GONZALES — Improvement and playing at the highest level possible is the goal for Gonzales High football head coach Eddy Ramirez this upcoming 2024 fall season.
Last year, the Spartans showed a glimpse of what was in store for the near future behind a dynamic offense that helped them go on a five-game win streak.
However, they faltered with two straight losses, finishing with a 4-2 record in the Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division standings behind Stevenson School (5-1) and league champion Greenfield (6-0).
“We want to play at a high level and improve our record from last year,” Ramirez said. “This year’s team is willing to grind it out. I believe our trenches have a chip on their shoulders this season.”
Gonzales returns to the Santa Lucia Division along with Harbor, Marina, Pajaro Valley, San Lorenzo Valley and Stevenson. The newcomer is Santa Cruz, while Greenfield was bumped up to the Mission Division—South.
The Spartans will strive to be a balanced offense, but leaning slightly more towards the run. The core of running backs features returning senior running back Ely Cisneros, an All-PCAL First Team honoree who finished with 374 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns, and backfield mate senior Jason Tejeda.
Opening up running paths for Cisneros and protecting quarterback Ray Blanco will be all-league first team offensive lineman Nate Alvarez. Blanco should be the main signal caller, but Aaron Hernandez will take plenty of reps for the Gonzales offense.
Blanco is excited about the upcoming football season and is ready to take command under center. He finished with 251 yards rushing for the pass-oriented Spartans and scored four touchdowns.
“This year we have a really good line coming up and we have a senior-heavy team, and we want to pursue greatness,” Blanco said. “We have young receivers this year as we lost two good ones to graduation, but I’ve worked with the younger guys and we are getting confident in each other in the passing game. Having Ely Cisneros at running back will give us a good attack.”
Blanco is replacing Juan Pablo Acosta-Ayala, who completed 66% (154-of-232) of his pass attempts with 2,037 yards passing, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Gonzales will also be without the services of leading receivers Adrian Perez and Manuel Perea due to graduation.
Perez had 751 yards receiving with eight touchdowns, while Perea finished with 732 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
Standouts for Gonzales’ defense includes Alvarez at defensive end, and defensive back Alex Anguiano in the backfield.
“We will run a modified nickel package with multiple fronts, both odd and even,” Ramirez said. “The goal is for our strength to be disciplined football with hard hits.”
Gonzales has 32 players on each level—varsity and junior varsity. They lost 16 seniors to graduation, which means Ramirez might have to call up some of the younger players to step in.
“We will have a good blend of new and familiar faces,” he said.
Garcia, a three-year varsity player and an All-PCAL Second Team selection in 2023, feels the defense unit will be able to slow down any offense they will face this upcoming season.
“The defense is strong and very powerful,” Garcia said. “I see a lot of potential in our defense. We have leadership and talent on the defensive side of the ball.”
In order for Gonzales to have a winning season, it’ll have to adapt playing at Soledad High School for at least four games in 2024. Dick Force Stadium—home of the Spartans—is still undergoing a facelift for upgrades.
Gonzales will be the visiting team for the first five games of the season, including a non-league contest against Soledad on Sept. 6. The Spartans begin Santa Lucia Division play at Santa Cruz on Sept. 28 at 5pm.
The Spartans are scheduled to host their home-opener against Stevenson in league action Oct. 4 at 7:30pm.
The rest of the Santa Lucia schedule includes games at Pajaro Valley (Oct. 12, 12:30pm); at home against San Lorenzo Valley (Oct. 19, 7pm); at Marina (Nov. 1, 5:30pm); and finally the season-finale at home against Harbor (Nov. 9, 7:30pm).
“I know as a good football team we will adjust to playing on the Soledad fields,” Blanco said. “We would rather play on our own home field but we still have to go out there and do our best. As usual, our league games are all important, and we also look forward to the Little Big Game at King City and our game with Soledad.”
Ramirez, who is in his fourth year with the program, complimented his coaching staff for their continued hard work, and commitment to the Spartan football team.
He also praised his athletes for having a positive attitude despite not having a “home” football stadium to play in.
“I have a good group of [coaches] that love the kids,” Ramirez said. “As far as playing our home games on the road in Soledad, I tell the kids that all we can control is our effort and our attitude. If we can keep those at a high level then our surroundings don’t matter.”
Gonzales kicks off the season at Rancho San Juan High in Salinas on Aug. 29 at 7:30pm.
GONZALES HIGH 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 29: at Rancho San Juan, 7:30pm
Sept. 6: at Soledad, 7:30pm
Sept. 12: at Pacific Grove, 7:30pm
Sept. 20: at King City, 7:30pm
Sept. 28: at Santa Cruz*, 5pm
Oct. 4: Stevenson*, 7:30pm
Oct. 12: at Pajaro Valley*, 12:30pm
Oct. 19: San Lorenzo Valley*, 7pm
Nov. 1: at Marina*, 5:30pm
Nov. 9: Harbor*, 7:30pm
*PCAL Santa Lucia Division play
