By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
While the Los Fresnos Falcons’ offense has gathered the attention, the defense has improved week by week in its shadow.
In particular, the Falcons’ secondary, which has steadily become a force for a defensive unit that had three shutouts and was in the top three of District 32-6A all season, has shown growth.
The secondary used its depth — eight members strong on a rotation throughout the season — to stay fresh and play at the maximum level throughout all four quarters.
“They’ve done a great job all year long, as of late they have been holding down the big plays,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “Every once in a while a big play would get us, but not very often. We’re seven points from three shutouts in a row. A lot of that comes from that last line of defense,they’ve been the key to that.”
All eight players, Jordan Rojas, Christian Campos, Brandon Santamaria, Mando Izaguirre, Mark Mata, Oscar Lopez, Jose Lerma and Fabian Rodriguez, have controlled the back half of the Falcons’ defense at some point as a cornerback or a safety within the rotation.
“It’s been beneficial. We are always competing (on the field) or waiting for our name to be called (on the sideline), Lopez said. “We always know what we need to do. If you feel tired, you tap your helmet and we’ll get somebody else in there.”
That helped the Falcons’ defense allow just 16 points per game during the season. The mark dropped to 12 points during district play.
Finley said the group has come together during the course of the season.
“They’re a smart group of kids. They can do multiple coverages, mix it up and make it look like one thing and do another,” he said. “Coach (Mike) Evans and Coach (Will) Littleton do a great job of teaching them how it all fits together. Having them confuse quarterbacks and other coaches. They’ve been strong in both areas, which hasbeen very beneficial to us.”
The strong play of the cornerbacks has let the safeties do more within the defense.
“It allows the safeties to be even more aggressive at times,” Finley said.
But all the hard work isn’t just done on the field. It’s also done in the film room.
“We are always watching film with the coaches or by ourselves. Film is a big part for all of us,” Lopez said. “Everyone has inconsistencies, and they make mistakes. We try to minimize big plays, rush to the ball and do what we do.”
The Falcons’ defense really came together during its third non-district game against PSJA North. The defensive unit stepped up in the second half and preserved a 35-34 win.
And ever since, aside from earning a three-and-out on every drive, the unit has strived for just one goal every week.
“If they don’t score, they don’t win. That’s our only goal, zero (points),” Lopez said. “Nothing on the scoreboard.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.