In the ever increasingly cutthroat world of youth sports in 2026, the Wilcox High School football program continues to buck the trend year after year to remain one of the top public schools in the Central Coast Section. Similarly to how Little Leagues are more and more frequently losing players to year-round, pay-to-play travel ball programs, schools like Wilcox often lose top football players to nearby private schools. For example, this offseason, the first under long-time assistant Conor Dunn as head coach, Wilcox lost multiple players from last season’s roster.

Despite the fact that Wilcox has won numerous CCS Championships and CIF State Championships over the past 10 years under Paul Rosa, (who remains on staff in 2026 as offensive coordinator), Wilcox still regularly battles the notion of greater opportunity and stronger competition in divisions like the West Catholic Athletic League. It begs the question, after losing multiple football players from last year’s roster and potential freshman football players to other schools, does it surprise Coach Dunn that some Santa Clara football players don’t want to play for Wilcox? 

“It is surprising, and it isn’t. It’s surprising because it’s the first time it’s really happened to us [where we have lost three players],” remarked Coach Dunn. “But it is kind of the mindset of some high school athletes today of ‘I need to join this team or get with this guy’ to get the notoriety or validation or whatever it is.

“If guys are looking for those types of things, that’s not really who we are as a program. People know who we are. We’re not always going to be the most skilled, but we’re going to beat you because we’re the tougher and more physical team,” Dunn continued. “It takes players that are completely bought in to achieve that. If guys are more into statistics or graphics or whatever at other schools, those aren’t really Wilcox guys anyway.” 

A few of the key returners Coach Dunn is really excited about are tailback Elijah Vallejo, offensive tackle Martin Arreguin and defensive lineman Joseph Paasi. Vallejo was a huge producer on the ground for Wilcox in 2025, despite dealing with nagging injuries. Arreguin started on the offensive line and both he and Vallejo have drawn interest from schools at the next level. Paasi has shined all over the defense for Wilcox, from linebacker to defensive end, and he will start this season at defensive tackle. 

“Elijah has been on varsity with us since his sophomore year and he was a little banged up last year, wasn’t really at any point one-hundred percent himself,” acknowledged Dunn. “This year, he is healthy and you can see the difference already at practice and in seven-on-seven drills. He’s going to have a big year for us.” 

“Martin was a first-team All-League guy last year,” continued Dunn. “He is taking the bull by the horns this year; he is learning now how to even practice at a higher level. I think these guys are hungry to show they are deserving of the accolades. It has been really cool to see the level of intensity at practice thus far. Joseph Paasi, was honorable mention at the Mercury News for CCS. It’s his third year on varsity as well; he’s going to be a key part of our defense this year.”

Time will tell how this year will unfold for Wilcox, but it will begin with the Chargers playing their usual week-one opponent, the WCAL’s Valley Christian Warriors on Aug. 28.

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Wilcox Erases 14-0 Deficit, But Can’t Contain Wildcats