Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

In 2019, Rio Hondo Prep has faced 10 football teams and each of its opponents knew exactly what the Kares were going to do.

RHP has literally run over its competition and is 10-0.

They won their first outright Prep League championship since 2015, knocking off the three-time champs from Poly, 28-21, back on November 1.

The Kares will take a 39-mile bus ride to Fontana on Friday, as it battles Jurupa Hills (10-1) in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 12 playoffs.

It’s the first time the Kares have entered the postseason unbeaten since the 2009 team started 13-0, before dropping a 9-6 decision to Linfield Christian in the championship game.

So far, RHP has outscored its opponents, 380-78.

Other than a seven-point victory at Poly, the next closest game in 2019 was a 19-point triumph last week (41-22) in the first round of the D-12 playoffs.

But don’t let that number fool you, because RHP scored the game’s first 35 points and were never challenged by Northwood.

Other than having a small but solid group of selfless and hard-working athletes and a dedicated and diligent coaching staff, the reason far and away that Rio Hondo Prep is so successful is their running game.

The Kares average 262 yards per game on the ground and 42 of the Kares’ 52 offensive touchdowns have come via the rushing attack.

It’s one thing to know what RHP is going to do with the ball and it’s a whole other thing to stop it.

And no one has been able to do that yet.

As well as this season is going for so many of its players and the program, including the three we feature in this story, there were some in-season adjustments that needed to be made for reasons out of their control.

Bryant Flores, a talented and respected two-way player and captain, began the 2019 season as the starting tailback and he was going to get most of the carries.

But an early season injury forced Flores to miss several games and that put sophomore Jonathan Guerrero in the spotlight, and this talented young man has accomplished far more than his teammates and coaches could have expected of him.

The other inconvenient reality was a schedule that twice in 2019 saw the Kares not playing for two weeks at a time, so it was going to be a challenge to be running on all cylinders, especially offensively.

As far as Alex Esquiaqui goes, he’s just been Alex Esquiaqui, and his teammates and coaches know that to be a great captain and leader, a solid running back and someone the guys look to in crucial moments.

Jonathan Guerrero is maybe 5-foot-5 and 130-pounds if that, but this kid plays like a grown man.

The RHP senior got his first start on September 20 in a home game against Arroyo.

He silenced any doubters of his youth and size immediately, finishing the contest with 280 yards rushing and three TD’s in a 42-0 beatdown of the Knights.

Those TD’s came on runs of 70, 67 and 49 yards, and Guerrero was off to the races.

On the season, he’s gained 1,169 yards on 104 carries and he’s scored 15 rushing touchdowns, all of which lead RHP.

He averages 130 yards rushing per game, has tallied 1,184 all-purpose yards and returns punts and kickoffs.

Guerrero says his job simply is to gain positive yard and not turn the ball over.

He said Esquiaqui and Flores are great leaders and they’ve set the tone as to how things are done the right way by not taking any shortcuts.

Mark Carson, the Kares head coach described Guerrero and his changing roles this way: “Jonathan started season as the No. 1 kick returner and backup tailback. When Bryant got hurt in the Duarte game, JG took over the starting role. We planned on getting him some carries all along, but not to be the featured guy like he is now. Jonathan can break a big run at any time and needs just a little crease. He’s made our offense more difficult to prepare for. He’s the perfect back for our offense.”

Guerrero credits his parents, Theresa and David Gurerrero, for pushing him to aim high in life, while staying humble, and said they “have always been there for me. My dad helped push me to train and be a better football player. I give God the glory and credit for helping me be where I’m at. Mark Carson, Randall Johnson, Devin Drain, Edwin Ixta and all my Kare Youth League coaches have taught me a lot of life lessons.”

Alex Esquiaqui is a very talented, experienced and trusted leader.

Carson said Esquiaqui is the most fit and hardest working kid on the team, and opponents have as much trouble keeping up with him for four quarters as others do trying to pronounce or spell his last name correctly.

All jokes aside, Esquiaqui is not only a great leader, he contributes in every way possible and doesn’t care who gets the credit or headlines as long as they leave Friday nights with a victory.

On the season, he’s second to Guerrero with 788 yards rushing on 97 carries.

Esquiaqui has scored nine rushing TD’s, averages 88 yards per game and has 815 all-purpose yards.

On defense, at linebacker, Esquiaqui has 40 tackles and two sacks.

For his career, Esquiaqui has 1,843 rushing yards and 25 rushing TD’s, as well as two receiving TD’s.

“Alex and Bryant are two of our four captains and their leadership has been invaluable and they are the heart and soul of this team,” Carson said. “We knew we had a special group coming into the season, but I doubt anyone outside of our team expected a perfect regular season. The way they’ve blown everyone out except for Poly was unexpected. As a group, their collective toughness is what stands out the most. They’re warriors. Alex is the consummate worker. He’s our best conditioned and strongest player, pound for pound, and it’s a dedication to his offseason and in-season training.”

Esquiaqui described his roles as being someone who makes sure everyone is on the same page for that week’s game plan and that every player in an RHP uniform leaves everything they have out on the field on Friday nights.

He very much appreciates all the hard work his fellow captain, Bryant Flores puts in and for his contributions as well as saying Guerrero is the literal definition of ‘size doesn’t matter’ and that he can’t wait to see how good this sophomore gets over the next two years.

His parents, Christina and Michael Esquiaqui taught him to work hard for everything in life, and he’s very appreciative for all the little and big things they’ve done and sacrifices made so he’s able to chase his dreams.

Esquiaqui also wanted to thank all of his coaches from the Kare Youth League, including Coach Shintaku, Coach Murphy, Coach Carson, Coach Wes, and Coach Kyle “for teaching me when I was young how to play the sport properly and making it possible for me to play football at this school. Thank you to my uncle Sebastian Jimenez for always encouraging me to work hard and improve little by little every day.”

Bryant Flores is a young man and leader that every team desires.

Flores entered the season as a captain and the featured running back.

He entered 2019 with 1,829 career rushing yards and 20 TD runs.

Early in the season, Flores got injured, which not only meant missing games, it also gave Guerrero an unexpected opportunity to shine, and JG has done that since the first snap.

But instead of pouting, feeling sorry for himself or losing some of the zest he’s always played with, Flores worked his butt off to get healthy, and the entire time, he was just as supportive and encouraging while not being able to play as he is when he’s knocking an opponent on his rear end.

Since coming back, Flores regained his spot at free safety and now he contributes more as a receiver than a running back, but he’s also giving Guerrero some plays off at tailback from time to time.

For his career, including his 288 rushing yards this season in limited time, Flores now has 2,117 rushing yards and 26 TD’s on the ground.

He’s also had five career receiving TD’s as well.

“My job is to keep our guys motivated, and do anything I can to help our team succeed,” Flores said. “My individual goals for the season haven’t matched up mainly due to injuries that put me out for five weeks. As a team, however, my expectations have matched up pretty well. I knew going into the season that this was a special team that would be very tough to beat. My contributions have been solid defensive plays and laying some blocks for our running backs. It’s been very special, because it’s been a long time since RHP has been undefeated in 11-man football and we overtook our rivals at Poly for the Prep League championship.”

 

His parents, Marisela and Efrain Flores, helped guide their son in the right direction, Flores said. “My mom helped shape my life as a person, being a great role model to me and giving lots of love to me and all my siblings. My dad has always motivated and encouraged me to work hard since the very first day I started playing sports. I would not be the athlete or person I am without the constant motivation and encouragement of both of my parents.”

Carson described Flores this way: “I appreciate Bryant’s leadership and his steady demeanor on campus at practice and during games. He contributes on both sides of the ball and the way he carries himself is something we hope our young guys emulate.”

Flores has 21 tackles and an interception on defense.

As much as Guerrero, Esquiaqui and Flores have done, the 10-0 start to 2019 would not have been possible without the many contributions of the entire roster and that includes the play and leadership of captains John Fraijo and Jake Lyons.

Gio Ortega has been enormous for the Kares.

Ortega has picked off a team-high five interceptions and has 19 tackles. He also leads the RHP receiving corps in catches (16), yards (371) and he’s caught six of the Kares 10 receiving TD’s in 2019.

Jack Van Cleve has completed 40 of 86 pass attempts for 751 yards.

He’s thrown 10 TD’s and has yet to be intercepted.

With all the buzz the RHP offense makes and understandably so, the Kares defense doesn’t get near the credit they deserve in allowing just an average of 8 points per game.

Included in that defensive surge are Adam Penunuri (46 tackles, two interceptions), Ryan Olivas (15 tackles, two interceptions), Eddie Perez (30 tackles, two interceptions), Christian Orozco (12 tackles, two interceptions), Jayden Sanchez (team-high 5.5 sacks, team-high 51 tackles) and well as Brandon Davis’ 24 tackles and two sacks.

Dean Minter (15 tackles, 1.5 sacks), Nathan Olivas (25 tackles, one interception), Ryan McCulloch (25 tackles) and Derek Almendarez (16 tackles) have all been vital in contributing to this record setting season for the Kares.

Anderson Lang has scored 48 points with his right foot.

Lang has one field goal and 45 made extra-point attempts.

For the record, looking back at the stats of the runner up in the CIF-SS Northeast Division back in 2009, which finished 13-1, this year’s team averages 71 more rushing yards and eight points more per game.

Whether Rio Hondo Prep leaves Fontana with a win over Jurupa Hills in the D-12 quarterfinal round or not, nothing that happens Friday could possibly take away from this magical run that a small, but united group of 30 or so players, who bound together as one, accomplished in 2019.

The winner of the RHP-Jurupa Hills game will likely face No. 1 ranked El Monte in the semifinal round next Friday.

Getting to know Jonathan Guerrero:

Favorite Team: Bengals

Favorite Athlete: Saquon Barkley

Favorite Movie: Spiderman into the Spider Verse

Favorite Musical Artist: Post Malone, Swae Lee

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d like a conversation with: Abraham Lincoln

Getting to know Bryant Flores:

Favorite Team: Lakers

Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant

Favorite Movie: Coco

Favorite Musical Artist: J. Cole

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d like a conversation with: Michael Jordan

Getting to know Alex Esquiaqui:

Favorite Team: Rams

Favorite Athlete: Todd Gurley

Favorite Movie: Rocky 3

Favorite Musical Artist: Denzel Curry

Famous person (alive or dead) I’d like a conversation with: Nick Vujicic

Rio Hondo Prep 2019 Schedule-Results:

August 23: RHP 37, Morro Bay 0

August 30: RHP 42, Duarte 0

September 13: RHP 41, Boron 8

September 20: RHP 42, Arroyo 0

October 4: RHP 46, Big Bear 6

October 11: RHP 52, Laguna Beach 14

October 18: RHP win via Forfeit over Santa Clarita Christian

October 25: RHP 49, Vasquez 7

November 1: RHP 28, Poly 21

November 8: RHP 41, Northwood 22

November 15: RHP at Jurupa Hills

2019 Prep League Standings:

Rio Hondo Prep (10-0 overall, 2-0 in league)

Vasquez (3-7, 1-1)

Poly (5-4, 0-2)

• Thanks to Susan Coulter for her photos in this story and in the accompanying photo gallery.

To see a photo gallery of the Kares’ trio, click the Facebook link here: Facebook