Citrus Bowl: Spartans and Mavericks battle rain, each other Friday night

By Sara Beth Williams–
Despite bringing on a new head coach, the San Juan High School Spartans faced a tough loss in a rainy Citrus Bowl finale against Mesa Verde Friday night.

Although the Spartans have had a history of losses against Mesa Verde, new head coach of the Spartans, Otis Washington, was optimistic prior to the kickoff of the Citrus Bowl, an annual intra-city rivalry game with Mesa Verde High School. Washington told The Sentinel before the game that he was feeling “excited” about the matchup and that he has been friends with Leonard Casillas, who is the varsity football head coach for the Mesa Verde Mavericks.

Marquise London, San Juan High School Student Community Intervention Specialist and mom to one of the fullbacks on the Spartan football team, said the new head coach “was a good change and a long time coming.” Her son has played all four years on the San Juan football team in various positions.

London said Washington has spent the year emphasizing students’ academic success and said she has seen grades increase and difficult behaviors decrease because of Washington’s influence on the players. Washington works as a College and Career Center Tech at San Juan High School, according to his Facebook page. London said he’s “very active” and more accessible to the players because he’s on campus. Washington took over for previous head coach David Castillo who coached the team from 2020 to 2023, according to MaxPreps.

The Citrus Bowl, an annual game that takes place each year between the only two high schools in Citrus Heights, is traditionally scheduled in September early in the season. This year, the Nov. 1 game was the last game for the season, and most of it was played in steady rainfall.

Before the heaviest rain began to fall, the Mavericks scored 42 unanswered points. As the rain intensified, Mesa Verde football players said the slick grass “definitely” affected game play while on the field for both teams, as they battled it out under the worsening elements. By halftime, many fans left the stands, seeking shelter.

Mesa Verde has a history of winning the Citrus Bowl, and this year’s win takes the team to a 6-4 overall record for the season, which is an improvement to last season’s 4-7 record. The final score of the 2024 Citrus Bowl was 62-0, in favor of Mesa Verde, according to MaxPreps.

Despite the losses this season, London said she “can’t wait” to see how much the young squad of players will grow under Washington’s new leadership. Washington feels the same, saying before the game that he’s excited to “build the foundation” of the young team.

London said the team is made up of many players who would normally play at the Junior Varsity level, but because San Juan doesn’t have a Junior Varsity team, freshman and sophomores often play against the varsity teams of other high schools.