Oak Ridge star will flex coaching muscles for South Optimist football All-Stars
Jasen Womack was ready for this swan song, this high school football last hurrah.
The Sacramento Bee’s Defensive Player of the Year out of Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills, Womack has embraced his jersey No. 19 as a member of the South Optimist All-Stars who will, on Saturday afternoon at Granite Bay High School, take on the North in the 66th Optimist Football Classic.
Then reality took a bite out of the fun. Womack will wear the jersey during the game, but he will not play.
There’s a reason freshly signed NCAA Division I scholarship football talents do not play in prep All-Star events. With a binding signature on a letter-of-intent, players in effect become the property of program they signed with. In Womack’s case, that’s Cal Poly of the Central Coast, a member of the Big Sky Conference.
So instead of breaking up passes, making tackles and, perhaps, taking a handoff or two on offense in a game designed for graduating senior stars, Womack has become a quasi-coach of sorts. He has in practices offered insight to his fellow South All-Stars. He coaches players up, offers wisdom, insight and encouragement.
The North is coached by co-coaches John Heffernan of Elk Grove High and Casey Taylor of Oak Ridge, who used Womack all over the field as a four-year varsity impact player. Womack helped steer the Trojans to four consecutive CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title games at Hughes Stadium, and he goes down as one of the most talented and versatile players in program history.
He is every bit worthy of being an Optimist All-Star selection, but college coaches don’t want their incoming signed players to get injured.
“These guys are athletes, players, and it’s fun to help coach them, to be around them,” Womack said of his coaching role of late. “I wanted to play in the game, but I had a conversation with (Cal Poly coaches), and it’s a high-risk situation. I’m on scholarship. Cal Poly doesn’t want me to get hurt. But I want to be out there with the (South) players, so I’m helping out as a coach.”
Womack added, “I wish I was out there playing. I’ve been doing some punt returns in practices, having fun, getting the most out of it.”
What Womack has learned this week is what he already sensed. He would like to coach when his playing days are over.
Womack said he enjoys coaching the youth of El Dorado Hills in football camps, drills and games, including flag football. That his father, Josh Womack, has been a longtime area coach has led to this ambition, too.
“I come from a football family,” Womack said. “I really want to coach someday. I’d do it for the youth. Football can be great. I tell guys to be happy when you’re out there. Get your anger out on plays, and remember that it’s supposed to be fun playing football. I love the game. It’s a great sport. I want to help people get better, and I love coaching for the kids, the people, my community.”
On the football family feel, Womack’s younger brother, Justen Womack, has also performed big. He earned Bee All-Metro honors as a linebacker in 2025 and is expected to be a team leader in 2026.
Jasen Womack gave it his all in his final season with Oak Ridge. He led the Trojans in total touchdowns scored, including nine rushing, and he led the team in interceptions. He rushed for 616 yards, had 445 yards receiving and made plays on special teams to go with 80 tackles, four interceptions and four broken-up passes as one of the team captains.
The brothers are the best of friends, and they are the best of friends with their father. Womack said his mother, Jessica, is the “nice one” but gets his attention the rare time she raises her voice. The Womack brothers also compete for their grandfather, Don Womack, who lives in Oklahoma and made a living building things with his hands. He watched Oak Ridge games through the livestreaming NFHS Network.
“I play football for my team, my school, my family,” Womack said.
Womack will study kinesiology at Cal Poly, where his prep coach says “he will thrive” as a player.
“Jasen is versatile, a hard worker, loves the grind, and he has a knack for making big plays,” said Casey Taylor, the Oak Ridge coach. “He will be a great teammate and embrace his role. He can make an impact on special teams.”
Can Womack coach? Like, coach-coach?
“Yes, no doubt,” Taylor said. “He’s very knowledgeable, was a team leader, is patient, and a team guy. He can coach with me anytime.”
South stars of note
- The South will be quarterbacked by Ryder Trantham, who overcame injuries to power Rio Americano into the playoffs, including an opening-round victory over Vacaville, and Logan Wohlers, who was paramount in leading Rosemont of Sacramento to the playoffs.
- Monterey Trail offensive lineman leaders and Bee All-Metro performers Cyrus Cuffee and Henry Talakai lead the way in the trenches.
- Four-year varsity player and a three-time Bee All-Metro pick, Ryan Eddy of Laguna Creek will play halfback, catch passes and, perhaps, make stops on defense.
- Devion Corley of Pioneer of Woodland was a Bee All-Metro pick who plays all over the field, including receiver and special teams.
- Bee All-Metro kicker Kyle Boeker of Oak Ridge will offer booming kicks and field goals. His last-play field goal beat Grant in a section Division I semifinal.
Winter football fun
What: 66th Optimist All-Star Football Classic
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Granite Bay High School
Tickets: $10, sold by players or at the stadium
Why: Ticket sales help boost Camp Ross Relles for physically, economically and socially disadvantaged children.