Photos by Gwen Pointer

Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Charter Oak has opened its 2022 schedule with five consecutive victories.

The lion’s share of the credit should and does go to their senior class.

And it’s not their on-field contributions alone that makes this group so valued, it’s just as much the leadership in which they’ve guided the underclassmen in doing things the ‘Charter Oak way.’

The last time COHS began a season 5-0, this senior class were seventh graders.

In the first three years of their high school careers (2019-2021), the Chargers went a combined 10-14.

But things have changed dramatically in 2022.

In wins over Northview (38-24), Glendora (37-7), Chino Hills (16-15), South Hills (55-7) and West Covina (34-21), Charter Oak has defeated its opponents by a margin of 180-74.

In 2017, the late-great Lou Farrar led his program to a 12-1 season, and that included a trip to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinal round.

The Chargers season would end in a 19-point loss to the eventual CIF champions from Rancho Verde.

Fast forward five years, and while I’m not implying that COHS will go 12-1, there are some striking similarities.

The 180 points scored thus far are just two less than the 2017 Chargers had after five games.

Through week five, Charter Oak’s average margin of victory is 36-15.

Back then, they won at a 36-11 clip.

And while every member (players and coaches) of the COHS football program deserves their just due for the wave they are current riding, the most dramatic shift has been the play at quarterback.

After three successful years at La Salle, Richie Munoz transferred to COHS, and he’s been nothing less than a game changer.

It wasn’t easy for Munoz to leave the Lancers’ program, because he genuinely loves his former teammates and coaches, including a great leader and man named Ben Buys.

After the family moved, the daily drive to Pasadena would be unbearable, especially considering current gas prices and So Cal traffic.

Choosing Charter Oak because of the family locale just made sense, and playing for a program that has won five CIF-SS championships made it all the more alluring.

At La Salle (2019-2021), Munoz threw for 6,093 yards and 71 TD’s.

In his freshman year alone, Richie had 30 TD passes and threw for 2,626 yards.

The Lancers would go 10-15 over that stretch.

In the first three years of his high school career, Munoz dazzled La Salle students and fans with his arm strength, scrambling ability and his high football IQ.

As well as he played in 2019-2021, and aside from the gaudy stats which speak for themselves, Munoz had plenty of room to grow.

This reporter has witnessed and documented the Munoz magic from day one.

Munoz has authored huge gains and dramatic TD passes with his scrambling ability, but Richie also had Brett Favre moments in which he’d attempt to force throws when there was nothing there.

And in those moments, he’s thrown more interceptions than he would have liked.

In 2022, his “take what the defense gives me” approach has resulted in 1,284 yards passing, 18 TD’s and just two picks.

Munoz started the Charter Oak version of his resume in style.

He threw for 370 yards and 5 Td’s in a 38-24 victory over the defending CIF-SS Division 10 champions from Northview.

And that remains the only loss the Vikings (5-1) have suffered thus far.

Munoz has a 65-percent completion ratio, and he can run for a first time when an opportunity arises.

In a number of conversations, Munoz deflected all of the credit heaped his way, and instead, wanted the praise to go to his offensive line and playmakers.

And without question, COHS isn’t 5-0 without every member of that program producing in some way, and just as important, the selflessness to accept their individual roles.

Zakkarii Black has been crucial during this run.

Black has carried the ball 50 times for 295 yards and has three rushing TD’s.

Black also has a team-high 15 receptions for 234 yards, and three TD’s.

Jayden Alexander (12 catches for 240 yards & three TD’s), Solomon Davis (13-178 & four TD’s), Nathan Alvarado (12-207 & four TD’s), Isaiah Johnson (12-175 & two TD’s) and Jacob Hernandez (12-175, 1 TD) make up arguably the SGV area’s deepest receiving corps.

The ability to run the ball, and the number of playmakers at receiver, makes the Chargers a difficult team to defend.

Perhaps no one is more responsible for Richie’s success than Evan Walls, Jason Licea, Nathan Ledesma, Drelen Baxter, and Andrew Avila, who make up the Chargers offensive line.

As mentioned above, the Charter Oak defense allows an average of 15 points per game.

They are led by Jacob Herrera, who has a team-high 31 tackles.

Makhi Hatch has tallied 28 tackles, and Langston Taylor has 19.

Mubarak Odubiyi has been a key contributor with 18 tackles, and the COHS senior has half of the Chargers six sacks.

Ok, so back to Munoz.

All of the blood, sweat and tears that Richie has shed has allowed Munoz to attend and play for Weber State in 2023.

If his humility, on-the-field prowess, always wanting to learn and willingness to do whatever it takes to make himself a better player tomorrow than he was today doesn’t impress you, finishing the last term with a 4.0 GPA should.

His teammates love him, because he’s not just a great competitor who works his ass off, Richie Munoz is also a terrific young man.

Munoz gives all the credit for his values and work ethic to his parents, Nancy and Richard Munoz.

He also said that his unconditional devotion to God has given him the faith needed to take on life’s most challenging moments.

At the bottom of the story, there are video interviews with Coach Dominic Farrar, Zakkarii Black, Solomon Davis and Munoz himself.

Lastly, I asked Munoz to touch on the following topics: What were some positive moments during the three years at La Salle? How was he welcomed at COHS? Was he guaranteed the QB job? What are the contributions of his teammates that have made this remarkable start possible?

Said Richie Munoz: “After our family moved, La Salle was just going to be too far of a daily drive. Every memory for me at La Salle was a great memory. I was blessed to be able to go there and create great relationships and be mentored by a great coach like Ben Buys. I will always root for my old teammates! I was welcomed with open arms by the players, coaches, and teachers at COHS. I already knew a few people, but even those I didn’t treated me so well. The seniors who were going to graduate introduced themselves to me and told me I could ask them for help, and they’ve been supportive throughout my time here. I was not guaranteed the starting job, just as it was at La Salle. I had to work hard like everyone else to earn my spot. The reason we’re having so much success so far is because we all truly want to be great, and we work hard every day to make sure we’re always take forward steps. We believe in each other and when someone is having a bad game, we make ourselves available to each other to talk things out. Evan Walls, Jason Licea, Nathan Ledesma, Drelen Baxter, and Andrew Avila, my lineman, are all super hard workers and amazing protectors. I want to say thank you to each and every one of them for always having my back, and I promise you I will always have all of yours!

Yes, my running back (Black) has had a lot of success. He is not only the lead rusher, but he’s also the leader in receiving yardage, which shows how dynamic he is.I have the utmost confidence in all my receivers, but I’d say that Solomon Davis is my go-to guy, who is not only a baller at receiver, but is a compete lock down defensive back.There is a reason that he’s a University of Arizona commit, because he is a man amongst boys, Nathan Alvarado runs the best routes, and he’s always dependable and I know he will always make sure to get open. Jayden Alexander is a phenomenal receiver. He’s fast and explosive and you need to make sure there is a safety over the top of him, because he will run right by you. Isaiah Johnson is so good. He’s the guy where if you want someone to go up top and get it, you give it to him, Last but not least is Jacob Hernandez, who is the guy you want to give him the ball in space, because he will make people miss and he has a very high football IQ. He knows when to sit in the holes, as you can see this is why we score so many points. We’re lucky enough to have so many athletes, and you can’t guard all of them.”

Richie Munoz’s Career Stats:
2019: (La Salle): 163-287, 2,626, 30 TD’s, 11 Int; 31 rushes-135, 1TD
2020: (La Salle): 78-131, 1,329, 19 TD’s, 5 Int; 39-248, 2 rush TD’s
2021: (La Salle): 156-291, 2,138, 22 TD’s, 12 Int; 48-413, 4 Rush TD’s
2022: (COHS): 75-of-116, 1,284 yards, 18 TD’s, 2 Int; 5 carries for 31 yards, 1 TD
Career passing totals: 472-825, 7,377, 69 TD’s, 30 Int, 59-percent completion ratio
Career rushing totals: 123 carries for 827, 8 TD’s

Rushing Leader:
Zakkarii Black 50-295, 3 TD’s

Receiving Leaders:
Solomon Davis: 13-for-170, 4 TD’s
Nathan Alvarado: 12-207, 4 TD’s
Zakkarii Black: 15-234, 3 TD’s
Jayden Alexander: 14-240, 3 TD’s
Jacob Hernandez: 12-175, 1 TD
Isaiah Johnson: 12-175, 2 TD’s

Defensive Leaders:
Jacob Herrera: 31 tackles
Makhi Hatch: 28 tackles
Langston Taylor: 19 tackles
Mubarak Odubiyi: 18 tackles & half of the Chargers six sacks.

2022 Charter Oak Schedule/Results:
8/25: COHS 38, Northview 24
9/2: COHS 37, Glendora 7
9/9: COHS 16, Chino Hills 15
9/17: COHS 55, South Hills 7
9/23: COHS 34, West Covina 21
9/29: COHS at Los Altos
10/7: Marina at COHS
10/14: COHS at Ayala
10/21: Bonita at COHS
10/27: Alta Loma at COHS

Team Records:
2019: La Salle (6-5)
2020: La Salle (3-2)
2021: La Salle (1-8)
2022: Charter Oak (5-0)