‘We’re ready to go.’ With large roster, Los Banos enters football season with depth, talent
The Los Banos High School football team entered fall camp with the most players they’ve had in some time with 62 players coming out for the team.
The Tigers had over 50 players come out for the junior varsity team as well. “I think parents are getting kids back out of the house and we’re ready to go,” said Los Banos Coach Dustin Caropreso.
Caropreso feels football is returning back to normal after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic the past few years with shortened seasons and limited time in the weight room.
This is the first group since COVID-19 hit that has had a regular offseason program with weight lifting and a full seven-on-seven program.
“We have a very committed group this summer,” Caropreso said. “They showed up for weights and seven-on-seven. We have kids coming up from a sophomore class that lost just one or two games last year at the JV level. This junior class blends in nicely with the senior class we have coming back.”
The Tigers return some key players on the offensive side of the ball from a team that finished 6-5 last year and reached the playoffs.
Junior David Herrera returns at quarterback. Herrera entered last season in a quarterback battle with fellow sophomore Wyatt McBride.
Herrera’s ability to run and throw helped him to eventually emerge as the starter by midseason.
“Going into camp Herrera is the guy,” Caropreso said. “Both (Herrera and McBride) got reps with the ones during seven-on-seven. They’re both still going to get work. It is hard to try to keep both of them happy. They are different types of quarterbacks and it helps if something isn’t working we can go to something else.”
Herrera feels more comfortable entering his second varsity season.
“Last year I was nervous,” Herrera said. “Playing with all the juniors and seniors I never really wanted to make a mistake. Now I’m more comfortable with the playbook.”
The Tigers lost two key weapons to graduation in running back Adrian Ramirez and receiver JT Archutowksi.
Los Banos should have plenty of options at receiver, led by senior Ayden Barcellos.
Running back may be more of a question mark. One option may be senior Mark Carriero, who will attempt to move from receiver to running back.
“That’s something we decided at the end of the summer,” Caropreso said. “We’re going to work him at running back. He has that (former Tigers running back) Justin Incaprera style of running upright. He’s fast and if it works out we may have something there.”
Up front the Tigers return three starters on offense led by seniors Salvador Garcia and Jackson Silva. Los Banos will also be helped with the addition to the coaching staff of former Gustine head coach Russell McWilliams, who will coach the offensive line.
Defensively, the Tigers will look for some players to step into leadership roles after losing players like defensive end Archutowksi and linebacker Masten Milojevich.
“Overall I think we’re going to be solid on the defensive side of the ball,” Caropreso said. “I don’t know if we have that one or two guys you can point to like we’ve had in the past. It’s exciting to see who is going to step up. We have a lot of kids working hard.”
The Tigers want to build off last year’s success and playoff appearance.
“This group has a lot of spirit,” Herrera said. “We’ve put a lot of work in during the offseason. This group is hungry. I think we can make it past the first round of the playoffs.”
This story was originally published August 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
