A Season of Promise
The Mustangs have built momentum over the summer, capturing three 7v7 passing championships at Fresno State’s Battle of the Valley, the Lindsay Tournament and the Cal Poly Tournament, signaling a strong foundation for the upcoming campaign.
At the heart of that surge is quarterback Juju Hernandez, a three‑year starter who has amassed 4,326 career passing yards and 39 touchdowns, and who topped the 2025 season with 2,697 yards and 23 scores.
Joining him is standout receiver Amarion Taylor, a three‑star Division I recruit who posted 1,177 yards and 10 touchdowns last year and earned All‑West Yosemite League first‑team honors.
The receiving corps returns nearly 95 percent of its production, with Domanik Martinez, Landan Seechan and Grant Crawford combining for 2,563 yards and 23 touchdowns, ensuring a deep and experienced attack.
Defensively, linebacker Xavier Marquez led the team with 62 tackles, 29 of them solo, and was recognized on the All‑WYL first team, adding a reliable backbone to the unit.
Coach Derek Rosa believes this group represents the most talented roster since the 2019 squad that reached the Central Section Division II championship game, and he is confident the team can translate preseason buzz into playoff contention.
The season opens on August 21 at El Diamante, a venue where Tulare Western holds an 8‑1 all‑time record, and the coaching staff is already mapping out strategies to capitalize on that familiarity.
With a schedule that includes a strong non‑league slate and a push for playoff qualification, the Mustangs are poised to rewrite their narrative and restore the program’s reputation across the Central Section.