Hometown Newspaper of Valley Center, Pauma Valley, Pala, Palomar Mountain & North Escondido since 1974

By Jim Tal Evans | on August 18, 2021

These 11 members of the Valley Center defense help form the core of what is expected to be an impactful unit. Photo by Lenny Kerbs

Enough variables are at play to make it hard to predict how the Valley Center High football team will fare during a season that commences Friday night at Jaguar Stadium against a competitive and well-coached Santa Fe Christian squad.

After all, coach Rob Gilster’s squad returns just 11 starters – five on offense, six on defense – from last spring’s abbreviated 3-2 campaign. That means the Jags will need to find a host of contributors to step up and assume frontline roles.

And though there is genuine talent to be found at the skill positions, an inexperienced though promising offensive line must also develop into a plus for the Jags to make significant headway.

All that being said, one senses that Gilster is bullish on what his team can become if its mindset is focused and locked in. “We have the potential to be as good as we want to be,” says the only head coach the Jags have ever known. “It’s a matter of how much do we want to succeed? Are we going to be really committed to being disciplined and getting better? If the players choose to be all in, then we could be very good.” 

Though Gilster conveys that both coaches and players are gratified to return to an accustomed timetable, the residual fallout from COVID-19 continues to be felt. Masking is still required for indoor activities such as meetings, etc. and the loss of valuable preparation time from the prior season has created complications. “There’s more of a learning curve going on than normal because of the time we missed,” says Gilster. “We need to reinforce good habits and explain what’s expected of the kids while instilling in them what it will take for us to compete at a high level.”

Despite the fact that at this stage VC’s defenders are further along than their teammates on the other side of the ball, the offense will nonetheless have a major influence on how things ultimately shake out. And make no mistake, sufficient offensive talent is clearly available. 

Two candidates are vying for the quarterback job though both could be utilized if circumstances warrant. In senior Marlon Bender, VC has an athletic dual-threat. Junior Colton Paxton can also throw and run but if he can hone his passing accuracy, he might earn the nod because he’s more the traditional style of QB the Jags favor. Besides, if Paxton does win out, that would free up the versatile Bender to concentrate on his receiving and cornerback skills—which are reputed to be considerable.

Having a go-to running back has long been a staple of Gilster’s gameplan and VC hopes they have such a workhorse in Lucas Sinohui. The younger brother of former Jag star Mateo Sinohui who once rushed for a staggering 1,865 yards in 2018, Lucas shows good footwork which he couples with tangible grit. 

How effective Sinohui proves to be depends not only on his own talents but how much assistance he gets from his mates upfront. At present, the offensive line is one of the team’s real unknowns. Yes, in quick tackle Ernesto Gallegos VC has a heady returning starter who understands his role and can be an anchor with his dependable play. But beyond him there are questions. Gilster likes the upside that others along the line possess but as a collective they just haven’t accumulated the number of repetitions that other position groups have under their belts. But the coach believes that with hard work, attention to detail and additional reps, the line has the potential to become a cohesive bunch that could turn into definite asset.

And when it comes to the receiving corps, the Jags seem more than well-fortified. Positioned on the inside will be tight end Cole Gearhart and Jake Dunckle, both who Gilster describes as being “very good.” On the perimeter, look for the experienced Jamal Solis and rising sophomore Kevin Garcia to be factors as well. Moreover, if you add the aforementioned Bender to this intriguing mix, then the Jags could make moving the ball through the air a big part of their offensive arsenal.

So if the offense can shoulder its share of the load, VC’s prospects for success will increase substantially because the defense, which will operate out of a 4-4-3 deployment, has the look of a reliable unit.

The defensive ringleader figures to be middle linebacker Tyler Hakes, a smart and active gridder whose nose for the football is undeniable. Hakes’s value is further enhanced because he’s tasked with the responsibility of making the calls for the defense. Other ‘backers expected to lend Hakes plenty of assistance and make their own mark are Malakai Tacbian, Luke Stehly and rangy Dakota Toler.

Meanwhile, the secondary appears to be in mighty good hands with gifted two-way performers Bender, Sinohui, Dunckle and Solis being the linchpins of the back-end crew.

And don’t sleep on the D-line—which will feature Luke Dunn and Corey Villalobos, a pair of strong, physical and stout athletes capable of disrupting things down in the trenches.

As for special teams, the Jags can feel comfortable in that regard with reliable Jeremiah Sinohui taking care of the placekicking and punting chores while the ubiquitous Dunckle will get to show off his stuff in the return game.

Since 2010, VC has captured six outright Valley League titles and tied for another. And though Ramona – coming off an unbeaten season – is the favorite to repeat as league champs, teams like consistent San Pasqual, up-and-coming Fallbrook and the Jags could push for the top spot should things fall into place.

Never caring much for the focus to be directed at himself as opposed to his team, the fact remains that the already legendary Gilster (233 wins) could elevate his stature even further in the weeks ahead. Should the Jags win six or more games this season, Gilster will pass Point Loma’s iconic Benny Edens and become the third winningest gridiron coach in San Diego prep history, a truly remarkable achievement. 

Now in his 24th season up on the “Hill,” Gilster has adopted a year-by-year approach as it relates to how much longer he’ll continue his coaching journey. But as he is quick to point out, he still “loves being around the players.” Tellingly, he also offers another clue about what might factor into his thinking about soldering on. “If I feel I’m still the best guy for the job,” he says, “then that will be an important consideration.”

So all in all, it figures to be a most interesting season for Gilster and crew. Indeed, there are some uncertainties but the tantalizing thought of what could be if VC puts it all together should be more than enough to get the Jaguars fired up and looking forward to a season that’s poised to begin. 

The Jaguars are counting on (from the left) linebacker Tyler Hakes, versatile Marlon Bender, tackle Ernesto Gallegos and running back Lucas Sinohui to be team leaders during the upcoming season. Photo by Lenny Kerbs

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