As anticipated, the senior-heavy 2021 Williams Yellowjacket football team captured the Mid-Valley League championship after running the table in conference play.
Improving the run game was a priority last season, and as a result, the ‘Jackets proceeded to roll up 2364 yards on the ground behind the MVL’s Offensive Player of the Year, and 1000-yard rusher, Jayr Ramirez.
For good measure, Williams also accrued 1364 yards through the air, averaged 29.6 points per game and finished 8-3 overall.
This year however, as the Yellowjackets embark on their title defense, there are lots of new faces hoping to pick up where the 18 seniors lost to graduation left off.
Starting with the offense, the ‘Jackets will have Adrian Solis calling the signals this season, a junior who the staff feels has a tremendous upside based on his performance at the JV level.
According to his coaches, thus far Solis has displayed a natural feel for the game and poses a dual threat with the ball in his hands.
For his part, Solis seems up to the task and is looking forward to what lies ahead saying that he was excited to be “playing with the guys we have here and making the most of the season.”
In the backfield, the Yellowjackets will turn to Jose Campos, a junior who played seven games for the varsity a year ago where he averaged 4.5 yards per clip, along with senior Esteban Garcia, who in limited carries averaged 6.8 yards, and junior Alan Rodriguez.
Williams lost all its starters at wide receiver but expects big things from the incoming group of juniors that includes Rodriguez, Miguel Villanueva, and Kayden Bowen, each of whom the coaches feel has the potential to be a game changer.
Of course, much of how the season plays out will depend on the effectiveness of the line, and here the ‘Jackets will count on their two returning starters, senior Gustavo Garcia and junior Brauilo Rivera, for leadership.
Juniors Dylan Chapa, Jose Martinez, and Alexis Velazquez will also contribute in the trenches.
On the defensive side of the ball the Yellowjackets’ greatest strength may be in the secondary, which head coach Jeff Lemus says is the best he’s seen since coming to Williams.
A pair of juniors in Villanueva and Kaled Correa are expected to nail down the cornerback spots, while senior Ty Howell, one of only two returning starters on defense, and who averaged 3.9 tackles per game in 2021, will line up at safety.
There is a strong mix of players vying for time at linebacker including Campos, Jonathan Benitez and Izael Velazquez on the inside, while Esteban Garcia and Cesar Flores have been getting reps on the outside.
As one of the core players on both sides of the ball, Campos appreciates the effort and solidarity he sees in his teammates explaining, “We have energy, a lot of positive energy and we also know we’ve got each other’s backs.”
Senior Johny Alcarez, the only other returning defensive starter, heads the group of linemen, which additionally includes Gustavo Garcia, Arturo Ramos, Francisco Zamudio, and Alexis Ocampo.
While Williams is somewhat of a mystery given the turnover on the varsity squad, Lemus, now in his fourth year at the helm, thinks his squad has a great deal of potential based on what he’s seen so far.
“Our main strengths are our athleticism and the coachability of the guys,” Lemus said. “This group also has a good mental feel for the game.”
The ‘Jackets will most certainly be put to the test in the preseason with consecutive games against Paradise, Durham, Pierce, Colusa and Winters, and will need to maintain their drive for improvement and positive outlook heading into conference play.
To retain the MVL crown, the reigning champs will have to contend with MVL foes Mt. Shasta, Willows, Trinity, and Hamilton City, all likely improved over last year, along with Biggs, a team whose former coach, Tyler Rutledge, has landed in Williams as the Yellowjackets’ new principal. ■