The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
Cabrillo coach Malcolm Manuel has been preparing since January to get the Jaguars ready for the season. With some key departures to the program the Jaguars are starting to pick up what the coaching staff wants to do as they look to improve on last season after winning their first Moore League game since 2019.
With an emphasis in playing fast and with purpose, the Jaguars will rely on being conditioned as the program is sitting right around 30-40 athletes.
Manuel is no stranger to rebuilding a program and after having some success at nearby Narbonne, he’s ready to implement some of the key facets of that winning culture at his alma mater.
“We got to be mentally tough,” Cabrillo coach Malcolm Manuel said. “That’s mainly because of all the things that we do offensively. It’s not very complex but people move around a lot.”
Manuel said that guys will have to sacrifice for the system to flourish, but thinks the team is getting more of understanding of the offense every day.
“Guys will have to sacrifice as far as blocking and just like that,” Manuel said. “We want the ball to our playmakers in space and that’s what we want to do. We want to get it out of Fernando’s hand quick.”
Manuel has had some success as a high school coach and it all started with the teams buying into what his coaching staff preaches daily.
“We try to preach to them is you got to be mentally tough,” Manuel said. “You know because sometimes (the running back) is going to have to carry out five fakes in a row and not get the ball, just depending on what the read it. So, it’s a thing to sacrifice and being tough as nails. That’s what we got to get to.”
Danny Lopez will be a big part of the offense and will be relied on to utilize his experience playing multiple positions. Lopez has been putting time in the weight room and is starting to see the results of his training on the field.
“I for sure got faster,” Lopez said. “A little bit more elusive. I’m able to move better and run that ball better. That’s why I might play some running back this year.”
“He kind of an overachiever,” Manuel added about Lopez. “If we call a play to the right side and he knows they’re not coming to the left side, he’s still going to go balls out and block. He’s a guy we’re going to utilize a lot, so we need him as fresh as possible.”
That elusiveness will be key he becomes a reliable weapon for quarterback Fernando Leanos who is starting to pick up the Manuel’s offense more each day.
“He’s picked it up really fast,” Manuel said of Leanos picking up the offense. “He’s an RPO quarterback and he’s a baseball player – so you can see the quick trigger he has.”
Along with Lopez, Will Colbert, Zyaire Hughes and Stephen Walker will be weapons on the outside that look to give Leanos plenty of options.
Filling some big shoes will be Amer Hicks and Keewane Foster who are looking to replace the production Antonio Elam was able to provide. Foster is still recovering from knee surgery, but is expected to be back on the field a couple weeks into the season – which will be a big lift for the team on both sides of the ball as he plays running back and linebacker.
Starting as right tackle, senior Blas Lopez will be a veteran leader on the line and he’s fully taken on the role to lift his teammates as they look to build on their one Moore League win last season.
“Push them to the max in the weight room, field condition and even early work,” Lopez said about being leader to his teammates. “Just want them to be prepares and I know they’re going to push me as I push them.”
Lopez will be asked to contribute in the trenches on both sides of the ball and is looking forward to protecting his teammates on the offensive side.
“I’m excited for everything,” Lopez said. “I like playing both ways. I like being a contributor on offense and defense – especially on offense. I feel like that’s my strong suit.”
Joining Lopez on offensive line is Zane Day, Rodolfo Velazquez, Cruz Rivera and Pierre Tolliver.
“Lopez has done a really good job,” Manuel said. “He knows pretty much everything. Pass, run and he motivates guys and has a next play mentality. He’s picked it up really fast and I’ve been surprised at his vocal leadership because when I first met him, he’s kind of quiet. He’s come a long way.”
On defense the secondary will be anchored by Jaymari Seals Jones, Kaydin Men, Angel Mitchell, Will Colbert and Amer Hicks. Valentin Spanier and Joe Gogue will see time at linebacker and Francisco Bautista, Guillermo Ortega, Lopez and Rodolgo Velazquez will be on the defensive line.
Cabrillo will kickstart the season when they head to Artesia on August 22.
Projected Starters:
Offense:
QB: Fernando Leanos
RB: Amer Hicks
WR: Danny Lopez
WR: Will Colbert
WR: Zyaire Hughes
WR: Stephen Walker
OL: Blas Lopez
OL: Zane Day
OL: Rodolfo Velazquez
OL: Cruz Rivera
OL: Pierre Tolliver
Defense:
DB: Jaymari Seals Jones
DB: Kaydin Men
DB: Angel Mitchell
DB: Will Colbert
DB: Amer Hicks
LB: Valentin Spanier
LB: Joe Gogue
DL: Francisco Bautista
DL: Guillermo Ortega
DL: Blas Lopez
DL: Rodolfo Velazquez
K/P: Angel Mitchell
Schedule:
8/22 at Artesia
8/28 at LA Jordan
9/5 at Banning
9/12 vs Big Bear
9/19 at Millikan
9/26 vs Compton
10/3 at Lakewood
10/10 at Wilson
10/17 Bye
10/24 vs Poly
10/30 at Jordan
