Giants football looks to challenge for conference title, state playoff berth

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

College of the Sequoias' football team has returned to state prominence over the past five championship seasons.

Following a 19-year stretch between 1999-2018 that saw the program average 3.8 wins per season while making only two postseason bowl appearances, the Giants are riding a streak of five consecutive winning seasons accompanied by bowl berths.

Now, the challenge for Sequoias head coach Matt Mendonca is getting the program into a position where it annually competes for a conference title and a spot in the California Community College Athletic Association's state playoffs.

That quest starts at 1 p.m. Aug. 30 when the Giants travel to Sacramento to face American River in the opener of a 10-game regular season featuring eight opponents that played in bowl games last season.

 "We're trying to get over that hump," said Mendonca, who took over as head coach prior to the 2024 season and is in his ninth season on the Giants staff overall. "I think we have a really good blueprint for how to be competitive at the state level."

Mendonca said Sequoias achieved three key objectives during the offseason, starting with the hiring of offensive coordinator Eric Marty, a former Northern California Regional Coach of the Year while at Reedley College. Marty most recently was the offensive coordinator for the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League.

"It starts with people in the building," Mendonca said of a staff that also includes Chris Gocke (tight ends), Donald Dorsey (running backs), Hector Gonzalez (receivers), Kurt Jehning (offensive line), Brian McDonald (assistant offensive line), Jeremy Brigman (offensive assistant), Sean Bradley (offensive assistant), Davonte Green (offensive assistant), Mason Hughes (defensive backs/special teams coordinator), Mason Ruiz (defensive line), Noah Wright (defensive line), Jake Johnson (outside linebackers), Davonte Walker (defensive assistant), Kaleb Konersman (defensive assistant) and Tim Cowdrey (specialists).

Mendonca also noted improvements to the weight room and the program's weight training classes after the Giants closed last season with three straight losses following a promising 6-2 start.

"We couldn't play our brand of football at the end and I attribute that to the weight room," Mendonca said. "We're stronger now."

The last objective was overhauling the program's recruiting process. Particularly, Mendonca wanted to be bigger and more physical along the offensive line in hopes of improving a rushing attack that averaged only 128.6 yards per game last season, when Sequoias went 6-5 overall, 2-2 in the Valley Conference and lost 38-35 to Sierra in the Pepsi Sequoia Bowl.

"(Recruiting) was quality based instead of quantity," Mendonca said. "The guys we have are better. We targeted guys we really wanted and went out aggressively to get them."

Four true freshman offensive linemen recruited this offseason by Mendonca and staff are expected to contribute immediately, including left tackles Ka'Vohn Green (6-foot-3, 271 pounds, Arlington, Texas) and Khairee Harris (6-1, 278, Hanford), center Xavier Bradley (6-2, 349, West Jordan, Utah) and right tackle Jaiden Crews-Ellis (6-1, 340, Renton, Wash.).

Sophomore guards Eric Refsdal (6-3, 312, Bloomington, Minn.) and Dedrick Payne (6-3, 302, Denver) started for the Giants last season, and Clayton Loney (6-1, 275, Atascadero), who started at center in 2023, returns after missing last season with an injury. 

Freshmen tackles Caylub Corzine (6-3, 279, Arnold, Mo.) and Izear Dampier (6-4, 258, Seattle), and guard Chad Haughton (6-6, 341, Bronx, N.Y.) are also competing for starting jobs. Additional depth on the offensive line is provided by freshman Carlos Contreras (6-1, 282, Delano), sophomore Jakob Ortiz (6-2, 331, Tulare Western), freshman Isley Suapaia (6-5, 309, Federal Way, Wash.) and freshman Eric Palafox (6-2, 303, Hanford).

"I like our depth on the offensive line," Mendonca said. "We are more talented and deeper at the position than last season. This group has come a long way. It's one of the better groups we've had for a while."

That unit will provide protection for redshirt freshman Payton Faker (6-5, 208, Burien, Wash.), who beat out freshman Caden Dawes (6-3, 204, Tucson, Ariz.) and freshman JJ Bitner (6-2, 184, Moorpark) for the starting quarterback job. Faker is a classic pocket passer who has added 20 pounds of muscle since coming to Sequoias.

"I'm expecting big things from him," Mendonca said. "The kid can sling the ball around."

Faker has an accomplished group of receivers to target, highlighted by preseason All-American Gage Armbruster (6-1, 171, Corcoran) and Dontae Gentles (5-10, 153, Sunrise, Fla.), both sophomores.

Armbruster caught 52 passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns last season, averaging 17.8 yards per catch. Gentles finished with 43 catches for 728 yards and three touchdowns despite missing three games with an injury.

The Giants have a third dynamic sophomore receiver in Marshel Sanders (5-11, 180, Clovis West-Fresno), who transferred from Fresno City along with his brother, Markel. 

"All three of those guys will be (NCAA) Division I receivers," Mendonca said. "We need those guys with the ball in their hands. They are big-play threats at any time."

A deep and talented receivers group also features sophomore DeWayne Coleman (5-10, 145, Exeter), who is returning from a medical redshirt, and freshmen Donyell Booker (5-9, 173, Clovis East, O'Bryan Flanigan (5-11, 170, San Francisco), Alston Garcia (6-3, 184, Gilbert, Ariz.), Wyatt Boyd (5-8, 161, Kingsburg), Peyton Roby-Brown (5-7, 135, Milwaukee, Wis.) and Jalon Wilkerson (5-11, 151, Redwood).

"We don't have 20 receivers, but the guys we have are electric," Mendonca said.

At running back, the Giants return Jahkylle Smith (5-7, 184, Merced), who rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown  on 44 attempts last season, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Freshmen Willie Reed (5-8, 183, Margate, Fla.) and Mookie Gosby (5-9, 158, Kent, Wash.) are also in the mix for significant carries.

"All three can score any time they touch the ball," Mendonca said.

Freshmen AJ Anderson (5-11, 188, Tehachapi), Case Anders (5-11, 195, Golden West)and Demetrius Vargas (5-6, 156, Reedley) add depth to the backfield.

"We have some really talented backs," Mendonca said.

Connor Murrweiss (6-1, 234, Everett, Wash.), who caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown last season, is Sequoias' only returning tight end. Sophomore RJ Holmes (6-0, 214, Tulare Western) is transitioning to tight end from receiver, with the room rounded out by freshmen Janveer Singh (5-11, 194, Tulare Western), Alec Haun (5-11, 238, Clovis East), Henoc Dje-Bi (6-3, 218, La Queue-en-Brie, France), Devin Emmett (6-4, 235, Fairbanks, Alaska), Manuel Murillo (6-1, 260, McFarland) and Will Brinegar (6-5, 228, Laramie, Wyo.).

"We've concentrated more on the tight end position," Mendonca said. "It's going to pay off."

The Giants' Mendonca-coordinated defense returns a key cog from a unit that allowed opponents 2.5 yards per rush last season in interior lineman Christian Markum (6-0, 262, Jacksonville, Fla.), who had 16 tackles, five for losses and half a sack. Ray'N May (6-1, 290, Tulare Western) also returns on the defensive line.

End Kevin Watson (6-4, 273, Lake Placid, Fla.) and tackle Malachi Young (6-2, 285, Jacksonville, Fla.) headline a freshman class that also includes Kingsten Maiava (6-2, 238, Seattle), Faheym Bostic (6-3, 255, Valrico, Fla.), Gabriel Dulan (5-11, 295, Everett, Wash.), Dereon Johnson (6-3, 263, Tulare Union), Will Ahomana (6-2, 313, Las Vegas) and Jose Beltran (6-2, 286, Riverside).

"We brought in a number of different body types so we can be multiple up front," Mendonca said.

Sequoias has a potential star outside linebacker in the making, according to Mendonca, in freshman Moses Saulsbury (6-4, 225, Redwood), who only played high school football during his junior year. He was primarily a basketball standout.

"We're really excited about him," Mendonca said. "He's a dynamic athlete."

Josiah Harris (6-1, 197, Denver) is the Giants' most experienced returning outside linebacker, having made 15 tackles, including two for losses, last season. Jason Burns (6-0, 212, Las Vegas) also returns.

Freshmen Paki Crawford (6-0, 248, Seattle), Kiva Jackson (6-1, 198, Portland, Ore.), Pana Tuputala (6-0, 211, Federal Way, Wash.) and Leo Gonzalez (6-1, 210, Tehachapi) are also fighting for time.

At inside linebacker, sophomores Gavin Silene (6-0, 231, Gilbert, Ariz.) and Mark Pullman (6-1, 252, Santa Maria), a transfer from Alan Hancock, have stood out and are being pushed by sophomore Sergio Gonzalez (6-1, 239, Kennedy-Delano), and freshmen Leonard Payton (6-1, 220, Edison-Fresno), and Gustavo Rea-Huizar (5-11, 194, Lemoore).

Preseason All-American safety Wendell Ware (6-3, 176, Edison-Fresno) heads up the Giants' secondary. Ware had 19 tackles last season, including two for losses, to go along with two interceptions and five pass breakups.

"It's nice to have him back bigger, stronger and faster," Mendonca said.

Sophomores Sebastian Pimental-Navarro (5-11, 185, Kennedy-Delano) and Jase Hudson (5-9, 183, Gilbert, Ariz.), and freshmen Josiah Paaga (6-0, 194, West Seattle, Wash.), Romaree Fleeks (5-11, 177, Seattle) and Cassidy Bolong-Banks (5-10, 176, Tacoma, Wash.) are also in the mix at safety.

Sequoias' starting cornerbacks will come from a group that includes University of Kentucky bounceback freshman Cannon Coffee (6-0, 173, Indianapolis, Ind.), freshman Kenyan Simpson (5-10, 181, Kingsburg), sophomore Quinton Conley (6-3, 171, Phoenix), freshman Deyon Tyler (5-9, 156, Buchanan-Clovis), freshman Maceo Rivers (6-1, 197, Seattle) and freshman Markel Sanders (5-10, 169, Clovis West-Fresno).

"Any one of those guys can be a starter," Mendonca said. 

Like the offense, Mendonca said the key to the Giants defense starts up front.

"The last few years we've had a really elite rush defense and we want to make sure that continues," Mendonca said. "The guys have hit the weight room. They are big and strong. I'm really excited about the guys in the secondary. That's where people will see the biggest difference in us. We're talented back there. We feel like we have a complete unit now on all three levels."

Sequoias' special teams features freshman kicker Matt Garza (5-9, 183, Golden West), freshman punter Cael Alkire (5-11, 185, Strathmore) and long snapper Burns. Flanigan, Marshal Sanders and Booker will get the first cracks at returning kicks and punts.

"That's another element we've improved," Mendonca said. "I can't wait to see what those guys can do."

Sequoias hasn't won a conference title since 1998. It will look to end that drought in a loaded Valley Conference that added Monterey Peninsula (11-0 overall and 6-0 champions of the Golden Coast Conference in 2024).

The Valley Conference also features reigning champion Modesto (9-3, 4-0), Fresno City (8-3, 3-1), Reedley (4-7, 1-3) and Sacramento City (4-6, 0-3).

All but Sacramento City played in a bowl last season, with Modesto reaching the NorCal Regional final.

"I truly feel like we play in the toughest conference in America," Mendonca said. "It's a gauntlet."

The Giants first home game is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 6 against perennial state power San Francisco. 

The rest of Sequoias' nonconference schedule includes playing at San Jose (6 p.m. Sept. 13), hosting Redwoods (11 a.m. Sept. 20) and hosting Butte (11 a.m. Sept. 27).

Valley Conference play begins at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at Sacramento City.

The Giants will also host Monterey Peninsula (1 p.m. Oct. 18), play at Reedley (1 p.m. Oct. 25), play at Fresno City (1 p.m. Nov. 1) and host Modesto (1 p.m. Nov. 8). 

"I think it's going to be a great product for our community to come out and support," Mendonca said.