By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Looking to halt any potential quarterback controversy, Mission Veterans Memorial coach David Gilpin made known his intention late last season to have Diego Hernandez as the opening-day starter in 2016.
At the time, Hernandez was sidelined after damaging muscle between his tibia and fibula, and Gilpin’s son, Landry, a freshman at the time, took over midseason to lead the Patriots into the area round of the playoffs. Despite Landry’s play — which garnered All-Valley Newcomer of the Year honors — David said Hernandez would resume his post when healthy.
Months later, David Gilpin has held firm on that stance, having Hernandez take first-team snaps during spring workouts.
“Diego was doing a great job for us last year, leading the district (in passing attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns), and was one of the top 2-3 quarterbacks in the Valley when he went down,” David said. “He’s really throwing the ball well. No ill effects from his (ankle injury). We expect him to lead this football team this fall. The only difference is we have a proven guy behind him (in Landry).
“Last year, we had talented kids, but we didn’t have anyone who we knew could get the job done. Now we do.”
Hernandez’s presence is a welcome addition to a Mission Veterans offense that graduated more than half its starters and a defense that lost all but one.
To offset the losses, Landry is expected to be utilized in a multitude of roles, from receiver and defensive back to returning punts and kicks. He will also be plugged in to bolster their receiving corps, which graduated four-year letterman Bobby Tovar.
A dynamic playmaker, Landry finished with 1,589 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 895 yards and 11 scores in just six games last season.
“If he goes out there and has the ball in his hands five times a game, that’s not satisfactory,” Gilpin said. “He needs to have his touches. I haven’t put a number on it yet, but he’s going to get his targets at receiver, as part of our speed sweep package, and we’ll line him up in the backfield and give him the ball there.”
With Buda Gonzalez moving to receiver, Mission Veterans will have only one familiar name at running back in Johnny Martinez, who was hurt during the Patriots’ season opener. Jacob Guerrero will also see time in the back field, where Gilpin believes his team is at least three-deep. Freshman Jazz Vallejo expects to help there while splitting time at outside linebacker.
The Patriots have a brand-new interior line, which Gilpin lauds as one of the better units in his seven-year tenure. Their footwork and mobility, he said, is their biggest strength, adding that he doesn’t anticipate any dropoff in scoring despite some inexperience.
“The number of blown assignments we’ve had has been minimal,” Gilpin said. “We’ve had seven practices, and only two or three times total (have they missed their assignments).
“We’re unproven. We’re still green. But there have been areas of improvement. … While we don’t have everything in place, we will in August when we kick off.”
STRENGTHENING THE ‘D’
Outside of wide receiver, the Patriots’ biggest area of uncertainty lies on defense, particularly the secondary.
Jacob Garcia is vying for a starting spot at cornerback. Mission Veterans expects to fill the rest of the openings with freshmen and sophomores.
The team returned only two defensive starters from last year, one of which moved to the offensive side. That leaves linebacker Juan Barradas as the most experienced starter on defense.
“So far, it’s been good,” Barradas said. “Our whole defense is working. We’re just trying to fill spots that are open.”
Though limited during spring because of an ankle injury, Barradas has been lauded for his efforts in the weight room while also going through non-contact practices at half-speed.
STRONG FRONT
With Esteban Licerio and Mike Cavazos on the offensive line, receiver Roman De Leon feels Mission Veterans has the pieces in place to boast a strong offense.
“We feel good,’” De Leon said. “We’re coming in with new people and new faces, just using the same motto as last year, ‘Next man up.”
The Patriots closed out the regular season generating a district-best 451.2 yards per game.
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MISSION VETERANS
Returning starters (O/D): 4/1
Returning lettermen: 20
Key Players: QB Diego Hernandez, WR Landry Gilpin, WR Roman De Leon, WR Jacob Guerrero, RB Johnny Martinez, RB Qualib Limon, OL Esteban Licerio, OL Mike Cavazos, G Nick Riley, G Alex De Leon, C Erik Espinoza, C Andres Andaverde
Biggest Question: Can the Patriots overcome their lack of experience on defense to make their seventh playoff appearance in eight years?
2015 Record: 8-4, 4-2