By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos’ dynamic quarterback of last season, Javier Cruz, is gone. The senior, who did a little bit of everything from under center on the field, graduated and left a noticeable void as the Falcons begin a new season.
Enter senior Pierce Ruiz.
Just as quick as Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley decided on his next signal caller, he quickly reminded his team that Cruz was no longer present.
“I don’t think (Ruiz) is trying to be Javier Cruz at all. That’s one thing I told him from the beginning and I told the whole team,” Finley said. “We don’t Javier anymore, we have Pierce. And Pierce is going to be different, no doubt. This is going to be a Pierce Ruiz-led football team.”
Ruiz, last season’s backup to Cruz, didn’t get many opportunities last season. But with the confidence instilled from his coach, he worked to become the quarterback Finley knew he could be.
“That’s really shown throughout the past year. He’s grown, done his time,” Finley said. “Worked all summer long throwing the football on his own. He’s put on 10 to 15 pounds of muscle. He ran track, got faster. He has even lowered his shoulder a few times in scrimmages and run over some people.”
Once Finley worked with him more often, his ceiling became limitless.
“Pierce has just blossomed,” he said. “We’ve got a great relationship, and I couldn’t be happier with the work he’s put forth to this point. I’ve been really proud.”
While the coaches have not set the standard for Ruiz to emulate Cruz, the senior quarterback put the pressure on himself for his teammates.
“I want to be the best I can for my teammates to give us the best opportunity to win,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz does see some of the similarities between himself and Cruz, but he knows his strengths as well.
“I feel we’re similar in the way we both compete, we love to go out there and give our all,” he said. “I’m different than him (in) that I think I like to throw the ball a little more, (be) more of a passer.”
Cruz could throw the ball but was just as apt to use his legs. He was the Falcons’ leading rusher last season.
“Pierce is a little more of a pro-typical quarterback than what Javier was,” Finley said. “It doesn’t mean he can’t be as good, he’s just going to have different strengths.”
Finley said the only thing that had held Ruiz back was his voice. He was too quiet. But that has steadily changed, too.
“He’s got to be more vocal,” Finley said. “His confidence has grown with the more vocal he’s become. He’s growing into that role right now. I’m excited to see where he’s going.”
While Ruiz won’t be Cruz, he wants to make his own mark. He just wants to be the best quarterback for his teammates.
“I just want to do the best I can do,” he said. “Hopefully our team can live up to our potential, to do the best that we can do.”
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.