‘We bring a good energy.’ Atwater hoping success from other sports rubs off on football
One of the biggest impacts the COVID-19 pandemic had on high school football teams the past two years was limiting the amount of times athletes could spend in the weight room.
Atwater High School coach Seneca Ybarra has already seen a big difference after watching his players go through a normal offseason.
“Absolutely, you can see it in our numbers,” Ybarra said. “Last year we have maybe one lineman who could squat 300 pounds. That’s definitely changed this offseason. The offseason is extremely important for us to get in the weight room and improve. We definitely felt the pinch the last two years.”
Ybarra says the Falcons have quite a few players who can now squat 300 pounds. Last year the Falcons only had a handful of guys who could bench 200 pounds. This year they have about 25 guys who can.
“When we played Patterson and Merced last year we were overpowered,” Ybarra said. “We’ve had a year in the weight room to get better.”
Atwater lost just about every key contributor at the skilled positions from last year’s 3-7 team. The Falcons will have new faces at quarterback, running back and receiver.
Senior Tyler Parr saw limited time at quarterback last season and enters as the starter this year. Parr threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
“He’s doing the right things,” Ybarra said. “He’s a starter on a basketball team that has won back-to-back championships. We’re looking to bring that confidence to the football team.”
Ybarra is hoping athletes like Parr, Colton Dukes and Azim Muldrow can bring a winning attitude to the football team. All three played key roles in the basketball team’s title run. Dukes and Muldrow were also two of the top track athletes in the CCC this past spring.
“We definitely bring a winning mentality,” said Dukes, who was the CCC basketball MVP. “We’re used to winning in basketball and track. We bring a good energy. You don’t want to be around people who are used to losing. You want that winning mentality.”
“This guys know how to win,” Ybarra added. “They won a league championship in basketball. They know how to practice. They’re excited about being seniors and we’re counting on them to be leaders.”
Dukes and Muldrow will be counted on as a receiver this season. Seniors Nathan Valenzuela, Steven Stone III and Tyler Ivie will help anchor an improved offensive line. Javier Avila, Josue Garcia and Colin Williams will all be part of a running back committee.
“I feel like we’ve got good buy-in from our guys,” Ybarra said. “We’ve had good energy at our practices. Our weight lifting numbers were there. Our (junior varsity) team was small last year but they had good contributors. Were excited about our new guys.”
2022 Schedule
Aug. 19 at Valley
Aug. 26 at Clovis East
Sept. 2 at Gregori
Sept. 9 vs East Union
Sept. 16 at Merced
Sept. 23 vs El Capitan
Sept. 30 vs Patterson
Oct. 7 at Golden Valley
Oct. 14 at Central Valley
Oct. 28 vs Buhach Colony
