Familiar coach back with Buhach Colony football to help Thunder rebound from 0-10 season

The construction of Buhach Colony’s new $10 million on-campus football stadium will be in full view of the Thunder players as they practice just a few hundred feet away.

The school broke ground for the project in June and the stadium is set to open in September 2025.

Meanwhile, the coaches and players will be attempting to rebuild the foundation of the program after a season in which the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams combined to go 0-30.

That’s a tough year for any coach. Now imagine you were a first-year head coach like Buhach Colony’s Matt Granado.

“It’s always going to be a process,” Granado said. “It doesn’t matter if you go 10-0, 2-8, there’s always going to be room for improvement. Obviously our record last year wasn’t the greatest. Sometimes the best way to win is by failing. Going through adversity reveals the type of person you are, the type of kids that you have, the type of coaching staff or program that you want to have. We all went through it.”

The Thunder are looking to turn the page and have brought back former head coach Kevin Navarra as defensive coordinator.

“He’s a guy who brings energy,” Granado said. “His goal is be exhausted by the end of practice, give everything he had. He’s pushing the other coaches as well.”

There’s been an attitude adjustment in the program to make sure the players are all-in. The coaches have a tighter leash during practices, making sure drills are moving along more efficiently.

“Last year there was a lot of messing around,” said senior receiver and defensive back Gionni LaPlante. “A lot of the players were more focused on what was happening outside of the field rather than on the field. I think we have a more bought-in group this year.”

LaPlante was injured midway through last season and had to watch the rest of the winless season unfold from the sideline. It was tough watching his teammates struggling without being able to contribute, he said.

LaPlante said he know outside expectations aren’t high for the Thunder. He’s seen Central California Conference predictions on social media and has made them his wallpaper on his cellphone.

“I think they’re expecting us to do it again,” LaPlante said. “I think we’re the laughing stock of the league.”

LaPlante and his teammates know the only way to change it is on the field.

The Thunder are counting on junior Pedro Ramirez to help anchor the offensive and defensive lines. The coaching staff will try to find ways to get the ball in the hands of LaPlante and fellow playmaker Charles Peterson. Running back Isaiah Reed will shoulder the rushing attack.

“It was hard, losing every game,” Peterson said. “We tried to bounce back after each game but we couldn’t quite get there. It made us work harder every day. I feel people are more dedicated, holding people accountable this year. We’re trying to get better.”

Buhach Colony 2024 Schedule

Oct. 23 at Gregori

Oct. 30 vs Bullard

Sept. 6 vs Enochs

Sept. 13 at Ceres

Sept. 20 vs Lodi

Oct. 4 at Atwater

Oct. 11 vs Golden Valley

Oct. 18 at Los Banos

Oct. 25 vs El Capitan

Nov. 1 at Merced