Mariposa, Le Grand ready to compete with top football teams in Southern League
Despite tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the spring and being unable to play this fall, Le Grand High School senior quarterback Aaron Martinez hasn’t missed a practice.
He’s doing what he can to help his teammates out, including junior Julian Bucio, who will move from receiver to quarterback to replace Martinez.
“He hasn’t missed a day,” said Aaron Martinez, who is Aaron’s father and the Bulldogs head coach. “He was out here with his crutches and brace. He’s still a leader.”
The Bulldogs coaches still like the group that they have without their three-year quarterback.
Le Grand is ready to take on what should be a challenging Southern League.
“I think it will be wide open with Waterford, Orestimba, Denair and Le Grand. Gustine and Delhi should be improved,” said Mariposa coach Robert Stitt. “There are no easy games.”
Let’s take a closer look at the four local teams in the Southern League.
Le Grand
The Bulldogs went 3-2 this past spring, leaning on a lot of young players.
“We had quite a few sophomores up during the spring so now our young guys have experience,” Martinez said. “Our secondary is strong and obviously with us being a small school we flip those guys around on offense and they become receivers.”
Offensively the Bulldogs will be led by running back Frankie Coria, Louie Agouyo and receivers Carlos Casteneda, Ronnie Ramirez and tight end Ronnie Ramirez.
Senior Raul Sanchez will be leaned on at tight end and linebacker for the Bulldogs.
The offensive and defensive line will be anchored by junior Fermin Villegas, who stands 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds. Villegas is one of the top linemen in the league.
“He plays basketball and baseball too,” Martinez said. “When you watch him you ask why is that mountain moving like that?”
The key for the Bulldogs will be how well they adjust to the loss of their third-year quarterback.
“We have to stick with a game plan that caters to Bucio and some of his strengths,” Martinez said. “We’ve got to get his confidence going. Our ground game has to play. We have to control the clock and our defense has to be up to the challenge.
Delhi
Hawks enter the season losers of 25 consecutive games. Delhi came close to ending the streak at 23 when the Hawks took El Capitan to ovetime before falling 26-20 to the Gauchos.
Delhi averaged just over 10 points a game this past spring.
The Hawks will rely on two senior quarterbacks Jordan Ramirez and Angel Ramirez.
Outside linebacker Alex Cardenas played outside linebacker and guard as a freshman this spring for the Hawks.
The Hawks are going to have to make big strides on both sides of the ball to compete for a playoff spot.
Gustine
Paul Nocito takes over for Ronnie LaBry as the Reds head coach.
Nocito takes over a team that went 3-2 this spring.
Like most, if not all, SL teams, Gustine will count on their guys playing on both sides of the ball. The Reds will be led by senior Mateo Gallichio, who will split his time at middle linebacker, tight end and running back. Gallichio had six catches for 99 yards this spring on offense and led the Reds with 51 tackles on defense.
Gustine also returns seniors Danny Hernandez, who will play running back and linebacker, and Christian Garcia, who will split time at noseguard, linebacker and running back.
Junior Gio Torres returns at receiver and free safety and junior Jose Garibaldi will be a force on the offensive line.
Mariposa
The Grizzlies return eight starters on offense, including third-year quarterback Wyatt Green and four of the five starters on the offensive line.
“We have a lot of leadership and everyone works hard,” Stitt said.
Green helped lead the Grizzlies to a Sac-Joaquin Section title as a sophomore. Green threw for 955 yards and 12 touchdowns this past spring to help lead Mariposa to a 4-1 record.
“It was definitely different my first year as a sophomore trying to read a defense,” Green said. “I’m a lot better at reading defenses now. I know the offense, where everyone is going, all the plays and that definitely helps a lot.”
The Grizzlies also return with running back Ayden Lopes and receivers Landon Robinson and Case Frank.
The Grizzlies offensive line will also be helped with former NFL lineman Cody Wichmann joining the coaching staff. Wichmann played five years in the NFL with the Rams, Titans and Cowboys after playing at Fresno State.
“Our experience should help us in the early games immensely,” Stitt said. “They know our offense quite well. We should be able to run the ball. Cody Wichmann is helping out with our offensive line and we’ve seen great improvement.”
Schedules
Le Grand
Aug. 20 vs Livingston
Aug. 27 at El Capitan
Sept. 3 at Tranquillity
Sept. 17 vs Orestimba
Sept. 24 at Waterford
Oct. 1 vs Denair
Oct. 8 vs Ripon Christian
Oct. 15 vs Gustine
Oct. 22 at Delhi
Oct. 29 at Mariposa
Delhi
Aug. 27 at Riverbank
Sept. 3 vs Johansen
Sept. 10 vs Big Valley Christian
Sept. 17 vs Waterford
Sept. 24 vs Mariposa
Oct. 1 vs at Gustine
Oct. 8 at vs Orestimba
Oct. 15 vs at Denair
Oct. 22 vs Le Grand
Oct. 29 at Ripon Christian
Gustine
Sept. 3 vs Delta Charter
Sept. 10 vs Vacaville Christian
Sept. 17 at Mariposa
Sept. 24 vs Denair
Oct 1. at Delhi
Oct. 8 vs Waterford
Oct. 22 vs Ripon Christian
Oct. 29 at Orestimba
Mariposa
Aug. 20 at Franklin (Stockton)
Aug. 27 at Minarets
Sept. 10 at Yosemite
Sept 17 vs Gustine
Sept. 24 at Delhi
Oct. 1 at Orestimba
Oct. 8 vs Denair
Oct. 15 at Ripon Christian
Oct. 22 at Waterford
Oct. 29 vs Le Grand
