ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Caden Bailey

Hilmar’s Caden Bailey has a new position, and he seems to be adapting just fine.

“I had a talk with Coach (Frank) Marques,” said Bailey. “He made it very clear that this wasn’t about me messing up at quarterback. He wants to spread out the defense and make defenses adjust to that.”

The 5-9, 175-pound all-purpose back started the first five games of the season as the Yellowjackets’ quarterback — a job he inherited last season when he was called up from the junior varsity squad to replace the injured Hudson Acevedo. But Marques shifted Bailey to a tailback/slot hybrid position to take maximum advantage of his elusiveness.

“Hilmar has the little league Packers,” said Bailey. “Growing up, I always played this position. So, it’s just a matter of re-learning it. But it’s like riding a bike.”

The move paid immediate dividends as Bailey rushed for 172 yards on just five carries — one a 95-yard touchdown run — and returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a score. He also had a 56-yard TD run from scrimmage in the Yellowjackets’ 42-3 win against Livingston.

Hilmar will take a step up in TVL class on Friday when it travels to take on Ripon, then come the league heavyweights: Oct. 13 at Escalon (at Modesto Junior College) and Oct. 20 against Hughson at McSweeney Field.

“I think this is the best move we could’ve made,” said Bailey.

Age: 16.

Grade: Sophomore.

Favorite class: Math Analysis Pre-Calculus.

Favorite food: Chinese food … orange chicken.

Hobbies: Video games.

Pets: Dog Vader; kittens Gray and Blitz; cats Fisto and Kit.

Dream college: Anywhere that I can go.

Favorite movie: “Remember the Titans”

Favorite artist: Jim Carrey

Favorite athlete: Bo Jackson

I can’t live without … Christ