Who are the breakout football player candidates you need to know in Merced County?

The start of the 2018 high school football season is creeping up on us with the first games being played on Friday night. For many players, it will be their first time playing under the lights in front of a big crowd.

Here’s a quick list of five players why may be line for breakout seasons. One is making his varsity debut and the other four are stepping into bigger roles.

Cody Chapman, Merced

This sophomore is the younger brother of former Buhach Colony star running back Corey Chapman. Cody will be part of a running back committee at Merced and he’ll also see time at linebacker.

Cody may be the best athlete of the Chapman brothers. At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Chapman is going to be tough to bring down out of the back field. He also has the tools to be an impact player on defense.

Marcus Ordunez, Pacheco

The senior moves from tight end to quarterback this year and the Panthers coaching staff is excited to see what he can do.

Ordunez led the Panthers in receiving with 11 catches last year. Now he will run the Pacheco veer-option attack. At 6-foot-2, 193-pounds, Ordunez has the size and speed to be a big dual-threat quarterback for the Panthers.

The senior throws a good ball and has a good grasp of the offense. Expect some big nights from Ordunez this season.

Brandon Garbez, Gustine

This Reds senior follows in the footsteps of two prolific running backs the past three years at Gustine in Brandon LaBry and Oliver Perez. LaBry rushed for 2,199 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2016. Perez followed that up with 1,496 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2017 and 1,642 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Now it’s Garbez’s turn as the Reds lead back.

As a reserve, Garbez rushed for 778 yards and six touchdowns last season. Gustine’s offense will be centered around Garbez and a big offensive line this year.

Michael Dinkins, Le Grand

The Bulldogs want to get the ball into one of their top playmakers in Dinkins this year. As a sophomore he caught 25 balls for 403 yards and four touchdowns last year. He may be able to double those numbers this year.

Dinkins is a big-play threat. He has size, speed and good hands.

In four consecutive games last year, Dinkins had receptions of 72, 41, 39 and 56 yards. He caught 10 passes for 122 yards against Gustine.

Expect Dinkins to be one of the top players in the Southern League this season.

Youlas Dickson, Buhach Colony

Dickson was used a little bit on offense last year as a sophomore by the Thunder. He rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns. After averaging 9.4 yards per carry, expect the BC coaching staff to get Dickson morve involved this season.

Dickson can be a triple threat with the ability to make an impact on offense, defense and on special teams as a returner. He led Buhach Colony with four interceptions last season.

Dickson will likely be used a flyback, along with another dynamic junior Trey Paster. Expect plent of big plays as Buhach Colony contends for a Central California Conference championship.