Dale Perizzolo and his San Marcos Royals will be an inspired bunch this season.
The team not only will be playing for coach Jeff Hesselmeyer, it’ll be playing its home games on a new, beautiful turf field at the newly named Warkentin Stadium.
“We’re kind of quiet about it, but it is a motivation,” Perizzolo said about playing for Hesselmeyer, who passed away just before the start of fall practice. “It’s an inspiration for these guys. We definitely want to win for him and implement the stuff he taught them.”
Perizzolo, 27, who was on Hesselmeyer’s staff and has been coaching football at San Marcos for almost 10 years, said he’s honored and privileged to take over the helm at his alma mater.
“I enjoy coaching no matter what, and being the head coach and being to do what I want these kids to do, I think it’ll be a benefit for them and me,” he said.
First and foremost for Perizzolo is making sure his players are well prepared.
“The wins and losses will work themselves out. My goal, and it’s always been my goal as a coach, is to make sure the players are prepared; make sure at every practice they’ve earned the right to win a football game.”
Perizzolo is fortunate to have plenty of experienced seniors to help set the example.
“Our seniors are very, very skilled,” he said.
San Marcos center/linebacker Garrett Hazarian, snapping the ball to quarterback Gabe Loza, is one of the senior leaders on the team. (Photos by Vince Agapito)
The upperclassmen dominate on the defensive side, with linebackers Garrett Hazarian and Andres “Gordo” Valenzuela leading the charge. Noah Zimmerman is another linebacker who saw a lot of action last year. Edwin Duenez is big hitter at defensive end and tackle Alex Macias is looking forward to a solid season after coming on strong at the end of last year.
“We have a lot of returning guys that made strides and they’re real athletic, too,” Perizzolo said. “What I like is they can run all around the field and not get tired.”
Perizzolo noted what his team lacks in size, it makes up in athletcism, intelligence, energy and enthusiasm.
The secondary possesses those elements and senior experience with Ricky Lopez, Marquis Glover, Omar Torres and Andrew Thayer.
Glover is expected to be the marquee player on the offense at running back.
“He can run, catch and do it all,” said Perizzolo. “He’s more of a multipurpose athlete.”
Glover said he’s looking forward to carrying the load.
“I just want to play every game hard, all out. It’s my last year,” he said. “Hopefully, I just get as many yards as I can every game.”
Gabe Loza and Valenzuela are battling at the quarterback spot.
“It’s week by week with every position,” Perizzolo noted.
The primary passing targets are Lopez and Andrew Thayer.
“Lopez is going to be very good as a wide receiver. He’s fast, and he really wants to go up and get that football. He’s not afraid to cross over some linebackers; he’s really versatile, he can catch really quick.”
On Thayer, “He was one of fastest guys on JV track, competing the varsity guys and smoking some of those guys in the 100-yard dash. He’s very agile and very quick.”
The offensive line has four returning players “that started for us 80 percent of the time last year,” Perizzolo said.
The unit is led by Hazarian, a 5-9, 170-pound center and a team captain.
“He’s tremendously smart; he wants to win in everything he does,” Perizzola said. “He’s a little big on the smaller size, but he makes up for it with attitude and enthusiasm. Our trend in football here is we want the most athletic guys we can get.”
Hazarian is impressed at how the team is come together and moved forward after the passing of Hesselmeyer.
“We have a lot of potential,” he said. “We’re looking good so far. Hopefully, we an pull it all together in time.”
