With the shakeup in the Grossmont Conference’s football alignment for 2024, the El Capitan Vaqueros could be moving up a notch in the Grossmont Valley League standings.
The Vaqueros finished runner-up to the Mt. Miguel Matadors in last season while posting a 3-1 league record en route to a 7-5 overall finish two rounds deep into the Division III playoffs.
The Matadors won the 2023 GVL title with a spotless 4-0 record en route to a 12-2 finish, Division IV section championship and 3-A Southern California regional playoff berth.
El Capitan loses 15 players to graduation but returns 16 starters to make up the difference.
“The defense will be solid with almost all returning players,” veteran Vaq head coach Ron Burner said. “Replacing Chance LaChappa (now at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.) on both sides of the ball will not be easy. The quarterback and running back are, of course, a strength as is our offensive-line. Michael Valencia (sophomore receiver/running back) and Braiden Linder (sophomore tight end/defensive end) are going to be huge factors in our offense this year. Lincoln Walker (junior safety) and Spencer Chastang (junior receiver/safety) will be huge newcomers on our defense.”
All-league/All-CIF returnees include senior quarterback Brandt Barker, senior running back/linebacker Brady Joralemon, senior linebacker Aaron Altamirano and senior running back/linebacker Garrett Luckinbill.
Barker passed for 2,598 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023 while Joralemon rushed for 626 yards. Altamirano made 75 tackles, including eight for losses.
Barker (Western New Mexico, Utah State, Colorado state pueblo, USD, Benedictine) and senior tight end/defensive end Marlon Ames (Western New Mexico, USD) are both considered college prospects.
Ames topped the Lakeside team with 103 tackles last season, including 14 for losses. Ames also led the Vaqs with 5.5 sacks.
LaChappa keyed El Capitan with 926 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns last year while ranking second on the team defensively with four interceptions
Top returning starters include Barker (6-5, 225), Altamirano (6-0, 190), senior safety Tyler Easley (6-2, 185), senior offensive/defensive lineman Dominic Jones (6-2, 285), Luckinbill (6-2, 220), senior defensive back Kory Savage (6-0, 185), Joralemon (5-9, 180), senior receiver/running back Ayden Banegas (6-1, 185), senior linebacker Lukas Garcia (6-2, 185), senior center Drake Schmidt (5-10, 245), senior offensive/defensive lineman Dean Plasterer (6-2, 220) and Ames (6-3, 220).
That’s a load for opponents to deal with.
Impact newcomers include junior offensive lineman/linebacker Bryce Banegas (6-1, 225), Chastang (6-2, 175), Linder (6-3, 215), Walker (5-11, 185), junior receiver/outside linebacker Tod Carter (6-2, 185), junior running back/halfback Brody Copp (6-0, 200), Valencia (5-10, 170) and sophomore offensive lineman Emmanuel Martinez (6-3, 255).
The Vaqueros kick off the new season Friday, Aug. 22, by hosting the Mira Mesa Marauders. They return to the gridiron for two more home games Aug. 30 against Scripps Ranch and Sept. 6 against Chula Vista.
Burner carries a 111-98-2 career coaching record into the season opener.
The GVL lineup this season includes Monte Vista, Valhalla, Santana, West Hills, El Cajon Valley and El Capitan.
San Diego Section division champions in the Open Division, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV and Division V will be entered in the state playoffs.
