After spending most of last year in distance learning and having limited athletic contacts, the Williams Yellowjackets are looking forward to having its student athletes back on campus and involved in education-based athletics.
However, this season is going to be one of great change for the Yellowjackets, who in addition to graduating 13 seniors off last years squad are implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball.
Player for player, Williams may have the best group of athletes in the county, but their success will be dependent on whether or not they can stay healthy and learn the nuances of their veer offense and 33 stack defense.
After beginning off season workouts with a small group of dedicated attendees, the ˜Jackets have seen their numbers increase since the start of school, which is good, but there is definitely going to be some catch up necessary for the late arrivals to get up to speed.
Head coach Jeff Lemus, now entering his third season recognized the challenges his team faces, but feels that the preseason will help work out the kinks that are to come with learning a new system.
” We have struggled with our run game, so we are working to beef that up. However, we are young having just one returning lineman at the moment, so we believe that making things simpler by switching to the veer will benefit us,” said Lemus.
At present it looks as though senior Omar Lomeli will remain the starter at quarterback. Lomeli, a threat as a passer and runner took over for an injured Sam Lopez last season and has continued to progress in his reads according to Lemus.
In the backfield, Williams will feature the hard charging senior Jayr Ramirez, the teams leading rusher from a season ago where he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and additionally exhibited good hands gaining 7.5 yards per catch.
Also lining up at running back will be a pair of seniors in Arturo Ornales and Michael Cervantes.
At receiver, the ˜Jackets will look to senior Miguel Rivera, who in 2020 was the team leader in both receptions and yards. If Williams can get the ball into Riveras hands, theres a strong chance that good things will happen based on his considerable athletic talents and the fact he averaged 17.3 yards per catch a year ago.
One of the major questions for Williams though will be the strength and continuity of its offensive line where the only returning starter is Oscar Mendoza, at right guard.
Defensively, the ˜Jackets feel they have a good core group that has worked hard in the weight room and has greater familiarity with the system.
Jaime Campos is the man Williams is counting on to anchor its defensive line, while Ramirez and Lorenzo Rulvacaba will headline the linebacker crew.
In the defensive backfield, Rivera, who is very good in man coverage will play cornerback and challenge opponents top receivers, while Cervantes will roam the secondary from his safety position.
For team leaders Lomeli, Ramirez and Campos who were very excited to be back for a full season, the plan for the year reiterated by all three was ” to win.
Incorporated into that goal for the trio was regaining the Rice Bowl trophy, which has resided with the Pierce Bears since 2017.
On the whole the Yellowjackets are somewhat of a mystery and while they will be tested in the preseason by not only Pierce, but also by the likes of Colusa, Durham, Lindhurst and Mt. Shasta, if they can stay healthy and win the time of possession battle on the field, they stand a good chance of finishing the season atop the Mid-Valley League. –