The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
The Jags are gearing up for another football season on the Westside. Head coach Shane Gonzales is in his fourth year leading Cabrillo. Gonzales said his team is young this year, but he has a few key players with experience that are in the mix.
“We have a couple key returning seniors,” Gonzales said. “We graduated some key guys, but we have a lot of great young guys that are looking to fill those shoes and hopefully improve the team.”
Antonio Elam, four-year varsity starter and the Jags’ running back, is one of the big returners on the West. He is joined by fellow four-year varsity starter Isaiah Miranda, who Gonzales said will be playing on both sides of the ball as cornerback and wide receiver this year.
Cabrillo also returns All-Moore League second team defensive lineman in Demeyon Love. The Jags also have Pedro Diaz as their center and Isreal Clayton as their tight end.
As for the younger faces for the Jags, sophomore quarterback Fernando Leanos is coming back for Cabrillo. Gonzales said Leanos stepped into the fourth game of last season as a freshman quarterback. From then on, he played every game.
“When he’s out there, the offense is able to be a lot more dynamic,” Gonzales said. “He’s still young, and he’s got a lot of growing to do, but we’re excited about some of the things he could do back there at quarterback.”
One fresh face for the Jags is actually a familiar athlete – just not on the football field. Senior Micah Afoa has been the No. 1 pitcher for Cabrillo’s baseball team and is joining the football team this year.
“He’s just a dynamic athlete,” Gonzales said. “We’re looking for him to come in and make a big impact.”
Gonzales said his team is going to take everything day by day.
“We just want to get some wins,” Gonzales said. “We’re just going to take it one game at a time, one play at a time and just try to get better every day, every play.”
Subscribe to the562 on GiveButter to make a recurring donation and keep Long Beach sports coverage free!
Overall, Gonzales said he is always looking for improvement. Last year was the first year the Jags could field two teams, and Gonzales said he is looking to build on that and keep the program growing.
“We’re focusing on us this year,” Gonzales said. “We’re focusing on being more disciplined, getting better and just worrying about the guys we have here.”
Cabrillo begins their season on Aug. 23 when they host Artesia. Their first Moore League contest will be on Sept. 20 when the Westside will host the Millikan Rams.
“We’re excited,” Gonzales said. “We got a good young team. They’re showing up every day, and they’re excited to show the community what they could do.”
Projected Starters:
Offense
QB – Fernando Leanos, So.
RB – Antonio Elam, Sr. / Keewane Foster, Jr.
WR – Keyon Smith, Sr. / Tristan Muk, Sr. / Isaiah Miranda, Sr.
TE – Isreal Clayton, Sr.
LT – Luis Chavez, Jr.
LG – Daniel Clintron, Jr.
C – Pedro Diaz, Sr.
RG – Miran Lio-keliiholokai, Jr.
RT – Blas Lopez, Jr.
Defense
DE – Demeyon Love, Sr. / Xavier Randle, Sr.
NG – Earnest Davis, So.
LB – Keewane Foster, Jr. / Amir Stevenson, Sr. / Hakeen Aubrey, Jr.
S – Micah Afoa, Sr. / Ben Diaz, Jr. / Mua Fauga, So.
C – Isaiah Miranda, Sr. / Keyon Smith, Sr.
2024 Cabrillo Jaguars Football Schedule
8/23 – vs. Artesia
8/30 – vs. LA Jordan
9/6 – at Carpinteria
9/13 – at Big Bear
9/20 – vs. Millikan
9/27 – at Compton
10/4 – vs. Lakewood
10/11 – vs. Wilson
10/18 – BYE
10/25 – at Long Beach Poly
11/1 – at Jordan
