Despite the excitement surrounding the long-anticipated game of the season (Monache vs. Porterville), Coach Thompson stressed that preparation and focus remain key. “We have prepared for this game like we have for any game. They have been very focused,” he said. For Thompson and the team, every game is treated as the most important one of the season. “This game does come with a little more hype than the others so the message is to block everything else out and focus on what’s important, which is winning the football game,” he added.
Coach Thompson has led the Porterville High School team for four successful years. When asked about coaching against his alma mater he said, “It’s pretty cool to be able to coach against the school that I graduated from. It gives me the chance to see the rivalry from a different perspective.”
The season brought several memorable moments. “Maybe the biggest was being able to go on a four-game winning streak after losing game one to Wasco. Another key moment for us this season was beating Golden West. They are a very good team and going into that game they were undefeated,” Thompson recalled.
Leadership on the team was also a bright spot. “We are lucky to have several players become leaders this year. Some of those players are Ethan Enriquez, Mark Salinas, Aeris Acoba, Fernando Alcantar, Bret Roberts, Devin Perez, and Tristan Duran,” he said. Their guidance both on and off the field shaped the team’s success.
For Mark Salinas, a fourth year varsity star, the rivalry game meant everything. “Being able to play in front of the whole town and representing my school and my name is always an honor,” he said. When asked about how he is approaching the final stretch of his career and making the most of every moment, Mark shared that he is taking every chance to learn and grow from both good and bad experiences. Looking back on his four years on varsity, he said his favorite part has been “taking every opportunity to learn and grow either from good or bad experiences.”
Aeris didn’t change the way he and the team prepared for the rivalry game. He said, “We need to keep the same mindset we have every week and treat it as just another game. There’s no need to think too much about these kinds of games.” Aeris has had a long and successful career as a running back. One lesson that football has taught him is to be a leader, as “Being a leader and not a follower will take me far in life and help me become successful.” As a senior, he has fond memories of his years on the Panther Football team, and he notes that his growth has been incredible. “I’ve seen myself change from a childish kid to an independent young man. I was once dreaming of the player I could be my freshman year, to becoming that successful player my senior year,” he says.
Fernando Alcantar, a fourth year varsity player is a vocal leader who brings energy to every practice and game. “To be honest it meant a lot to finish my season with a win over our rival especially after all the hard work that was put in starting from our winter workouts.” Fernando was on the brink of closing in on the school record for most sacks “I would say definitely my friends inspired me to start playing and it’s influenced me so much as they’re the reason I keep going.”
Now that the the season has ended, Porterville’s journey stands as one of grit, growth, and unwavering commitment. Finishing with an impressive 9–3 record, the Panthers delivered a year filled with defining moments, standout leadership, and a rivalry victory that will echo for years to come. For the seniors who poured four years into the program and the younger players who will carry the torch next season, this was more than just a schedule of games, it was a season built on discipline, belief, and brotherhood. It is a season that will surely be remembered.
