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2023 East Yosemite League Football Preview: 54 names to know, team capsules, schedules

Vongni Yang, Visalia Times-Delta
·9 min read

2023 EAST YOSEMITE LEAGUE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

El Diamante Miners

Head coach: Devin Ramos, second seasonRoster size: 55Base offense/defense: Pro-style, 4-2-5

2022 record: 1-9Impact players: OL Marsel Akins, OL Cole Robinson, DL John Chavez-Aguirre, DL Joey Clark, QB Kaleb Konersman-Smith, RB Caleb Silva, RB E.J. Perez, WR Anthony Noriega, WR Jeremiah West, DB Jayden Lopez, TE Mason Ortega

Highlights: El Diamante capped off the 2022 season with a big win in the Battle for the Saddle game, beating rival Golden West 14-12. The Miners are entering year two under head coach Devin Ramos and will be led on the field by offensive lineman Marsel Akins, quarterback Kaleb Konersman-Smith and defensive back Jayden Lopez. Akins, a 2022 All-EYL first-team honoree, verbally committed in June to play college football at Fresno State. Konersman-Smith started in last year's Saddle win and has shown promise at the position. The Miners have won only four games in the past two seasons combined. El Diamante's last winning season (record above .500) came in 2017 — Mark Rogers' last full campaign as head coach.

More: Tulare County Football: 50 things you need to know before 2023 season

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: at Tulare Western, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 24: Tulare Union, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: at Clovis North, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Edison, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: at Stockdale-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Redwood (homecoming), 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Monache, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Porterville, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Golden West (Battle for the Saddle), 7 p.m.

Redwood hosts Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game Friday, October 21, 2022.
Redwood hosts Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game Friday, October 21, 2022.

Golden West Trailblazers

Head coach: Travis Anderson, second season

Roster size: 60

Base offense/defense: Spread/3-3 stack

2022 record: 4-6

Impact players: RB/DB Case Anders, LB Leo Gonzalez, WR/DB Darryl Toney, WR Chris Garcia, QB Raymon Velazquez, OL/DL Eric Meyst, DL Adrian Solano, LB Landan Costa, WR/KR Isaac Elias

Highlights: Golden West is entering its second year under head coach Travis Anderson — a former College of the Sequoias and Humboldt State safety. This season, the Trailblazers are returning seven offensive starters, including their top running back (Case Anders) and quarterback (Raymon Valazquez). Anders rushed for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns in conference play to earn 2022 All-EYL first-team honors last season. A defensive-minded coach, Anderson's unit shined last year while scoring six defensive touchdowns. The Trailblazers return seven defensive starters and will be led by senior linebacker Leo Gonzalez, who posted a team-high 103 stops in 2022. Former Porterville and Mission Oak head coach Michael Machado joined Anderson's coaching staff in the offseason and is now the team's new offensive coordinator.

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: at Arroyo Grande, 7 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: Dinuba, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Hanford, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Kingsburg, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: Tehachapi, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at Monache, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Porterville, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Redwood, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: El Diamante (Battle for the Saddle), 7 p.m.

Mt. Whitney's Michael Sanchez runs against Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game at Visalia Community Stadium in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
Mt. Whitney's Michael Sanchez runs against Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game at Visalia Community Stadium in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Mt. Whitney Pioneers

Head coach: Nathan Chamberlain, fifth season

Roster size: 45

Base offense/defense: Spread (10 personnel)/3-3 stack

2022 win record: 4-7 (lost to Tehachapi in the Central Section Division III first-round playoffs)

Impact players: WR Carter Myers, OL Jacob Barney, MLB/FB Michael Sanchez, OL Adam Casas, NG Issac Seechan, QB Micah Rodriguez, WR Israel Briggs, LB Mario Rodriguez

Highlights: Mt. Whitney will be headlined by three three-year starters in seniors Carter Myers, Jacob Barney and Michael Sanchez. Myers will lead a receiving unit that also includes sophomore Israel Briggs — an All-EYL first-team pick in 2022. The 6-foot-3 Barney is set to anchor the offensive line at right tackle and pairs up with left tackle Adam Casas. Casas brings college-level size at 6-foot-5. Sanchez began his career on defense but emerged as the team's starting running back last season to earn All-EYL second-team honors. Briggs may be the Pioneers' best player after breaking out as a freshman in 2022. He will also see time at safety as a sophomore. Head coach Nathan Chamberlain stated one of the team's strengths in the offseason was players' "desire to work hard to get better each day in practice."

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: Tulare Union, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: at Morro Bay, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: Tulare Western, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Mission Oak, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Reedley, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Porterville, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Golden West, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at El Diamante, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: Monache, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Redwood (Cowhide), 6:30 p.m.

Monache quarterback Emmett Focke (4) scrambles against Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game at Visalia Community Stadium in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.
Monache quarterback Emmett Focke (4) scrambles against Golden West in an East Yosemite League high school football game at Visalia Community Stadium in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Monache Marauders

Head coach: Aaron Berry, first season

Roster size: 44

Base offense/defense: Pro-style/Flex

2022 record: 2-8

Impact players: QB Emmett Focke, RB/DB Ty Baxter, LB/FB Roberto Prado, DE/OL Xavier Camacho

Highlights: Aaron Berry, a Southern California native, steps into the head coaching role after one season at Covina where he led the Colts to a Sierra League championship and a seven-win campaign. Monache is coming off a two-win season with victories over Chavez-Delano and El Diamante. This year, the Marauders' motto is "sacrifice." Emmett Focke returns to lead the offense at quarterback and Ty Baxter will see time at both running back and the secondary. Baxter was an All-EYL honorable mention on defense last season. The Marauders' last winning season came in 2018 when they won seven games and advanced to the Central Section Division IV semifinals.

More: New football coach Aaron Berry brings energy, intensity at Monache

Schedule

  • Aug. 17: at Mission Oak, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: Chavez-Delano, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 31: Wasco, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: at Paso Robles, 7 p.m.

  • Sept. 16: Garces-Bakersfield, 6:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: Golden West, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at El Diamante, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: at Redwood, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: at Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Porterville (Granite Bowl), 6:30 p.m.

Porterville's Rocky Arguijo looks to pass against Redwood during their high school football game in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
Porterville's Rocky Arguijo looks to pass against Redwood during their high school football game in Visalia, Calif., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

Porterville Panthers

Head coach: Keith Thompson, fourth season

Roster size: 50

Base offense/defense: Pro-style spread/3-3 stack

2022 record: 9-2 (lost to Independence in the Central Section Division III first-round playoffs)

Impact players: RB/FS Samuel Alcantar, QB Rocky Arguijo, WR Dominic Perez, WR Mark Salinas, RB Tyson Vinson, OL Troy McMath, OL/DL Kian Rangel, OL/DL Joaquin Leyva, DB/WR Masyn Hernandez

Highlights: Head coach Keith Thompson directed Porterville to a breakout 2022 season, leading the Panthers to nine wins and a postseason appearance. The Panthers return the EYL's top quarterback this season in Rocky Arguijo — the conference's co-offensive player of the year in 2022. Arguijo threw for 1,908 yards and 14 touchdowns and helped the Panthers average 28.2 points per game. In the trenches, All-EYL first-team honoree Joaquin Leyva will anchor the offensive line alongside 6-foot-2, 250-pound Kian Rangel. Samuel Alcantar is expected to take over for 1,000-yard rusher Jaret Garcia, who graduated this past summer. "This year we are bringing back a lot of guys who have a lot of valuable varsity experience," Thompson said. "Over the summer, we were able to bring a lot of your younger guys up to speed on our offensive and defensive schemes."

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: McLane, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: at South-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 31: Foothill-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 14: Highland-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 22: at Exeter, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at Mt. Whitney, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: Redwood, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Golden West, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 20: El Diamante, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: at Monache (Granite Bowl), 6:30 p.m.

Redwood's Moses Burk catches a touchdown pass and celebrates late in the first half against Redwood during a non-league high school football game at Bob Mathias Stadium in Tulare, Calif., Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Redwood's Moses Burk catches a touchdown pass and celebrates late in the first half against Redwood during a non-league high school football game at Bob Mathias Stadium in Tulare, Calif., Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.

Redwood Rangers

Head coach: Kevin Scharton, fifth season (20th overall)

Roster size: 61

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

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

Impact players: WR Moses Burk, DE Kai Preisendorf, OL BJ Wainwright, WR Evan Galley, RB Alex Perch, QB Erik Rico, FB Jacob Florez, TE Nathan Kinser, DT Jordan Nguyen, OLB Xavier Perez, SS Brandow Woodrow, CB Isaia Galaviz, CB Dallas Harris

Highlights: Redwood is the reigning EYL champion. The Rangers went a perfect 5-0 last season en route to an EYL title. During that dominating run, they outscored their league foes a combined 179-33 and also pitched three defensive shutouts. Redwood returns five players who have started since their sophomore years in receiver Moses Burk, defensive end Kai Preisendorf, lineman B.J. Wainwright, receiver Evan Galley, and running back Alex Perch. In the offseason, the Rangers linemen placed first at the Redwood Trench Wars and also finished in the top five at three other events. In 7-on-7 action, Redwood finished unbeaten at both the El Diamante and Arroyo Grande passing tournaments. They also advanced to the semifinals at both the Lindsay and Hanford passing tournaments and placed second at their own Redwood Roger Kelly Passing Tournament. Redwood has a solid mix of veteran leadership and newcomers. Last season, at all three levels, the Rangers went a combined 25-6.

Schedule

  • Aug. 18: at Centennial-Bakersfield, 7:30 p.m.

  • Aug. 25: Clovis North, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 1: at Tulare Union, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 8: Tulare Western, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 15: Hanford, 7:30 p.m.

  • Sept. 29: at El Diamante, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 6: at Porterville, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 13: Monache, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oc.t 20: at Golden West, 7:30 p.m.

  • Oct. 27: Mt. Whitney (Cowhide), 6:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 2023 East Yosemite League Football Preview: 54 names to know