San Marcos begins new era under energetic and eager head coach Isaiah Veal

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - Isaiah Veal reached great heights as a high school wide receiver for Bishop Diego, helping the Cardinals win a CIF-State title in 2017.

Now he will try and build up a San Marcos program that has not won a CIF-Southern Section playoff game in over 20 years.

The former College of Idaho receiver is excited for the challenge but knows success won't happen overnight.

"We are loving every single day," smiled Veal. "Just developing the boys and ourselves as staff members, yeah we are just having a great time. It's not going to be an easy job. I won't say we are starting from scratch but we have a lot of first time players."

(Veal is a first-time head coach but he was an assistant coach for several years at Bishop Diego. Entenza Design).

Veal knows he is fortunate to inherit a senior quarterback in Hayden Feleay who has a strong arm.

"Having a senior quarterback goes a long way in terms of just knowing the guys on the team and I think him just wanting to see a real change in the program and so he helps lead that charge for us."

"The energy, the love and the care for the game and care for us is a whole different ballgame," said Feleay.

The senior quarterback has a couple of fellow seniors that he will count on to make splash plays in wide receiver Isaac Murillo and running back Tommy Diaz.

(Senior Tommy Diaz will be the featured running back. Entenza Design).

"Hayden has a huge arm," said Diaz. "He can throw the ball, that will be fun to see."

The Royals plan to have an uptempo offensive attack.

San Marcos does not have a lot of depth as their varsity numbers are down but they have plenty of excitement heading into Friday's opener versus Dana Hills.