Hilmar ready for another deep playoff run as school celebrates 100th season of football
Lofty expectations aren’t unusual for the Hilmar High School football team during Frank Marques’ 19 years as the Yellowjackets head coach.
Hilmar is 174-55 during Marques’ tenure, including four Sac-Joaquin Section championships.
However, Marques feels this year’s team has the potential to be his best.
“During our short season when we played in the (Central California Conference), this group of seniors were on that JV team that was beating everyone by 30 points,” Marques said. “If we stay healthy, this could be one of of the best teams I’ve ever had.”
Hilmar’s 100th football season has an opportunity to be a special year. The program will commemorate 100 years of football by honoring past teams during home games this year.
The program has compiled an all-time record of 527-335-47 record in 99 years. The Yellowjackets have won 26 league championships and eight Sac-Joaquin Section titles.
“It’s really special,” Marques said. “There’s a lot of excitement around town. Every game we’re going to honor a different era of Hilmar football.”
The Yellowjackets return 11 players that saw significant playing time on last year’s squad that finished 11-3, falling 20-13 to Escalon in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship game.
Leading the way is Derek Taylor, a third-year starter at receiver and defensive end. The 6-foot-5 star already has a scholarship offer from the University of Massachusetts. Taylor led the team with 39 catches for 872 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
“He works hard and does all the right things,” Marques said.
The Yellowjackets know Taylor will be a marked man, drawing consistent double teams from opposing defenses.
“I saw a lot of double teams last year,” Taylor said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of targets this year. If I’m covered we’ll have a lot of options.”
Senior running back Luis Vargas can help relieve some of the pressure off of Taylor. Vargas gives Hilmar a big-play threat at running back. He finished with 475 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Vargas has an opportunity to be a featured back in the Yellowjackets offense this year.
“He’s just the complete package,” Marques said. “He’s shifty at running back and has good speed. He’s a leader. He kind of gets lost in the shuffle with some of the other guys we’ve had. My goal is to get him the ball 15 to 20 times a game. I’ve got to get the ball in his hands.”
The Yellowjackets should be strong up front on the offensive line and senior Hudson Azevedo will start at quarterback after missing last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which he suffered just before the start of last season.
“Hunter was going to be our starter last season,” Taylor said “I hope he can stay healthy because I think he’s a game changer.”
The Yellowjackets should be strong on defense with a number of players playing on both sides of the ball.
The Trans-Valley League is going to a gauntlet once again with Ripon, Escalon and Hughson all expected to be strong again this season.
“This is the group I grew up with,” Taylor said. “I think we have great chemistry going into the season. Last year it took a while. We had to switch quarterbacks in the middle of the season. Coming off the loss in the section championship was tough but I really think we can go further this year. I like our team.”
2022 Schedule
Aug. 19 vs Patterson
Aug. 26 vs Los Banos
Sept. 2 at Sonora
Sept. 10 at Palma
Sept. 16 at Livingston
Sept. 23 vs Ripon
Sept. 30 vs Escalon
Oct. 14 at Hughson
Oct. 21 at Modesto Christian
Oct. 28 vs Riverbank
This story was originally published August 10, 2022 at 7:12 AM.
