Livingston High football ready to hit the ground running with new quarterback, league
Livingston High senior Zack Duran has played almost exclusively at running back on offense. He grew up playing running back and hopes to play running back in college.
To help his team, Duran is transitioning to quarterback this season.
“He was our backup quarterback last year so it’s not completely new for him,” said Livingston head coach Steven Wine. “This isn’t something he wants to do but he’s embraced it and he’s a leader of our team.”
After leading the Wolves with 662 rushing yards, Duran is bringing the toughness of a fullback to the quarterback position.
“It’s not that big of a deal because we run the veer,” Duran said. “It’s still a transition because now I need to know everyone’s position and where they’re going to be. Before I just needed to know where to run the ball.”
How quickly Duran can feel comfortable at his new position will help determine how well the Wolves can adjust to change as they move from the Trans-Valley League to the Western Athletic Conference.
With the Sac-Joaquin Section beginning a new realignment cycle of leagues this fall, the WAC will now be comprised of Beyer, Ceres, Davis, Johansen, Lathrop, Pacheco, Central Valley, and Livingston.
“The TVL was great and the WAC is going to be a fun league,” said Livingston receiver Luis Sandoval. “It’s going to be a challenge facing new teams but it’s a challenge we’re ready to take on.”
Duran appears the perfect leader for what Wine envisions from his team this year.
The Wolves don’t expect to be the type of fast-paced, run-and-gun spread teams that have taken over high school football in the last decade.
Livingston will be more a throw-back, smash-mouth, run-first team that hopes to march down the field in a cloud of dust with their veer attack.
“We are embracing 4 yards a pop,” Wine said. “If we can stay on schedule and get to fourth-and-one or third-and-two, we like our chances. I know our offense is not super sexy or Oregon-like, but our guys are embracing it.”
The hope is to keep the game close and win it in the fourth quarter.
“I’m still the defensive coordinator,” Wine added. “I like when the other team doesn’t have the ball.”
The Wolves offense will rely on skill guys like Duran, Adrian Hernandez, Sandoval and Armani Miranda. Up front the offensive line will be anchored by Jovany Acosta, Anthony Cornejo and Anthony Cervantes.
The defense will be anchored by Kevin Velazquez, Acosta on the defensive line, Duran at linebacker, and Sandoval in the secondary.
“I feel we have a strong defense with a lot of talent,” Velazquez said. We have a strong defensive line, with some fast linebackers and (defensive backs). I think we have good knowledge of the game and what to do.”
Wine says the Wolves players worked hard in the offseason.
“This offseason was the best I’ve seen in my 11 or 12 years at Livingston High as far as the gains our guys made with strength and speed,” Wine said. “We’ve got some really fast guys.”
The players and coaches are looking forward to the season.
“It’s going to be fun,” Wine said. “Since 2012, we’ve been in the WAC and the TVL, we’ve kind of bounced around. There is going to be a learning curve as we get to know the style of play of everyone in the WAC.”
Wolves 2024 Schedule
Aug. 23 vs Le Grand
Aug. 30 at Sonora
Sept. 6 at Argonaut
Sept. 20 vs Ceres
Sept. 27 at Beyer
Oct. 3 at Grace Davis
Oct. 11 vs Central Valley
Oct. 18 vs Lathrop
Oct. 25 at Johansen
Nov. 1 vs Pacheco
