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Central Valley High School to host football game for first time at new athletic stadium
Junior Gomez and Santiago Garcia
Junior Gomez, Santiago Garcia and Central Valley’s football program will compete at home for the first time when they play host to Pitman this Friday at their high school’s newly-opened $16.2 million athletic stadium. Kickoff slated for 7 p.m. - photo by Dale Butler

History will be made at Central Valley High School this week.

The Hawks will stage a home football game for the first time at their newly-opened $16.2-million athletic stadium.

Friday’s non-league game between Central Valley and Pitman will begin at 7 p.m.

“It’s going to be an exciting experience for our whole community, not just our school,” Hawks’ head coach Derrick Goblirsch said. “Opening a new stadium is going to bring a different energy. It’s going to be fun.”

“It’s a new stadium,” Central Valley senior lineman Santiago Garcia added. “Everyone wants to check it out. There’s going to be a lot of people there. We’re excited to put on a show for them.”

The Hawks are carrying 44 players on their roster this fall.

Central Valley returns a host of talent from a year ago, including Garcia, Edhen Alvarez (Sr., OL/DL), Elizjha Casteel (Sr., RB/LB), Julian Gonzalez (Sr., WR), Josh Mendoza (Sr., DL), Ivan Quezada (Sr., RB), Isaac Ramirez (Sr., DB), Adrian Vega (Sr., OL/DL), Terrance Wethington (Sr., DB), Adrian Delahoya (Jr., TE/DE), Junior Gomez (Jr., QB), Max Gonzalez (Jr., WR/DB), James Morales (Jr., OL/DL) and Jeremiah Moreno (Jr., RB/DB).

Newcomers Victor Altamirano (Jr., FB/LB), James Hartley (Jr., OL/DL), Abel Huerta (Jr., OL/DL), Alijah Jackson (Jr., DB), Antonio Louis (Jr., DB), Diego Quintanilla (Jr., DB/KR/PR), Sergio Torres (Jr., RB) and Jayden Casias (So., WR) suited up for last season’s 7-2-1 and Western Athletic Conference runner-up junior-varsity team.

The Hawks lost five all-league players to graduation, including William Montez, Sebastian Maldonado, Caden Mendonca, Emanuel Luna and Dominick Delgadillo

“I’m super excited about the talent we have,” Goblirsch said. “The ceiling is high. I think we can compete with everybody on our schedule. We just have to execute.”

Central Valley scrimmaged against Atwater, Modesto High and Sierra at Orestimba High School last Friday.

Goblirsch solidified his team’s depth chart.

“A lot of questions were answered,” he said. “I thought we did great, offensively. We scored every drive, outside of one fumble. Defensively, we were flying around.”

CV has high hopes heading into the season.

The Hawks amassed a 4-6 overall record and finished fourth in the WAC standings with a 3-4 mark in 2025.

“We lost some close games,” Goblirsch said. “We could have been 7-3 or 6-4.”

“I’m confident we’re going to have a better record this year,” Garcia said. “We have a lot of (returning and new) talent on the team. I know what we’re capable of.”

The Lathrop Spartans (10-2, 7-0), Johansen Vikings (8-3, 6-1), Grace Davis Spartans (7-4, 5-2), Livingston Wolves (3-8, 3-4), Ceres High Bulldogs (3-8, 2-5), Beyer Patriots (4-7, 1-6) and Pacheco Panthers (2-9, 1-6) took first, second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 2025 WAC standings.

Central Valley improved its all-time record against Ceres High to 16-4 with a 38-21 victory.

“Lathrop is the favorite,” Goblirsch said. “They’ve won it (WAC title) the last two years. Talent-wise, we match up well with everybody. The experience is there. If we can stay healthy and execute, we should finish towards the top of the league.”

CV and Pitman will battle for the sixth time since 2021.

The Hawks have a head-to-head record of 2-3 versus the Pride.

Pitman edged Central Valley 28-27 in 2025.

The Hawks rallied from twice from two-touchdown deficits before losing to the Pride. Pitman stuffed Central Valley’s potential, game-winning 2-point conversion run attempt late in the fourth quarter.

“Losing by one point last year has been a motivating factor for us,” Goblirsch said. “Pitman’s always talented. Every game has been competitive. I have a feeling it’s going to be like that again.”