2026 prep football team previews: Calipatria Hornets

CALIPATRIA, Calif. (KYMA) - After an up-and-down 2025 season, the Calipatria Hornets are looking to turn the page under new leadership.

Ray Vandiver, who spent the last 16 years as an assistant coach at Brawley Union High School, has taken over as Calipatria's head football coach with a focus that extends beyond wins and losses.

His goal is to build a culture rooted in consistency, accountability and character while helping return the Hornets to playoff contention.

The transition from Brawley to Calipatria has brought a new set of challenges. With a student enrollment of roughly 360, compared to Brawley's nearly 2,000 students, Vandiver said many of his players are experiencing organized football for the first time due to the area's limited youth football opportunities.

Despite those challenges, the Hornets have experienced leaders to help guide the program.

Senior running back and inside linebacker Sebastyan Lopez, who averaged more than 100 rushing yards per game last season, hopes to use his experience to encourage the team's younger players.

"I just want to show the underclassmen, if I could do it as a sophomore on varsity, as long as you're willing to put the work in, it's there for anybody," Lopez said.

Senior captain Jordan Hickingbottom, who was also part of Calipatria's CIF Division 5-AA state championship team in 2024, believes this year's squad has the talent and determination to compete.

"We got some hard hitters coming out," Hickingbottom said. "There's some kids out here that have a lot of heart. We got some fast running backs, all kinds of stuff. It's going to be a crazy season."

After finishing 4-6 last season and falling in the opening round of the Division 5-AA playoffs, the Hornets are emphasizing accountability and leadership heading into the new campaign.

Lopez admitted he could have done more as a leader a year ago and is committed to setting a higher standard for both himself and his teammates.

The team's close-knit chemistry has also become one of its biggest strengths, with many players growing up together since elementary and middle school.

For Vandiver, success this season isn't measured solely by victories. He wants to leave the program stronger than he found it by creating a foundation future generations of Hornets can build upon.

If Calipatria can translate that culture into results on Friday nights, the Hornets believe they have what it takes to return to playoff contention and begin writing the next successful chapter in the program's history.