Pictured above, a Fillmore Raiders Sophomore makes a tackle against a La Cañada player during last Saturday’s game. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
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Pictured above is action from the Fillmore Raiders Sophomore football team’s game against the La Cañada Gladiators, with the Raiders defeating, 40-8. The victory advances the undefeated Raiders to the playoffs this weekend where they will face the North Oxnard Warriors. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
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By Natasha Mendez, President, Fillmore Raiders Youth Football and Cheer
FILLMORE, CA — The Fillmore Raiders Sophomore football team is making its mark this season, and the journey is far from over!
After completing an incredible undefeated regular season with a 7-0 record, the Raiders continued to show their determination and talent in the first round of playoffs on Saturday, October 24, defeating the La Canada Gladiators by an impressive 40-8 victory. With that win, the boys have secured their spot in the semifinals, where they will face the North Oxnard Warriors once again on Saturday, October 31, at Fillmore High School.
While the wins and the undefeated record speak for themselves, what truly sets this team apart is something that cannot be measured on a scoreboard: their brotherhood.
These boys have put in countless hours of hard work, dedication, and commitment throughout the season. Through every practice, every challenge, and every game, they have continued to push one another, lift one another up, and celebrate each other’s successes. Their willingness to support, encourage, and cheer for every teammate has created a special bond that has not gone unnoticed. Their positive energy, team spirit, and genuine love for one another are admired by those who have had the privilege of watching them grow together.
This team is a reminder that football is about so much more than winning games. It is about building character, developing friendships, learning accountability, and understanding what it truly means to be part of something bigger than yourself. These young athletes have demonstrated that when hard work, unity, and heart come together, something special happens.
Their parents and coaches could not be prouder of the dedication, sportsmanship, and effort these boys have displayed all season long. Watching their growth, both on and off the field, has been a source of tremendous pride for everyone who stands behind them.
As the Raiders prepare to take on North Oxnard in the semifinals, the community is encouraged to rally behind these young athletes and show them the support they deserve. They have worked hard to earn this opportunity, and they are ready to continue fighting for one another.
Good luck, Raiders! May you take the field with confidence, play with heart, protect one another, and never lose sight of the brotherhood that has brought you this far. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you as you take on this next challenge.
No matter the outcome, you have already given your families, coaches, and community so much to be proud of. Keep believing in yourselves, keep supporting one another, and keep showing everyone what it means to be a Raider.
One team. One family. One Raider brotherhood.
***
Head Coach: Gene Cabral
Assistant Coaches: Manuel Romero, Nathan Page, Joseph Aguilar, Vidal Morales, Brandon Chewning.
Raider Sophomore Roster
Brandon Chewning Jr.
Roman McDowell
James Cabral
Aundre Tejeda
Isaak Romero
Matthew Ruiz
Jakob Ponce
Isaiah Schmidt
Jayden Gonzalez
Liam Ambriz
Noah Gutierrez
Caleb Renteria
Jayden Renteria
Kacey K Morales
James Page
Vicente Suarez
Jace Chewning
Karlos Trigueros
Aaron Setty
Joseph Lara
Eric Max Magana
Abel Estrada
John Shelton
Adrien Marrufo

Above is Gabriela Lopez competing as she earned 39th with a personal best time of 24:10.4. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.
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Freshman Sammy Alcocer
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Junior Chris Torres
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Senior Alfredo Bacilio
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Sophomore Prince Kamradt
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On Friday, October 23rd, the Fillmore cross country teams traveled to Walnut, California to compete in the largest cross country meet in the United States, the 78th annual Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country Invitational.
This 3-mile race is run over a historically challenging course with two major climbs. As always, it is very competitive with as many as 4 races on the course at the same time.
The Boys Freshman race saw Aleks Laureano capture 1st place in a time of 17:25.9. He was followed by teammate Luis Perez, who finished 4th in 18:03.8. Jesus Gutierrez-Guillen followed in 24th, with a time of 19:55.7, a season personal best time for Jesus. Giovanni Cortez finished 59th in 21:12.1. Medal winners in this race were Aleks Laureano, and Luis Perez.
Our only complete team for the day, the Frosh/Soph Girls ran an exciting race and finished in 1st place. Leading the group was Melanie Martinez, who finished 3rd in 21:51.8. She was followed by Azul Ruiz 6th in 22:16.6, Mariana Elvira 30th in 23:39.2, Gabriela Lopez 39th in 24:10.4, Samantha Alcocer 46th in 24:31.8, and Christina Setty 84th in 26:27.2. Gabriela ran a season personal best time in this race. Melanie, and Azul were medal winners in this race. Cow bells were awarded to this winning team.
In the Boys Sophomore Race, Damian Santa Rosa ran Fillmore’s fastest time of the day. Damian captured 1st place in his race in 16:58.6. He was followed by Alex Becerra 43rd in 20:17.9, and Prince Kamradt 55th in 20:43.8. Damian was a medal winner in this race.
In the Boys Junior Varsity Race, Nikolias Cerda placed 8th in 19:17.4. He was followed by Chris Torres 9th in 19:18.4, and Alfredo Bacilio 60th in 22:27.0. Nikolias and Chris were medal winners in this race.
Fillmore had one runner in the Varsity Girls Race. Andrea Gamez placed 71st in 24:33.9.
The Fillmore Cross Country teams will now prepare for the second of two Citrus Coast League meets on 11/05. This meet will take place on the challenging 3-mile course at Lake Casitas in Ojai. The final Championships meet will also determine Citrus Coast League Championships in all four divisions. It will also determine the teams and individuals representing the Citrus Coast League in CIF post season competition.

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.