CONCORD — Before every practice, Ygnacio Valley coach Rae Jackson Sr. holds a lecture with his football players. He teaches them about life skills, study habits, and personal development – a session he calls “chalk talk.”
Like a minister preaching to his congregation, Jackson is animated as he talks about things that have almost nothing to do with X’s and O’s. Waking up on time for school, respecting others on campus, and turning homework in on time were among Jackson’s talking points before a recent practice.
His hope is that if his players can garner wins away from the field, they will translate into victories on it. It’s one of the many things Jackson does to inspire a team that will enter this season seeking its first victory since October 2019.
YV’s run of 34 consecutive losses is the longest active streak in the state, according to Cal-Hi Sports.
“We just have to take it step by step, goal by goal,” Jackson said. “You start with that fundamental foundation, and then you build on it, and now they understand it. You can’t build a house without a foundation.”
YV players in the Class of 2024 went through their entire high school careers – which included the pandemic-shortened spring season in 2021 – without winning a game.
The clock is now ticking on four-year players such as all-league quarterback Fred Fine, tight end Dalton Gates, and defensive back Currency White.
The seniors could have quit football or transferred.
But they chose to stay, citing the bonds of brotherhood they’ve built through the tough times that will make victory that much sweeter if the day finally comes.
“A win would definitely mean more than I can explain,” Fine said. “The feeling of getting my first victory with this team. I know it’s coming, and I can feel it.”
Recent struggles aside, YV has a rich history of success dating to when the school opened in 1960. The ‘70s and ‘80s included future college and pro players such as Dave Zawatson, Mike Sullivan, and Chris Walsh, plus former Oregon coach and athletic director Mike Bellotti.
For years, the Concord school was an East Bay powerhouse.
But things changed.
A short walk from De La Salle, YV watched its neighbor become a regional heavyweight in the 1980s and a state and national power a short time later. DLS’s rise, coupled with schools such as nearby Northgate in Walnut Creek pulling in some of its student population, caused YV to begin to lose its footing on the football field.
When times were good, it was easy to figure out why.
“I think, first and foremost, there was a level of available coaches and players,” former Ygnacio Valley quarterback and school Hall of Famer Dan Hartwig said. “There was just a plethora of guys that wanted to go play high school sports at YV. When you put good coaching together with good athletes, quite often the outcome is going to be positive. You add a supportive administrative system and a supportive community, it’s huge.”
YV had a strong run under Tim Murphy. As the Concord school’s coach from 1996-2000, his teams won three league titles and the program’s first NCS crown. He was named the Contra Costa Times’ coach of the year in 1999 before leaving for Clovis East. He later became a highly successful coach at Clayton Valley Charter.
Mike Ivankovich led YV to its second NCS title, in 2005. But since 2012, the school has had just one winning season.
Jackson took over in 2022. He inherited a team coming off an 0-10 season.
The challenges inspired Jackson, who is also the school’s girls’ basketball coach. He sought to develop players and teach them the game.
“I had pride in the school, and everyone thought it was a laughingstock,” Jackson said. “So I felt like it was a need for me to show the kids how to win.”
Jackson understood the obstacles he faced.
Even now, Ygnacio Valley doesn’t have enough players to field a JV or freshman team, so the coaching staff is often tasked with teaching varsity newcomers how to play. The weight room and locker room are small and outdated, and on average, Ygnacio Valley has anywhere from 20 to 30 players each year, making it difficult to have depth.
At one point last season, Jackson was approached by the school’s administration to cut the 11-man program entirely and drop down to eight-man football.
“I told them, ‘No,'” Jackson said. “I knew we were going to be OK.”
According to Jackson, very few players have quit since he took over, which he believes is a testament to team culture.
But the players are not oblivious to what is being said.
“A whole bunch of people in my inner circle, including my own parents, always ask me, ‘Why don’t you go to a different school?’” Fine said. “But I just can’t bring myself to that because I know what we have here is what it takes to win and be great. I see that vision, so that’s why I want to be part of it.”
Gates added, “It’s a family. Family is all we got. Loyalty over everything. I’m loyal to my guys. They’re loyal to me, so that’s why I stay.”
The seniors aim to leave a legacy for future classes. YV has 10 underclassmen on its roster of 24 players – many of whom are expected to see plenty of playing time this season.
“I feel like my role is supposed to be like a mentor, an example for everybody else,” White said. “I am one of the leaders on the team, so I do take pride in helping everybody and trying to help the younger guys grow and learn.”
There is hope that this season’s team will do more than just end the streak.
Newcomers could help lead the way.
Kiminou Knox, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound transfer from Bishop O’Dowd, is slated to play on both the offensive and defensive line. El Cerrito transfer Jacari Gibson will add athleticism as a linebacker and as a running back.
“I feel really connected out here,” Knox said. “I just feel so close with everyone and that’s the real reason I’m here.”
Jackson isn’t looking too far into the future. While the coach hopes his team contends for a league championship, winning one game is something he has thought about all summer.
“If I get that monkey off my back … I’m just going to reflect,” Jackson said. “I’d probably start tearing up because of the hard work and the resilience these young men had. It’s going to be emotional for sure.”
