El Capitan is hoping to build off that success this year with the hopes of contending in the Central California Conference and possibly reaching the playoffs for the first time. 

 

El Capitan High head coach Xavier Ramirez says his favorite part of arriving on campus each day is driving by the construction site of the new football stadium. Ramirez likes to see when new things are added like bleachers, press box and concession booths. “I don't want to get too excited, because it’s beautiful to see,” Ramirez said. “I like to see what they have done. Is the scoreboard up yet? I’m just trying to see the little things that are going on.”

 

Ramirez can’t let himself get too carried away dreaming about the future. He’s overseeing his own building project with the Gauchos football program as they come off their best season after compiling a 5-5 record last year in Ramirez’s first season as head coach. After having new head coaches for four consecutive years, Ramirez brings stability to the program in his second year. The goal is to keep the program moving forward.

 

“We all have that common goal of  trying to accomplish something that's never been done at this school,” Ramirez said. “We have to make some noise in league and make the playoffs this year. In order to do that, we're going to have to do things that we've never done before. So everybody's got their eye on the prize right now. We have to get this done this year. I really feel like this is it.”

 

The Gauchos return some key players who should help in their quest to make the playoffs. Quarterback Gio Mendoza threw for 1,095 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Mendoza will have a couple key weapons with him on offense in returning all-Central California Conference running back Lorenzo Peters (993 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last season) and receivers Anthony Jones and Jayden Scott. The Gauchos also return four starters on the offensive line in center Jose Rodriguez, tackles Xavier Burrola and Brody Davenport and guard Arnold Mendoza. 

 

“We've been getting better every single year, and it's been showing,” Gio Mendoza said. “I think we're a way better team than last year. We have a lot of our young players who were a big part of our team, and now they're coming back again for another year. I think the seniors last year set a good example for us and showed us what a team should be like, and we're just going to take that and roll with it.”

 

The defense will be anchored by a strong defensive line, which will be led by returning all-CCC selection Alexander Dunn at nose tackle. “I think we're way further along than we were last year, because the structure has been there already, and the standard that we got to live up to has been set.”

 

It helps that the program has stability. After a revolving door of head coaches for four consecutive years, Ramirez enters year two at the helm. He emphasized establishing the right culture he wanted in the program last year. Now his players know the expectations of the coaching staff. They’re familiar with the offensive and defensive systems. They’re ready to hit the ground running this season.

 

“When I came in as a freshman, the program wasn't the greatest,” Gio Mendoza said. “The culture has changed. There was really no identity back then. We were just a football team. I feel like seeing what it was like my freshman year and seeing it now, as a senior, it's way different. You feel a different culture change, and you feel like there's an identity at the school now.”

 

Things are also a little bit easier for Ramirez as a second-year head coach. “I am able to get ahead of things a little bit faster,” Ramirez said. “I'm able to know what's expected, what's coming, instead of in that first year, you know, you're in the dark, and you're just figuring it out as you go. Now I'm better prepared for what's going to come. I took away a lot from last year. I figured out what we could do better, how we could change our practices and what does and doesn’t work.”

 

The Gauchos can’t wait for the season to start. “'Im really excited,” Dunn said. “I get goosebumps right now, just thinking about it.”

 

2025 Schedule

Aug. 22 vs Hoover

Aug. 29 at Central Valley

Sept. 5 vs Sacred Heart Prep

Sept. 19 vs Waterford

Sept. 26 at Immanuel

Oct. 3 vs Los Banos

Oct. 10 at Atwater

Oct. 17 vs Merced

Oct. 24 at Buhach Colony

Oct. 31 at Golden Valley

 

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.