Roberto Tiscareno welcomes the challenge of being a two-way starter on Central Valley High School’s football team.

The 6-foot-1 181-pound senior will play quarterback and defensive back this fall.

“I understand what the coaches expect,” Tiscareno said. “I’ll do whatever needs to be done to help my team.”

Tiscareno, who was the Hawks’ backup quarterback last season, has some big shoes to fill on offense as he replaces Western Athletic Conference South Division Most Valuable Player Isaiah Hidalgo.

Hidalgo graduated from Central Valley in June. He rushed for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns on 134 carries during his final season with the Hawks. He passed for 189 yards with four TDs and two interceptions. He also caught two passes for 52 yards.

Tiscareno takes over an offense that averaged 30.6 points and 358 yards per game last season.

Linemen Elijah Jackson (Jr.), Giancarlo Pena (Sr.), Osvaldo Pelayo (Sr.), David Flores (Sr.) and Josh Ludwig (So.), and fullback Alexis Becerra (Sr.) will pass protect and run block.

Elijah DeLeon (Sr.), Omar Mendoza (Sr.) and Felix Arellano (Jr.) will split carries at tailback.

Central Valley has two new wide receivers in Darrius Jackson (So.) and Diego Delahoya (Jr.).

“The coaches have trust in me,” said Tiscareno, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 89 yards junior year. “I have to put in the work and make sure I don’t let them down.”

“Honestly, I’m pretty confident,” he added. “I’ve played quarterback before. Knowing both sides of the ball is a huge advantage. I definitely think I’m going to surprise some people. I’m excited to show everything I can do.  If everybody does their part, everything should work out good.”

Tiscareno made a name for himself on defense junior year by earning first-team all-conference honors.

He tied for first on the team with three interceptions. 

He had 14 tackles and four pass deflections.

“I had one of the best seasons of my life,” Tiscareno said.

Central Valley allowed just 10.2 points per game last season thanks in large part to the play of Tiscareno, Becerra (linebacker), Favian Lopez (defensive lineman) and Angel Vega (safety).

Lopez and Vega were both lost to graduation.

“Nothing beats making a one-on-one tackle or getting an interception,” Tiscareno said. “But everybody has to do their part for the play to work.”

Central Valley will look to build on its success from a year ago.

The 2020 football campaign was moved from the fall to the spring due to safety concerns related to COVID-19. Schedules consisted of just five games and no playoffs.

Central Valley made program history by completing its first undefeated season and capturing its second conference championship.

The Hawks went 5-0 and placed first with a 4-0 mark in the WAC South standings. The WAC was split into two divisions for coronavirus safety and travel reasons.

“We played at such a high level,” Tiscareno said. “Everyone has to work together to get to that same spot.”

Central Valley is scheduled to play 10 games this year.

The Hawks will compete in the Central California Conference.

Central Valley will battle Pitman, Pacheco, Ceres High and Enochs during the preseason.

The Hawks have an all-time record of 13-2 versus the crosstown-rival Bulldogs.

Central Valley has won the last six meetings.

The Hawks pulled away for a 36-14 victory last season.

Central Valley will face Buhach Colony, Golden Valley, Patterson, Atwater, Merced and El Capitan in CCC play.

“We’re back in the CCC,” Tiscareno said. “We know it’s going to be harder. There are better teams. We’re ready for the competition.”

“We did lose some key players,” he added. “But I believe we can make playoffs.”