Lompoc Football a Lasting Tradition of Success
LOMPOC, Calif. – Motorists driving into Lompoc are greeted by a roadway sign that says proclaims it, “The City of Arts and Flowers.” However, many in this northern Santa Barbara city might argue official city slogan is lacking another key description.
“When people start talking about Lompoc, the first thing that comes out of their mind is football,” said Andrew Jone, head coach of the Lompoc High School football team.
While art and flowers are very important here. so too is football, because this city has a passion for the game that’s arguably unrivaled on the Central Coast.
“It’s just who we are and who the community is,” said Dick Barrett, former Lompoc High School head coach and athletic director. “We’re not zero unemployment rate, we’re not all millionaires in this town and i think it means a lot and it does make the community very proud.”
No one knows Lompoc football better than Jones. The Lompoc native grew up in this city hoping to one day suit up for the Braves. Not only did he do that, he led the team to the CIF championship during his senior season in 2002. Several years later, as head coach, he guided the team to the 2010 and 2011 titles.
“You just kind of grow up in this town wanting to be a Brave and on Friday nights in the fall, you’re at Huyck Stadium,” said Jones.
Over the years, the Braves have captured 5 CIF-Southern Section championships, have appeared in 13 title games and have won league 27 times.
“Our expectations are high. It’s championship or bust for us, that’s what we’re trying to get,” said Jones.
Those around the program say there’s one vital reason the school is a perennial powerhouse.
“It’s that tradition from the past,” said Barrett, who led the Braves to the programs first ever CIF championship in 1990. “The kids realize it and the city realizes it with the turnouts we have here and the number of kids that want to try and play Lompoc football.”
Jones says what the team is able to accomplish annually is even more amazing when you consider the modest size of Lompoc High School, which is just over 1300 students, as well as size differences against larger schools.
“I don’t know really what it is, but there’s something about Lompoc kids, the toughness inside of them, we just play hard-nosed football.”
Through the decades, the Braves rich history has produced a legacy that’s continues on without interruption, producing CIF champions, college stars and NFL players. Most notably, Napoleon Kaufman, the University of Washington and Oakland Raiders star, who wore the Lompoc blue and white during his record setting prep career that culminated with a CIF title in 1990.
“He was a bonafide superstar and that brought people out to the games and he meant a lot to ticket sales, I’ll tell you that. I’ve talked to so many people over the years since the people just wanted to see this guy,” said Barrett, who coached Kaufman while at Lompoc.
Jones says he is working on setting up a future home-and-home series with Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, where Kaufman is now the head coach.
While Kaufman is the most famous player to suit up for Lompoc, he shares a common trait with the hundreds of others who have played for the team. They all shared a love for the game and a desire to be part of a tradition like few others on the Central Coast, the proud legacy that is Lompoc football.
