Why Hilmar has the tools to build another section championship team.

It’s hard to miss Justin Rentfro. The Hilmar High senior looks like he lives in the weight room.

With his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame, it’s going to be a nightmare for any defensive player to try to bring Rentfro down whether he’s lined up at slot receiver or at running back.

Rentfro is just half of the Yellowjackets’ explosive running back duo that also features senior Isaac Sharp, who is the reigning Merced Sun-Star Player of the Year last season after rushing for 1,329 yards and 13 touchdowns during last year’s run to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI championship.

“Oh my gosh,” said Hilmar coach Frank Marques. “They really worked hard in the weight room and they look great on the field. It’s a formidable one-two punch. We have a couple other guys who can run outside. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have enough footballs.”

The Yellowjackets enter the 2017 season bursting with confidence.

Why not?

Hilmar returns 17 of 22 starters on both sides of the ball. As a result, Marques says his team looks in midseason form during practices. They were already using most of their playbook during the first week of practice.

“We want to start the season where we left off in the playoffs,” said Rentfro. “What happened in the playoffs is we formed this brotherhood. We came together where everyone was playing for each other and not themselves.”

Hilmar struggled to a 5-5 record at the end of the regular season last year and then caught fire in the playoffs. Everything clicked on offense as the offensive line paved the way for Sharp and Rentfro to run wild.

The Yellowjackets return four starting offensive lineman this season, led by three-year starters Nick Aguilera and Jared Collier.

“We’re really gifted there,” Marques said.

Rentfro and Sharp combined for 2,030 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. The baclfield duo give defenses a different look.

“(Sharp) has the speed,” Rentfrom said. “I come with more power.”

The Yellowjackets have plenty of weapons at receiver in junior Aidan Azevedo and senior Bryan Millan.

The only question is at quarterback where there is a battle between senior Ryan Teixeira and junior Treven Crowley.

By all accounts it was an even battle coming into camp and the competition may spill into the season. Marques says he’s not opposed to using both quarterback during the season, rotating quarterbacks each possession if one of them hasn’t won the job outright.

“It’s a major advantage to have two quarterbacks like that,” Rentfro said. “Both are competing. It’s still up for grabs. I can’t decide and I’ve been out here with them every day.”

The Yellowjackets should be strong on defense with many of the same players playing key roles. Senior linebacker Joao Silveira returns after racking up 103 tackles and four sacks last season.

“We’re very athletic,” Silveira said. “Everyone is eager to try to get another section championship. From the start we’re working more as a team. Everyone is picking each other up. Everyone is competing because everyone wants to play.”

This story was originally published August 15, 2018 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Why Hilmar has the tools to build another section championship team.."