Photos by Phor Groath Photography

 

One of Xavier Ramirez’s favorite sayings to his players is “It’s a great day to be a Gaucho.” Ramirez began saying it when he was the junior varsity coach a few years back. Now it’s almost become a rallying cry for the El Capitan High football team. When players hear it, they know it’s time to focus and lock in.

 

“We've broken that mold here,” said Ramirez, who is in his second year as the El Capitan High head coach. “You know, we're proud to be gauchos now.” The Gauchos have good reason to be proud as they enter Friday’s game against Sacred Heart Prep with a 2-0 record. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Merced College’s Stadium ‘76. 

 

All six Merced Union High School District teams will be in action this week. Merced (2-0) is the only other district team off to a 2-0 start and the Bears will travel to Modesto to face Downey (1-1). Atwater (1-1) will try to rebound after last week’s overtime loss to Hughson with a home game against Gregori (1-1). Buhach Colony (0-2) will try to break through for its first win on the road at Enochs (1-1). Golden Valley (0-2) is also looking for its first win against a tough Elk Grove (0-2) team on the road. Livingston (0-2) will make a long trip to Pebble Beach on Saturday to face Stevenson (1-0) at 2 p.m.

 

The Gauchos are coming off their best season in school history in which they finished 5-5. The program is trying to continue their upward trajectory with just the second 2-0 start in team history. The coaching staff is trying to find the balance of being excited by a 2-0 start, but also recognizing there are plenty of areas where the team can play better.  “It's great to be here right now, but there's so much more room for improvement for us,” Ramirez said. “But I think it's a big confidence booster for us as well to be 2-0.”

 

In his first season as head coach last year, Ramirez made establishing a culture in the program a point of emphasis. He wanted to establish a culture built on accountability, mentorship, and a collective drive to excel in academics, athletics, and character. He feels that has paid dividends  in the work the team put in this offseason and it’s shown up in their first two games. There was no panic when the Gauchos fell behind. Teammates were picking each other up and El Capitan found ways to pull out victories when they might not have in the past.

 

“Guys are giving up their lunch time to watch film,” Ramirez said. “These kids are understanding they have to sacrifice and they've bought in. That's really what it is, we've been bought in since the offseason.”

 

The Gauchos offense is averaging 26.5 points per game in the first two games. Receiver A.J. Jones has hauled in eight catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns and returned one kickoff for a score. Running back Lorenzo Peters has rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns and also caught another score. Quarterback Gio Mendoza has thrown for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Ramirez says it’s been a full team effort, including the defensive side of the ball. “It's that defense for us right now,” Ramirez said. “We have guys like Craig Rowan, who is just playing physical right now at free safety. He's a true leader on that defense. Deenpaul Singh at middle linebacker is a very undersized kid, but doesn't play like it. We have guys like Adrean Lucio, Alex Dunn and Josh Reed all making it happen on defense.”

 

Ramirez also praised offensive linemen Arlo Mendoza, Brody Davenport, Samuel Moradzadeh, Xavier, Burrola and Jose Rodriguez for making plays up front that has opened holes for Peters to rush for the yards he rushed for and given time on passing plays for Mendoza and Jones to shine.

 

The goal now is to keep their foot on the gas pedal and keep improving as a program. “I'm proud of these kids, I really am,” Ramirez said. “I've always said there's been great kids here on this campus they should play football. They're here now, and they’re showing how great they can be.”

 

Shawn Jansen is the Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at sjansen@muhsd.org.

 

 

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