Q&A with Central East senior linebacker Juan Ochoa about state title game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Juan Ochoa, senior linebacker, anchors Central East defense and drives state return
- Bengals emphasize discipline, tighter bond and execution of small plays
- Team treats title game as unfinished business, pursuing CIF Division I‑A state crown
Juan Ochoa is a senior linebacker for the Central East Bengals.
Ochoa is one of the leaders on defense. He made plays for the Bengals this season and helped Central East to the CIF Division I-A state championship against Pacifica-Oxnard.
Ochoa has 100 tackles and two interceptions this season.
The Bee caught up with Ochoa for a Q&A to get his thoughts on the Bengals and the state title game.
The state title game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo .
The Bengals faced Edison-Huntington Beach last season and lost in the championship game.
Question: What does it mean to get back to the state championship again?
Ochoa’s answer: We just got something to prove. Last year we didn’t take it home. We could have, but we fell short. So I think this means a lot getting back there and showing them what we’re really about.
Q: Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. Does that add a motivation for you guys to come out on top this year?
A: Yes sir. That’s motivation right there. Seeing my brothers losing last year, seeing the look on their faces, it’s just driving me more and more this year to get back to it. We got to take it this year. Yes sir.
Q: OK, you touched on it. What did you guys learn about that game?
A: We learned from that game that all the little things matter because at the end of that game, a whole bunch of little things that didn’t go our way could have been a big, a big thing for the game, like catches, tackles and all that stuff. So we learned that we have to do the little things right in order to win.
Q: All right, what’s the biggest difference about this team, the makeup of this team?
A: I wouldn’t say there’s much of a difference, but I’d say it’s just more of a bond. Yes, sir. Last year’s team, more of us were in more groups, but we all stood as brothers. This year I feel like we’re closer and we all really bond together and we really love each other as a team.
Q: OK, what did you learn from Coach (Kyle) Biggs?
A: Coach B just taught me how to be a leader. He taught me it’s more than just football. It’s a family, it’s a brotherhood, he taught me a lot of things in life. Man, it’s taught me how to be disciplined. It’s taught me many ways of life. Football is going to lead to a lot of things like whether it’s a job or something (and) being disciplined.
Q: Winning a Central Section title is one thing, but winning the state is another. Is that the mentality you guys are taking this week?
A: The mentality we’re taking into this game, we haven’t won anything yet. We’re going, from the start, from the get-go. That’s all we’re coming for here (to win state).
Q: Where are you headed to next year?
A: Next year, for me, I think it’s Fresno City.
