The spring COVID campaign is one Lathrop would like to forget, but it has served as motivation going into what is expected to be a full and normal 2021 fall schedule.

No team in the Manteca area was affected by coronavirus health and safety protocols as much as these Spartans, whose five-week season was reduced a single game.

After dropping their opener to Western Athletic Conference rival Mountain House at home, they had their next four cancelled because of positive tests. Lathrop was preparing for Senior Night when its finale against Beyer was called off 4 ½ hours before kickoff.

And the team is still seething over the loss to Mountain House, which scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to win, 22-15.

“That one really hurt,” Lathrop senior Jeremiah Estante said. “I hated that game and we’re still so bitter about it. We had that and just gave it away. For

With seven returning starters on each side of scrimmage, many of whom are third-year varsity players, Lathrop enters the fall with a renewed confidence under first-year head coach Ryan Teicheira. So far, team leaders are enjoying the transition from the spread to the more run-oriented Wing-T that has helped bring much success to Valley Oak League power Oakdale, where he spent the past two seasons as an assistant.

“He has brought a new type of energy to us as students and athletes,” returning center Chris Subia said. “His emphasis is on us being very physical up front. We’re going to come out strong and aggressive, but there is also emphasis on discipline.”

Teicheira believes that the athletes available to him are well suited to the Wing-T, and it starts with the line anchored by 6-foot-1, 295-pound tackles Jeremy Buck and Hector Meza.

“We have some big boys,” Teicheira said. “I was surprised when I first went out there and saw what we had — man oh man. They all work together really well. We’re seeing how well they’ve adapted to down blocks and pulls, and the physicality of owning the line of scrimmage has been great to see. I don’t think we’re ever going to lose a game because of the offensive line. I think we’ll get the push we need.”

That bodes well for the likes of Estante, whom Teicheira calls “multi dangerous” not only because of his all-around athleticism, but his deep knowledge of every position in the offense. Although his main role will be at tailback, he can line up at wing, wide receiver and even quarterback — he’s the back-up to third-year signal caller Luis Hernandez, who also starts at linebacker.

“I’m not the only one on offense,” Estante said. “We have multiple guys who may get the ball a lot. I know every position well, but I’m not necessarily the guy. I will do whatever is needed.”

Lathrop will also look to senior running back Noah Martinez and third-year receiver/tight end Isaiah Miravite-Baumgardner, who at 6-2 presents a big target for Hernandez. Don’t count on the Spartans to launch a bunch of passes early in games, however, as Teicheira wants his team to establish an identity as a smash-mouth running team.

“We want to win at the line of scrimmage and win by being physical up front,” Teicheira said. “We have other packages that come along with (the Wing-T), but we don’t want to get out of the Wing-T just because. We want to make sure we’re doing things that are going to put us in position to win games. Like any offense, we’ll tweak as needed.”

The defense is still led by longtime coordinator Ross Tisdell, whose sturdy 4-4 front features 6-foot, 240-pound senior lineman Harold Gary — an All-WAC second-team selection as a sophomore.

With continuity on the roster and coaching staff, Teicheira could be set up to have immediate success similar to his predecessor Joe Pirillo, who guided the team to its first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearance in his debut as head coach in 2015 when it finished 6-5. That remains the Spartans’ best season and only playoff berth in the school’s short history — Lathrop had its first varsity games in 2009.

“I think they’re prepared to be the change the program needs,” Teicheira said. “There are a lot of seniors on this team and they’re tired of losing. I see that in their attitudes and what they’re bringing to practices right now. I would love to tell you we’re going to be the team to beat this year, time will tell, but I believe these boys can compete for the WAC championship.”

AT A GLANCE

LATHROP SPARTANS

HEAD COACH: Ryan Teicheira (first year)

STAFF: Ross Tisdell (DC, LB), Mark Rangel (RB), Justin Muschott (DB), Justin Miller (WR), Dom Jimenez (DL).

KEY RETURNERS: RB/DB Jeremiah Estante (12), QB/LB Luis Hernandez (12), OL/DL Jeremy Buck (12), C/DL Chris Subia (12), RB/LB Noah Martinez (12), DL Harold Gary (12), OL/DL Hector Meza (11).

SCHEDULE

Aug. 20 at Tokay

Aug. 27 vs. Mt. Diablo

Sept. 3 vs. W. Ranch

Sept. 10 BYE

Sept. 17 vs. Ceres

Sept. 24 vs. Pacheco

Sept. 30 at Beyer

Oct. 8 at G. Davis

Oct. 15 vs. Johansen

Oct. 22 at Los Banos

Oct. 29 at Mtn. House