Football Preview 2021 • 35
Trench warfare: O-line sets tone in RGV offenses BY BRYAN RAMOS STAFF WRITER
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s and Os can only take a team so far in football. At the end of the day, it comes down to mano a mano. Which team will be able to outlast, outsmart and most importantly, out-tough their opponents? Those battles are routinely won and lost in the trenches. An offensive front matched up against a defensive box. When the ball is snapped, they collide to create a beautiful, yet chaotic portrait at the point of attack. Schools like Edcouch-Elsa, McAllen Memorial, PSJA Southwest and Weslaco East have mastered the art of strong line play in run-heavy schemes over the years. The Yellow Jackets, one of the most tradition-rich programs in the Rio Grande Valley football landscape, missed the playoffs in 2017 and 2018. The team struggled to score points, which led to their first twoyear absence from the postseason since 2001 and 2002. Enter athletic director and now fourth-year head coach Christian Navarro, who was chosen to lead the team midway through the 2018 campaign. After a 2-8 finish that year, Navarro and EdcouchElsa reintroduced to the Slot-T offense. They put emphasis on the weight room and the importance of winning battles on the offensive line. The result has been a drastic uptick in offensive production and back-to-back playoff appearances. “It’s the belief in the system. The kids buy in and everything will take care of itself,” he said. “The kids believe in it, they know they have to work hard in the offseason in building up their strength and getting big-
win secured the Yellow Jackets’ spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row. PSJA Southwest senior offensive lineman Oscar De La Cruz stands 6 feet 3 inches. His size, strength and aggressiveness up front is what allows the Javelinas’ veer offense to find openings. “You have to be explosive, fast and make sure you hit first,” he said. “We’re a chain, and if one link breaks, it’s going to mess up the whole chain, so we have to make sure we’re all on the same page.” The offense is also a method to control the clock, tire the defense and limit the opponents’ offense from seeing the field. The last two RGV teams to advance to the regional finals, Mission Veterans in 2018 and Sharyland Pioneer in 2020-21, saw their seasons end at the Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com hands of San Antonio WagThe Edcouch-Elsa offensive line runs through plays during practice Aug. 3, 2021 at Edcouch-Elsa High School in ner’s Flexbone scheme and Elsa. Liberty Hill’s Slot-T offense. There’s an old adage that states “the best defense is a ger, faster and stronger.” expect the run, then we throw true last season with playoff good offense.” Those runStarr County’s two Class 5A over them.” spots on the line. heavy, yet high percentage programs, Rio Grande City Weslaco East’s offense has Dec. 5, 2020 was filled with offenses were able to keep and Roma, both run the Slot-T personified the term “smashrain and temperatures dipping former Patriots quarterback offense. When they kick off the mouth” over the years. It’s part into the high 40s. The day also Landry Gilpin and former 2021 season with “The Starr of what’s led to the Wildcats’ featured two District 16-5A Diamondbacks quarterback County Super Bowl” on Aug. 27 streak of 14 consecutive playDII play-in games — PSJA Eddie Lee Marburger on the at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium in Rio off appearances. Southwest at Sharyland High sidelines, which was the only Grande City, the annual rivalry “We’re known for it. We run in the early afternoon and way to stop either of those game between the Gladiators it straight in your face, right Mission Veterans at Edcouch- electrifying RGV quarterbacks. and Rattlers, it will be a power down your mouth,” said Wild- Elsa at night. Weslaco East was the last struggle for bragging rights cats’ left tackle David Treviño. Southwest’s veer offense run-centric team to put appeared unstoppable as the which will likely be decided at Weslaco East senior center together a playoff run with a cold temperature set in during regional quarterfinal appearthe line of scrimmage. Julian Gonzalez said their Roma senior right tackle Je- in-your-face style of play takes the Javelinas-Rattlers matchup. ance in 2018. With the kick Southwest won 21-7 and off of the 2021 season days sus Garcia, a three-year starter, its toll on defenders, draining said the repeated rush attempts their will with each snap. How clinched a playoff berth for the away, expect fireworks on the offensive line. and consistent yardage eventu- does he know? The opposition first time in program history “It’s all about the O-line and under then fourth-year head ally makes defenses drop their wears it on their face. our ability to block up front. coach Mike Evans. guard in the secondary. “Coming out of the huddle, It’s about getting tough yards, Later that night as the rain “It’s good for us big boys, they know you’re going to be runfeeding us the ball. It’s old ning and you see on their face that poured on, Edcouch-Elsa grew tiring the defense and us bestronger against Mission Veter- ing fresh out there, so when school football,” Garcia said. they don’t want to go against us it comes back around, we’re ans. The Yellow Jackets ended “You have to be the hammer again and again,” he said. going to be ready to strike,” the game with 28 unanswered instead of the nail. You have The run-heavy concepts are Gonzalez said. points, all rushing touchdowns, to take it to them. Run the also described as “weatherall in the second half. The 42-28 ball until they get tired, they proof offenses”, which proved
