Large numbers aren't a problem with the Santa Paula High football program.

Fifty-five upperclassmen are on the roster that first-year coach Teohua Sanchez inherits for the 2008 season.

It's the small number of non-roster players that has Sanchez's attention.

The history teacher sees them walking around the campus every day. For either academic or other reasons, they're not active in Santa Paula athletic events.

"There are always going to be four or five great athletes at this school," said Sanchez. "Whether or not they will participate is the question.

"We need to change the attitude of the culture on campus. We need to get them eligible academically and participating in athletics."

That is not the only attitude adjustment that Sanchez wants to make.

Changing the football program's mind-set after six consecutive losing seasons.

After tying the school record with nine wins in 2000 and winning the 2001 Frontier League title, Santa Paula has struggled against loaded schedules and a move to the Tri-Valley League, one of the toughest small schools football leagues in Southern California. Santa Paula has lost 21 consecutive league games.

Sanchez has seen how a program can turn around.

As a sophomore quarterback, Sanchez was on a 4-6 St. Bonaventure team that had its seventh losing season in eight years.

Before Sanchez's junior season in 1995, then-St. Bonaventure coach Jon Mack hired Tim Gutierrez as the offense coordinator.

"Tim brought in a new offense with one back and four wideouts," said Sanchez. "Not many schools were using it."

In 1996, St. Bonaventure won the Division X title with a 12-1-1 record as Sanchez completed 265 of 385 passes for 3,072 yards and 29 TDs.

Sanchez has no illusions of replicating that kind of turnaround at Santa Paula. Not right away, at least.

"We're a rebuilding program," he said. "We need to start from ground zero."

The Santa Paula coach gave each of his players a list of 10 goals to put in their personal folders. Goals have been placed in the locker room and weight room as daily reminders.

One major change in league demographics should help Santa Paula achieve goals.

Santa Paula and Grace Brethren, the bottom two teams of the Tri-Valley League the last two seasons, have exchanged leagues with Santa Clara and Bishop Diego, the top two Frontier League teams in 2006 and 2007, for the 2008 and 2009 seasons as part of the Tri-Counties Athletic Association's goal to achieve competitive equity.

"Just because we are coming from the Tri-Valley doesn't mean we will automatically be one of the top teams in the Frontier League," said Sanchez.

"I want our players to understand that the rest of the Frontier teams have the same goal of winning the league.

"Football is football. If you want to be a champion, you have to practice like a champion. They have to be conditioned. We have to be disciplined. We need to finish plays, finish drives and finish games."

Along with a number of athletes expected to transfer to Santa Paula for the next school year, Sanchez will have a good base to start.

Near the top of Sanchez's objectives is placing the athletes in the best positions to help the team.

"If they get in for only five or 10 plays and make a difference, that will be crucial."

There is a broader vision beyond the football field that is deep in his thoughts.

"What is important to me is that they all graduate and continue their education, whether it is college or a trade school," said Sanchez.

"I want to make sure that they're taking the right classes and keeping up their grades.

"There are a lot of kids at Santa Paula with tons of potential."

— Derry Eads' e-mail address is deads@VenturaCountyStar.com