Last September, Victor Valley High School began construction on a new weight room on campus.
Having such a weight room available throughout the offseason has paid off for the program, including for some of its top returnees, running back Victor Villa and wide receiver Nikolas Blocker, who have both gained at least 20 pounds of muscle.
“The kids have been working hard. The new weight room has certainly helped the kids transform their bodies,” said Victor Valley head coach Robert Kistner.
Kistner is entering his third season as head coach of the Jackrabbits, but it feels like only his second after taking over the program in July 2022.
Slowly but surely, Kistner and his coaching staff realized that the puzzle pieces fit together.
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“Culture determines what your team is,” Kistner said. “There’s been a real culture change here. It’s about coming to practice every day, it’s about grades, it’s about how you conduct yourself on and off the field, it’s about doing the right thing. I’ve seen big improvements in those things. It’s about doing your job and doing your one of 11 tasks.”
Jayshaun Stone, a two-time All-Desert Sky League First Team lineman, believes a full offseason in a “state-of-the-art weight room” will pay off for the entire team.
“The new weight room is very nice because before we trained in a small, hot room and had to share the (45-pound weight plates). With our state-of-the-art weight room, we don’t have to do that anymore.”
Stone spent countless hours in the weight room.
“I just always work hard and try to help others when they need help,” Stone said. “I feel like everything is on me. If we lose, it’s all on me because I feel the responsibility to help everyone learn their spots and be the stronger one.”
A hard lesson learned
Victor Valley’s 2023 season ended with a 50-48 loss to Western Christian in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 12 playoffs.
It was a wild game that saw a total of 46 points scored in the fourth quarter and seven lead changes.
The Jackrabbits trailed by three points with three minutes left, but then took a 48-44 lead on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Middlebrooks to Jayshawn Clark.
But there was too much time on the clock and Western Christian managed a 65-yard lead to take a 50-48 lead with four seconds left.
Victor Valley attempted a 47-yard field goal attempt, but failed to complete the kick after a failed snap, ending the season.
The combination of Blocker, Villa and Stone certainly remembers this game. Stone in particular is using that memory to help the Jackrabbits as the upcoming season officially begins.
“We played hard and were 21 points ahead. And then everything started to fall apart,” Stone recalls. “That motivates me a lot because I believe we can be a lot better than everyone thinks. I believe if we just work hard and try hard enough, we could end up being the best in the league.”
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2,500 yards between Villa and Blocker?
Football is the ultimate team sport, but between two friends who play on the same offense, there is a personal goal that each of them wants to accomplish this season.
Both Blocker and Villa want to reach over 1,000 yards this season.
Villa in particular says his goal is over 1,200 rushing yards.
“You have to work hard to be great. I have to work hard this year to get at least 1,200 yards,” Villa said.
Blocker is convinced that Villa can do it. Villa knows that Blocker can easily achieve his own goal.
“Vic, this is my buddy. He and I have been making progress in the weight room this offseason,” Blocker said. “It’s great to have a running back like that who can also help me block to achieve my personal goal.”
Blocker hopes for a 1,300-yard season as a slot receiver.
“I feel good this year. I’m excited to get the ball this year,” Blocker said. “I’ve improved in the weight room. I’ve gotten faster on the field. I’m more confident this year that I can do it.”
Victor Valley High School Football Schedule 2024
- Fri. Aug. 23 – Victor Valley in Montclair, 7 p.m.
- Fri. 30 Aug. – Victor Valley in Rialto, 7pm
- Thurs., Sept. 5 – Twentynine Palms in Victor Valley, 7:30 p.m.
- Fri. Sept. 13 – Apple Valley in Victor Valley, 7 p.m.
- Fri. 20 September – Victor Valley in Chaffey, 7pm
- Fri. Sept. 27 – Santa Ana in Victor Valley, 7 p.m.
- Fri. 11 Oct. – Victor Valley in Barstow, 7pm
- Fri. 18 Oct. – Granite Hills in Victor Valley, 7pm
- Thurs. 24 Oct. – Adelanto in Victor Valley, 7:30 pm
- Fri., Nov. 1 – Victor Valley in Silverado, 7 p.m.
