Livingston High football fans know not to show up late to games. With the Wolves’ run-first veer offensive attack, the game clock rarely stops. “There’s not a lot of passing in our games,” Livingston head coach Steven Wine said. “Sometimes our game will end, our coaches will get on Twitter, and some of the other games are only at halftime.”

 

This isn’t some cost-saving measure to save the school’s electricity bill so they turn the stadium lights off early on Friday nights. The Wolves run a triple-option offense to help level the playing field. Against some teams Livingston won’t be the biggest, strongest or fastest team on the field, but the veer gives the Wolves a chance to win.

 

“We’ve got to run the ball,” Wine said. “We know the plan. That’s one of the reasons we run the veer. It’s like the service academies in college football. We want to shorten the game and keep the ball away from the other team.”

 

Wine took some of his assistant coaches to watch the Army football team practice after he was hired as the Wolves coach in 2021. One of the first things he noticed when he saw the Army team get off the bus is they didn’t look much different than a high school team in terms of size. If Army can be successful with their athletes against other college football teams, why can’t Livingston. “We’re not going to be the same size as a Merced or Atwater,” Wine said. “We might have guys who are smaller and we might not be as talented, but if we play the game the right way, we can win.”

 

The Wolves focus on attention to detail. The offensive line has to work as one unit to create holes for the ball carriers. The goal is to methodically move the chains down field. It’s a 4-yards and a cloud-of-dust type of approach that results in close games that the Wolves hope they will find a way to win in the fourth quarter. “We have to push through exhaustion and execute our plays to the best of our abilities,” said junior Mathias Valencia. “With 28 players there aren't many backups and we’re going to get tired, but we have to push through it.”

 

The Wolves are hoping to build off the success of last year that saw them make the playoffs. They also have players making their way up from the lower levels that also enjoyed winning seasons. “Making the playoffs last year meant everything,” said senior offensive lineman Julian Chavez. “We worked very hard and our chemistry was great. We just had some bad plays against Hilmar in the playoffs. We’re going to be ready this year.”

 

Chavez leads the way as an anchor on the offensive and defensive line at 6-foot-1 and 265 pounds. “We can run inside veer to his side and get 5 yards because of him,” Wine said. Chavez will be helped up front by fellow linemen Rishav Jairath and Arjay Mahal. Valencia, Christian Partida and Jeff Meneses will be counted on to run the ball. 

 

Three of Livingston’s five wins last season were by one or two scores. The Wolves expect to find themselves in a bunch of close games again this season, especially in what is expected to be a very competitive Western Athletic Conference. There likely won’t be a slim margin between going 7-3 and 3-7. “There might be five plays all season that could be the difference between us finishing in first place and fourth place.” Wine said. 

 

Chavez can’t wait to see how it turns out. He says it’s definitely different going into his senior year, knowing it’s his last in a Wolves uniform. “I’m ready to give it my all,” Chavez said. “It’s my last season playing at Livingston High School. It’s a different experience, but I’m ready and excited for the season.”

 

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 at Le Grand

Aug. 29 vs. Sonora

Sept. 6 at Stevenson

Sept. 19 at  Ceres

Sept. 26 vs. Beyer

Oct. 3 vs. Grace Davis

Oct. 10 at  Central Valley

Oct. 17 at  Lathrop

Oct. 24 vs. Johansen

Oct. 31 at Pacheco

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org. The communications department will be publishing previews on each MUHSD football team as we close in on the start of the season.