Darby Schieferle served as the Homecoming Grand Marshal. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
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By FHS Head Coach Charlie Weis, M. Ed.
Defense holds county’s No. 10 team to under 30 rushing yards; Perez and Fraga-Sandoval rewrite the record book as Fillmore extends win streak to six
FILLMORE — The Royal Highlanders arrived in Fillmore on Friday night unbeaten and ranked No. 10 in the county. They left with their first loss of the season and without a single point on the scoreboard.
In front of a packed homecoming crowd, the Fillmore Flashes delivered their most complete performance of the year, blanking previously unbeaten Royal 35-0 in a Week 8 league showdown. The win was Fillmore’s sixth straight and the latest chapter in two months of dominant football across all three phases of the game.
A defense that left no room
The Flashes’ defense set the tone from the opening snap and never let up, posting its second shutout in the last month. Royal’s vaunted rushing attack, the engine of its 7-0 start, was held to under 30 yards on the night.
Senior Matthew Zavala was a wrecking ball in the Highlanders’ backfield. He recorded multiple tackles for loss on Royal’s first two drives alone and finished with four TFLs to go with six total tackles.
Junior linebacker Efrain Arenas led the team with 10 tackles and added a tackle for loss of his own. Seniors Jerry Esquivel and Ivan Ambriz chipped in eight tackles apiece as the Flashes swarmed to the football and snuffed out any hope of a Highlander comeback.
Offense keeps rolling
Fillmore’s offense continued nearly two months of brilliance, piling up 438 total yards and five touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Nate Perez was sharp and efficient, completing 14 of 20 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Seniors Saul Fraga-Sandoval and Micah Harm each found the end zone twice. Senior Andrew Estrada added yet another highlight to his growing collection of big plays, hauling in a 54-yard touchdown reception.
On special teams, senior kicker Saul Magana remained automatic, converting all five of his point-after attempts.
Records fall on homecoming night
The night belonged to the record book as much as the scoreboard.
Perez became the Flashes’ all-time career passing leader, bringing his three-season total to 3,359 yards.
Fraga-Sandoval claimed the program’s career touchdown reception record with his 20th receiving score over three seasons. In doing so, he passed one of his own coaches: Flashes wide receivers coach Jarod Uridel, who had held the record with 19.
Up next
The Flashes take their six-game win streak on the road this week to face Dos Pueblos High School. The varsity game kicks off Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. The JV team plays Thursday, October 22 at 5 p.m.

Above is the FHS Girls Frosh Soph team who took 3rd Place at the Ventura County Cross Country Championships this past Saturday. Pictured L to R: Charlize Estrada, Christina Setty, Sammy Alcocer, Mariana Elvira, Azul Ruiz, Melanie Martinez, Gaby Lopez, Michelle Argueta, and Celeste Camarena. Photo credit Anthony Chavez.
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On Saturday, the Fillmore High School teams travelled to Lake Casitas in Ojai to compete in the Ventura County Cross Country Championships. The challenging 3-mile course is run on dirt with two major climbs.
In the first scheduled race, the Freshman boys were led by Aleks Laureano, who finished 2nd in 17:10. Teammate, Luis Perez finished 8th in 17:46.3. He was followed by Jesus Gutierrez-Guillen 48th in 20:06.3, Giovanni Cortez Rodriguez 59th in 20:54.5, and Jacob Khan 121st in 36:11.7. Aleks and Luis were medal winners. Fillmore finished 8th in the team competition. Aleks posted Fillmore’s fastest time on the day.
Fillmore’s largest group competed in the Freshman/Sophomore Girls Division. Melanie Martinez led this group, placing 7th in 21:31.5. She was followed by Azul Ruiz 8th in 21:38.8, Mariana Elvira 28th in 22:56, Samantha Alcocer 55th in 24:27.8, Gabriela Lopez 72nd in 25:05.4, Christina Setty 79th in 25:18.4, Celeste Camarena 94th in 26:26,7, Michelle Argueta 99th in 27:00.7, and Charlize Estrada 135th in 33:35.1. In the team competition, the Freshman/Sophomore Girls team finished 3rd. Melanie and Azul were medal winners.
The Varsity girls followed. And Fillmore’s Camila Rodriguez tempoed a time of 20:20. placing 26th. Andrea Gamez placed 89th in 24:32.7.
In the Sophomore Boys Race. Damian Santa Rosa ran well and finished 4th in 17:22. He was followed by Alex Becerra 47th in 20:07.8, and Prince Kamradt 60th in 20:37.4. Damian was a medal winner.
In the Junior Varsity Girls race, Melany Andrez Ramirez was Fillmore’s lone runner. She placed 65th in 32:07.1.
In the Junior Varsity Boys race, Nikolias Cerda finished 19th in 19:03.3. He was followed by Christopher Torres 40th in 19:58.6, and Alfredo Bacilio 75th in 22:51.8.
The Cross-Country teams will now prepare for the 78th annual Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country Invitational. This meet takes place on October 23rd in Walnut, California.

Pictured above far right is Fillmore’s Dax Camacho, who placed third in the Youth Male Grey Belt (60–69 lbs.) No-Gi division at the Jiu-Jitsu World League San Diego tournament. Photo credit Michael Torres.
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Dayana Ramirez
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Dax Camacho
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By Michael Torres
October 10, 2026- Perce’s Kenpo Karate Jiu-Jitsu athletes competed in weekend competitions in Azusa and Del Mar. Jose Ramirez secured gold medal victories in the Ultra Heavyweight Gi and No-Gi Heavyweight divisions and took home a championship belt in the Master 1 Purple Belt Absolute division at the Golden Jiu-Jitsu Federation Azusa Tournament held at the APU Felix Event Center. Emma Lopez captured a gold and silver medal, placing first & second in the Adult Female Blue Belt Gi (160+ lbs.) and the Adult No-Gi Open Weight divisions. Lightweight Dayana Ramirez took home silver in the Female Gi Master 1 Blue Belt division.
At the Jiu-Jitsu World League San Diego event held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, youth competitor Dax Camacho added to his standout season by placing 3rd for the Youth Male Grey Belt (60–69 lbs) No Gi division. For more information on classes at Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio call 805-524-6870.

Above, Dax Camacho (far right) celebrates earning two bronze medals at the JJW League Pan American Championship. Photo credit Michael Torres.
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By Michael Torres
Perce’s Kenpo Karate Jiu-Jitsu competitors took to the mats over two days of competition at the Jiu Jitsu World League Pan American Championship at the Long Beach Sports Arena, with Adult divisions on Saturday, September 26 and Youth Gi divisions on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Emma Lopez, opened the weekend with a silver medal in the Adult Female Blue Belt Gi division, competing at 160 pounds and above. The finish adds to what has been a strong 2026 season for Lopez, who also earned silver at the JJWL World Championships earlier this year.
On the second day, teammate Dax Camacho took to the mat in the Youth Male Grey Belt division at 60 to 70 pounds. Camacho held a top-tier standing throughout his brackets and walked away with two bronze medals, one in no-Gi and one in Gi. For more information on classes at Perce’s Kenpo Karate Studio please call 805-524-6800.

FHS runner Camila Rodriguez competes in the Girl’s Varsity race, which she won with an impressive time of 18:39.1. The team placed second as a team. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.
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Above are FHS Boys Varsity runners taking off at the start of the 3-mile race at the first of two Citrus Coast League meets, held Tuesday, September 29, in Santa Paula. The Flashes finished fourth as a team. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.
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FHS runners Damian Santa Rosa and Aleks Laureano compete during the meet. Santa Rosa placed fifth overall, while Laureano finished sixth. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.
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On Tuesday, September 29th the Fillmore Cross Country teams traveled to Santa Paula and competed in the 1st of two Citrus Coast League meets. These meets will determine Citrus Coast League Champions in all 4 divisions, and CIF post season league representatives.
The Junior Varsity Boys started off the race day. Nikolias Cerda led the Flashes team of 5 by placing 3rd in 19:24.9. He was followed by Prince Kamradt 9th in 20:29.4, Alfredo Bacilio 14th in 21:97.9, Giovanni Cortez Rodriguez 16th in 21:15.0, and Jacob Khan 43rd in 30:03.1. In the team competition, Fillmore was 4th.
The Varsity Girls followed. Camila Rodriguez won this race, and led the Fillmore Girls, as she has all season in a time of 18:39.1. She was followed by freshman Azul Ruiz 8th in 21:51.3, Melanie Martinez 9th in 21:59.4, Mariana Elvira 14th in 22:22.7, Andrea Gamez 15th in 23:03.8, Samantha Alcocer 17th in 23:32.1, and Christina Setty 19th in 24:35.5. In the team competition, the Varsity Girls finished in second.
The Fillmore Varsity Boys race was very competitive, with Santa Paula winning this division. Damian Santa Rosa led the Flashes with his 5th place finish in a time of 16:46.3. Freshman teammate, Aleks Laureano finished on Damian’s heels, capturing 6th place in 16:46.7. Luis Perez followed, placing 11th in 17:44.4, Christopher Torres 31st in 19:40.1, Alex Becerra 33rd in 20:25.3, and Jesus Gutierrez-Guillen 34th in 21:54.1. In the team competition, the Varsity Boys placed 4th.
In the Junior Varsity Girls race Audrina Alba finished in 2nd place, running a time of 25:02.0, in her 3-mile race debut. Teammate Gabriela Lopez placed 5th in 25:49.5. Fillmore did not place a full team in this division.
The Fillmore Cross Country teams will now prepare for the Dos Pueblos Invitational on October 10th. The first race, 12th Grade Boys is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m. The start and finish will be in the stadium.

Congratulations to Jasiah Cervantes, posing with his medal won at the Tri Counties Wrestling Association Folkstyle Tournament. Photo Credit Chris Cervantes.

Pictured above is Jasiah Cervantes during his match against a wrestler from Thousand Oaks at the Tri Counties Wrestling Association Folkstyle Tournament on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Photo credit Chris Cervantes.
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By Michael Torres
CAMARILLO, Calif. – Fillmore High School Freshman Jasiah Cervantes won the 16 years & under boys 122pound title at the Tri Counties Wrestling Association Folkstyle tournament on Saturday, September 26, 2026, finishing both of his bracket matches by fall.
Cervantes opened with a quick win in the quarterfinals, pinning Daniel Deul of Simi Valley High School in just 27 seconds. In the championship match, he faced Alex Melnikov of Thousand Oaks High School and secured the victory by fall at 4:55 to claim first place.
The Fillmore High School Season will soon be underway with tryouts beginning in the first week of November and the team’s first competition on Thursday, November 12th with a boys & girls dual meet at Del Sol High School. If students are interested in trying out, they can sign up with Coach Torres in Room 34.

Above, former FHS standout Nataly Vigil competed for Cal Lutheran University. Vigil, a Foothill High School alumna, competed in the Women’s Open 5K on Saturday, September 19, finishing 21st with a time of 21:48.4.
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Fillmore High School alumnus Omar Heredia competed in his first collegiate meet for Cal State Northridge. Heredia finished 10th for the Matadors and improved his personal-best time by 23.7 seconds.
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Camilo Torres
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Angel Garcia
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Fillmore Runners Compete at Kim Dyst Invitational
By Epi Torres
On Saturday, September 12, Omar Heredia, and Diego Rodriguez, both residents of Fillmore, and currently student athletes at Cal State University Northridge competed at their first collegiate meet this season at the River Oaks Golf Course in Turlock, California. They competed over a 8-kilometer course or 4.971 miles.
Diego Rodriguez finished 25th in 25:29.6, and Omar Heredia finished in 41st in 26:04.1. Diego was 6th man for the Northridge Matadors and improved his personal best time for an 8-kilometer race by 4.1 seconds, and Omar was 10th for the team and improved his personal best time by 23.7 seconds.
In the team competition, Northridge finished 2nd. The Fillmore/Northridge athletes will next compete at Riverside Invitational.
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Fillmore Runners Compete at Riverside Cross Country Invitational
By Epi Torres
On Saturday, September 19th, several Fillmore young adult athletes competed at the Riverside Cross Country Invitational. All 4 athletes competed in one of four divisions at this meet. This meet course is flat with a few rolling hills, and hard packed dirt through the agricultural operations center.
The second race of the day featured former Fillmore/CSU Northridge ace, Camilo Rodriguez, who ran unattached in the Men’s 8 K Invite. Camilo placed 98th in 25:05.7 over the 4.97-mile course. Also running in this race was Diego Rodriguez who was the 6th man for the CSU Northridge team. He finished 138th in 25:28.4. CSU Northridge finished 8th in the team competition.
Nataly Tello a former Fillmore athlete, ran in the Women’s Open 5K race as a member of the Cal Lutheran women’s cross-country team. Nataly ran a season best time of 21:48.4. In the team competition, the Cal Lutheran team finished in 21st. Melanie Flores, who ran on the Fillmore High School team last year, was the fourth runner for the Moorpark College team. Moorpark finished 26th in the Open women’s 5K team competition. Melanie placed 281st in 23:28.8.
In the Men’s Open 8k, Omar Heredia, former Fillmore High School, and currently a CSU Northridge runner placed 183rd in 27:47.5. Also, running in the Men’s Open 8K was former Fillmore High School, and former Moorpark College runner, Angel Garcia. Angel placed 147th in 27:09.7.