DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Edcouch-Elsa has gone through two starting quarterbacks this season and the offense has not skipped a beat. In spite of a drastically different scheme than what’s been used in years past, the Yellowjackets are one of the most productive offenses in the Valley, no matter who’s calling the shots.
A big reason for that is the offensive line. Quarterbacks Marco Aguinaga and Andrew Segura, each of whom has passed for more than 300 yards in a game this season, have hardly been touched this season, and that’s because of the protection.
The anchor has been senior Jared Cantu. He leads a deep and talented offensive line that features center Elijah Sanchez and stalwarts Joe Prieto, Rigo Cardona, Mike Castaneda, Miquel Quintana, Ricky Estimbo, Andy Olivo and Alvaro Cortez.
“Jared’s been playing tremendously this past couple of weeks,” E-E coach Joe Marichalar said. “He said he wanted to do something special his senior year and he’s living up to it. The entire offensive line has been really solid. They’re all doing their jobs well.”
The Yellowjackets (5-1, 3-0 District 32-5A) have successful transitioned from the ground-and-pound ways of the past to a free-flowing, pass-happy style. E-E averages 33.7 points and 413.3 yards.
In six games, the Yellowjackets have thrown for 13 touchdowns after throwing for nine all last season.
“The offensive coaching staff has done a good job getting the passing game up to par and the kids have a lot of confidence in it,” Marichalar said. “We’re going to build off it, and as they get more comfortable they’ll get better and better.”
BEARS GROWING UP
A win this season has eluded PSJA High so far, but that doesn’t qualify it as a failure.
The Bears, with only three returners from last season, knew this season would be tough. It was about finding answers to uncertainties, and they’ve done just that. Particularly, sophomore Joachim Almaguer has been a revelation, and the Bears may have found their quarterback of the future with the recent emergence of freshman Trey Guajardo III.
Guajardo stepped in two weeks ago for then-injured Andrew Castaneda and completed 12 of 18 passes for 162 yards and a TD and interception in a loss to PSJA Southwest.
“I like his character,” PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin said. “He’s got great leadership skills. He’s an even-keeled young man and he’s a hard worker. He’s soaking up everything right now and showing he’s a fast learner.”
Castaneda returned last week, but Guajardo still saw some reps. Marroquin said he will get more playing time over the new next few games, but Castaneda is still the starting quarterback.
“Our team’s gotten a lot better, games have become a lot closer and we’re becoming a lot more competitive,” Marroquin said. “We have 10 sophomores and the youth that we have is really starting to grow up. The sky’s the limit for us.”
Marroquin said Guajardo is the only freshman on varsity “right now,” implying that more call-ups could be made before the season ends.
“We want to win a football game,” Marroquin said. “Not just a football game, but football games. We’re not out of the mix just yet, and anything can happen these last four weeks of the season. We’re still practicing and playing hard.
“Our approach is still the playoffs, and while it may seem like a long shot, it’s not a long shot to us.”
SHOWING OUT
Coming into this season, Mercedes’ receiving corps was its strength offensively. But because of a conservative approach taken with sophomore quarterback Zach Gomez early, opportunities to showcase receivers like Brandon Gutierrez and Daniel Martinez were limited.
That may be changing. During last week’s 28-21 loss against Donna, Gutierrez had 118 yards and a touchdown off four catches. As coach Roger Adame Jr. gets more comfortable letting Gomez loose within the offense, expect more of that production as the Tigers look to defend their district title.
“I tell myself that no one can cover me,” Gutierrez said after the game. “That’s my mentality. I try and make plays and do the best I can.”
On the season, Gutierrez is fifth in 32-5A in receiving with 241 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards per catch.