wealth of knowledge with a BS in Finance, and the distinction of being Lucy's favorite Son-In-Law! As Brokers and Certified Negotiation Experts, Lucy and Keith continue to achieve a 90% Referral basis! Unparalleled service and exceeding client expectations are the hallmark of their success! We welcome your business!

For more than 25 years, as a Top Producer, Lucy's passion has been 'Selling Silicon Valley'. From palatial

For more than 25 years, as a Top Producer, Lucy's passion has been 'Selling Silicon Valley'. From palatial estates and vintage victorians, historic gems and charming bungalows! Joined by Keith Andry, who brings a wealth of knowledge with a BS in Finance, and the distinction of being Lucy's favorite Son-In-Law! As Brokers and Certified Negotiation Experts, Lucy and Keith continue to achieve a 90% Referral basis! Unparalleled service and exceeding client expectations are the hallmark of their success! We welcome your business!

408-891-6861 lucy@serenogroup.com

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

Lucy Wedemeyer Broker

DRE# 00640875 408-891-6861 lucy@serenogroup.com

For more than 25 years, as a Top Producer, Lucy's passion has been 'Selling Silicon Valley'. From palatial estates and vintage victorians, historic gems and charming bungalows! Joined by Keith Andry, who brings a wealth of knowledge with a BS in Finance, and the distinction of being Lucy's favorite Son-In-Law! As Brokers and Certified Negotiation Experts, Lucy and Keith continue to achieve a 90% Referral basis! Unparalleled service and exceeding client expectations are the hallmark of their success! We welcome your business!

For more than 25 years, as a Top Producer, Lucy's passion has been 'Selling Silicon Valley'. From palatial estates and vintage victorians, historic gems and charming bungalows! Joined by Keith Andry, who brings a wealth of knowledge with a BS in Finance, and the distinction of being Lucy's favorite Son-In-Law! As Brokers and Certified Negotiation Experts, Lucy and Keith continue to achieve a 90% Referral basis! Unparalleled service and exceeding client expectations are the hallmark of their success! We welcome your business!

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

DRE# 00640875 408-891-6861 lucy@serenogroup.com

DRE# 00640875 408-891-6861 lucy@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470 408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com

Keith Andry

Associate/Broker

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

Keith Andry Associate/Broker

DRE# 01470 408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470 408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com

DRE# 01470 408-891-4151 keith@serenogroup.com

This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales Associate believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.

this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.

This information was supplied by reliable sources. Sales Associate believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no Legal responsibility for its accuracy. Buyers should investigate these issues to their own satisfaction.

Dan Pulcrano Executive Editor & Publisher

Parade goes ahead

The rain returned in earnest Satur day, but the 66th Annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Pa rade went ahead as scheduled. And what a spectacle it was.

Lee

May General Manager

Erik

Chalhoub Managing Editor

Lori Lieneke

Advertising Director

Phaedra Strecher

Editorial Production Manager

Drew Penner

Reporter

Emanuel Lee Juan Reyes

Sports Writers

Judy Peterson

Contributor

Kate Kauffman

Senior Account Executive

Serenity Polizzi

Eric Bocanegra

Carrie Bonato

Account Executives

Alicia Trujillo

Subscriptions

WEEKLYS

Stephen Buel

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mike Lyon

Digital Media

Sonia Chavez Accounts Receivables

Warren Giancaterino Information Technology

DEATH NOTICES

Death notices with basic information that are submitted to editor@losgatan.com may be published on a space-available basis only.

To place a paid, unedited obituary with a photo, call 707.353.1148 or email

LifeTributes@Weeklys.com.

OPINIONS

Commentaries and letters to the editor on our Opinion pages reflect the opinions of the authors. We welcome letters to the editor and commen taries on all topics of local interest.

Email your submissions to editor@losgatan.com

Letters must include the writer’s name and hometown (for publication) and phone number (for verification).

Submissions may be edited, and will be published as space permits. Letters are limited to 250 words, commentaries to 500 words.

CORRECTIONS

We strive to avoid errors in news and ads. Mistakes sometimes occur. To report errors, call or email; corrections will appear in the next edition and online.

WHO WE ARE

Los Gatan is published Wednesdays by Weeklys. Contents copyright ©2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without written permission.

FEELS LIKE A ‘HALLMARK MOVIE’

Lighting, from page 1

a World Cup event, years ago. “This place was crazy.”

As if on cue, Vilma Huertas, 51, ap peared by their side.

“We used to be neighbors,” she said, noting the interaction was purely ser endipitous. “I was bringing a package to the post office.”

Leigh Anne Bacheller was with her 4-year-old dog Louie.

“This is our first Christmas in Los Gatos,” she said. “I felt like I fell into a Hallmark movie.”

Nearby was 61-year-old Truckee resident Paul Brown. He grew up in Los Gatos—and his parents still live “down here,” as he now puts it.

“I haven’t missed this in years and years and years,” the construction company owner said.

Unfortunately, his daughter couldn’t join him, as she was pre paring with her dance school for the parade the following day.

“It’s so good to see old time friends out here,” he said.

Christina Romo was with her 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter Ellie.

“We just got a house here,” she not ed. Ellie was keeping her eyes peeled for the big man.

“We’re on the hunt for Santa,” Chris tina said.

Her daughter’s hoping to get a train set this year.

Los Gatos residents Dhiya, Kayal, Pandia and Dave Murugesan posed for a picture together.

Eva Peterson of San Jose met up with her friend Catherine Bourquin of Santa Clara. Peterson said she’d been looking forward to experiencing the “atmosphere of Christmas.”

Borquin said she felt the same way.

“It’s pretty,” she said, as they watched people taking photos in front of the light structures. “Can’t go wrong.”

For Maggie Contro, 8, Violet Rizvi, 9, and Emma Richards, 8, it was a chance to inspect the “Camp Cleanup” volunteer work they’d done a few weeks earlier to beautify the park.

Some of the plants were a little worse for wear, and they weren’t too pleased to see a beer container laying on the ground.

But overall, the vegetation had held up remarkably well, they thought. Contro said this year’s Tree Light ing definitely felt different, since they didn’t have to wear coronavirus masks. Richards agreed.

“This year we can see everyone’s faces,” she said. “I like this year a lot more.”

Nolan Ehrlich, 7, really enjoyed witnessing the light illumination cer emony.

“It was good,” he said. “I liked how it started to glow up all the way to the top.”

“It’s fun,” said Eret Cresta, a 16-yearold Los Gatos High junior who was keeping dry under a tent. “I’ve been coming since I was little. But I haven’t been since I was eight or nine.”

Marching bands, dance schools, dig nitaries and local businesses passed by, the floats filled out by people with a variety of rain gear on.

“Now that I’m in high school, a lot of my friends are in the parade,” Cresta said. “I’ve got some friends in marching band, and color guard and the robotics team.”

Cresta’s dog Cali seemed equal ly amused by the parade and even seemed to be having a brief conversa tion with another dog that passed by.

Carol Musser said her family’s been involved in helping organize the pa rade for more than three decades.

“You know it takes so much to put this on,” she said. “It would be a disappoint ment if we didn’t go through with it.”

But they did go through with it. And people did line the streets.

“It takes so much work and prepa ration,” she said. “So the joy now is seeing everyone come out.”

Does Musser have any secret tech niques for remaining dry?

“I don’t,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, I get soaked.”

This year was Supervisor Joe Simi tian’s first time ever participating in the parade.

After his float made it to the end point, he began walking back toward the starting point, so he could take the parade in for himself.

“It’s obviously a town that has a real sense of community,” he said, as the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad train blew its whistle. “One of the things that I tell my colleagues at the Board of Supervisors is, every one of the nine different communities I represent has its own quality of culture, its own tra ditions and its own celebrations. And as someone who is now representing Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, I think this is a great way to get a sense of the place—and a great way to bump into people I haven’t seen in years.”

For example, he ran into Joe Pirzynski, a former mayor and a founding member of the Los Gatos Planning Commission.

TRADITION CONTINUES Community members of all ages flocked to Town Plaza Park for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday.

14841 Clara Street, Los Gatos

Beautiful Home with Estate Potential

At a Glance:

• Beautiful, light-filled single story Ranch-style home updated throughout with fabulous estate potential and expansion.

• Private sanctuary oasis situated in the highly desirable and tranquil Rinconada Hills Country Club neighborhood.

• 2,336 +/- square feet on a spectacular and rare 26,846 +/square foot lot.

• Flexible and spacious open floor plan features elegant formal living

• room and elegant formal dining room.

• Well-appointed kitchen connects to the dining room and includes eat-in dining area.

• Stainless steel appliances include a newer professional Thermador oven/range with 4 burners and griddle and newer Thermador

PRICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

professional hood, built-in KitchenAid fridge and newer Bosch dishwasher.

• Separate family room includes sliders leading to the back grounds for a seamless integration of indoor/outdoor living.

• Bedroom wing features a beautifully appointed light and airy primary suite retreat and two additional spacious bedrooms.

• Magical wrap-around grounds feature multiple venues for family fun and California entertaining.

• Phenomenal location within minutes to lively downtown Los Gatos shopping, trails, dining, wineries and freeways for easy commute access.

• Daves Avenue Elementary School, Fisher Middle School, and Los Gatos High School (buyer to verify)

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

GUEST VIEW

THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT YOU

Mike Wasserman, Santa Clara County Supervisor

My tenure as the President of the Santa Clara County Board of Super visors ends this month as I term out of office. It has been my honor and privilege to represent you on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for the past 12 years.

In my 4,406 days as your County Supervisor, I voted on 12 multi-bil lion-dollar annual budgets to deliver vital services for not just the 400,000 residents of District 1, but for all 1.9 million County residents. During that time, the Board and I navigated eco nomic uncertainty, societal changes and unrest, greater demand for ser vices and existential threats including the pandemic.

Public service looks different from the inside than it does the outside. I like to illustrate this by pointing out that 99% of people don’t call up their elected officials to say, “Hey, there are no potholes on my street, everything is great in my neighborhood.” Most people I hear from need help and I understand that. Life is tough in countless ways for many of our resi dents. Ways you could imagine, and ways you couldn’t. Twelve years ago, I ran to be a County Supervisor to help lead a large team of professional and caring individuals who signed on to help as well.

I know how much the County of Santa Clara does for our residents thanks to our 23,000 dedicated em ployees. An organization the size of our County can seem faceless and to serve it can be a blur at times. But so many faces over the past 12 years come to mind as my tenure comes to an end.

I’ll never forget the man who years ago, couldn’t hold back tears describ ing to me how the County’s Re-Entry Resource Center had changed his life when he left incarceration. He and his family were doing better than they

ever had and he was getting help with counseling, job training and employ ment. I could not be happier for him.

When I see the joyful, carefree faces of families and kids enjoying themselves at Martial Cottle Park, I think of the countless people, meet ings, studies, plans, negotiations and budgets that it took to make that park happen. And it was all worth it for the benefit of the community and the environment.

When I took office in 2010, the County’s Animal Shelter was a make shift space in a converted house built in the 1930s. I made it my mission to give the animals, shelter staff, volunteers and the public the facility they deserved. I am very proud of our new world-class 37,000-square-foot no-kill animal services center. Many people came together to make that happen too and I am proud to have done my part.

Cicero declared that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” As I leave office, the single word that best describes my state of mind is just that—grateful.

Thank you for giving me the oppor tunity to serve you.

I leave you in good and capable hands with Supervisor-elect Sylvia Arenas and her team. Please join me in welcoming her to the County.

Mike Wasserman is president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. This column appeared in his December 2022 newsletter.

PARADE MARCHES FORWARD IN RAIN

Lighting, from page 4

“It’s a nice way to connect with peo ple,” he said.

A few yards away, was Javed El lahie, who was mayor of Monte Sere no at the time, standing alongside Bryan Mekechuk, who was scheduled to become mayor on Dec. 6.

“I think it’s amazing,” Ellahie said of the parade. “This weather is very pre dictable. It repeats itself every year. So, we’re good with that.”

He said he’s hopeful for the year ahead.

“People are doing what’s best for the community,” he said. “Monte Sere no’s got something amazing…We’re allowing the building of about 220 ADUs, which is going to allow for lower-income people to find a place to live within Monte Sereno, which is normally very expensive.”

And as a Canadian who became a U.S. citizen in 2019, will Mekecuck’s reign mean the spreading of positive Canadian values across Silicon Valley?

Mekechuk laughs, and says he’s focused on keeping things relatively tranquil.

“We’re going to have a very peaceful year coming up,” he said. “We want to

get our Housing Element done. We want to maintain the rural nature of Monte Sereno—and all the standard stuff.”

He says Monte Sereno will be fo cused on working productively with West Valley Clean Water, Silicon Val ley Clean Energy, West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority and West Valley Sanitation.

Plus, Mekechuk says he wants to maintain healthy relations with the new Los Gatos Council.

He notes he’s previously worked with Mary Badame, who just got reelected, through one regional orga nization.

Plus, he literally just met incom ing Councilmember Rob Moore just hours earlier at the parade.

“—as we were staging,” he said, adding he’s impressed by the young politician. “He obviously generated a lot of votes because his messages are resonating with the town of Los Gatos. We—Monte Sereno—like to work with the Town of Los Gatos. It’s not an ad versarial relationship. And he’s going to be around for a few years, so better establish a good relationship now.”

Mike Wasserman

SOAKED SOUNDS The 66th Annual Los Gatos Children’s Christmas & Holidays Parade went ahead as scheduled Saturday despite heavy rains.

Accept Nothing Less than being treated like a person, not a patient.

A LOCAL TAKE ON A CLASSIC

Ballet, from page 1

Dalia Rawson, founder of New Ballet, the nonprofit putting on the production, says Stefana Seizovic of Los Gatos is about to star as a Califor nia poppy that leads other ballerinas during a key number.

“She is an incredibly talented young dancer,” Rawson said. “She’s also a junior in high school.”

Her accomplishments on stage, so far, are particularly impressive given that such roles normally go to their profes sional dancers, she said.

“The cast is augmented by approxi mately 120 students from our school,” Rawson said, adding Wu’s character’s movements were partially inspired by Radio City Rockettes choreography.

Wu appears during the section of the ballet where the Nutcracker calls his toy soldiers to battle with the mischievous mice, Rawson explains.

“That piece has a lot of humor in it,” she said. “The battle between the mice and the toy soldiers is a lot of fun.”

Those paying close attention may even pick up on an “Easter egg” refer ence to Beyonce in the scene, something Tchaikovsky obviously didn’t include.

“The setting is a little bit different,

some of the characters are different, but it feels like the holiday ballet that everyone loves,” Rawson adds. “It’s just updated for a local audience.”

After attendees walk past Jerry Na gano playing the historic organ in the lobby, a 30-piece orchestra (conducted by Thomas Shoebotham)—and the Rag azzi Boys Choir—will set the tone for the unfolding story.

“It’s music you don’t know that you know—but you know it,” Rawson said. “It just brings back memories of childhood.”

An Electric Light Tower replica was de signed by NVIDIA engineers, to harken back to one of the most remarkable parts of South Bay life over 100 years ago.

But it’s in the Land of Sweets render ing as the Valley of the Heart’s Delight where Los Gatos can really shine.

“I grew up in Saratoga,” Rawson said, recalling walking her dog as a child amongst walnut groves. “The Valley of the Heart's Delight to me was Saratoga and Los Gatos.”

And thanks to a partnership with History San Jose, our town gets a literal cameo moment—when archival photo graphs are projected on stage.

“The Los Gatos hills are definitely featured,” she said, describing one of the pictures selected for the produc tion: “The hills are covered in apricot blossoms.”

It’s within this landscape where Seizovic will get to make her mark as California’s state flower.

“The costume that was designed for our California poppy is absolutely in credible,” Rawson said. “It’s a bright, golden-tangerine-toned tutu.”

And while costume designer Deborah Lund may have outdone herself on the threads, Seizovic will be the one to bring them to life.

“‘The Waltz of the Flowers’ is one of the most recognizable pieces in the Nutcracker,” Rawson said. “She’s like the central star of that part of the ballet.”

Not to mention, she’s been furiously studying to take her SAT test.

With all that pressure on young danc ers, how does one cope? Readers may recall the Oscar-winning psychological thriller “Black Swan” revolved around Natalie Portman’s character facing se rious mental health challenges during preparations for another Tchaikovsky ballet, “Swan Lake.”

Luckily, New Ballet has an ace-in-thehole: Its school principal, Dr. Elizabeth Hutter, is a Harvard Medical Schooltrained psychologist, who’s currently serving as the president of the American Psychological Association’s Performance Psychology division.

“She’s a national leader in the field of supporting dancers’ and artists’ mental and emotional health,” Rawson said. “We’re really at the cutting edge.”

The idea is to make sure they’re put ting the overall wellbeing of their per formers first, Rawson explains.

“For young teenagers right now there’s so much academic pressure,” she said. “We’re just really proud of the community we’ve built at New Ballet that supports them.”

Wu, for example, has had quite a bit going on in her life this season, as well.

Last Friday, she had a choir perfor mance at the Harker School. This week, she has finals three days in a row.

But Wu says New Ballet has been a stress-reliever, not a cause of it.

“In the environment they create, ev eryone is kind and understanding to each other, so I always look forward to going to New Ballet,” she said, adding they have Monday meetings where they discuss managing pressure. “They talk about methods to help you handle your stress effectively.”

Wu is also understudying for the role

of a marigold in the “Waltz of the Flow ers,” which means even more rehearsals are required to be ready in case someone gets sick at the last minute.

“It’s a super supportive experience,” she said. “Being able to dance with friends and other people is really exciting.”

Her mom, Audrey Fang, says the time commitment is quite high.

“She dances four days a week,” she said, noting each session is two-anda-half hours. “New Ballet has the right culture to be able to support the growth of the kids. I feel very comfortable, be cause she’s having fun. And that’s the most important thing.”

Beginning in 1985, Silicon Valley was one-half of the San Jose-Cleveland Ballet Company, where Rawson found work as a dancer.

“Sadly, the Cleveland side of the organization went bankrupt in 2000,” she said. “We had two weeks to move to San Jose—which to me meant mov ing home.”

And so, Ballet San Jose struck out on its own.

When Rawson retired from perform ing, she transitioned to a teacher in the ballet school and was promoted to director in 2011. However, that organi zation went bankrupt within five years.

“When they folded there had been $250,000 paid in tuition,” said Raw son, recalling how she pulled out all the stops to keep people dancing by found ing a fresh nonprofit—New Ballet.

They were able to honor previous payments and began putting on shows of their own.

“We were operating in the black in August,” she said.

Now, due to the ongoing-but-less ening pandemic, the organization is at another tipping point.

It was able to survive by keeping its ballet school going, but now that federal Covid-19-relief money is running out, it must put bums in the seats in the Cali fornia Theatre downtown San Jose.

“Come back to the theater,” she said. “Make those memories with your family.”

Performances will be held at the California Theatre, 345 S. First St. in San Jose, on Friday, Dec. 16 at 7pm, Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2pm, and 7pm, and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2pm. My Very First Nutcracker, a special 45-minute performance for the youngest audience members (children and toddlers) takes place Sunday, Dec. 18 at 11 am. Tickets for The San Jose Nutcracker start at $25. Tickets for My Very First Nut cracker start at $17. To purchase tick ets, visit newballet.com/nutcracker.

FESTIVE PERFORMANCE Saratoga resident Grace Wu will be playing a toy soldier and is also understudying for the role of a marigold.

Courtesy of New Ballet

Trusted Connections, Proven Expertise.

Offering amazing opportunities, the real estate market is shifting and coming down from the over-heated frenzied environment of 2021 and early 2022. Even as the market corrects and we see price reductions, luxury sales remain insulated and serious buyers are still looking.

There are advantages for sellers and buyers. Kim and her team know what it takes to get the results you want in our market. Put our proven expertise and trusted connections to work for you.

Kim Richman 408.406.9533 kim@kimrichmanteam.com kimrichmanteam.com DRE 01076556

HOOK ’EM ’HORNS! LOCAL TEAM DEFIES ODDS

LG-Campbell football heads to big stage

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

When the Los Gatos-Campbell Long horns South 14U Pop Warner football team started the season 1-3, few thought they could turn around their season and finish with a winning record, let alone make a deep playoff run.

But head coach Saul Kennedy knew he had a team of talented athletes and a quality coaching staff that could produce something special by season’s end. Ken nedy proved prescient, as the Longhorns play their first game in the Pop Warner Super Bowl tournament in Orlando, Fla. on Dec. 4, marking a milestone moment.

“The Los Gatos team has never gone as Division I which is the top level,” Ken nedy said. “They’ve gone as Division III but never gone as a Division I champ.”

If Los Gatos-Campbell wins its first game, it would advance to the champi onship semifinal round on Dec. 7. The national championship game is Dec. 10. Kennedy said he’s particularly proud of the players because they were routine ly going up against bigger opponents,

particularly the perennial powerhouse squads Bayside Broncos and Men lo-Atherton Vikings.

The Longhorns played Bayside and M-A in the first two games of the season, losing by scores of 15-0 and 28-8, respec tively. After earning its first win of the sea son, Los Gatos-Campbell suffered what Kennedy called a “very painful” loss to Santa Cruz to drop the team’s record to 1-3.

That game was in mid-September, and the Longhorns haven’t lost since. They closed the Peninsula League sea son with four straight victories, then avenged losses to Bayside and M-A in the league playoffs before overwhelming Reno 30-0 in the Northwest Regional championship game on Nov. 19 to ad vance to the Super Bowl stage.

“We’re all proud of the players and it’s pretty awesome,” Kennedy said. “We all believed in each other and knew there was athletic ability on this team that would help us because most of them had never played tackle football before. They had to come into their own when it came to that and it was pretty cool to watch them develop that way.”

Kennedy continued: “If you saw us the first couple of games and then someone

said we’d go to the playoffs, you literally would say, ‘No way,’” Kennedy said. “A lot of times it’s about coaching football which makes a big difference.”

Even though beating Reno got them to the Super Bowl, the Longhorns’ top highlight was beating the formidable Bayside team, 14-8, in the league playoff semifinals on Nov. 5. Bayside entered the game 8-0 and beating teams by a lopsided margin.

In the season-opener, Bayside de feated Los Gatos-Campbell, 15-0. So, it wasn’t a wipeout but it was a game the Broncos controlled throughout. How ever, the No. 4 seed Longhorns were ready for the rematch and stunned No. 1 Bayside, 14-8.

“There was a lot of shock in that one,” Kennedy said. “Bayside was hands down pound for pound way bigger than us and on average 70 to 80 pounds heavier per man on the line. They beat us the first time so when this underdog beat them, there were a lot of tears, a lot of shock.”

A week after beating Bayside, the Long horns defeated M-A 18-8 behind another superb performance from the defense.

“Defense is what carried us,” Ken nedy said.

Linebacker Jordan Visperas led the way on both sides of the ball all season. Nicknamed The General, Visperas de livered bone-crunching hits and made plays all over the field.

“Jordan is the leader and it all centers around him,” Kennedy said. “He hits harder than anybody, and we heard that from other teams.”

The defensive line of Ryan Sakai, Noah Paredez and Chase Graff was stout and played great gap control, allowing linebackers Ethan Chase, Peyton Chase, Justin Donahue, Jared Newman and Visperas to roam free and make tackles.

Cornerbacks RJ Guldbech and Cole Canter along with safety D’Auntay Parks proved to be formidable in breaking up passes or allowing completions for inconsequential gains. Offensively, the team had two units, a spread formation and double wing.

When the Longhorns were in the spread, Caleb Bandel played quarterback. When they were in the double wing, Tyler Bennett was under center. In either case, the team was potent with the ball as it had a tough offensive line in Sakai, Andres Nava, Ethan Chase, Isaac Bybee-Del Real, Elijah Kroenung and Jayden Visperas, whom Kennedy said was the anchor.

The Longhorns were loaded at the skill positions with a receiving core of Akai Beavers, Jadon Shabaglian and Nishaan Koneru, and running backs Dominic Vaccaro, Peyton Chase and Donahue. Lane Newman and Hunter and Jax Halas one of four sets of twins on the team are multi-purpose players and difference-makers, Kennedy said.

Youth football tends to be run-orient ed but Kennedy said having someone like Bandel allowed the Longhorns to pose a threat offensively through the air.

Against Bayside, Bandel’s touchdown pass to Beavers with five minutes left accounted for the game-winning score.

The defense did the rest, forcing a turnover on downs near midfield.

“We had the luxury of having a very good passer so we could beat you either way,” Kennedy said.

The turning point of the season was the 39-38 loss to Santa Cruz, which stung for a variety of reasons.

“That was really painful but after that game, we never looked back,” Kennedy said. “We lost on the last play of the game but even in defeat, we had our eyes open that we were a really good team. Then we went out and proved it. We jelled at the right time and people didn’t want to see us come playoff time. They knew we were a team to be reckoned with because of what we had done since that 1-3 start.”

PLAYMAKERS The Los Gatos-Campbell 14U South football team advanced to the Pop Warner National Championships after a 1-3 start. The Longhorns beat the top two seeds to win the league playoffs before dominating Reno in the Regional title game.

Stacey Chasea

Reimagining home for the holidays.

This holiday season, you can put your mind at ease knowing you made the decision to provide the best community for your loved one. At Loma Clara Senior Living, we offer Assisted Living and Memory Care services personalized for your loved one.

While this joyful season comes only once a year, our doors are open year-round. We cannot think of a better holiday gift than finding a loving and supportive home for your loved one.

16515 Butterfield Blvd., Morgan Hill, CA 95037

LomaClaraSeniorLiving.com

Home Networks Security Cameras

Home Networks Security Cameras

Home Networks

Security Cameras

Wi-Fi Upgrades

Wi-Fi Upgrades

Wi-Fi Upgrades

Was your home built before 1970?

Was your home built before 1970?

An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort through the challenges of keeping your home technology devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home audio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!

An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort through the challenges of keeping your home technology devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home audio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!

An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort through the challenges of keeping your home technology devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home audio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!

An experienced Silicon Valley IT manager will help you speed up slow connections, choose the right equipment and sort through the challenges of keeping your home technology devices on-line and performing well. Ask us about whole home audio and smart lighting too. Call for a free consultation!

408 647-4687 www.doitforme.solutions

408 647-4687 www.doitforme.solutions

408 647-4687 www.doitforme.solutions

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

TrenchFree is the South Bay’s leader in nondisruptive “no-dig” replacement of water mains and sewer lines. A slow drain or unsatisfactory pressure may be a sign.

Trusted • Owner operated • Gilroy-based

Trusted • Owner operated • Gilroy-based

Trusted • Owner operated • Gilroy-based

Trusted • Owner operated • Gilroy-based

WILDCATS BACK ON THE ASCENT

LGHS girls soccer rebuilds, wins

Emanuel Lee, Sports Editor

It took just one match its season opener for the Los Gatos High girls soccer team to equal its entire win total from a year ago.

Coming off a tough 1-16 season, the Wildcats already have shown the 2022-2023 season will be vastly dif ferent than last year. Jessica Ingram is in her inaugural season as the Los Ga tos coach but has plenty of experience manning the sideline as a current coach with club program Los Gatos United and spending the last two years as the Presentation High junior varsity coach.

Talk about a rapid rebuild: the Wild cats, who beat perennial power Moun tain View 4-2 in the season-opener on Nov. 29, are carrying 23 girls on the roster and 22 on the JV squad, healthy numbers for a traditionally proud pro gram. Ingram made one thing clear: the team isn’t building just for this season, but for the future as well.

“Any game we go into this season, it’s going to be more about developing a better culture and better team to make a difference going forward,” she said. “We not only want to come out of this season stronger than we did last year, but we want to create a better program we can be proud of and peo ple want to be proud of. It’s great we beat Mountain View and to be excited about that performance, but that game

is done and we’ve got to keep growing and developing. We don’t want to get complacent or comfortable.”

Los Gatos finished 1-11 and last place in the Santa Clara Valley Ath letic League’s upper De Anza Division last year and thus got placed in the lower El Camino Division for this season. However, given the historical success of the program, the Wildcats are looking to make their stay in the El Camino a rather short one.

Abby Lo, Sam Elliott and Leila Pozas scored the goals in the Moun tain View game, notable in that Elliott and Lo are field hockey standouts.

McKenzie Powell and Ellie White also played field hockey in the recent ly completed fall season and all four have made an impact.

“They’re coming off a great field hockey season and they bring a com petitive mindset and a competitive attitude,” Ingram said. “Overall, I’m just proud of the entire team because they could’ve easily come in with a negative mindset, but they’ve bought into the perspective of taking it day by day and not assuming anything will be handed to us.”

Starting spots are always up for competition especially early in the season but against Mountain View freshman Cora Bryant was at goal keeper. Kate Gruetter and Carly En neking were the center backs, White was at left outside back, Marissa Volpe at right outside back, Malia Yamamoto was at central defensive midfielder, Macie Yannoni was at central midfielder, returning starter Caitlyn Simons played attacking cen ter midfielder, Brynn Gipson played center forward, and Leila Pozas and Vanessa Leathem manned the left and right wing positions, respectively.

Los Gatos has two Division I commits in Yamamoto and Simons, though Ingram said it’s too early in the season to predict who will be the “game-changers.” There could be several players in that regard, and In gram highlighted some of the players’ intangibles, things that go a long way in helping a team develop.

“Brynn and Malia are the two cap tains and natural leaders,” she said. “They lead by example and are con stantly pushing the team to be better but at the same time finding the balance of having fun in the process. They add a sense of composure when they’re on the ball.”

Sophomore Macie Yannoni has also been solid on and off the field, said Ingram, who also praised Teagan Conklin for “helping out as a manag er” as she works her way back from an ACL injury.

“All the players have been great,” Ingram said. “They all have individu al strengths and qualities that add to the culture not only for this season, but going into the future. We want people to be incorporated into the culture of the change, so some players might not get a lot of playing time, but they’re part of the change. It’s not just about this season, but what we want for the long term.”

SEASON TO SEASON McKenzie Powell, seen here at a joint Los Gatos High soccer practice in late November, is coming off a strong field hockey season which has her poised for a solid season on the pitch.

Jonathan Natividad

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM IN LOS GATOS

The team that launched the original Los Gatos Weekly has come together once again to give the town the quality of journalism it needs.

News about local people, school sports and vital community issues will fill the pages of thislocal publication –and a live web site.

Los Gatos deserves real reporting.

To advertise call

Serenity Polizzi 408.200.1323 Eric Bocanegra 408.200.1309

Looking to Move from the Bay Area?

Housing too expensive here? Now with working in place, you can live where you want for much less and keep your job. Let me nd you a real estate broker out of the area or out of state. I will do the leg work. I will also give you a $100 gift certi cate when you purchase through my referral!

All I need to know is the city you want to move to.

The Rodino Realty Group Give me a call or text at 408.431.6640