16 | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021
Los Fresnos Falcons
Falcons under new leadership
By CLAIRE CRUZ Staff Writer
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fter an up-and-down 2020 season in which they missed the playoffs, Los Fresnos is looking forward to what change can bring in 2021. Falcons alumnus David Cantu returned to Los Fresnos after a successful run at Brownsville Veterans Memorial. He’s bringing a new offensive scheme with him that’ll open up the field and pound the ball. The Falcons are buying into the new system and showing promise despite their youth, led by the efforts of the senior class. “The energy’s great. It’s being led by a great senior bunch. They’re looking to get back to having high goals, get back to the postseason, so it’s led by them,” Cantu said. “I feel excited because of the fact that the kids are working hard, have a great attitude and seem to be really playing for each other.” Los Fresnos only has four starters returning, two on each side of the ball. Gregory Jones has been a defensive standout and is moving from defensive end to middle linebacker this year. The Falcons had a wide open battle for the quarterback role throughout the offseason, and senior Matthew Padilla has set himself apart and shown he’s capable of taking the reins of the offense. It’ll be a fairly inexperienced team this season, so Cantu and his staff are keeping things simple and emphasizing details to get the new playmakers up to speed and playing without hesitation as quickly as possible. “It’s all led in the middle by Greg Jones. He brings energy to the field, enthusiasm, passion. Offensively, we’re well-balanced in the receiving corps, running back corps. Matthew Padilla slowly is taking over the quarterback position, and the fact that he’s a dualthreat should make this offense pretty dangerous,” Cantu said.
Falcons At A Glance COACH: David Cantu ASSISTANTS: Brent Blackman, defensive coordinator; Fausto Atkinson, offensive coordinator; Doug Dahlberg; Jesus Garza; Patrick Inskeep; Matthew Molina; Rene Morales; Greg Pena; Carlos Rivas; Neil Schuster; Al Senteno; Jaime Vela 2020 RECORD: 2-4 RETURNING STARTERS (O/D): 2/2 RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15 PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gregory Jones, LB, 6-foot-0, 215 pounds, sr.; Matthew Padilla, QB, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, sr.; Hector Muniz, ATH, 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, sr.; Ethan Gonzalez, FS, 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, sr.
“The energy’s great. It’s being led by a great senior bunch.” — David Cantu, Los Fresnos coach
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Claire Cruz
