This story is part of our project with Media in Color and the Reynold’s Journalism Institute to give more coverage to local high school sports. Fill out this form if you are interested in seeing how you can help get your team more coverage.
The San Fernando Tigers are almost perfect for the 2023 season. This past Friday, they defeated the Van Nuys Wolfs (2-4) in a 48-0 rout to bring their record to 6-1 on the season.
Offensive tackle Ramon Jacobo led the team and earned the award of overall MVP. Quarterback Adrian Anguiano also did his part, earning the offensive MVP award while the defensive MVP went to David Alvarez.
Second-year head coach Charles Burnley is encouraged with the teams progress this year. Burnley’s highlight of the year so far is that the team has six wins as compared to the two from last year.
When asked what helped the team come back strong from the disappointing results of the past year, coach Burnley said they completely overhauled the team culture. He stressed to the players that they needed to “envision the program as a success.”
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares. 
Photo Credit: Yearbook photographers David Martinez and Ciana Mijares.
Director of football operations, Keith Steele, spotlighted the contributions of support staff, assistant coaches, alumni and parent supporters as a major factor in changing the culture of the program.
“I would say the support staff have been a highlight… The assistant coaches have been doing an incredible job.” A group of alumni went as far as buying an air conditioning unit for the coaches’ office.
Corina Warner, head of the parent committee and mother to offensive and defensive linesman, Brandon “Bam” Warner, highlighted the supportive family environment surrounding the program this year.
“I have inherited so many family sons. They probably don’t even know my name but they call me mom,” stated Warner.
The team will take all of that support into the next big challenge, Friday’s game against crosstown rivals, the Sylmar Spartans (4-3). The Tigers fell to the Spartans last year in a 12-28 loss but this is a new year and a new team.
Love reading about my alma mater. I live in Northern California. San Fernando for the most part has a strong football tradition.