Football Tab 2023

Prep Football preview 2023

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Cover: Hilmar quarterback Caden Bailey, Hughson tackle Navi Arretche, Pitman quarterback Andrew Azevedo, Turlock lineman Logan Durkee and Denair quarterback Landen Borges.

Cover photo by Candy Padilla

TURLOCK bulldogs

team results

hughson huskies

Hughson High (13-2)

Aug. 19 Hughson 55 Sierra (Manteca) 15

Aug. 26 Hughson 41 Orestimba 28

Sept. 2 Hughson 52 Argonaut 13

Sept. 9 Summerville 23 Hughson 14

Sept. 16 Hughson 29 Escalon 14

Sept. 23 Hughson 41 Livingston 20

Sept. 29 Hughson 48 Modesto Christian 12

Oct. 7 Hughson 35 Riverbank 6

Oct. 14 Hilmar 49 Hughson 26

Oct. 28 Hughson 21 Ripon 19

Nov. 11 Hughson 35 Twelve Bridges (Lincoln) 34

Nov. 18 Hughson 21 Orestimba 17

Nov. 26 Hughson 14 Summerville 13

Dec. 2 Hughson 31 Ripon Christian 28

Dec. 10 Hughson 9 Muir (Pasadena) 6

hilmar yellow jackets

Hilmar High (7-4)

Aug. 19 Patterson 20 Hilmar 14

Aug. 26 Hilmar 21 Los Banos 7

Sept. 2 Sonora 28 Hilmar 20

Sept. 10 Palma 7 Hilmar 6

Sept. 16 Hilmar 35 Livingston 0

Sept. 23 Hilmar 34 Ripon 14

Sept. 30 Hilmar 21 Escalon 20

Oct. 14 Hilmar 49 Hughson 26

Oct. 21 Hilmar 49 Modesto Christian 8

Oct. 28 Hilmar 49 Riverbank 0

Nov. 11 Escalon 42 Hilmar 28

denair coyotes

Denair High (2-8)

Aug. 26 Modesto Christian 47 Denair 29

Sept. 2 Denair 45 Riverbank 0

Sept. 10 Washington (San Fran) 41 Denair 0

Sept. 16 Ripon Christian 49 Denair 7

Sept. 23 Gustine 12 Denair 6

Sept. 30 Le Grand 42 Denair 7

Oct. 7 Mariposa County 21 Denair 12

Oct. 14 Delhi 23 Denair 6

Oct. 21 Orestimba 44 Denair 14

Oct. 28 Denair 52 Waterford 39

TC Eagles return to the gridiron

BY CHRISTOPHER CORREA Turlock Journal

For the first time in over five years, the Eagles of Turlock Christian High School will be represented on the football field. In May, the school announced that their football program would be revived under the leadership of new head coach Michael McFadden.

“I get asked all the time if we’re going to have football,” athletic director Nicole Rodriguez told the Turlock Journal in May. “There’s a desire from our community, and our students really miss the Friday night lights. Football brings such a different spirit, excitement and atmosphere. So, we have an open hand with this to see where God leads the school.”

After initially aiming to field a big enough roster to play standard, 11-man football, the Eagles officially pivoted to 8-man competition on Aug. 4.

“We will be going to eight-man football this season and we will see after this year where we are at,” McFadden said in a statement. “I had to consider the safety and development of my players and build a program the

right way… My boys deserve a chance to play and develop. My kids are my main concern. We want to grow our numbers and program, but it has to be done the right way.”

McFadden is a native of Detroit with plenty of football experience under his belt. After graduating from Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan in 2007, where he was a star quarterback, McFadden played collegiately at Wayne State. Following a three-year stint as the school’s starting gunslinger, he went on to play in the Arena Football League and in Europe.

In terms of coaching, McFadden has held positions at El Capitan, Buhach Colony, Livingston, Delhi and Stone Ridge Christian high schools, as well as at Merced College. He hopes to implement an air-raid offense with the Eagles.

“I want this program to live up to our name, which is Turlock Christian,” said McFadden. “We want to represent God in the way we’re supposed to. In conjunction with that, we want to be a school that competes hard to win, but with class and dignity in everything that we do.”

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Turlock High Bulldogs

Bulldogs hungry for redemption in upcoming season

BY CHRISTOPHER CORREA Turlock Journal

To say that those within the Turlock High School football program are motivated heading into the new season may be an understatement. This year, the Bulldogs have over a dozen returning starters, and they all have their 0-24 loss to Oak Ridge in the semifinals of the SacJoaquin Section Division I playoffs fresh in their memories.

“After last year, they know what it takes to do it,” said head coach James Peterson. “We have seven players on both sides of the ball coming back, so they’ve all been there now. Now, I feel like they’re just in a whole new gear. We’re at a different stage of football than what we were at last year at this time.”

The hard work began almost immedi-

ately, as the players spent the remainder of the school year competing in other sports, hitting the weight room and participating in summer practices, most of which were scheduled during the hottest times of the day. And Peterson said that he has heard no complaints.

“I like this group,” he said. “There’s great athleticism here and they work hard. I like the fact that they’re all down for the cause so far and are putting in the necessary work. They’ve got it.”

Though the bulk of the team is back, there are still holes left by the dynamic duo of quarterback Cole Gilbert and running back J.T. Foreman II, who each graduated this summer.

Last season, Gilbert rewrote the history books, breaking the school’s singleseason passing record with 2,774 yards through the air enroute to first team All-

CCAL honors. Meanwhile, Foreman rushed for a team high 1,167 yards to win 2022 CCAL Offensive Player of the Year.

“We did graduate some of our top players. Our top receiver, tight end, running back and quarterback, but we feel like we have good guys to replace those guys,” Peterson said.

The one who will try to fill the void left by Gilbert under center is senior Vincent Gonzales. Standing at 5-foot-9, 165 lbs., Gonzales has seen limited action in the field, appearing in 11 games, and racking up 379 rushing yards and 143 passing yards.

“I’m just ready to do whatever I can to help my team win,” he said.

As for replacing Foreman, Peterson explained that they will be going running back by committee until somebody separates themselves from the pack.

“The thing about this year’s team is that we have depth at the skill positions. We have football smarts and just good, overall football players,” Peterson said. “We have speed everywhere on the field and intelligence everywhere on the field. But the biggest thing is leadership. These guys aren’t screwing around. They have good heads on their shoulders, so we just have to keep going and keep plugging away at this.

“We’re going to win this league this year,” he continued. “You’ve gotta go with the ‘Dogs if you want to see a winner, right? Why would you go into this not thinking you’re going to be the team? If you’re not trying to be number one, what are you doing? I’m excited to see these guys put it all together on the field and prove it.”

Aug. 25 vs Clovis West

Sep. 1 @ Central

Sep. 8 vs Folsom

Sep. 15 vs Clayton Valley Charter

Sep. 22 BYE

Sep. 28 @ Gregori

Oct. 6 vs Pitman

Oct. 13 @ Downey

Oct. 20 vs Modesto

Oct. 27 @ Enochs

2022 CCAL standings

0 Jeremiah Stine Jr. SB/DB, 5-10, 160

1 Owen Miller Sr. MLB, 5-10, 165

2 Vincent Gonzales Sr. QB 5-10, 165

3 Devon Lambert Sr. MLB 5-10, 165

4 Junior Silva Jr. DB/RB, 5-10, 175

5 Jeremiah Bertalotto Sr. WR/DB 5-10, 165

6 Elias Espinoza Jr. DB/WR 5-10, 175

7 Dayne Hart Jr. MLB/TE 5-10, 175

8 Ramone Villareal Sr. DB/WR, 6-2, 185

9 Isaiah Bertalotto Sr. WR/DB 5-9, 165

9 Colten Mauksch Jr. OLB/TE, 5-10, 175

capsule

Turlock Bulldogs

Stadium: Joe Debely Stadium

Head coach (career record):

James Peterson, 15th season (88-61)

2022 record: 8-5 overall, 4-1 CCAL

Last league title: 2020

Key departures: Cole Gilbert, QB; J.T. Foreman II, RB/DB; Peter Mello, WR/DB; Joshua Weatherbee, TE/LB, Logan Bankson, WR/DB

Key returners: Vincent Gonzales, Sr., QB; Andrew Johnson, Sr., WR/DB; Jeremiah Bertalotto, Sr., WR/DB; Isaiah Bertalotto, Sr., DB; Logan Durkee, Sr., OL/DL

Worth noting: The Bulldogs advanced to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals for the first time in the James Peterson era… Peterson led the Bulldogs to an 8-5 overall record in 2022. In 14 years with Peterson at the helm, the Bulldogs have had eight winning seasons. He now has a career coaching record of 88-61 and is continuing to close in on second all-time in wins list in the storied, 103-year history of the Turlock High football program. He trails Les Ratzlaff (106) and Joe Debely (117).

Valenzuela Jr. OLB, 6-1, 210

54 Jaxon Sahlstrom Sr. OL/DL, 6-3, 250

55 Time Sitala, Jr. Jr. OL/DL, 6-2, 280

57 Nicholas Garcia Sr. G 6-2, 250

58 Julian Rodriguez Jr. G/NG, 6-0, 265

62 Lester Stavrianoudakis Sr. DE, 6-1, 180

64 Brennon Hernandez Sr. G 6-2, 250

68 Luke Perkins Sr. DE, 5-9, 155

70 JP Nevarez Sr. OL/DE, 5-10, 185

71 Dylan Fontes Jr. OL/DL 6-2, 230

74 Nelson Lozano Sr. OL/DL 6-2, 300

75 Marcos Pernillo Jr. NG, 6-3, 250

76 Elijah Lancaster Jr. OL/DL 5-10, 200

77 Gavin Martinez Sr OL/DL 6-3, 275

78 Kristian Guerrero Sr. OL/DL 6-3, 275

79 Tristan Salado Jr. DL, 6-2, 300 80 Levi Cook Soph DE 6-2, 190

81 Shane Singh Sr. DB 5-10, 160 97 Max Covarrubias Sr. DE 6-0, 200

Team Overall League

1. Downey:

2. Turlock:

3. Gregori:

4. Enochs:

5. Pitman:

Pitman High Pride

Revitalized Pride ready to tackle new season

BY JOE CORTEZ Turlock Journal

Coming off a 2-8 season, Pitman head coach Eric Reza knew that a change in the program’s overall culture was needed.

It started during offseason workouts.

“I preached culture change the whole winter and spring,” said Reza, who owns a 5-14 career mark entering his third season as the Pride coach. “My expectations were really high, and it might be part of the reason our numbers aren’t so high.”

Entering the season, Pitman has just 36 players on its varsity roster. But Reza believes he has the right 36.

“During offseason workouts, I would tell them, ‘On Mondays we wear a white T-shirt,’” said Reza. “And then we’d have some guys show up in gray T-shirts. I’d tell them that they couldn’t wear gray, and they’d tell me that’s all they had. I’d say sorry, but we wear white. Several of them just sort of faded away, which is fine. But our culture is changing.”

While the color of a workout shirt may seem like a trivial matter, but to Reza it’s the first step in a longer process.

“In January, we opened up the weight room for workouts,” said Reza. “Attendance was voluntary, but we saw a lot of guys there, coming in the morning and working out for 45 minutes each day.”

Reza has even instituted yoga workouts for his team, with sessions conducted by the mother of 6-0, 240-pound lineman Kabir Taunk.

“Kabir’s mom comes and volunteers to teach yoga twice a week,” said Reza. “The kids are buying in. We just started, but I do see the camaraderie benefit of it. They’re embracing it.”

The Pride open the season Aug. 18 at Joe Debely Stadium against Central Valley (Ceres), then make the long trip to Elk Grove to take on Cosumnes Oaks Aug. 25. After that, Pitman has dates with defending state champion Hughson, a Golden Valley team coming off an 8-3 season, and reigning Trans-Valley League champion Hilmar. Then, the Pride open Central California Athletic League action with Downey (Sept. 29) and archrival Turlock (Oct. 6) — both at Joe Debely.

It’s a brutal schedule, especially considering that the Pride have graduated three of their biggest offensive stars in tailback Joey Stout, quarterback Drew Walker and receiver Dylan Freeman.

How does a team replace standouts like Stout, Walker, and Freeman?

“Our backup quarterback last year was Andrew Azevedo and he was injured in our preseason scrimmage,” said Reza.

“He was going to see some reps at quar-

terback, and compete for the job. Unfortunately, he didn’t get that chance. He has some big shoes to fill, but we’re looking for big things from him.”

Reza is looking to a trio of receivers — Carlos Naranjo (6-0, 170), Sean Forte (5-10, 170) and junior David Garcia (6-3, 185) — to fill the void left by Freeman.

“Dylan was a good talent and a good athlete,” said Reza. “Some of the guys on last year’s team really learned from him. Carlos is really coming along and Sean is improving a lot. David was a standout for the junior varsity last year and his build is similar to Dylan. He has some wheels and some nice hands.”

As for replacing Stout …

“Nobody can replace Joey Stout,” said Reza. “We’re going to have to do it by committee and have several guys make up for the loss.”

Seniors Matthew Burciaga (5-9, 185) and Adam Quezada (6-0, 215), and sophomore Lawson Aviles (5-10, 165) are going to make up the Replace Joey Stout Committee.

The strength of the Pitman team likely will be in the trenches.

“We’re looking for big things from our linemen this year,” said Reza. “We have four seniors that will anchor the line, along with a sophomore.”

Alex Segura (5-11, 250), Lucas Ar-

rizon (5-10, 270), Daniel Ventura (5-8, 175), and Taunk are the senior anchors and will be joined by sophomore Troy Ceja (6-0, 250). Junior Chase Martin (5-10, 250) also will see considerable time on both sides of the ball.

“I really believe the line will be a strength for us,” said Reza. “They’re getting coached really hard by Randy Ferreira and Chris Martinez.”

Ferreira is one of Reza’s chief lieutenants, having been in the program with Reza for nearly a decade. Martinez is a former Pitman star who played collegiately at San Diego State and finished up at Arizona State.

Pitman’s offensive coordinator will be Eric Reza Jr., while the defensive coordinator will be Dennis Elisaia.

Matt Vasconcellos, a coach for Pitman’s ultra-successful wrestling program, has been brought on as the strength and conditioning coach.

It’s all part of the culture change for the Pride, who haven’t had a winning season since going 10-1 in 2018.

“From my perspective as head coach, I see us turning the corner every single day,” said Reza. “Something good is happening. The kids are really together. I can sense it.”

Aug.18 vs Central Valley

Aug. 25 @ Cosumnes Oaks

Sept. 1 vs Hughson

Sept. 8 @ Golden Valley

Sept. 15 @ Hilmar

Sept. 22 BYE

Sept. 29 vs Downey

Oct. 6 @ Turlock

Oct. 13 vs Enochs

Oct. 20 @ Gregori

Oct. 27 vs Modesto

2022 CCAL standings

capsule

Pitman Pride

Stadium: Joe Debely Stadium

Head coach (career record): Eric Reza, third season (5-14)

2022 record: 2-8 overall, 1-5 CCAL

Last league title: 2005

Key departures: Joey Stout, RB; Drew Walker, QB; Dylan Freeman WR.

Key returners: Andrew Azevedo, Sr., QB, 5-11, 160; Carlos Naranjo, Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 150; Sean Forte, Sr., WR/CB, 5-11 160; David Garcia, Jr., WR/FS, 6-3, 185; Matthew Burciaga, Sr., RB/ LB, 5-9, 190; Adam Quezada, Sr., WR/CB, 6-2, 185; Lawson Aviles, Soph., RB, 5-10, 165; Alex Segura, Sr., OL/DL, 5-11, 250; Lucas Arrizon, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 270; Daniel Ventura, Sr., OL/ DL, 5-8, 175; Kabir Taunk, Sr., OL/DL, 6-0, 240; Troy Ceja, Soph., OL/DL, 6-0, 250; Chase Martin, Jr., OL, 5-10, 250.

Worth noting: last year, Stout amassed 638 yards rushing, 451 yards, 901 yards on kickoff returns and 116 on punt returns for a total of 2,106 yards — 234 per game … the Pride haven’t won a Harvest Bowl, the annual showdown with crosstown rival Turlock, since 2013 (27-25) … Pitman is looking for its first winning seasons since 2018 when it was 10-1 in Tom Tyler’s last season as head coach. Since then, the Pride have won just nine games total.

HuGHSON HIGH HUSKIES

Hughson championship repeat: ‘It’s up to us’

BY JOE CORTEZ Turlock Journal

Prior to the start of each football season, the Hughson High coaches and players get together for a weekend-long bonding experience that culminates with a Saturday-night bonfire. The Huskies gather around the flames and share their expectations, their goals, even their fears, pertaining to the upcoming season.

As Shaun King addressed the group, the sixth-year head coach was wearing his Sac-Joaquin Section championship hat — a souvenir from the team’s 14-13 victory over Summerville in the Division 6 final.

Hughson would go on to defeat Ripon Christian 31-28 in the NorCal regional bowl game and then beat Muir (Pasadena) 9-6 in the CIF 5-AA state title game to complete a year like no other in the history of Huskies football.

And that’s what King wanted his players to understand: Last season is history.

“And then I took my hat, threw it into

the bonfire, and told them, ‘Let’s go get another one.’”

David Delgado, a senior two-way player at strong safety and wide receiver, fully understood his coach’s message.

“It really had an impact on me and the other players,” said Delgado. “We talked it about it afterwards. We know we’re going to every other team’s Super Bowl. But we have the team capable of doing it back-to-back. But only if we want it. It’s up to us.”

King’s hat-throwing gesture was a spur-of-the-moment move that surprised even himself.

“It was more of a reflex than anything,” said King. “But I’ve been contacted by some parents since then and they’ve told me that it worked. I hope so, because I loved that hat.”

King also loves his 2023 team, largely the same squad that went 13-2 last year, losing 23-14 to Summerville in a nonconference game, and 49-26 to Hilmar during Trans-Valley League play.

The Huskies return seven starters on defense and eight on offense. And with

the return of offensive lineman Ivan Flores, who missed all of last season with a knee injury after starting as a sophomore, he essentially returns nine starters on offense.

That’s some serious experience.

But the Huskies must replace running back Liam Bridgford, who accounted for 1,521 yards rushing per game and 18 total touchdowns, and senior Alex Villarreal is the top candidate to do that.

As a junior, the 5-7, 180-pound Villarreal rushed for 799 yards on 134 carries (6.0) and 10 touchdowns — solid output for the team’s second option.

“Alex has a different running style than Liam,” said King. “He’s faster, shiftier. We don’t really have a guy to replace the type of runner that Liam was, so we might look a little different this year.”

Back for his second year under center is junior Robert McDaniel, who completed 60 percent of his passes last season while throwing for 25 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.

King believes his team is ready for the

three-month grind that is the regular season. And he wants his team to think big.

“I’m really excited for Ceres,” said King, whose team opens the regular season Aug. 18 on the road against the Bulldogs. “I’m not really excited about scrimmaging (Aug. 11). I’d rather cancel the scrimmage and go right to Ceres. We’re ready for the season.”

At the weekend retreat before the 2022 season, with no championship hat to fling into the bonfire, King and his players buried a football, a symbolic gesture for burying the frustrations of 22 years since Hughson’s last section championship.

“Now we have the section championship, but we’re not content,” said King. “We want to do something that hasn’t ever been done and that’s go back-toback. Of all the teams from the TVL that have won state titles — Hilmar, Escalon, Ripon, Modesto Christian — nobody’s gone back-to-back. So, why not us?”

Aug.18 @ Ceres

Aug. 25 vs Central Valley

Sept. 1 @ Pitman

Sept. 8 vs Downey

Sept. 15 vs Elite Public Schools

Sept. 22 BYE

Sept. 29 vs Escalon

Oct. 6 @ Livingston

Oct. 13 vs Modesto Christian

Oct. 20 @ Hilmar

Oct. 27 @ Ripon

2022 TVL standings

Team Overall League

Hughson Huskies

Stadium: Husky Memorial Stadium

Head coach (career record):

Shaun King, sixth season (35-19)

2022 record: 13-2 overall, 5-1 TVL

Last league title: 1998

Key departures: Liam Bridgford, RB; David Burciago, LT; Roy Prunty DT, Kevin Jones, MLB, Gain Stone, DB.

Key returners: Navi Arretche, Sr., T, 6-3, 315; David Burns, Sr., MLB, 5-11, 195; David Delgado, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 185; Robert McDaniel, Jr., QB, 6-2, 190; Malakai Sumter, Jr., FS/WR, 6-3, 165; Larkin Meyer, Sr., WR/CB, 5-11, 165; Alex Villarreal, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 185; Max Mankins, Jr., DE/TE, 6-3, 220; Ivan Flores, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 270..

Worth noting: The Huskies won a Sac-Joaquin Section championship last season for the first time since 2000. More than that, they went on to win the Northern California and state championship. … Hughson returns nine starters on offense and seven on defense … Senior linebacker David Burns is the reigning TVL Defensive Player of the Year.

Denair High Coyotes

Young Coyotes squad looks to make big impact

BY CHRISTOPHER CORREA Turlock Journal

The athletics department at Denair High School continues to navigate a problem that most other small schools face on a yearly basis – small numbers for their teams. And despite Denair being a “football town,” as athletic director and head football coach Anthony Armas described in the past, the varsity football team is not immune to those challenges.

This summer, the Coyotes have put together a football team of just 17 players. Of those 17, only two are seniors. They are quarterback Landen Borges and lineman Jonathan Coronel, and

Armas will be relying on them heavily for leadership of the 13 juniors and two sophomores joining them on the team.

Borges is a four-year varsity player and received high praise from his head coach.

“Landen is a really dependable kid,” Armas said. “He shows up every day and works hard. He’s one of our best guys in the weight room. As far as effort goes in the field, he’s not a loud guy, but he’s a true lead-by-example kind of guy, always showing up and giving his best.

“We always want our quarterbacks to be leaders, and Landen is one of those guys. He’s just he’s high character person, and that’s what we look for. He fits

the bill and is just a pleasure to coach.”

Though he isn’t a senior, lineman Eduardo Zacarias Jr. will also be relied on to offer leadership, as this will be his third year on the varsity squad.

With the likes of Borges, Zacarias and Coronel helping pave the way for future generations of Coyotes, Armas believes that their attitudes and mentorship has already begun to pay off.

This year, Zacarias’ younger brother who play offensive and defensive line, Even, was called up to the varsity roster as a sophomore, alongside fellow sophomore tight end and defensive end Ernesto Silva. Armas shared that he has seen similar qualities in them as their upper class teammates.

“Those are the couple of sophomores that are doing really well,” Armas said. “They’re both similar guys to Landon. Really hard in the weight room and on the field, you just don’t hear a lot out of them. No complaints, just get after it.”

Armas explained that the positive culture he is building with a young team has the potential to pay major dividends in the near future, as the Denair junior varsity has finally built participation back to pre-COVID levels.

“I’m cautiously optimistic, because anything can happen, of course, but this is a start,” Armas said. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Aug. 19 vs Big Valley Christian

Aug. 25 BYE

Sep. 1 @ Riverbank

Sep. 15 vs Ripon Christian

Sep. 22 @ Gustine

Sep. 29 @ Le Grand

Oct. 6 @ Mariposa County

Oct. 13 vs Delhi

Oct. 20 @ Orestimba

Oct. 27 vs Waterford

2022 sAL standings

capsule

Denair Coyotes

Stadium: Jack W. Lytton Stadium

Head coach (career record):

Anthony Armas, 9th season (37-42)

2022 record: 2-8 overall, 1-6 SAL

Last league title: Never (Second-place in 2018 when Coyotes won Division VII State Championship)

Key departures: Isaac Villa Martinez, RB/DE; Chris Hernandez, OL/DL; Izaiahs Plascencia, RB/DB

Key returners: Landen Borges, Sr., QB/DB; Eduardo Zacarias, Jr., OL/DL; Jesse Ruelas, Jr., RB/LB; Even Coronel, So., OL/DL; Ernesto Silva, So., TE/DE

Worth noting: With only 17 players on the varsity roster, Denair will have the thinnest roster in the Southern Athletic League for the second consecutive season. With the short list of players and only two seniors, head coach Anthony Armas has a tough task ahead in trying to snap a streak of three consecutive losing seasons.

2 Landen Borges Sr. QB/DB

3 Angel Rosas Jr. WR/DB

5 Christian Vrioni Jr. RB/LB

7 Adrian Sharma Jr. WR/DB

8 Jesse Ruelas Jr. RB/LB

13 Jayden Hensley Jr. RB/FB

15 Ernesto Silva So. TE/DE

25 Esai Victorino Jr. RB/DB

35 Jayden Hensley Jr. RB/LB

52 Luis Esquivel Jr. OL/DL

55 Oracio Cortez Jr. OL/DL

57 Eduardo Zacarias Jr. OL/DL

65 Jonathan Coronel Sr. OL/Dl

75 Isac Alcantar Jr. DT/NG

77 Even Coronel So. OL/DL

Hilmar High Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets to start season with a bang

BY JOE CORTEZ Turlock Journal

Most football coaches would look at a preseason schedule like the one that awaits Hilmar High School and immediately consider a new line of work.

Then there’s Yellowjackets head coach Frank Marques. He sees his preseason schedule — two-time defending CCC champ Patterson; defending WAC champ Los Banos; eight-time defending MLL champ Sonora; and Atwater and Pitman, two schools with enrollments around 2,000 students — as a challenge to be met.

“I think a point of motivation for us is our schedule,” said Marques, who enters his 21st season as Hilmar’s coach with a 179-59 career mark. “The players are savvy; they see the schedule before us. There are no weak links. Our preseason is brutal, and then we get into league, and everybody knows how that is.

“Everybody understands that we could be 5-0 going into league or we could be 0-5. That’s just reality. And it’s probably the biggest motivating factor before us.”

Last season, the Yellowjackets went 1-3 in the preseason, dropping games to Patterson, Sonora and Central Coast Section powerhouse Palma (Salinas) by a combined 15 points. Of course, they went 6-0 in the Trans-Valley League, earning their first outright league title since 2016.

And what did Hilmar get for running the table in what is widely regarded the toughest small-school conference in the entire state? A quarterfinal pairing with TVL rival Escalon.

“It was a bad hand that was dealt to us,” said Marques, referring to the fact that many believed a Hilmar-Escalon rematch (Hilmar won 21-20 on Sept. 30) shouldn’t have occurred until the semifinals or even the final. “But we

haven’t even talked about that. This is a new team. It’s a fresh start. I don’t want to put pressures on a team that didn’t do anything to acquire those pressures.”

For the most part, Marques is done talking about last season, which saw league foes Escalon and Hughson go on to win state titles. He’s focused on a team that has the work ethic it takes to be a winner.

“I love this team,” said Marques. “They’re really a bunch of hardworking, non-nonsense guys who get down to business. If we’re healthy, we’re going to be competitive.”

The Yellowjackets had to overcome injuries last season, losing starting quarterback Hudson Azevedo to a separated shoulder in the third game of the season at Sonora. Sophomore Caden Bailey was called up from the junior varsity squad and started the remainder of the season, even after Azevedo returned (he was moved to flanker).

Though Bailey threw for just one touchdown and four interceptions in eight games as a starter, he rushed for 800 yards and 13 TDs. And while he’s still just 5-9, Bailey has added 15 pounds of muscle to his frame, tipping the scales at 185 this season.

Also back for another season are junior WB/DE Jack Inderbitzen (6-3, 195) and senior two-way lineman Alex Cardenas (6-2, 260)

“We just have to make corrections as we go,” said Marques. “It’s like an engine. It starts out really rough and you have to make small adjustments. But if you’re still changing pistons in the middle of the season, you’ve got problems. But where we’re at today with our practice plan, compared to where we were last year at the same time … we’re three weeks ahead of schedule.

“I’m really excited about this team.”

Aug.18 @ Patterson

Aug. 25 @ Los Banos

Sept. 1 vs Sonora

Sept. 8 vs Atwater

Sept. 15 vs Pitman

Sept. 22 BYE

Sept. 29 vs Livingston

Oct. 6 @ Ripon

Oct. 13 vs Escalon@MJC

Oct. 20 vs Hughson

Oct. 27 @ Modesto Christian

2022 TVL standings

capsule

Hilmar Yellowjackets

Stadium: McSweeney Field

Head coach (career record):

Frank Marques, 21st season (179-59)

2022 record: 7-4 overall, 6-0 TVL

Last league title: 2022

Key departures: Landon Gomes, DL; Jerado Ponce, LB: Hudson Azevedo, ATH; Derek Taylor, WR/DE; Luis Vargas, RB; Brandon Freitas, OL; Isaac Agueda, DL; Jack Inderbitzen, DE/ LB; Noel Lopez, CB; Jax Branco, RB/LB.

Key returners: XXX.

Worth noting: Junior quarterback Caden Bailey was named the TVL’s Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore … Head coach Frank Marques has guided the Yellowjackets to four section championships, tying him with Jerry Van Lengen for most in school history, and has reach the final on five other occasions. … In 2018, Marques led Hilmar to the state’s 6-AA state championship.

Charter AT CRANE SCHOOL