Hilmar High Yellowjackets
that made the year fun.” ilmar High The experience had high hopes gives Marques great for the 2020 confidence his returnseason. After ers and in a team he compiling an says could be his most overall record of 11-2, skilled group in recent earning a share of the memory. Trans Valley League “We have some rechampionship, and finally good returning ishing the 2019 season juniors from last year. as Sac-Joaquin Section And then that sophoDivision VI runner more team was really ups, the ‘Jackets and loaded,” Marques their roster of expesaid. “We’re probably rienced players were as healthy at the skill prepared to challenge positions as we’ve for a blue banner once been ever. We’re reagain before the panally excited about the demic quashed those guys we have at the dreams. skill positions and our — Broc Perry, Linebacker Instead, Hilmar line is really good.” found itself in a unique Though the 2021 position as, for the first squad boasts a juniortime ever, its program heavy roster, Marques was presented with and his coaching staff the opportunity to test expects the experiits mettle against the Central California ence from competing against the CCC Conference. The result was a dominate to help carry them past TVL foes such five-game season that saw the ‘Jackets as Ripon, Escalon, and Hughson – all of fall one point short of a perfect record. which are primed to make a run at the ‘They played five juggernaut teams. league title. The competition was super stiff and they Cannon Irelan and Derek Taylor – had a running clock against everyone both of which played varsity ball as they played, Hilmar head coach Frank sophomores last season – will lead the reMarques said. “As crazy as Covid was, ceiving core this year and will be comple-
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BY FRANKIE TOVAR
mented by senior running back Blake Westmoreland. “They’ll be huge offensive weapons and they’re really outstanding on defense,” Marques said. Hilmar will also enjoy the leadership of Nick Vitorino, a former member of the backfield and recent addition to an offensive line that will be critical to the ‘Jackets’ success. “That’s a very selfless move that very few kids would make,” Marques said. “Most kids want to leave the line and go to the backfield and here’s a kid who gave up his skinny number for a big number just because he knows it’s the best thing for the team.” As for the quarterback position, all signs point to senior Camron Moak as the starter after a competition for the position was ended by a Hudson Azevedo ACL injury – the same injury that took out last year’s starting quarterback, Seth Miguel, in the final game of the 2020 season. Regardless, Hilmar is ready to return to form in the TVL. “I’m excited to see normal football. When I see people in town it’s, ‘Can we come watch
I’m happy to have a senior season...I think we’re all just glad to be out here for our last year, actually having playoffs and having a championship.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021
10
the Blitz season 9 football tab
COVER PLAYERs
Broc Perry
Blake Westmoreland
Aug. 20 @ Patterson Aug. 27 @ Los Banos Sept. 3 v. Modesto Sept. 10 @ Sonora Sept. 17 v. Livington Sept. 24 @ Ripon Oct. 1 @ Escalon Oct. 15 v. Hughson Oct. 22 v. Modesto Christian Oct. 29 @ Riverbank
2020 Record: 4-1 Head Coach: Frank Marques Points per game scored: 31 (155 total) Points per game allowed: 13.4 (67 total)
