The Merced High football team has dominated the Central California Conference the past three years. The Bears have won three consecutive CCC championships, going a perfect 16-0 in conference play and winning by an average margin of 35 points per game. 

 

So it’s hard not to pick the Bears as the CCC favorites once again. They return eight to nine starters on defense, including the CCC Defensive Player of the Year in linebacker Brandon Peel and return one of the best running backs in the conference in Dougie Andrews. 

 

Another CCC championship would be the first time Merced has won four consecutive titles in the Rob Scheidt era.

 

“It's just hard because there's so many variables in football, and I think it speaks volumes to the continuity of our staff and how we're doing things,” said Scheidt, who has led Merced to seven of the last 12 CCC titles. “It's a credit to the kids ultimately who were able to to get that done, and that belief is growing. I think going into every Friday night, when you have the belief that you can win, you have an advantage over the teams who don't think they can win.”

 

As the top team, Merced is used to getting every team’s best shot. The Merced game is circled on every schedule. The Bears have become the measuring stick for every other CCC team. 

“We know every team has our game circled,” said Merced linebacker Tyson Espinoza. “We stay level-headed. We have every game circled. Everyone has one game circled and we circle all (ten) of our regular season games so every week it’s the same process for us.”

 

The Bears defense will be a problem once again for opponents this season. Almost the entire unit returns from a defense that surrendered just 10.6 points per game in CCC play last year. Peel led the team with 83 tackles and added four sacks. Espinoza was second with 71 tackles and earned all-CCC second-team honors. The Bears also return second-team defensive back Isayah Smith-Arceo, who led the team with five interceptions last year.

 

“I feel like we really want it again,” Peel said. “I feel like we're going to  definitely do what it takes to get to that level and we have a chance to go undefeated again.” 

 

The big changes for the Bears will be on the offensive size of the ball as they find a quarterback to replace Vicente Cortez. Merced has been splitting reps at quarterback three ways with senior Dominick Duran having the slight edge. However, Scheidt said it would not be a shock to also see Derek Guiaro and Raul Diaz Moreno see action on Friday night in the opener against Patterson.

 

The Bears are going to lean on a new starting offensive line. The guys up front were a strength last season. This group is going to have to learn on the fly. “They're working hard, and they're just sponges right now, soaking up everything,” said Merced senior running back Dougie Andrews. “They're getting better each and every day, and I look forward to running behind them this year.”

 

Andrews returns after rushing for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry. Anthony Tacheira gives the Bears a one-two punch in the backfield after rushing for 383 yards and six touchdowns last season. “I think our strength is in our running game, although we have very talented receivers,” Scheidt said. “Dougie and Anthony, their knowledge of the run game, and how they're hitting the holes, it's been really good.”

 

A big reason for the Bears success under Scheidt is his ability to get the players to buy into the program and play for each other. This group is no different. “We're building a brotherhood, a unity,” Andrews said. “I feel like we're putting aside any selfish wants or desires and just focusing on the team.” 

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