Morgan Hill, CA – April 2025
In the off-season crucible known as the Nick Borello Lift-Off, three proud football programs—Sobrato, Wilcox, and Mountain View—met not under the Friday night lights, but under the barbell. Hosted by Sobrato High School, this annual weight room competition—now in its second year—gave players and coaches a public platform to test their offseason development and compete in the very environment where fall wins are forged.
“This is where it all starts,” said Sobrato head coach Joel Rueda, who played under Coach Borello, the man for whom the event is named. “All the success you have in the fall is built in the offseason. This event honors that grind.”
Format: Lifts, Divisions, and Medals
The Lift-Off features three events—bench press, power clean, and squat—with athletes divided into six weight classes to level the playing field. Each athlete’s best lift from each category is added together to form a total score, with the top three totals in each division earning medals (gold, silver, and bronze). Teams score points based on how many of their athletes medal. At the end of the day, the team with the highest combined point total takes home the coveted Team Championship Plaque.
“It’s competitive, but it’s also about respect,” said Rueda. “Lineman lifting with linemen. Skill guys with skill guys. It’s real iron sharpens iron stuff.”
Medalists by Division
Blue Division (120–139 lbs):
🥇 Kyre Brown (Wilcox, 615 lbs)
🥈 Mussamel Yousafzai (Sobrato, 460 lbs)
🥉 Jed Gamos (Mountain View, 455 lbs)Green Division (140–159 lbs):
🥇 Jeramiah Arevalos (Wilcox, 785 lbs)
🥈 Jaime Fernandez (Wilcox, 755 lbs)
🥉 Luis Velasco (Wilcox, 695 lbs)Red Division (160–179 lbs):
🥇 Rayan Daneshvar (Sobrato, 865 lbs)
🥈 Santino Barragan (Wilcox, 845 lbs)
🥉 Jayden Almond (Wilcox, 795 lbs)Yellow Division (180–199 lbs):
🥇 Landon Pinedo (Sobrato, 875 lbs)
🥈 Adolfo Carrasco (Wilcox, 845 lbs)
🥉 Ethan Vo (Mountain View, 795 lbs)Silver Division (200–219 lbs):
🥇 Joseph Paasi (Wilcox, 875 lbs)
🥈 Jacob Mutobe (Sobrato, 865 lbs)
🥉 Marcel Makins (Wilcox, 860 lbs)Orange Division (220+ lbs):
🥇 Jose Sanchez (Sobrato, 985 lbs)
🥈 Brandon Talbott (Sobrato, 895 lbs)
🥉 Brian Castillo (Wilcox, 885 lbs)
Wilcox: A Dynasty in Progress
The Wilcox Chargers came in fresh off a CCS Division 2 Championship and a narrow NorCal regional loss to Twelve Bridges (28–27) in one of the most controversial finishes of the 2024 postseason. But inside the weight room, their identity as a powerhouse was on full display.
From Joseph Paasi’s monstrous 875 lb total in Silver to Santino Barragan, Jayden Almond, and Brian Castillo’sconsistency across divisions, Wilcox dominated the medal tally.
“This is how you build chemistry,” said sophomore QB Kai Imahara, returning from injury. “Seeing guys hit PRs, lifting for each other—it builds leadership, energy. I’m just trying to lead 100 miles an hour.”
With young talent maturing and a team-wide commitment to iron, Wilcox looks like a repeat CCS contender, with legitimate CIF championship aspirations.
Sobrato: Strength in Culture
Host school Sobrato High proved it’s not just putting on the event—it’s owning it.
Junior Jacob Mutobe (865 lbs, Silver) and senior Jose Sanchez (event-high 985 lbs, Orange) led a strong Bulldog contingent that medaled in nearly every division.
“Compared to last year, we’re more locked in,” said Mutobe. “The weight room’s full. Everyone’s showing up. It proves we’re dedicated.”
Sophomore Brandon Talbott, who earned silver in the Orange Division, added:
“There might be fewer people this year, but the guys here are stronger. It shows how serious we are.”
Coming off a 7–3 season, including wins over Live Oak and Gilroy, the Bulldogs appear to be on the verge of a BVAL title run in 2025, powered by leadership, culture, and offseason buy-in.
Mountain View: Building from Within
The Spartans of Mountain View didn’t take home the team trophy, but they may have gained something more important: unity.
“We call the offseason the second season,” said Coach Kirk Jennings, defensive coordinator and leader of the strength program. “We use this time not just to lift, but to teach leadership, accountability, and build community. That’s what we’re seeing today.”
Eric Brito (800 lbs, Orange) and Liam Bice (690 lbs, Green) led the charge for a team that closed the 2024 season with a shutout win over Los Altos after a tough 0–6 start. If offseason energy continues, Mountain View could surprise in 2025.
Conclusion: Iron is Truth
Coach Rueda’s mission is clear: make the Lift-Off a cornerstone of Bay Area football culture.
“For most of these kids, the fall season is just three months. They’re putting in six, seven, eight months of work to be great. This event gives them something tangible to show for it.”
The 2025 Nick Borello Lift-Off wasn’t just about numbers—it was about intent, energy, and momentum. And from the feel of the iron and the fire in the room, all three schools walked away stronger.
