For more than two decades, Cliff Farrar has led a team onto the field for the opening practice of the high school football season.

Not much changed in that regard on Monday.

But there were a few significant differences from the past.

Instead of wearing royal blue and gold, Farrar was wearing powder blue and black. Instead of yelling "Go Rangers," he was yelling "Go 'Dogs."

After 21 seasons as the head coach at Nordhoff High, Farrar has moved closer to the coast to take over the program at Buena High.

The Bulldogs kicked off Farrar's tenure in shorts, shirts, helmets and an extra bounce in their step on the turf field at Bulldog Stadium.

Aside from the new wardrobe and longer commute, the switch has been relatively smooth for the veteran Farrar.

"The setting is a little different and it's a lot cooler here," Farrar said as the marine layer rolled in after practice. "I am used to looking up and seeing the mountains in Ojai and it being hotter.

"But other than that, I thought the players responded really well. There is a lot of learning taking place."

Although he has a larger student body at his disposal, Farrar isn't altering his playing style. Buena will run the Wing-T offense with jet and rocket sweeps and a 3-5-3 defense just like Farrar's teams at Nordhoff.

"I even pulled out my practice plans from last year," Farrar said. "I am just readjusting them for the numbers. That has probably been the biggest adjustment getting used to the numbers. I had 32 on varsity last year. Here, I have 62."

Farrar brought three assistant coaches with him to Buena — Mike Rodriguez, Archie Jackson and Dave Andrews — who are familiar with Nordhoff's schemes.

"That has given us a real good jump-start because the four of us pretty much know what is going on offensively and defensively," Farrar said. "It is a big advantage, and the guys from here are good assistant coaches who are buying into the program and seem excited about running it."

Despite having just completed practice with six sets of conditioning drills, senior offensive lineman Trevor Payan wasn't complaining.

"In past years we were never very disciplined, but they are keeping us in line," Payan said. "If we push, they are pushing back. I am loving it and my teammates are loving it."

Unfortunately, the practice began on a solemn note with an update on the health of offensive line coach JD Probasco. The recent Buena graduate remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at UCLA Medical Center with a blood disorder.

"Everything you could want in a young coach he is willing to give," Farrar said. "He just loves Buena football. He is on the Wall of Fame in the office and is a true Bulldog. We are all praying for him."

Payan remembers butting heads with Probasco during his first season at Buena. But he has grown to consider him like an older brother.

"He took me under his wing and mentored me," Payan said. "I have never really had anybody I wanted to be like in my life, but he is like role model for me. He pushes me to do well in football and in the classroom."

Although Nordhoff is beginning a new era this season, there will still be a Farrar on the staff.

Cliff's son, Russell, is the defensive coordinator for new Nordhoff coach Tony Henney.

"He was going to coach with me, but then he moved back to Ojai," Cliff Farrar said. "It would be a long ways to travel to come down here when his alma mater is right there and his good friend is the head coach."

Farrar doesn't foresee any conflict of interest in rooting for his old and new programs.

"Both teams can win their league and win their division and be champions and it doesn't affect either one," Farrar said. "I might have been run out of town if I took the head job at a rival school. But this can work fine."

There is still one minor technological glitch that hasn't been worked out.

The answering machine at the Farrar house still ends with Farrar's wife, Roxanne, saying "Go Rangers."

"It's so old we can't figure out how to change it," Farrar said.