Hilmar reloads after a rough 2014

If there’s anyone who gets the most out of his players, it’s Frank Marques.

You don’t rack up a 107-35 lifetime record without squeezing every ounce of effort out of them.

The Hilmar High School legend was at it again in 2014 as the Yellowjackets fought for every yard. But their effort and hustle couldn’t overcome their lack of horses to finish what they started. Three single-digit losses turned a possible 6-4 campaign into a 3-7 season as Hilmar couldn’t finish off games in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“Last year, it felt like we played a lot of 33/4 games,” senior wide receiver and defensive back Alex Chavez said. “We just couldn’t finish. A big part of it was we didn’t have a running game. Teams just weren’t afraid of us handing the ball off, so they could key in on (quarterback Jonathan O’Brien).

“Noah Batista kind of emerged as the guy at the end of the season, but it was too late. It’s pretty tough to play offense when you’re one-dimensional.”

Injuries and off-the-field issues decimated the Hilmar running back corps before the season started as four expected returning players suddenly were gone. With an abundance of depth at the skill positions this season, Marques doesn’t see that being a problem again.

“Last year, it felt like we were always playing catch-up,” Marques said. “We had four key kids that should have been there and weren’t. It cost us.

“This year, things look a lot more promising. We have a good core group of seniors coming back, and they’ll be joined by a JV squad that went undefeated last year against a tough schedule.”

After a few years behind O’Brien, Daniel Texeira will get his opportunity at quarterback. He’ll have veteran receivers in Chavez and Brandon Almeida and a new speedster in Klay Farris. Cody Rentfro✔ and Josh Jennings will complement Batista in the running game. Renfro and Jennings also were good receivers on the JV last year.

Loaded as the skill positions look, a big and experienced offensive line should make the Yellowjackets go. Marques has three returners led by guard Colton Dutey and tackles Gabriel Aguilar and Jarrod Willis, an all-Trans Valley League second-team pick last season. Throw in imposing junior Ethan Jones (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), and it’s easy to see why Hilmar is so optimistic.

“We’ve got so much depth and electricity, we feel like we can score on every play,” Chavez said. “Last year, we never had any balance, but this year, you’re going to have trouble slowing this offense down.”

The defense will feature a lot of new faces, including coordinator Mark Santos.

Batista and Chavez will lead the secondary, with Almeida, Rentfro and Jennings causing havoc at linebacker.

“The defense is going to be an unproven group, but I’m very excited about them,” Marques said. “We know the puzzle pieces are there. We’re just not sure if we have them in all the right places yet. But once we do, they’re going to be good.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 10:17 PM with the headline "Hilmar reloads after a rough 2014."