HILMAR HIGH SCHOOL

Hilmar High Yellowjackets

BY FRANKIE TOVAR

Hilmar High had high hopes for the 2020 season. After compiling an overall record of 11-2, earning a share of the Trans Valley League championship, and finishing the 2019 season as Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI runner ups, the ‘Jackets and their roster of experienced players were prepared to challenge for a blue banner once again before the pandemic quashed those dreams.

Instead, Hilmar found itself in a unique position as, for the first time ever, its program was presented with the opportunity to test its mettle against the Central California Conference. The result was a dominate five-game season that saw the ‘Jackets fall one point short of a perfect record.

‘They played five juggernaut teams. The competition was super stiff and they had a running clock against everyone they played, Hilmar head coach Frank Marques said. “As crazy as Covid was, that made the year fun.” The experience gives Marques great

I’m happy to confidence his returners and in a team he have a senior season...I think says could be his most skilled group in recent memory. we’re all just “We have some really good returning glad to be out here for our last juniors from last year. And then that sophomore team was really year, actually loaded,” Marques said. “We’re probably having playoffs and having a as healthy at the skill positions as we’ve been ever. We’re rechampionship. ally excited about the guys we have at the — Broc Perry, Linebacker skill positions and our line is really good.” Though the 2021 squad boasts a juniorheavy roster, Marques and his coaching staff expects the experience from competing against the CCC to help carry them past TVL foes such as Ripon, Escalon, and Hughson – all of which are primed to make a run at the league title. Cannon Irelan and Derek Taylor – both of which played varsity ball as sophomores last season – will lead the receiving core this year and will be complemented 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

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)

you guys play?’ It even chokes me up a little bit because this is a football town,” Marques said. “I’m ready for Friday night lights and getting our fans back in the stands.”

Hilmar begins it’s season with a road game against a stout Patterson High team on August 20 before kicking off league competition against Livingston High at home on September 17.

“It’s going to be a fun, fun year and I think our fans are going to have a great treat watching these kids play,” Marques said. 2 Hudson Azevedo 3 Broc Perry 4 Jax Jarvis 5 Noble Santos 6 Bradley Morris 8 Lane Cardoso 9 Emanuel Palafox 10 Dylan Couto 11 Cannon Irelan 13 Jerardo Ponce 14 Luis Vargas 16 McKade Jensen 17 Jax Branco 19 Camron Moak 20 Ezra Duenas 21 Blake Westmoreland 22 Jayden Smith 23 Derek Taylor 24 Jason Pimentel 25 Noel Lopez 28 Arath Solorio 32 Hayden Huff 44 Kazuki Mihono 50 Nicholas Vitorino 51 Ben Sward 52 Dylan Baballe 53 Bruce Vazquez 54 Landon Gomes 55 Jace Dutey 57 Jacob Flanery 58 Black Machado 59 Kevin Parra 60 Isaac Agueda 62 Marcus Vaz 63 Nicholas Borba 64 Anthony Pires 65 Saul Hernandez 66 Fritz Troesch 68 Caden Peterson 72 Justin Souza 73 Brandon Freitas 76 Landon Cunha 77 Matao Matos 88 Andre Alves

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