‘Our goal is to compete.’ El Capitan looking to finally get football program moving forward
The El Capitan High School football program hit the reset button once again this offseason, as Anthony Martinez was named the new head coach.
Martinez, who served as defensive coordinator last year, becomes the fifth head coach since the school opened in 2013.
Now the question is, will Martinez be the one to get the program up and running? The Gauchos have compiled a 9-66 all-time record, including just 2-32 in the past four years.
So far, Martinez likes what he’s seeing.
“I love my group,” he said. “I love their work ethic and I love their buy-in to what we’re trying to do. They keep answering the call to every challenge we put in front of them.”
“I love the culture right now,” Martinez added. “I feel like there’s been a shift. In the past it’s always been, ‘Let’s see what will happen.’ With this group it’s, ‘Let’s do something.’”
One thing Martinez wants to see his kids do is compete. He said too often El Capitan teams have given up after falling behind early in games
That led to the Gauchos being outscored 530 to 102 last season as they limped to an 0-10 season.
“I felt we didn’t compete after maybe two series into any game last year,” Martinez said. “That was rock bottom for us. I expect us to be far more competitive. I’m not going to judge our season on wins and losses. My goal is to not have a running clock all year. Our goal is to compete in every game.”
The players feel they’ve seen a change in effort and commitment.
“This year the energy is different,” said senior quarterback Ceaser Manzo. “We have some guys who have been around. I think everyone is ready to fight for each other. During my four years here I never thought about transferring. I wanted to stay here and help the team succeed.”
Manzo makes the transition from running back to quarterback with former quarterback Carter Haugen transferring to Merced High.
The Gauchos also have weapons in receiver Albert Simonian, Jeremiah Price, Ricardo Ruiz and Dejuan Franklin.
“One thing we struggled with in the past was commitment,” Price said. “This group is committed. Everyone is showing up to practice ready to work.”
Martinez says the biggest emphasis on both sides of the ball has been up front on the offensive and defensive lines.
“We need to try to win up front,” Martinez said. “That’s the biggest shift in my approach is we want to establish the line of scrimmage. That’s what I’m worried about most.”
Three linemen the Gauchos will be counting on will be Darian Valdivia, Raul Rodriguez and Dylan Cherf.
This group wants to be the one that gets this program going in the right direction.
“I just want to win,” Price said. “I came here to help change the program.”
2022 Schedule
Aug. 19 vs Delhi (Merced College)
Aug. 26 at Le Grand
Sept. 2 at Modesto Christian
Sept. 9 vs Livingston (Golden Valley)
Sept. 16 at Patterson
Sept 23 at Atwater
Sept. 30 vs Merced (Golden Valley)
Oct. 7 at Buhach Colony
Oct. 21 vs Golden Valley (Merced College)
Oct. 27 vs Central Valley (Golden Valley)
