25 Jul Pittsburg Pirates Confident as Football Training Camp Opens

Story and photos by Juan Cebreiros

With most of their core players returning to the team for its 100th football season, the Pittsburg Pirates are poised to achieve something that has eluded the program in recent history despite their success: a state championship.  

Pittsburg has made the Northern California Championship Bowl Game each of the past three seasons and reached the state championship once. However, head coach Charlie Ramirez said he believes the surplus of returning players will be key in their state title run this year.

“The matchups that we have had in those big games, it’s just been one of those things where we got the short end of the stick,” Ramirez said. “We’re losing to the top of the top, so this is a matter of having the matchups in our favor. Hopefully, we’ll be able to have that this year.”

In recent years, Pittsburg has had a loaded preseason schedule against some of the most notable playoff schools up and down the state. On Sept. 20, the Pirates will head south to battle national football powerhouse St. John Bosco. Ramirez said one of the things he took into consideration when scheduling this game was to get his players accustomed to traveling long distances so they are prepared come playoff time.  

“Bosco, they’re elite; they’re a national powerhouse,” Ramirez said. “That’s where we’re trying to get, but also you need everything that comes along with it, which is a competition and traveling experience.”

Ramirez added that, originally, the Pirates were trying to schedule a game against Kahuku High School in Hawaii, but both districts had difficulties with the planning. Thus opened the opportunity for Pittsburg to play St. John Bosco. 

The Pirates have dominated their Bay Valley Athletic League opponents over the last five seasons, winning league titles in each and not losing a league game since 2018 against Liberty High’s state championship team.  

While Ramirez acknowledges his team’s success against league opponents, his way of keeping players motivated during those games have been a big part of the Pirates success.

 “Our expectation is that when we start subbing guys in blowouts, there shouldn’t be any drop off,” Ramirez said. “We got to make sure everyone’s trying to compete and it really starts in practice, how we carry ourselves and how we’re competing week to week.”

Returning as starting quarterback for the Pirates is Marley Alcantara who threw for 2,675 yards and 37 touchdowns last season and won BVAL Offensive Player of the Year during Pittsburg’s undefeated regular season.

“He’s always had that knack that elite quarterbacks have to push themselves and everyone around,” Ramirez said. “Having that level of humility he has is infectious.” 

The expectations Ramirez has for Pittsburg are high this season and he believes that this can be the season his team can make the jump from reaching the state title game to winning it.