Graduation from high school results in many changes, with some students going off to college, others entering the workforce and maybe even enlisting in the military.
But for head coach Dustin Caropreso and his Los Banos Tigers varsity football team, it means the departure of 25 senior players (19 starters) from last season’s undefeated Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship squad and this season’s transfer into the Central California Conference (CCC).
The CCC consists of the three Merced schools (Merced, Golden Valley and El Capitan), Buhach Colony and Atwater, which will present the Tigers with a strong league schedule.
Ethan Briseno and Joshua Gargano, who will handle the quarterback duties for Los Banos, will pace the Tigers’ offense.
They will have several options at receiver, led by twin brothers Byron and Yahir Zuniga, along with Jack Goodger, Luke Reyna and Jared van Loben Sels. Owen Baffunno, Ryan Jones, Zarryk Affonso-Stiers and Jaylen Walton will add depth to the Tigers’ receiving core.
Upfront on the offensive line for Los Banos will feature Dylan Brandi, David Guzman, William Yruegas, Daniel Deffee and Derrick Ramirez (the only returning starter from last season).
The Tigers will have several choices for the running back position, with Aaron Briseno, Adrian Diaz, Kolton Kanemoto and Raul Diaz in the mix in the Los Banos backfield.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers will be led by the other two returning starters, Deffee (defensive line) and Raul Diaz (defensive back).
Brayden Milojevich, Adrian Diaz and Kanemoto will see most of the action for Los Banos at the linebacker positions.
Although the 2024 football season will present a new and possibly difficult challenge for the new Tigers varsity football team, coach Caropreso feels his team can compete well in the CCC with hard work and determination.
