The Flashes JV and Varsity teams hosted Oak Park this past Friday night for their second game of the season. Above, FHS Varsity players team up to bring down an Oak Park player. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
Varsity No. 21 Saul Fraga-Sandoval tries to make his way past the Oak Park defense. Final score FHS 6-Oak Park 28. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
This past Friday, August 28, the Fillmore Flashes faced Oak Park. Above, FHS Varsity players No. 88 Matthew Zavala and No. 32 Christian Renteria attempt to block an Oak Park pass play. Fillmore fell to Oak Park, 28-6. This week the Flashes will host Buena High School and Youth Night. The JV game begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Varsity game at 7 p.m. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
A group of Flashes JV players make a tackle, stopping an Oak Park player in his tracks during Friday’s game. The Flashes JV team defeated Oak Park, 20-8. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
By Head Football Coach Charlie Weis M. Ed.
The Fillmore Flashes football team may sit at 0-2 through the first two weeks of the season, but don’t let the record fool you — this squad has been forged, not broken, by one of the toughest opening slates on their schedule in years. And with Buena coming to town this Friday for a can’t-miss Youth Night showdown, the Flashes are ready to turn the page on a gauntlet of a start and get back in the win column.
Week 0: A Heartbreaker at La Cañada
Fillmore opened the season on the road against La Cañada in a game that came down to the wire. The Flashes battled all night and found themselves with a golden opportunity in the fourth quarter — a two-point conversion that would have tied the game. The offense gave it everything they had, but the conversion narrowly fell short, and La Cañada held on for the win.
Even in the loss, there was plenty to celebrate. Senior standout Saul Fraga-Sandoval put together a performance for the ages, hauling in 8 receptions for 177 yards and a touchdown. That outing was enough to vault him to the #1 receiver in Ventura County and 8th in the entire state of California after just one week of play. Flashes fans, keep an eye on this young man — he’s just getting started.
Week 1: Growing Pains vs. Oak Park
Back home for their Week 1 matchup, the Flashes ran into a talented Oak Park squad and fell 28-6. It was a night of growing pains, but in true Flashes fashion, Fillmore kept their Bolts Up and refused to let the tough competition get them down. Andrew Estrada and Stephen Torres were the bright spots of the evening, delivering standout performances on both sides of the ball and showing the kind of grit and fight that defines this program.
Two tough, well-coached, talented opponents right out of the gate is never easy, but there’s real value in facing that kind of fire early. This Flashes team has been tested, and they’re better for it heading into county play.
Looking Ahead: Buena Comes to Town, and It’s Youth Night!
The Flashes are fired up for a big bounce-back opportunity this Friday, September 4th, when Buena visits Flashes Stadium. Last season, Fillmore beat Buena for the first time since the 1960s — and the Flashes are looking to make it two wins in a row this Friday night.
This game is about more than just football. It’s also Youth Night at Flashes Stadium! Any youth in attendance gets in FREE with a paying adult, and every kid there will get to run through the tunnel with the Fillmore Flashes Varsity team before kickoff a memory they’ll carry for a lifetime.
It’s the perfect chance for the Flashes to reclaim their momentum from a year ago, and an even better chance to celebrate what makes Fillmore so special: a community that shows up for its youth, again and again.
Come out and support the Flashes Friday night!
JV Kickoff: 4:00 PM
Youth Night Celebration: 6:30 PM
Varsity Kickoff: 7:00 PM
Bolts Up, Fillmore. See you at the Stadium!
