BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Fred Hover’s debut as quarterback for the McAllen High Bulldogs fell three yards short of his expectations.
“I remember the first pass I ever threw,” Hover said. “It was the easiest pass in the world, a wide-open five-yard out, and I threw it two yards into the ground.”
That was 2012, when Hover was an untested sophomore daunted by the duties of leading the offense.
“The speed of the game was way more than I’d ever seen at that point,” Hover said. “Sophomore year, you feel the pressure and you try not to make any mistakes.”
Hover describes his first season as “bumpy,” but he still helped lead a young Bulldogs team to a respectable 6-4 record.
“I learned a lot and I’m glad I went through it,” Hover said.
With experience on his side and a new coach in Kevin Brewer, Hover’s junior year was a break-out season. He threw for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding another 1,022 yards and 10 scores on the ground.
“He’s gotten better throwing the ball, better with his throwing mechanics and he’s gotten better with his reads,” Brewer said.
Due in part to Hover’s improved play, the Bulldogs won their first district title in 39 years. It was the kind of production Brewer expected. Upon his hiring, he studied game film to assess his roster and gage their talent. Brewer quickly became impressed with Hover’s decision making and athleticism.
“I knew he was the right guy for the job,” Brewer said. “And I haven’t been wrong.”
The confidence goes both ways between coach and QB.
“From day one he had the plan that I would be the quarterback,” Hover said. “He put faith in me that I can run his offense, and I have faith in him as a coach.”
Brewer favors a spread offense with an emphasis on power-running, a scheme he sees as vital to conducting a successful football program.
“Some people skin their cats their own way, but I don’t believe in a one-dimensional offense,” Brewer said. “You have to be equally efficient in the run game as you are in the passing game.”
The Bulldogs (6-2, 4-0 District 30-6A) have the perfect tandem in Hover and senior running back Ricky Rodriguez. This season, the duo has combined for 1,838 rushing yards and 27 TDs.
The passing game, however, struggled in the early part of the season. During a four-week stretch, Hover completed just 44 percent of his passes and averaged a measly 87 yards per game.
“It wasn’t just (Hover),” Brewer said. “It was receiver issues, a total offensive unit deal. We focused on that area and started seeing some improvement.”
One such upgrade was the re-focused play of the offensive line.
“We’ve really jelled up front,” senior lineman Raul Luera said. “That’s big for us. We weren’t trusting each other on our blocks.”
The Bulldogs are also healthier. After missing two games with a right ankle sprain, senior wide out Justin Gonzalez returned at the same time as Hover’s passing efficiency. For Gonzales, that’s no coincidence.
“I bring an essence of leadership here and try to set this receiving core straight when it comes to this passing game,” Gonzalez said. “It’s obviously another essence we bring to the offense when we come out here and we’re strong and we know what we’re doing.”
Since Gonzalez’s return, Hover has completed 71 percent of his passes and thrown for a combined 443 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He learns the playbook like the back of his hand,” running back Ricky Rodriguez said. “If something’s not right, he’ll stop practice and point it out. I really like that about that about him. He knows everyone’s position.”
Having rediscovered their offensive potency, McAllen High has won three straight, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 193-34.
“We had to get in sync,” Hover said. “It just took us more time than we would have liked.”
The Bulldogs picked a good time to reach their stride, as they prepare for Friday’s game against their cross-town rival, McAllen Memorial (6-1, 3-0 District 30-6A). The winner will likely be crowed district champion.
The magnitude of the situation is not lost on the Bulldogs.
“I’d say it’s a must-win,” Hover said. “District championship is our goal, and we’re not going to let anyone come in the way and stop us from that.”