This past season, the Ridgeview football team showed clear growth and determination, taking a step forward from the previous year. While the team continues to build toward greater success, players like senior Eric “EJ” Ellis have played a major role in setting the tone for the program’s future.
Ellis described the season as “pretty good,” emphasizing the team’s improvement. “It was an improvement from last year… a big step forward from what we were building on,” he said. That progress was evident in competitive games, including a close matchup against Bakersfield High School. “Going toe to toe with BHS for most of the game,” Ellis said, stood out as a highlight. “I feel like we had a chance to really win the game.”
One of the biggest challenges Ellis faced this past year was overcoming adversity. After dealing with a knee injury, he worked his way back and took on a completely new role this season as quarterback. “It was really a big concern for most of the season,” he said. “This year I played QB, but usually I played DB.” Transitioning from defense to leading the offense required both mental and physical growth.
Despite those challenges, Ellis continued to improve throughout the season. “I definitely got smarter, faster, stronger,” he said. His ability to adapt and stay focused helped him push through doubt, especially early in the season. “After the fourth game, when everybody was like, ‘Can you even play QB?’,” he recalled. Instead of letting that stop him, Ellis used it as motivation.
According to Coach Nathan Claunch, Ellis’s impact goes far beyond his performance on the field. “His effort level… the way he doesn’t give up on any play and finishes every play is top notch,” Claunch said. He also highlighted Ellis’s growth as a leader. “He’s matured a lot in his understanding of the game… he’s become a consummate leader.”
Ellis’s work ethic has made him stand out among his teammates. “He gives 100% all the time, pushing everyone around him and making the team better,” Claunch added. That leadership has influenced younger players, who now look up to him as a standard for success both on and off the field.
Team culture was a unique aspect this year for the team. Ellis believes what made this team different was their shared mindset. “Everybody actually wanted to win,” he said. “It wasn’t about ‘me, me, me’…everybody wanted to contribute and be a team.” That unity helped strengthen the team’s performance and build lasting connections, making this season memorable for Ellis.
As a senior, Ellis made it a priority to lead by example. “I want the underclassmen to look up to me… and try to be better than me,” he said. Whether it was through his work ethic or his ability to stay composed, Ellis focused on guiding the next generation of players.
Looking ahead, Ellis plans to attend Bakersfield College and continue his football career, with hopes of transferring to a larger program. In addition to football, he is interested in pursuing a career in sports physical therapy. “They helped me get back to 100 percent, so I want to give back to the sport that I love,” he said.
Through his journey, Ellis has learned valuable lessons about perseverance and responsibility. “Keep going, even if it doesn’t look for sure,” he said. His experience has shaped him not only as a player but as a leader prepared for the future.
The Ridgeview football team continues to build toward success, and players like EJ Ellis have helped lay the foundation. With his determination, leadership, and clear vision for the future, Ellis leaves behind a legacy that will continue to influence the program for years to come.
