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PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

THE FACES OF PREP FOOTBALL 2017 The 2016 prep football regular season was a unique experience for teams in the area, which saw an unmatched success on the field with record-breaking seasons. From Denair’s miraculous playoff run with just 16 players on the varsity squad to Delhi, Pitman and Turlock’s record-breaking years, five of the six varsity teams from the Journal’s coverage area finished the year with winning records and earned playoff berths. Many of the local teams’ success was due to a handful of standout players. Those players who hit a little harder or who go beyond expectations.

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This year the Journal is highlighting the best players from each team, chosen by the coaches to represent their respective schools both on and off the field. Turlock has Dustin Grein, a Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo college commit, who is expected to become one of the top players in the Central California Conference. The Pitman Pride are

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headlined by 6-foot-3 and 230-pound linebacker Lance Bickle, who started as a junior for the record-breaking Pride roster and is back for his senior campaign. The Yellowjackets of Hilmar chose Carter Azevedo to be the representative for this year’s team after they lost a plethora of standouts from 2016. Delhi’s face of this year’s team is 6-foot-3 and 305-pounder Julian Moreno who is a three-year varsity starter, so expect the Hawks to make a run in the Southern Athletic League. Denair’s Drew Pritchard might be one of the more exciting athletes in the area, after being a standout sophomore

just a year ago. The Turlock Christian Eagles have quarterback Jakob Skinner returning as the leader and the face of the team, and he is expected to have a breakout season according to first year head coach Ed Futch. Make sure to check out the Journal’s award-winning show, “The Blitz,” which over the past year reached new audiences and gained state recognition by receiving an award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, at turlockjournal.com. Keep updated with prep sports at the Journal’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

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Justin Sayers Tyler Stout Keoni Souza Sonny Uppal Daniel Padilla Brad Lafaver Trenton Brock Kevin Lazar Santiago Fuentes Rodney Gaston Julian Garcia Treyton Fair Caden Speckens Lucas Lavezzo Denzel Steckwren Joey Romeo Nathan Borrelli Anthony Heinze Youssef Nagi Lance Bickle Garrett Bosch Calvin Paul Antonio Reyes Marcus Garza Isaias Aguilar Tony Reynoso Tyler Bollenger Jaron Azevedo Donavyn Faria Joey Vasquez Ajit Singh Jakob Partida Matthieu Robinson Adrian Del Real Mathew Shino Michael Marko Scott Tyler Daniel Garcia Peyton Bass Tanner Blankenship Justin Yniquez Cameron Fader Ismael Nunez Colton Farro Shawn Randhawa Brandon Garcia Sukh Narula Brendan Tallent Jeandro Ruezga Ben Dorantes Michael McCaskill Brock Fusi

Aug. 25 @ Napa, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 v. Lincoln, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 v. Pleasant Grove, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 @ Downey, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 v. Merced, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 @ Atwater, 7 p.m. Oct. 13 @ Buhach Colony, 7 p.m. Oct. 20 v. El Capitan, 7 p.m. Oct. 27 v. Golden Valley, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 @ Turlock, 7 p.m.

2016 record: (10-2, 5-1 CCC) Head Coach: Tom Tyler Points per game allowed: 18.8 (226 total) Points per game scored: 29.5 (354 total)

59 60 61 62 63 64 68 73 75 76 77 78 79 80 90 99

Carlos Martinez Sean Francis Tyler Bolton Jesus Padilla Brison Benton David Hernandez Andrew Vang Alex Baker Jaden Lee-Brinkman Joe Gonzales Vishant Sharma Antonio Reyna Joseph Mattos Quinn Camire Trey Villarreal Vlad Montejo

n 2016, the Pitman Pride varsity football team accomplished something that no other previous squad in program history had—win the first nine games. Pitman capped off a record-breaking season, going 9-0, before meeting crosstown rivals, Turlock in the regular season finale for a chance at the Central California Conference crown. Turlock came out on top for the third straight year, earning Harvest Bowl bragging rights for a year, while taking the CCC title for the first time in over a decade. This left the Pride in second place in the CCC with a 9-1 record, earning a berth in the Division-I Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The Pride won their firstround game against Monterey Trail, 35-21 before falling to St. Mary’s in the second round. The team finished tied with the most wins in a single season after topping out with a 10-2 overall record. “I just thought the kids did a great job concentrating and we had a distraction with the stadium, but the kids bonded over that,” said Pitman head coach Tom Tyler. “They did a great job and we had a lot of fun. I don’t think you ever go into a year expecting how you will be record wise, but our preparation is different now, every team is different with different personalities.” Few return from last year’s team —

Lance Bickle, Tyler Stout, Drew Fusi, Alex Baker and Trenton Brock. Dan Padilla should be a stalwart at middle linebacker, while guard Brendan Tallent is also a state wrestler for the Pride and provides a veteran on the line who adds strength, quickness and athleticism. “We never look at it record wise, just preparing and now looking to work with the team,” said Tyler. “To see where there are places to work on and adjustments needed to make, every year as coaches we think of ourselves as problem solvers and we put the kids in the best position to be successful.” The incoming juniors were 9-1 for the JV squad just a season ago and feel confident that the success can carry over to varsity. “We’re trying to get them to figure out roles and work towards our goal and we are getting an idea and figuring things out, we like the kids we have.” Look for the Pride to continue their rich tradition of winning. Since 2004, the Pride varsity football program has never had a losing season and have won no less than six games or more per season, earning two 10-win seasons in the process. Competing in the CCC for one final time should also light up some fuel for Pitman, who is coming off one of their best seasons to-date.

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Dallin Tilby Dominic Nunes Jonah Kosakiewicz Jaxson Gonsalves Antonio Ruiz Suarez Lance Couchman Garret Fountain Jordan Porter Lucas Curtis Isaiah Acosta Gabriel Cordero Chase Pritt Fabio Gutierrez Christian Gardner Gabriel Perez Adam Coelho Dustin Grein Casey Carr Mark Flores Michael Mata Trent Rowely Colton Bailey Tyler Etharidge Branden Brownfield Jasen Crutchfield Caleb Lemon Gabriel Melton Jose Martinez Cameran Sherwood Marco Lopez Chico Salinas Jake Dirkse Garrett Mullinax Alex Arroyo Breck Jeffus Everett Johnson Brandon Flores Joey Freitas Eztevan Lopez Cameron Machado Eduardo Garcia Angel Chairez Caelan Flowers Jake Thompson Chianti Motley Cesar Rocha Dylan Gilbert Michael Jeffus Robert Torres Harmen Hundal Shawn Belerique Angel Munoz Phillip Tornquist

O Aug. 25 v. Freedom, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 1 @ Clovis, 7 p.m. Sept. 8 @ Tracy, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 v. Modesto, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 @ Buhach Colony, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 v. El Capitan, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 v. Golden Valley, 7 p.m. Oct. 20 @ Atwater, 7 p.m. Oct. 27 @ Merced, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 v. Pitman, 7 p.m.

2016 record: (9-3, 6-0) Head Coach: James Peterson Points per game allowed: 21.6 (238 total) Points per game scored: 37 (408 total)

nly the Turlock Bulldogs team saw perfect success in the Central California Conference during the 2016 year, and it ended with a win over crosstown rivals, Pitman, which earned them a CCC banner. That CCC title gave the ‘Dogs their first league crown since 2003, and a bushel of confidence heading into the 2017 campaign — despite losing some of the best talent in the area in two-time CCC MVP Danny Velasquez and CCC Defensive Player of the Year Mustafa Noel-Johnson. The new era is here and head coach James Peterson has embraced it with as much enthusiasm as last year’s squad. “I think in some aspects we are just as talented,” said Peterson. “But I feel like it sets the tone for the rest of the game.” The team is led by second-year running back and utility player as well as backup quarterback Dustin Grein, who has already committed verbally to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on a full-ride scholarship. The team is also led by a handful of standouts that include brothers and wrestlers Breck and Mike Jeffus. “The two Jeffus brothers since I met them, their work ethic is second to none and they are just really quality kids,” said Peterson. “I feel things are going our way so far, great players and great community support. We want to be league champs, no doubt about it, everyone wants to and we want to go further than last year in playoffs.”

Last year, the ‘Dogs crushed Lincoln of Stockton in the first round of the DivisionI Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs in a 42-7, but fell to Elk Grove on the road in the second round 42-19. “I think you just try to keep the guys focused that the fact that we have to work harder to keep it, that is the way I look at it,” said Peterson. “It’s not like we are going to do it again, when you are on top everyone is trying to come out and get us, going to be just as difficult as it was last year and we have to continue to push.” Look for the offense to run around Grein with the help of the team’s top tight end Cam Sherwood and wideout in Jordan Porter, who put in a lot of hard work in the offseason according to Peterson. “I don’t think we had a receiver like him in a long time, physical runs great routes,” said Peterson. The defense might have lost its top pass rushers, but they are still looking to be a tough squad that swarms the ball with the help of 6-foot-7 Everett Johnson who is already getting looked at by multiple Division-I football programs. Also, Brandon Flores will be the starting center with quarterback Jonah Kosakiewicz taking on the duties under center. The CCC might be a toss-up, but look for the Bulldogs to be in the mix for another title in their final season in the same league as Buhach Colony, Atwater, Golden Valley, Merced and El Capitan.

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Kojo Bekoe-Sakyi Jakob Skinner Andrew Lucke Ryan Beard John-James Futch Howie Skinner Isreal Preciado Evan Muller Nathan Son Eli Braden Saint Sung Gideon Hoag Desmond Barron Zach Silva Blade House Michael Zaia Gage Schaber Drake Maliepaard Adam Rocha Kyle Rodrigues Brian Stuhmer Deep Singh Harman Hundal

he one team with the most enthusiasm heading into the new year is the Turlock Christian varsity football team. Already a bigger and faster team than last year’s squad, first year head coach Ed Futch has cultivated a disciplined mentality that will help the 2017 team to achieve their goals. It’s a lengthy list, but coach Futch knows that success starts with taking one step at a time. “First of all, God sent me here, TC needed a new coach and they found me in Virginia,” said Futch. “I’ve been to California before; I used to work at Sacramento High School and with El Dorado as well, so I am back, I missed it... that California love you gotta love it.” The Eagles — who were just a few plays away from winning in a few more games during 2016 — are

returning the bulk of the group, most importantly quarterback and captain Jakob Skinner who was also an allleague selection during baseball season as a catcher. “We have a confident group with great coaches and a different tempo and you feel it, the thought process, if you change it, then they will run through a wall for you,” said Futch. “And my guys they changed as well, Jakob will have close to 2,000 yards passing that is my prediction.” Some other notable returners include Drake Maliepaard, Evan Muller, Desmond Barron and Kyle Rodrigues. “You take your small numbers, what you got, and you can’t worry about last year but I will say that these kids have been here all summer working with me and they understand that nothing happens by just wanting it,”

said Futch. “But you have to work for it. The whole thing is a team aspect, every man is important in the team. Our concept is team first, we get individual stuff but we want to score to win for the team not yourself.” Futch knows that the hard part began in the weight room and his team is already gaining strength. “We did weight training and they know how important it is. You don’t win championships on the field, you win them in the weight room and they know that,” said Futch. “…We have to take steps, now we are building the foundation and get the walls built as well with all of our guys and each other we build more of the house and we want to build strong; tore it up and brought it back up, that is how we’ve been doing.”

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HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 25 v. California School for the Deaf, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 @ Foresthill, 7 p.m. Sept. 15 @ Waterford, 7 p.m. Sept. 22 @ Riverbank, 7 p.m. Sept. 29 v. Stone Ridge Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 v. Big Valley Christian, 7 p.m. Oct. 13 @ Millenium, 7 p.m. Oct. 21 v. ROP, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 @ Brookside Christian, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 v. Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, 7 p.m.

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2016 record: (2-8, 1-4 CCAA) Head Coach: Ed Futch

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Points per game allowed: 37.7 (377 total) Points per game scored: 16.4 (164 total)

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or a small town, the Hilmar High Yellowjackets play with hearts of giants. The Yellowjackets are coming off a successful overall year once again in 2016, after they captured nine wins in back-toback years, cruising through the regular season with a 9-1 record, losing only to Sonora in a close battle in week four. With the exception of a two-point victory in week two over Lathrop, the Yellowjackets were able to control all regular season opponents, defeating eight teams by a margin of two touchdowns or more. Their perfect 5-0 TVL record, landed the school of under 700 students, into the DivisionV Sac-Joaquin Section Tournament after competing in the D-VI bracket just a year prior. Unfortunately, as the No. 2 seed, Hilmar fell to No. 7 Colfax in a first round upset, leaving the upcoming team and returners hungry for a second chance. “With our philosophy, might be kind of corny, but we really try to take it one

Aug. 25 @ Beyer, 7 p.m. Sept. 1 v. Lathrop, 7:15 p.m. Sept. 8 @ Gustine, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 @ Sonora, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 v. Livingston, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 v. Escalon, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 @ Hughson, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 @ Modesto Christian, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 v. Mountain House, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 v. Ripon, 7:30 p.m.

game at a time. We are just trying to win our first game,” said Hilmar head coach Frank Marques. “I try not to look at the big picture because then you lose focus of the little things.” The Yellowjackets kick off their year once again with a D-I school in Beyer and take on Lathrop in week two. The TransValley League could be a toss-up with Ripon, Escalon and Hughson always battling in the mix and at times beating up on one another. The ‘Jackets are going to lean on several seniors and a junior class that so far seem to make up a quicker team. Jared Collier and Nick Aguilera are the only returners on the offensive line from a year ago. A line that was the best in the TVL during 2016 and paved the way for a total of 2,549 rushing yards. Hilmar will also have to deal with the loss of arguably one of the most talented multi-sport athletes to come out of the small town in Cody Rentfro, who rushed for 1,602 yards last year and went on to place seventh in state wrestling tournament, earning a

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2016 record: (9-2, 5-0 TVL) Head Coach: Frank Marques Points per game allowed: 21.7 (239 total) Points per game scored: 34 (374 total)

medal in the process. His younger brother Justin (Rentfro) might be as physical, but he knows that his own legacy must be built. Along with Justin will be Carter Azevedo, Gaven Azevedo, Marcus Mouro and Paul Rocha. Linebacker Tyler Amarante is back after finishing tied for second on the team a year ago with 90 tackles. “We have one of the fastest teams, speed wise that we have ever had, we have eight guys running 4.9 or under, we had four guys in the 4.6 range,” said Marques. Tristan Crowley will take the snaps under center, while the team also has the advantage of having two kickers in Bryan Milan and Mouro, however Mouro will be seeing heavy minutes at interior linebacker. “Defensively, we have to give a lot of credit to coach Mark Santos, he has done a great job with defense as a young coach,” said Marques. “We have a lot of explosive guys on defense, they are aggressive but no matter what happens next game, win or lose, they’re ready for every opponent.”

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Drew Pritchard

Aug. 25 @ Summerville, 7 p.m.

Emilee Fanning

Sept. 9 @ Millenium, 7:30 p.m.

Blake Davis

Dylan De Silva

Sept. 22 v. Gustine, 7:30 p.m.

Elvis Silva

Sept. 29 v. Le Grand, 7:30 p.m.

Josue Fierros

Steffin Winston

Cayden Carranza

Scott Badal

Hunter Musgrave

Clayton Taylor

Dylan Mann

Luis Dominguez

Carlo Morales

Will Knox

Hayden Haile

Bryson Prock

Derek Starkey

Jonah Tomlinson

Joseph Carrillo

Zack Cherry

Emmanuel Zapien

Ulises Corrales

Sept. 15 v. Stone Ridge Christian, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 @ Ripon Christian, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 v. Orestimba, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 @ Delhi, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 v. Mariposa County, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 @ Waterford, 7:30 p.m.

2016 record: (6-5, 4-3 SAL) Head Coach: Anthony Armas Points per game allowed: 17.1 (189 total) Points per game scored: 26 (286 total)

enair varsity football had a unique year in 2016; a successful season that was unexpected with the number of players on their roster of just 16. Headed by Anthony Armas and his tremendous assisting staff, the Coyotes of the small town of Denair defied the odds with their team, making national headlines, upsetting multiple playoff teams and earning a winning season for the first time since the 2010 season. Their 6-4 regular season was good enough to earn them a spot in the postseason, but they fell to the No. 1 Amador as the last seed at No. 8. Despite the ending, the Coyotes and coach Armas knew what they accomplished was something that was noteworthy. “Yearly goal is to make playoffs. I won’t say I am surprised, fortunate as we were with the numbers we had, we were worried but we knew we had the talent,” said Armas of last year. “But the exposure we got nationally … and learning how to deal with it my second year, it was cool, fun and kind of crazy at the same time.” Now in 2017 with a larger group, the enthusiasm has carried over from last season, but who knows what the outcome may be. The majority of the Coyotes’ roster is gone as is Chase Pritt who left for Turlock High, but Blake Davis is back

as a senior and looking to be one of the leaders from last season’s team. Junior Drew Pritchard is the quarterback and also another one of the leaders of the group, according to Armas. “We have a low senior class this year, I know Blake has taken the underclassmen under his wing,” said Armas. “Then Drew is a three-sport athlete. People gravitate to him, everyone is comfortable around him and huge leadership from him and the sophomores, coachable, good nature kids and the whole class is like that.” From top to bottom, the Coyotes have a solid group, according to Armas, and this year’s team is also larger in roster size than the 16 that made up last season’s squad. As of now, the roster will be made up of at least 22 kids. “I think as far as culture change, playoffs are definitely what we are shooting for and we want to go beyond that,” said Armas. “We hope to make playoffs, and last year’s team left a good legacy and set a standard that these next classes will go after. I think we want to continue that and play great defense. Our coaches and coordinators have done a great job. I think we will do what we did last year, going fast, pick up the tempo, and outwork people.”

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017 15

Jose Saucedo

Aug. 25 v. Livingston, 7:30 p.m.

Anthony Mejia

Sept. 1 @ Johansen, 7 p.m.

German Lua

Alecxis Miranda

Alvin Prasad

David Chavez

Aiden Rocha

Damian Rivera

Abel Antunez

Joshua Diaz

Pablo Garcia

Francisco Corona

Roberto Calderon

Roop Chatha

Miguel Gamino

Ignacio Tafolla

Eduardo Martinez

Jesus Servin

Julian Moreno

Zech Ybarra

Sept. 8 v. Fremont, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 v. Mariposa County, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 v. Gustine, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 @ Waterford, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 @ Le Grand, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 v. Denair, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 @ Orestimba, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 v. Ripon Christian, 7:30 p.m.

2016 record: (8-3, 5-2 SAL) Head Coach: Rod McCombs Points per game allowed: 13.6 (150 total) Points per game scored: 32.4 (357 total)

he 2016 Delhi Hawks varsity football team made history, surpassing all previous teams in the program with the most wins in a single season at eight. “To be quite honest, we had higher expectations and I feel a little disappointed since we didn’t finish better than where we did,” said head coach Rod McCombs. Despite such a remarkable moment for the program, the upcoming squad seems to be hungrier than last year’s team and want more. While the season seems to be a toss-up in the Southern Athletic League, the Hawks have the biggest team they have ever had, said coach McCombs, and he can’t be more enthusiastic. “At this point, the No. 1 key component is our offensive line,” he said. “This is actually going to be the first time in my tenure as a coach where we will have an offensive front that averages 250 pounds across the board on the line and that is something I’ve never had the privilege of, never experienced that.” Three-year varsity starter Julian Moreno heads the group at 6-foot-3 and 304-pounds. “He is not a chunky or soft 300 pounds, he is a big meaty boy and this year he happens to be surrounded by others that are big and just as athletic,” said McCombs. Delhi’s right tackle is currently Zach

Ybarra at 5-foot-10 and 240-pounds and left tackle Miguel Gamiño is a solid 6-foot-1 and 230. The other two linemen are over 240. Look for Damian Rivera to be a difference maker on offense and defense as a fullback and linebacker. He and Alvin Prasad will be assisting small, yet tough quarterback Alecxis Miranda, who is back for his senior year. The defense, however, is anchored by shutdown cornerback German Lua who is back for his senior after a sensational junior campaign, and is expecting to best last season’s performance. Last year’s team was able to stuff the run game on a consistent basis and allowed the least total points per game and for the year out of the six schools from the Journal’s coverage area, with just 13.6 per game. This year’s team, however, has only one returning linebacker in Joey Salcedo. “Our kids are definitely motivated and right now…they are exceeding our expectations for this specific team,” said McCombs. “This year we are going to have, what we expect, a very explosive offense and we definitely will not be nearly as physical on the defensive side of the ball, but we will make up for that with a lot of team speed and athleticism; we will be much quicker and athletic.”

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