HILMAR - Mark Santos has been preparing for his new role for two decades.

Now the new Hilmar High School football head coach is ready to keep the winning tradition going that was established more than six decades ago.

Santos is entering his 21st season overall in the storied football program. He takes over for Frank Marques, who retired as both teacher, co-athletic director and Yellowjackets football head coach this past school year. Marques, a 1981 Hilmar graduate, was the Hilmar mentor since 2003 where he produced many Trans-Valley League and Sac-Joaquin Section titles, plus a 2018 California Interscholastic Federation State Championship Division VI-AA crown.

For the last two seasons, Santos was the Hilmar junior varsity football head coach. He has a combined record of 16-4. Prior, Santos served as offensive and defensive coordinator positions for Marques.

“I know the kids and they know me,” said Santos, who teaches U.S. History and state-required classes at Hilmar High. “There will be changes but nothing drastic.”

One of those changes to stay in place for the most part is running the Spread offense that Marques installed in his early years. But, there will be one minor catch - pardon the pun.

“My offensive philosophy is Players over Plays, meaning we will adapt to our play makers, doing what we can to get the ball in their hands,” Santos said.

Santos’ returning players of seniors and incoming juniors have been busy preparing for the upcoming season.

Since January through this month, the Yellowjackets have taken part in four 7-on-7 passing tournaments, including one at Fresno State.

The players have also occupied the inside of the school’s weight room.

“Junior varsity (and) varsity has been lifting weights Monday-Thursday at 6:30 a.m.,” Santos said.

Former Yellowjacket grid players and college athletes Ezra Duenas and Luis Vargas oversee the weight room workout sessions, Santos noted.

Off the field, the Hilmar players are also giving back to the community recently.

“We also hosted a youth camp for kids 2nd (through) 8th grade that our high school kids helped coach,” Santos said.

Santos speaks highly of Marques, who finished with an overall record of 199 wins and 76 losses.

“Coach Marques record speaks for itself,” Santos said. “He is a Hilmar High legend. I’ve learned a lot (from) him.”

There is one thing Santos learned from Marques that he plans to carry into his first year as the new leader.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned from Coach Marques is Servant Leadership,” Santos said. “It was never about him as the head coach, it was whatever needed to be done to help the team grow and become better.”

Marques also speaks volumes on the growth of Santos, who was a starting tight end and defensive end for the Yellowjackets in the early 2000s.

“Mark, as a player, was a hard-nosed player,” said Marques of Santos. “Mark has worked his way up to our coaching staff at every level and just about every position.”

Another thing Marquez likes about Santos is loyalty.

“Mark is the true definition of bleeding green and gold,” Marques said. “Mark was always somebody I could count on to do what I left was best for the program.”

Some of Marques’ coaching traits could be traced back to Jerry Van Lengen, who was the Hilmar football head coach from 1977 to 1990. Van Lengen won eight consecutive TVL titles, nine total, and had the 1984 to 1989 Yellowjacket teams play in SJS title games, winning four consecutive from 1986 to 1989.

Van Lengen was also an assistant coach in the program during his first tenure from 1969 to 1972. He taught and coached at Highlands High School in North Highlands, in the Sacramento area, and Grant High of Sacramento, before returning to Hilmar in 1977.

“The foundation for Hilmar football was set in the 80s through hard work and a gold standard with everything we do,” said Santos of Van Lengen. “I’m doing everything I can to continue that tradition.”

The SJS’ dead period runs from July 1-14 for all schools and all sports. Once July 15 hits, the Yellowjackets, according to Santos, will be back in the weight room.

Santos said there are 42 players on the varsity roster. There are approximately 95 to 100 players combined, including the JV and freshmen levels.

Most of the coaching staff is back, Santos noted. That includes offensive coordinator Jesse Da Rosa, who graduated from Hilmar High in 1992 and played in the grid program from 1988 to 1991. Kris Mendonza, who also played football with Santos and graduated in 2005, will be Santos’ defensive coordinator.

Hilmar will open its season on Aug. 28 with a non-league game at Argonaut of Jackson.

The Yellowjackets play their first home game of the season at McSweeney Field on Sept. 4 with another non-league game against Merced County foe Los Banos.

After playing Palma of Salinas and Atwater in preseason, Hilmar opens TVL action at Ripon on Sept. 25.