Dissa and Data: Rancho Cotate’s ‘Kiki’ Gomez had right to be on sideline against Montgomery

Questions over Enrike “Kiki” Gomez’s right to be on the sidelines of the Rancho Cotate Cougars’ boys soccer game against Montgomery High School Friday night appear settled.

Gomez could not play in Rancho’s 1-0 win against the Vikings because of a red card he was shown in the prior game against Santa Rosa. Questions emerged after the game whether Gomez was allowed to sit on the bench with teammates.

Per the North Coast Section constitution and the direction of North Bay League Commissioner Jan Smith Billing, a player cannot dress in uniform but can remain on the bench and “will remain the responsibility of school personnel.”

Montgomery rising

In other boys’ soccer news, Rancho Cotate boys soccer coach Eamon Kelly doesn’t want to see what kind of team the Montgomery Vikings will field in the next year or two.

The youthful Vikings - five sophomores and two freshmen get regular playing time - gave Kelly’s North Bay League defending champ Cougars all they could handle Friday before Rancho won 1-0.

“I wouldn’t like to face them in the next year,” he said after the game. “I might retire.”

Petaluma opening

Petaluma High School is accepting applications for the job of head swim coach. Those interested should contact athletic director Kathryn Teeter at kteeter@petk12.org.

Straight A’s in chemistry

The undefeated Santa Rosa boys soccer team will be trying to improve its record to 9-0-1 tonight at home against Maria Carrillo. At 3-0 in league play after Monday’s 3-0 win against Cardinal Newman, Panthers coach Antonio Garcia said the success is all about team chemistry.

“The guys enjoy being around one another,” he said. “They all have great attitudes and are committed to the team.”

The football workout

Curtis Johnson has been sort of a basketball prodigy at Windsor. A four-year varsity contributor and multiyear starter, Johnson can shoot and rebound, and is a natural athlete.

How natural? Almost on a whim, he decided to go out for football this year, playing high school ball for the first time. And he had a superb “rookie” year as a wide receiver, leading the Jaguars with 39 receptions, 710 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.

Several prominent Empire basketball players got hurt during the football season, such as Cardinal Newman’s Connor Rubattino and Damien Wallace. Johnson not only avoided serious injury, he may have emerged as a more versatile weapon on the court.

“I think it made him a better basketball player,” Windsor football coach Tom Kirkpatrick said. “He got stronger.”

McMillan biding his time

Former Cloverdale basketball player John McMillan, who made the small school All-Empire first team last season, is attending Santa Rosa JC but not playing on the Bear Cubs team.

The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter is practicing with the squad every day but not using one of his years of college eligibility. His father, Craig, coaches the Bear Cubs.

“I think it was a smart move sitting out this season,” McMillan’s high school coach Steve Bernardi said. “Practicing against good competition and getting coaching from his dad will help him a lot.

“John has a lot of athletic ability and has a great work ethic.” He averaged 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds his senior year at Cloverdale.

There’s still a McMillan playing for the Eagles. That would be John’s brother Jayson. He’s a 6-foot-6 junior. Tuesday night, he scored a game-high 16 as the Eagles defeated Middletown, 61-50, and improved their record to 12-3.

Aguilar’s hard work

Healdsburg boys basketball coach Nick Galvan was smiling when it was announced Juan Aguilar had been selected most valuable player in last month’s Skip Cassidy Classic at El Molino.

“Through hard work his game has gotten to the next level,” Galvan said. “This summer, he wanted to be in the gym every day practicing. He’s turned out to be a very good rebounder and scorer. The 6-foot-4 junior is averaging 10.7 boards per game to go along with 12.5 points.

The Greyhounds won the Cassidy by defeating Castlemont, 49-40, in the finals.

Kerry Benefield, Phil Barber and Howard Senzell contributed to this report.