By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
LA JOYA — In just about every quantifiable manner, PSJA North feels it is better than it was a year ago.
The tackling is stronger, the blocking is more precise and the passing game is more accurate.
“We look a lot older and more mature,” second-year coach Jorge Peña said.
The Raiders certainly appeared that way in dispatching La Joya Palmview 18-6 in the controlled portion of their scrimmage Friday, and 14-0 in live action, at La Joya ISD Stadium.
Quarterback George Olivarez threw for two touchdown passes and ran for another as North won comfortably.
“I feel we did a great job executing,” the senior signal caller said. “Up to this point last year, we’re more ahead of the game. I’m proud of the defense, especially the line. They’re making their calls, and they got a lot better at their assignments. What can I say? We came out here and executed.”
Olivarez spent the offseason working on a quick release and over-the-top throws. He refined his footwork and throwing into his passes. It helped, too, that he has an upperclassmen-heavy offensive line that has adapted well to an expanded playbook.
“They put in the work,” Olivarez said. “I get the glory, but they actually do the work on the field.”
Going into this year, Olivarez was implored to pass more in an effort to balance their offensive attack. He was successful in doing that Friday, connecting with Darren Fuentes for a 12-yard touchdown and later with Bo Adams on a 40-yard strike.
“George is not the same passing quarterback he was last year,” Peña said. “He and his father worked hard this past year and you could tell the difference in his throwing motion, his accuracy, his decision-making process. It’s not even close.
“He missed a couple touchdown passes by four inches, so we’re going to work to get that down by next week.”
COMING TOGETHER
Palmview’s efforts to build on last year’s winning season — the first in program history at 7-4-1 — could face some hurdles in graduating key players.
The inexperienced showed at times, particularly in fumbling the ball on several occasions. It didn’t help, either, that the Lobos were in the process of auditioning two quarterbacks, neither of which gained an advantage in trying to earn the starting job Friday.
“All I can say now is I have to go back and look at film and make the adjustments,” Palmview coach Margarito Requenez said. “They’re a good ball club. They’re a good test. We didn’t perform as well as I wanted them to, but I can’t complain. I liked what I say anyway.”
FILLING IN
North struck a nice balance with its running game Friday, even without a healthy receiving corps. Junior wide out Rene Ramirez sat out because of a hamstring issue he’s been nursing the past couple of weeks.
Peña said Ramirez was able to go “full speed” Friday, but he didn’t feel the need to rush him back out for the scrimmage.
That opened an opportunity for North to use inside receiver Brandon Villarreal at running back. The senior impressed Peña with the way “he broke all those tackles,” the coach said.
SHORING UP THE ‘D’
Part of PSJA North’s deficiencies on defense were a result of inexperience. With a full year in Peña’s system, the Raiders expect more from that side of the ball.
Last year, they allowed 30 or more points on five occasions, losing each time. On Friday, they allowed only one TD when Misael Guerra scored on a 9-yard run.
“Obviously we have a long way to go but we are where want to be at this time of the year,” Peña said. “We got to work real hard on our fundamentals and technique.”
He added: “They’re young, but they’re not as young as last year. They understand the defense better. They’re covering the gaps better. And because they know what they’re doing, they look a lot quicker out there.”
maguirre@the monitor.com