11 wins and two losses was the record for Stallion Football this season in 2023. It was an improvement to say the least from the previous two seasons. In 2021, the win total was three while in 2022 it progressed to four. Linebacker Weston Port (11) who has been a varsity starter since 2021, his freshman year, believes the turnaround stems from a growth in chemistry.
“I feel like a lot of pieces came together. All that talent has been there the past couple of seasons. As teammates I feel like we really stepped it up, as far as leadership goes. As a team we really built up a bond. So much of winning isn’t really just about having guys that can get it done. It’s about culture, it’s about motivation and desire to win,” said Port.
The other inside linebacker in the Stallion defense, Jake Javorksy (12) was the team leader in tackles at 130. Meanwhile Port was a near second at 128.
“We’re both really good leaders on and off the field and we keep things in order. We control what we can control and I think that leads to the rest of the team,” said Javorsky.
Port views the defensive partnership with Javorsky with friendly competitiveness.
“I feel like me and Jake, it’s one of those relationships where we just make eachother better. It’s not a competition but it kinda is. We want to keep elevating our game and when one of us goes up, the other one will follow,” said Port.
Prior to the season, SJHHS brought in new talent to bolster the offense. Quarterback Timmy Herr (10) transferred from Mater Dei High School. Herr threw for 2434 yards with 21 touchdowns in 2023. Not only did the southpaw throw the football, he also dazzled in the rushing game running for 619 yards.
“A good thing that stood out is [that] right when I got here, everyone treated me as family. I just got welcomed in by the coaches and the players right away. It was easy to build a bond with the team and the coaches,” said Herr.
Not how we wanted it [season] to end. But I’ll remember this season for the rest of my life. I played with my brothers the whole season and we built a bond throughout that whole season that I don’t think will ever end.
— Javorsky
Another new addition for the Stallions to their 2023 roster was their leading receiver, Jason Robinson (12), who played his freshman through junior seasons at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
“I’ve been doing it [leading receiver] for the past three years, every year I’ve started varsity football. Every team I’ve been on, I’ve always been a leading receiver. It’s just something I do. I take energy with me, and I bring that type of explosive play,” said Robinson.
Robinson appreciates how welcoming the environment was when he arrived at SJHHS.
“I like that I first came in and they let me establish as a leader and everybody listened to what I had to say. They took my feedback and everybody was able to grow and become better as the season went on. It really showed [in] our receiver corp and [in] our offensive play. You can see we got better, that’s something I really like about this team,” said Robinson.
The Stallions began the season 8-0, going undefeated in non-league games before suffering their first and only regular season loss to Trabuco Hills High School. After finishing the season 9-1, SJHHS were placed in the Division 3 CIF Playoff Bracket. They won their first two playoff contests against St. Francis and Citrus Valley High School and made their way to the semi-finals.
However, the season came to a close against St. Bonaventure High School, losing 20-13 in a hard fought game.
“Not how we wanted it [season] to end. But I’ll remember this season for the rest of my life. I played with my brothers the whole season and we built a bond throughout that whole season that I don’t think will ever end,” said Javorsky.
Back in 2021, the Boys Basketball won a CIF Championship. Port was on the roster of that team. Next football season would be his senior season, he would like to implement the winning mindset that he learned in the Woodlands to the Badlands.
“My freshman year on the varsity basketball team, we set goals at the beginning of the year. A CIF Championship, a State Championship, a League Championship, all of that stuff was talked about in the beginning of the season. All the way until we accomplished that goal. So I feel like I want to do something similar with football,” said Port.
