El Capitan football hoping to build foundation, confidence with eager group
The Central California Conference is a tough conference when you’re trying to build your program. It’s a league with well-established programs. There’s rarely an easy game.
Just ask El Capitan.
Since joining the CCC in 2015, the Gauchos are 3-21 in CCC play (Not counting this past spring’s five-game season).
The Gauchos have yet to enjoy a winning season since the school opened in 2013. It’s a program still trying to get its footing.
“One of the first steps we need to take is to get these kids fighting hard for four quarters,” said Randall Bartley, who begins his second season as head coach. “We want to build a foundation. We had games against Le Grand and Livingston that were one score games last spring, we want to pull out those close game.”
Bartley says they are attempting to follow Golden Valley’s blueprint of scheduling some smaller schools to build some confidence. The Gauchos non-conference schedule includes Firebaugh, Le Grand, Grace Davis and Livingston.
“The kids we have are very coachable,” Bartley said. “It’s a fun group.”
The Gauchos entered fall camp with just 21 players. They added five players since school started to bring the roster up to 26.
Bartley says off-season practices are tough because many of their players live across town.
“Those first practices before school started were tough because we couldn’t go 11 on 11,” Bartley said. “We had to go with half lines and adapt our practices.”
The Gauchos have some players that can help set the tone for the program in junior quarterback Carter Haugen, senior receiver Derrick Harris, senior David Valdivia and senior lineman Hugo Zaragoza.
The coaches are going to count heavily on Haugen to lead the offense.
“He’s a genuine competitor,” Bartley said. “He loves the pressure. He loves having the ball in his hands when it matters most.”
Harris gives Haugen a big target at receiver and Valdivia will also see time at running back.
Zaragoza will anchor the offensive line at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds.
“I think our passing game will be a lot better,” Haugen said. “Last year we were pretty run heavy. This year we’ll be able to mix it up more. We’ve got a good variety of receivers with guys who are very physical, guys who will go up and get the ball and some speed guys.”
Haugen says he and his teammates are ready to get the program going in the right direction.
“I would hope so,” he said. “I feel like we’re a really close team. I believe our offense is getting better day by day and our defense will be more physical.”
Schedule
Aug. 20 at Firebaugh
Aug. 27 vs Le Grand
Sept. 3 vs Grace Davis
Sept. 10 at Livingston
Sept. 17 vs Patterson
Sept. 24 vs Atwater
Oct. 1 at Merced
Oct. 8 vs Buhach Colony
Oct. 22 at Golden Valley
Oct. 29 at Central Valley
