Coffee has been clutch for new Livingston High head football coach Brian Alvarez early on this season. Alvarez is a few weeks into his first teaching job at Buhach Colony High School. When Steven Wine resigned shortly before the start of this football season Alvarez was hired as the Wolves new head coach. So Alvarez spends his days teaching at BCHS and then makes the short drive to Livingston High in the afternoon for practices.

 

“We're living on about 350 milligrams of the grade A black coffee,” Alvarez said. “However, I think just being able to be out there with the team gives me a jolt of energy. They definitely help pick me up if there's a lull throughout the day. Ultimately, this is what I wanted to do.”

 

After spending the past six years as the Wolves offensive coordinator, the transition hasn’t been difficult for Alvarez. He rejoined the program already knowing the players. “It's going pretty smoothly,” said senior lineman Teegan Betschart. “He's been with us the whole time we've been in the football program. He knows all of us already.”

 

Betschart anchors an offensive line, along with fellow senior Arjay Mahal,that Alvarez hopes will lead the way for the Wolves running attack. “I think everything starts with the O-line, regardless of any system you run,” Alvarez said. “I think the O-line is a huge piece, and I think we have a pretty good veteran O-line, led by Teagan, our all-league lineman. I think they're all gelling together right now at the right time, and I think they're the leader of our team right now. Our performance will depend on their performance on Friday nights.”

 

The Wolves return two ball carriers in Mathias Valencia and Jeffrey Meneses who both should play key roles in the offense. Valencia is a third-year player who rushed for 708 yards and five touchdowns last year. Mathias likes the chemistry the team has shown through camp. 

 

“A lot of us have been playing since our freshmen year and then we have some of us who have played together since Prop Warner,” Valencia said. “So we just all know each other pretty well, and we can click and connect on that level while we're playing.”

 

That tight bond has the Wolves entering the season with high hopes. “I think we can win the WAC championship this year, honestly,” Meneses said. “I think we have a great team. I think realistically, we can win every game on our schedule. I love the positivity everyone has and brings to the team.”

 

Alvarez says he likes the mix of veteran players who are willing to take control of practice and the eagerness to learn from the younger guys. “It’s a nice mixture to have,” Alvarez said. “The experienced guys are willing to make the team their own.”

 

After weeks of hitting their teammates, the Wolves can’t wait to open the season on Friday night against McNair. “I'm ready for it,” Betschart said. “I'm nervous, obviously, but I'm ready for that first hit and that first whistle. It’s going to be fun.”

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