BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Edinburg Economedes were on the right track headed into last season. After making the playoffs just once prior to coach Gabe Pena’s arrival in 2011, The Jaguars made back-to-back postseason appearances in 2012 and 2013.
But then came the turnovers, enough to cause Econ to stumble to a 2-4 finish in District 31-6A and miss a third-straight trip to the bi-district round.
“Quite simply, we missed the playoffs last year because of turnovers,” Pena said. “If we can eliminate that and get some more turnovers on the defensive side… we’ve already leveled the playing field.”
It’s no secret the Jaguars prefer a strong attack on the ground. The team gained 3,319 yards last season, with all but 842 coming through the running game. The task of keeping possession will fall primarily on the team’s corps of backs — including seniors Charlie Vela, Cris Izaguirre and junior Allen Arredondo.
“We know what we have to do for this team to succeed,” Vela said. “We can’t make the same mistakes that happened last year. If we eliminate the mistakes on our end, we’ll be in a good position.”
Learning from the woes of last year may be easier said than done. Though the Jaguars have 15 returners, only seven of those players were starters a season ago. With such little continuity, Pena is promoting a sense of inter-team competition so as to avoid complacency. To drive the point home, athletes wear bright orange shirts emblazoned with the phrase “Earn your spot,” a play on the team’s logo.
“Right now it’s all about competing,” he said. “Our kids need to fight for their jobs, we’re not settling for anything. That’s what our motto is. We’re going to earn our spots every day. No matter how many returners we got, at the end of the day, they’ve got to compete.”
‘THE RIGHT SIX’
Econ’s improved running game will in part be determined by a reconfigured offensive line. Seniors Eddie Hurtado and Pablo Vargas and junior Carlos Maldonado are three returners from 2014, but the Jaguars have yet to find a lineup which meets Penas’s approval.
“In order for our ground game to be where we want it to be, we need the O-line to go,” he said. “That’s why we’re out here competing against them every day. We’re trying to get the right six to make things happen. But no one has really shown anything yet.”
DYNAMIC TIGHT END
The best blocker on Econ’s roster is senior tight end Alan Garcia. Pena refers to Garcia as a true tight end for his ability to protect the quarterback and catch the football. Garcia says he’s taken it on himself to get the offensive line on the same page.
“Since I’m a senior, I see myself as a leader for this team,” Garcia said. “I’ve been doing whatever I can to get guys where they need to be. I know we’re only going to be as good as our blocking. That sets up everything else we try to do as a team.”
‘A YEAR BETTER’
The Jaguars defense ranked among the worst in District 31-6A a season ago, allowing 330 yards and 31 points per game. Pena hopes a year of taking their lumps pays dividends this year.
“We’re a year older, but we have to play a year better,” he said. “I think we will because we had so many guys play last year. We were close in a lot of games and we finished on a high note when we beat Edinburg North. Our defense played lights out in the second half, so I feel our defense will rise to the occasion.”
EDINBURG ECON’S PROGNOSIS
Turnovers plagued the Jaguars last season, and the team missed the playoffs for the first time in two years. Econ will look to protect the ball in 2015, but if the O-line doesn’t coalesce, the offense will continue to struggle.
Projected 2015 Record: 4-6
Coaches’ Name: Gabe Pena
Year at Edinburg Econ: Fifth
Record at Edinburg Econ: 16-26
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