Valor Leander High School Football Season Preview

Offseason Focus With Valor Leander currently competing in the HCAL 7-on-7 league, Coach Eric Jackson has made agility a top priority this offseason. Alongside that, his athletes are already diving into strength training in preparation for a long-term transition to 6-Man football. “I want my guys ready—physically and mentally—for that next step,” says Jackson. Notable Additions & Departures Valor’s team was made up entirely of freshmen last season, so this year’s biggest addition is a new group of 4–5 incoming freshmen—young talents that Coach Jackson is excited to bring into the mix. With a solid foundation already in place, these new players will be key contributors moving forward. Players to Watch Two names stand out in Valor Leander’s rising program: Santiago Chaparro-Alfarro and Alex Andrew. Santiago is a dynamic WR/DB who led the team in receiving and was a force on defense. His talent is next-level, and Coach Jackson believes he has real potential to play at the collegiate level. Alex, the team’s starting QB and CB, is the fastest player on the field and a nightmare for defenses. After a strong freshman year, Jackson is looking forward to seeing the game slow down for him in Year 2 as he leads the offense with more confidence and precision. Weight Lifting and Fitness Valor Leander may be a small school without its workout facility, but that hasn’t stopped them. Thanks to a partnership with a local gym, players have access to structured strength and conditioning sessions throughout the offseason, proving that resourcefulness and grit go a long way. Coaching Perspective Coach Jackson and his staff are focused on refining their system, keeping the core playbook intact while adding new wrinkles like motion and pre-snap shifts to help their QB read defenses more effectively. “It’s all about giving our kids more tools and more understanding,” he says. Fan Engagement & Community Impact As a new and growing program, Valor Leander’s support system is small but mighty. “Our parents are amazing, and I can’t thank them enough,” says Jackson. Looking ahead, he hopes to grow the program’s community presence through volunteer opportunities and service initiatives for his players. Biggest Challenges Ahead The biggest challenge? Staying ahead of the competition. Valor caught teams off guard last season, but this year, Coach Jackson knows his squad won’t be a surprise. “Teams will be ready for us—and they better be,” he says with confidence. “Now it’s about proving that we belong at the top.”