Warriors find their coach

WINTERHAVEN - After months of searching, San Pasqual finally has its head football coach.

Salvador Pineda will lead the Warriors into 1A 8-man football when they open the season this Friday at homeagainst Patagonia. Pineda relocated to Yuma from Phoenix in March, where he coached football for the past eight years at all levels below high school. The San Pasqual position is his first as a head coach.

Pineda replaced Don Klostreich, who resigned in January, but has remained on as the school's athletic director, wrestling and track coach.

"The way I view this is it's going to be a rebuilding process. I'll be glad if we win two games," Pineda said. "My main concern is having these kids at least physically ready. I don't want them to step out on the field, not know what they're doing and then get hurt - not on my watch. I want them to be prepared."

Pineda has some familiarity with his team. He helped out Klostreich the past two weeks while waiting to be officially cleared for the position.

Perhaps Pineda's biggest challenge this season will be to instill a commitment and a work ethic into his players, and to teach fundamentals - everything from Xs and Os to how to strap on their pads. To top it off, the Warriors got a late start to the season, with some players not arriving to practices until school started.

"I have the mentality where I like to teach individuals," Pineda said. "Probably about half these guys to three-quarters have never played tackle before. Now it's a race to the finish to see if we can get them in shape."

Pineda said he knows the program will take some lumps this season, but he added that those who maintain a commitment to the program will be rewarded.

"If you have a kid who's coming to practice every day and sweating out here," Pineda said, "I say give him the pleasure of enjoying it under the lights on Friday night."