Photos by Susan Coulter 

Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

When people talk about San Gabriel Valley football powers, Rio Hondo Prep would not come to mind.

And to their credit, the Kares players and coaches wouldn’t expect to be mentioned in the same breath as St. Francis, Damien, Bonita, Glendora or any of the ‘big-school programs.’

Rio Hondo Prep has an enrollment of just 106 students, and they rarely get Division 1 or blue-chip type athletes.

RHP serves as a college preparatory school that is very demanding and has a rigorous academic curriculum.

Most of the student-athletes play three sports a year, and do so while balancing their daily and busy workload.

What many don’t know about that little school off the 605 and Arrow Highway, however, is that the Rio Hondo Prep football program has a combined record of 22-2 over the past three seasons, and that includes three consecutive victories over their rival from Pasadena Poly.

Mark Carson’s program is successful, because it requires the same work ethic, discipline and focus to excel on the football field as it does in the RHP classrooms.

In this 2021 fall season, the Kares are 8-1 overall and 1-1 in Gold Coast League action.

RHP’s only defeat was a 34-27 setback to undefeated Campbell Hall back on October 8th.

The Kares have outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 389-111 through the first nine games.

And while everyone in an RHP uniform has contributed to their success, no two players have done more statistically than fellow seniors and captains, Jonathan Guerrero and Gio Ortega.

Guerrero leads all 210 Prep Sports football programs in rushing yards and TD’s, and Ortega is on a very short list of SGV area players that have multiple TD’s via rushing, receiving, on special teams, and interceptions returned for scores.

If that weren’t impressive enough, Guerrero and Ortega have maintained a GPA of 3.7 or higher throughout their four years at RHP.

Jonathan Guerrero may be just 5-foot-6 or so and 150 pounds, but this dude is a game changer on Friday nights.

He’s a very difficult guy for RHP opponents to take down, because of his speed, strength and footwork.

Guerrero provided the earliest possible clue that he was going to be something special.

In week three of the 2019 season, the Kares sophomore got his first start after Bryant Flores went down with an injury.

Guerrero would make the most of the opportunity, and rushed for 280 yards on 17 carries in a 42-0 thumping of visiting Arroyo.

He scored on TD runs of 70, 67 and 44 yards that night.

Fast forward through week nine of the 2021 fall season, and Guerrero has rushed for area-highs in rushing yards (1,229) and  TD’s (19).

Guerrero has 135 more rushing yards than Northview’s Cheo Medina, who is second among 210 Prep Sports programs with 1,094, and JG as they call him, has two more rushing TD’s than St. Francis star and University of San Diego commit, Max Garrison.

As good as those numbers look, it’s important to keep in mind that Guerrero has gotten limited  touches, because in their eight wins thus far, RHP has an average margin of victory of 36 points.

Guerrero has rushed for 2,842 yards and 38 TD’s over his remarkable career.

His nearly 11-yards per carry over the last three years is something Carson said “will likely never be eclipsed.”

To this writer, one of JG’s most admirable traits is, that despite being someone that is considered ‘undersized,’ in football, he doesn’t have a ‘Napoleon complex,’ Instead, Guerrero uses it as motivation to be up at 5:30 in the morning to train.

And the results of that hard work and focus are undeniable.

Jonathan’s work ethic, morals and character come from his parents, Dave and Theresa Guerrero.

Guerrero said his parents have sacrificed everything to give their four children (David, Emily, Rabekah & Jonathan) the opportunity to have the best life possible.

“My parents have worked so hard to give us every opportunity to be successful in life,” he said. “They set an example for all of us that hard work and a good education are the keys to being successful and we couldn’t appreciate or love them more than we do. I have never thought I was owed anything. I know anything worthwhile has to be earned and that’s something I learned for my parents.”

Guerrero doesn’t just contribute from the running back position.

On defense, JG has 22 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

His 1,275 all-purpose yards are twice that of anyone else in an RHP uniform.

Guerrero wants to continue his football career at the collegiate level, but if the opportunity doesn’t pan out, the soon-to-be 18-year old knows he wants to have a career in computer science.

So, how did Ortega describe his buddy and fellow captain?

Said Gio Ortega: “JG has always been the jaw-dropping player and I think anyone who has seen him play will tell you the same thing. From the first run to the last, he will give you his all and will amaze you while doing it. He ‘s obviously not  the biggest guy on the field, but his feel for the game is what really separates him from so many. The way he bounces off tackles and runs the ball is crazy these past two years. He has really worked on speed and gaining weight and you can see he’s accomplished what he set out for. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate. He  is unselfish and  is someone that everyone on this team loves.”

Gio Ortega is another typical RHP football player.

At first glance, Ortega isn’t an imposing figure at 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, as he’s listed on the Kares MaxPreps page.

But just like Guerrero, Gio is a threat anywhere on the field and in any situation or scenario.

And an argument could easily be made that Ortega is one of the most versatile players in the SGV.

What makes his incredible evolution on the football field so special is the fact that Ortega’s best sport for the longest time was soccer.

His intellect, speed, strength and morphing into a true student of the game have made Ortega’s contributions to the RHP football program invaluable.

If you needed evidence to back up my claim of Ortega’s elite versatility, check out these facts.

In nine games this season, he’s scored 15 combined touchdowns.

And they’ve come in five separate forms.

Gio has five receiving TD’s, four rushing, three punt returns, two kickoff returns and a pick-six.

For the season, Ortega has team-highs in receptions (17), receiving yards (221) and TD’s (5).

Gio is first in yards per carry (15), second in both rushing (394) and all-purpose yards (615), and third in rushing TD’s (4).

His two interceptions  also lead RHP on the defensive side of the ball.

And just like Guerrero, the same caveat must be applied to Ortega when analyzing his stats.

In blowouts, Carson, being the class act that he is, doesn’t run the score up once RHP has an insurmountable lead, and that translates into far fewer touches for Ortega.

As the Kares leading receiver, his numbers are hampered by the type of offense that Rio Hondo Prep runs.

RHP quarterbacks (Damyan Diaz and Armando Carbajal)  have combined to attempt just 66 passes all year, while the Kares running game has a combined 272 carries for 2,378 yards and 35 TD’s.

They average 264 yards on the ground every Friday night.

One of the many things that makes Ortaga special is his selflessness.

RHP victories are all that Ortega cares about, and that’s a rare mindset amongst today’s athletes.

Ortega wants to play football next year, but if the opportunity doesn’t present itself, Gio wants to work towards one day being a chiropractor.

His parents, Giovanni and Nancy, are the two people Ortega looks up to most.

“They’ve made me who I am today,” he said. “They work so hard to provide for us. I can’t put into words how much their sacrifices, the example they’ve set and the unconditional love we’re given means to us.”

And if his on-the-field prowess and 3.87 GPA don’t garner your respect, this should.

Of the many roles that Ortega plays in life, setting a good example for his 13-year old sister, Evonny, ranks near the top.

How does Guerrero describe his buddy that wears the No. 11 jersey?

Said Jonathan Guerrero: “When I first started playing with Gio, he seemed to be really good, but what makes him great is that he’s always working to be a better player tomorrow than he was today. He continues to grow and improve his skills. Gio is much stronger and faster than one might think, and  he’s a talented and versatile football player. He’s also a good teammate and is the guy to always have your back and make sure you don’t get in your own head when something bad happens. He’s also pretty funny on the field.”

When asked about their legacy, and how they hope  their younger teammates remember them, both Guerrero and Ortega said  they hoped it would be their work ethic, putting the team’s needs and glory above their own and fostering a team chemistry in which everyone is pulling in the same direction.

It’s unclear how deep a run Rio Hondo Prep will make in the CIF-SS playoffs, but one thing is for certain, and it’s that Gio Ortega and Jonathan Guerrero represent their school, program and family with honor, class and dignity.

RHP closes out the regular season tomorrow (Thursday), as the Kares host Viewpoint at 7.

Quotable:

RHP coach, Mark Carson: “Coming up through our middle school and JV teams, we knew we had something special in this class (our current seniors), led by Gio and Jonathan. So, their success as a group and individually comes as no surprise. If not for the pandemic, he may have broken Rio’s career rushing record set by Landon Goodwell in 2001-2004. His quickness and explosiveness are amazing and his vision and ability to read blocks is uncanny. If I had to describe Gio in one word it would be playmaker. He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. I mean who does that, the guy is unbelievable.

They were part of a Rio group that traveled for four weeks in Europe during the summer of 2019, and that’s where I first got to know them. They are both affable guys. JG is quieter and more reserved, while Gio is more of a jokester. I can’t say enough about both guys and their character. Their prowess on the football field speaks for itself. What people don’t see are these guys off the field. And it may sound crazy, but they are equally if not more impressive off the field than they are on it. I know their Christian faith is important to them and it shows in how they carry themselves on campus and in the community. They are both great students and you would be hard pressed to find any kids in our school who wouldn’t call them a friend. Everyone likes them – teachers, staff and coaches included. In addition to playing three sports and maintaining 3.7 GPA’s they both also volunteer as assistant coaches three days a week in the Kare Youth League program. They are just exceptional human beings who we couldn’t be prouder of. Their parents have done an awesome job raising these young men and I would hope we at Rio have done our part to enhance their development in all phases of life.”

RHP junior, Ryan McCulloch: “Gio and Jonathan are great leaders, competitors, and even better teammates. They always lead by example and encourage others on the team to push themselves even harder. Honestly, we expect a great game every week, and they deliver every week. JG eats on the ground all game, hitting holes and bouncing off hits and tackles, while Gio’s speed and overall athleticism helps him perform every week. What I respect about JG as a teammate is that he always does his job on the field and is literally the perfect example of a workhorse. Something I respect about him as a person is that he pushes himself to get better at every chance he has and is one of the nicest guys on the team. What I respect most about Gio as a teammate is that he’s always there to cheer you on and hype you up after anyone makes a play which helps with confidence and overall momentum during the game. Something I admire and respect about his personality is that he also works hard and encourages others to join him in getting better. I’ve grown as a person and athlete so much within the last two years and if there was someone to thank, other than my coaches and trainers, it’d be JG and Gio. They introduced me to that “dawg” lifestyle as we call it. They taught me how to push myself to the limit and enjoy training and lifting I couldn’t thank them enough for the lessons and overall perception of football  that they have given me.”

RHP senior, Damyan Diaz: “JG and Gio are both great guys and captains of the football team,  and they’re always looking to get better. They both have put tons of hard work into this season. I know that in the summer, they would consistently go to a trainer 2-3 times a week to better themselves for the team, and even now once the season has started, they sometimes go to a training session before school even begins at 8am. Out of everyone on the team, they’ve been in the weight room the most. They set a great example of putting in hard work. And they’re walking proof that hard work pays off. They both give their best effort on and off the field. They’re both also laid back guys who love to make jokes. Jonathan might be one of the funniest guys on the team. And they’re both also tough dudes. They’ve played and practiced through injuries that most people would call a day off with. I like to think of JG as a gummy bear, because I’ve played with him since the seventh grade and there hasn’t been a single time JG has gotten hit and not gotten back up. The harder you hit him, the faster he gets back up. Both of them will give their best even when they aren’t at 100%. They’re also two guys who are willing to spend time after practice with me to  run some routes for me and work on the small things.
Every run or pass with both of them has the potential to turn into something big. They’re both great at cutting runs up the field or extending a play towards the sidelines for a big gain. JG is the workhorse of the backfield, you can give him every carry for a 25 play drive and he will run it hard every play.”

RHP senior, Calvin Johnson: “Gio and JG are great teammates on and off the field. They’re always there for us when we need them and always looking out to help others.JG and Gio have always been the star players, but are also two of the most humble people I know and this is something I respect them a lot for. I’ve been playing football with JG for 12 years now and he has always been the smallest player on the field. Not once has he ever shown fear or doubt which shows his strong heart and the passion that he has for the game.”

To view Susan Coulter’s photo gallery of Ortega and Guerrero, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook