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2023 East Sequoia League Football Preview: 44 impact players to know, schedules

Vongni Yang, Visalia Times-Delta
·7 min read

2023 East Sequoia League High School Football Preview

Corcoran Panthers

Head coach: Grant Kapigian, seventh season

Roster size: 30

Base offense/defense: Gun-T/4-3

2022 record: 9-3 (lost to Templeton in the Central Section Division V quarterfinals)

Impact players: LB/RB Enrique Rios, TE/DE Julian Fernandez, WR/DB Eian Hernandez, QB Joziah Alaniz, LB/FB Manuel Islas-Romero

Highlights: Corcoran has a good mix of speed and strength, as well as veteran and new talent. The Panthers captured a share of the ESL championship last season with Strathmore. Senior running back Enrique Rios led the team last season with 1,064 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. “This can be a special group, but we have to go out and work for it," Corcoran head coach Grant Kapigian said. "Control what we can control.”

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: at Fowler, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Hanford West, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Sierra Pacific, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Granite Hills, 5 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Woodlake, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at Lindsay, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Orange Cove (homecoming), 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: vs Orosi (senior night), 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Strathmore, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Farmersville, 7:15 p.m.

Michael Moreno, right, directs Matty Isais to block during Farmersville football practice Friday, July 28, 2023.
Michael Moreno, right, directs Matty Isais to block during Farmersville football practice Friday, July 28, 2023.

Farmersville Aztecs

Head coach: Bryan Rojas, first season

Roster size: 20

Base offense/defense: Split veer/3-3 stack

2022 record: 5-5 (lost to Avenal in the Central Section Division VI first round)

Impact players: QB/FS Ziler Almanza, RB/OLB Judah Andrade, WR/CB Gary Gonzalez, TE/LB Jonathan Perez, WR/FS Heleno Saucedo, OL Humberto Medrano, OL/DL Jayden Olea

Highlights: Farmersville will be led this season by first-year head coach Bryan Rojas — an Army veteran who served 20 years in the military. Rojas was previously the defensive backs coach at Porterville last season. The Aztecs are expected to be a run-heavy team in 2023.

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: Parlier, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: at Tranquility, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Avenal, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: Orosi, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Strathmore, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Granite Hills, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Lindsay, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Woodlake, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Corcoran, 7:15 p.m.

Granite Hills Grizzlies

Head coach: Carl Scudder, third season

Roster size: 30

Base offense/defense: Wing T/3-3 stack

2022 record: 1-9

Impact players: RB/LB A.J. Duran, OL Angel Bizarro, RB Nick Pulido, LB Tylor Berrones, WR Damian Verduzco, QB Angel Hinojosa

Highlights: Carl Scudder, the former Porterville head coach, is in his third season leading Granite Hills. The Grizzlies are coming off a one-win campaign but Scudder saw some promise in the offseason. "I think we're stronger and more physical since I've been here," Scudder said. "The weight room has played a huge part, and I think we will surprise some teams this season."

Schedule

  • Aug. 25: at Parlier, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: at McFarland, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: Corcoran, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at Farmersville, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 5: Orosi, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Strathmore, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Lindsay, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 26: Woodlake (Battle for the Belt), 7:15 p.m.

Lindsay's Jose Cortes led the Cardinals in rushing last season with 663 yards and five touchdowns.
Lindsay's Jose Cortes led the Cardinals in rushing last season with 663 yards and five touchdowns.

Lindsay Cardinals

Head coach: Casey Higginbotham, fourth season

Roster size: 40

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/4-2-5

2022 win-loss record: 4-7 (lost to Arvin in the Central Section Division VI first-round playoffs)

Impact players: LB/RB Joseph Ceballos, LB/RB Nathaniel Culberson, RB/LB Nick Masiel, WR/DB Thomas Tellez, WR/DB Fernando Martinez, WR/DB Julian Ceballos, WR/LB Sebastian Ortiz, RB/LB Jose Cortes, OL/DL Omar Trujillo, OL/DL Omar Orosco

Highlights: Lindsay won its seven-on-seven passing tournament in June, beating Tulare Union in the championship game. One of the Cardinals' top players to watch this season is junior running back Jose Cortes. He led the squad in rushing last season with 663 yards and five touchdowns. "The team has done an excellent job of dedicating themselves to the weight room during the offseason and getting themselves better every day," Lindsay head coach Casey Higginbotham said.

Schedule:

  • Aug. 25: California City, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at McFarland, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Woodlake, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Orosi, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Corcoran, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Farmersville, 7:15p .m.

  • Oct. 13: at Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Granite Hills, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Strathmore, 7:15 p.m.

Orosi running back Andrew Camarillo enters his senior season with 3,978 yards rushing and 58 career touchdowns.
Orosi running back Andrew Camarillo enters his senior season with 3,978 yards rushing and 58 career touchdowns.

Orosi Cardinals

Head coach: Ben White, seventh season (30th overall)

Roster size: 30

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/4-3

2022 record: 4-7 (lost to Kern Valley in the Central Section Division VI first-round playoffs)

Impact players: RB Andrew Camarillo, OL/DL Angel Chavez OL/DL, DB/WR Justin Villatoro, OL/DL Eugene Hernandez, QB Lance Lopez

Highlights: Orosi has one of the state's top running backs, statistically speaking, in senior Andrew Camarillo. He rushed for nearly 2,300 yards and scored 25 touchdowns in 2022. "Everyone knows who Andrew is and they game plan everything to stop him," Orosi head coach Ben White said. "Our success will depend on other players stepping up and taking advantage of that exact situation."

Head Football Coach Jeromy Blackwell works with his team on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Strathmore High School. Blackwell has returned to the job he loves and is still recovering after a life-threatening health scare that put him in the hospital for two weeks in June.
Head Football Coach Jeromy Blackwell works with his team on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Strathmore High School. Blackwell has returned to the job he loves and is still recovering after a life-threatening health scare that put him in the hospital for two weeks in June.

Strathmore Spartans

Head coach: Jeromy Blackwell, 23rd season

Roster size: 45

Base offense/defense: Pro-style, 3-4

2022 record: 8-3 (lost to Shafter in the Central Section Division IV first round)

Impact players: RB Jacob Poole, QB Bryson Bias, WR/DT Julian Ceballos

Highlights: Strathmore head coach Jeromy Blackwell spent two weeks in the hospital in July after being put into a medically induced coma following a heat stroke but he's back on the sidelines and is set to lead the Spartans for the 2023 season. The Spartans will be anchored this fall on offense by senior running back Jacob Poole and quarterback Bryson Bias. Poole is considered by Blackwell as the fastest player he's ever coached at Strathmore.

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: at Exeter, 7:15 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: at Hanford West, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Mendota, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: Orange Cove, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Farmersville, 7:15 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at Orosi, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Woodlake, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Granite Hills, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Corcoran, 7:15 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Lindsay (Bell Game), 7:15 p.m.

Three-teams compete during a high school football scrimmage between Golden West, Mt. Whitney and Woodlake at Visalia Community Stadium at Golden West in Visalia, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
Three-teams compete during a high school football scrimmage between Golden West, Mt. Whitney and Woodlake at Visalia Community Stadium at Golden West in Visalia, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Woodlake Tigers

Head coach: Manny Martinez, second season

Roster size: 30

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/3-5

2022 record: 7-5 (lost to Mendota in Central Section Division VI semifinals)

Impact players: QB Vincent Duran, FB/LB Xavior Contreras, RB Isaiah Taylor, RB/LB/K Ismael Pena, TE David Flores, OL/DL Fernando Hernandez, OL/DL Joseph Avilez, DE Beck Holzum

Highlights: Woodlake came just four yards short last season against Mendota to be denied a chance at advancing to the Central Section Division VI championship game. The Tigers will be led by experienced players this season in quarterback Vincent Duran and running back/linebacker Ismael Pena. In the spring, Pena directed the baseball team to the Central Section Division VI title as the club's ace pitcher. "This group is special," Woodlake head coach Manny Martinez said.

Editor's note: Orange Cove is also a member of the East Sequoia League. The Titans did not respond to the Times-Delta's media information request by press time.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2023 East Sequoia League Football Preview