BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
PSJA North senior quarterback George Olivarez has left the team and is transferring to Edinburg Vela High School, according to North coach Jorge Peña.
Olivarez took to social media to announce the decision Tuesday, saying “Time to register and become a Sabercat,” in a Twitter post. According to Peña, Olivarez’s decision stems from losing his starting job with the Raiders on Monday.
“I informed George that Darren Fuentes, the other quarterback, was going to get all the first-team reps,” Peña said. “I told the coaching staff that I believe that Darren gives us the best chance for success. Then the counselor called me and let me know that George had withdrawn. … I told the staff that the call was mine to make, and I take full responsibility for it.”
Olivarez, who could not be reached for comment, was a two-year starter for the Raiders, and a catalyst for their high-scoring spread offense. Through five games this season, PSJA North scored a district-high 170 points on 2,139 yards. Olivarez accounted for 1,105 of those yards (424 rushing, 681 passing). Despite those numbers, Peña says Fuentes is a good fit for the Raiders.
“He has the better skill set to run this offense,” Peña said. “The kids all respond to him on the field once he’s out there and in the locker room as well. You can see it. There’s an extra kick in their step.”
It’s not clear if Olivarez intends to play football at Vela, but Peña says he won’t impede Olivarez’s transition should he wish to pursue athletics.
“Whatever (Vela) needs me to sign, I’ll do it,” Peña said.
PSJA North (1-4) has lost four straight since a 78-26 Week 1 win over PSJA High. Their most recent loss was a 56-7 rout at the hands of Weslaco High. Olivarez got the start at quarterback before being benched in the third quarter, when the game was out of reach. In his final start, Olivarez was 6-of-16 for 127 yards and an interception.
Fuentes has played quarterback in two games, completing 3-of-4 passes for 49 yards and an interception.
CUTTING BACK
Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal calls senior fullback Jonathan Martinez a downhill runner, who likewise gets the bulk of his carries in short-yard or goal-line situations. Last week during a 56-7 win over PSJA North, Martinez demonstrated a more versatile skill set en route to gaining 177 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries. During each scoring play, Martinez did more than bruise his way past defenders. He employed more finesse.
“I used a lot of cutbacks,” Martinez said. “I made that one move, and it was all I needed to get free. I’m trying to become a better runner, a more rounded runner. I don’t just want to be a certain kind of back. I want to be able to do as much as I can to help my team.”
All three of Martinez’s scores came on runs in excess of 20 yards, including a 45-yard and 75-yard run. Martinez leads the Panthers (3-2, 1-0) with six rushing touchdowns. Usiel Gonzalez leads Weslaco in rushing yards with 486.
MAKE THE GRADE
The Edinburg Economedes Jaguars are off this week, giving them more time to prepare for their Oct. 9 game against Weslaco East. Though scheming for the Wildcats is on the Jaguars’ off-week agenda, coach Gabe Peña says his team will see a reduced workload in the locker room in order to prepare for tests.
“The football gods have blessed us with a bye week on the same week as our six-week exams,” Pena said. “It’s a time for kids to focus on their academics, so they don’t have to juggle football at the same time.”
[email protected]