Righetti's Tony Payne has been named the Santa Maria Times' All-Area Coach of the Year.
Now, in January, that may not seem like too big a surprise.
But, back in November, the odds of Payne being named the All-Area Coach of the Year for the second time in his coaching career seemed incredibly low.Â
Photos: Righetti takes on Sacred Heart Prep
Head Coach Tony holdingh the CIF 5-A State Runner Up Trophy, Speaks to the Warriors
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The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship game Saturday.
Ryan Boivin (1) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Righetti's Ryan Boivin carries the ball during Saturday's game against the Sacred Heart Prep Gators.
Head Coach Tony Payne Speaks to the Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Head Coach Tony Payne Speaks to the Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Head Coach Tony Payne Receives the CIF State Division 5-A runner-up trophy on Dec. 11.Â
Bradley Spence (9) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Bradley Spence (9) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game.
Head Coach Tony Payne at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Head Coach Tony Payne at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
Head Coach Tony Payne at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Head Coach Tony Payne at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game.
at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Head Coach Tony Payne Speaks to the Warriors at the end of the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Righetti receives the CIF 5-A State Runner Up Trophy
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Head Coach Tony Payne Receives the CIF 5-A State Runner Up Trophy
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Righetti's Tony Payne receives the CIF 5-A State runner-up trophy Saturday.
Head Coach Tony Payne Receives the CIF 5-A State Runner Up Trophy
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Head Coach Tony holdingh the CIF 5-A State Runner Up Trophy, Speaks to the Warriors
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Righetti head coach Tony Payne holds the CIF 5-A State runner-up trophy after Saturday's 16-0 loss to Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton.
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Righetti's Elias Martinez runs with the ball during the CIF 5-A State championship game on Dec. 11. Martinez was one of the area's top defenders this season, picking off four passes at defensive back.Â
Elias Martinez (7) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elias Martinez (7) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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Elias Martinez (7) runs with the ball at the CIF 5-A State championship game Saturday.
Jacob Nelson (16) Makes a Tackle at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Abel Mccormack (13) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elroy Perez (12) tackles Andrew Latu (8) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. Elroy Perez (12) tackles Andrew Latu (8). The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elroy Perez (12) tackles Andrew Latu (8) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. Elroy Perez (12) tackles Andrew Latu (8). The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elias Martinez (7) and Cooper Bagby (6) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. Elias Martinez (7) runs with the ball with Cooper Bagby (6). The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elias Martinez (7) and Cooper Bagby (6) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. Elias Martinez (7) runs with the ball with Cooper Bagby (6). The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Hayden Baichtal (19) Tackles Andrew Latu (8) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. Hayden Baichtal (19) Tackles Andrew Latu (8) . The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Elroy Perez (12) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
The CIF 5-A State Championship Trophies
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Hayden Baichtal (19) tackles Andrew Latu (8) at the CIF 5-A State Championship Game
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ATHERTON, CA. December 11, 2021. The Righetti High Warriors fell to the Sacred Heart Prep Gators 16-0 in the CIF 5-A State championship. Photo by Bob Dahlberg, @bobd_photo.
Photos: Righetti captures city's first CIF football title
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Righetti’s Elias Martinez shows the ball he caught for a touchdown as Liberty’s Mitchell Sano defends during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final. The Warriors play at Northwood in Irvine on Saturday night in the CIF State playoffs.
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Righetti’s Brian Monighetti returns an interception of a Liberty pass for the Warriors’ first touchdown during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final. Monighetti and the Warriors play at Atherton Sacred Heart Prep Saturday at 1 p.m. in the CIF State Division 5-A bowl game.
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Righetti’s Ryan Boivin scores against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday with a 34-7 win over Madera Liberty.
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Righetti players dump ice water on Coach Tony Payne as the clock runs out during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Abel McCormack tries to convert on fourth down even though he lost his helmet against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final.
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Righetti players and Coach Tony Payne celebrate after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26.
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Righetti’s Elias Martinez runs after catching a pass against Liberty’s Dominic Castaneda (23) and Mitchell Sano (8) during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26.
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Righetti’s Zachary Monighetti stops Liberty’s Abraham Jauregui during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Abel McCormack passes against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26.
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Righetti’s Elroy Perez, left, knocks away a pass to Liberty’s Dante Ciritella during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti takes the field against Liberty for the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26. The Warriors play at Atherton Sacred Heart Prep Saturday afternoon.
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Righetti players celebrate a Warrior touchdown against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Ryan Boivin runs past Liberty’s Caleb Sisco during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Alex Magallon kicks an extra point against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Elias Martinez catches a pass in front of a Liberty player during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26.
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Righetti vs Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti cheerleaders high kick after a Warrior touchdown against Liberty during the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti’s Ryan Boivin celebrates after the Warriors beat Liberty to win the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26. Boivin has helped deliver the Warriors the program's first CIF championship and an appearance in a state title game.
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Righetti Coach Tony Payne holds the championship plaque as the team celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final Friday.
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Righetti celebrates after winning the CIF Central Section Division 5 final on Nov. 26 with a 34-7 win over Madera Liberty.