BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Not long after Joshua McGowen arrived in McAllen near the start of July, he jumped right into McAllen High’s 7-on-7 team.
The senior transfer from Overhills High in Spring Lake, North Carolina quickly proved why he is expected to be an impact player in his first season with the Bulldogs.
“After that, they just knew that I have pure talent, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to work so that I can earn their trust on and off the field,” McGowen said. “I kind of gained their trust, and it’s been good.”
McGowen boasts 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash and has proven himself capable as both a rusher and a receiver.
Last season at Overhills, McGowen carried 46 times for 372 yards and three touchdowns while catching 33 passes for 534 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s explosive. He’s got another gear,” McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer said. “If we can make the holes for him, he has the ability to make the big play.”
McGowen said the offense at Overhills was mostly a shotgun, passing attack, with the majority of the action moving toward the outside. At McAllen High, McGowen expects to be rushing inside more often on running downs, and splitting out to the slot during passing situations to serve as a deep threat.
“It’s good, because I work out a lot with my legs,” McGowen said. “I use my speed, and I combine the two, and it gives me a lot of power coming in. I can run in, and once I see an open hole on the outside, I can bounce it out real quick.”
Brewer said the Bulldogs plan to use McGowen all over the field during his first season: on offense, on special teams, and even on defense. McGowen has the size to hold up as a 40-carry per game back, Brewer said, but McHi would rather find ways to move him around and get him in space.
Learning to fill those roles in a new system hasn’t been an issue for McGowen, who ranks highly in his class and has aspirations of playing in college.
McGowen said his teammates have embraced the transition, helping him fit in from Day 1. He said the group has formed a brotherhood and become close off the field, including bowling trips with linebacker Cody Rodriguez and quarterback Caleb Youngblood. He said Youngblood, Ricky Vega and Darren Moya have been instrumental in him learning the system and understanding his assignment on any given play. Through two-a-days, McGowen has looked right at home.
“He’s been explosive,” offensive lineman Eijah Dames said. “He’s been making plays left and right. He’s been trying to learn the scheme as much as he can, and we’re all helping him out.”
ATHLETIC DEFENSE
Although McAllen High was bringing back just two starters on defense, coach Kevin Brewer knew during the spring that the Bulldogs had the potential to be a faster, more athletic group.
“And I tell you what, I was right,” Brewer said. “We’re fast. We’re physical over there. I’m really excited about our defense. I think that’s going to be a really strong point for us.”
Cody Rodriguez is back at linebacker, and Brewer said he’s been “an animal” in camp. Ruben Gutierrez is McHi’s other returner, although he’s moving from corner to safety.
SOPHOMORE STANDOUT
One of the new starters on the defensive side of the ball will be sophomore Gunnar Henderson, who has already shown Brewer that he can play at the varsity level.
“He’s got the mental toughness, and he’s got the physical ability,” Brewer said. “We knew that in the spring. He’s going to be a good player for a lot of years for us.”
Coming off a busy summer of traveling to various camps and combines around the state, Henderson has improved his footwork and is rarely out of position, Brewer said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
McHi’s players have raved about the improvements the offensive line has made since the spring. The group returns two players in Elijah Dames and Isaiah Leanos, and the three newcomers have started to catch on after earning roles in the spring.
“They’re maturing fast, they’re developing, and they listen,” Dames said.
Dames said he’s stronger than he was last season, and added that Leanos is faster. Dames will be staying at left guard, while Leanos is sliding from guard to right tackle.
McGowen said the offensive line is “unbelievable,” and Youngblood said he sees a huge difference from spring. Rodriguez said he and the defense have faced a more cohesive group that is doing a better job of picking up blitzes.
“I’m really excited about our offensive line,” Brewer said. “If we keep them healthy, they’re going to be pretty decent.”
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PROGNOSIS
With a big, bruising quarterback in Caleb Youngblood, a dynamic backfield threat in Joshua McGowen and an improving offensive line, McHi should be able to move the ball in 2015. Combined with an inexperienced but more athletic defense, the Bulldogs should be in line for another postseason run.
Projected 2015 record: 8-4
TENURE
Coach: Kevin Brewer
Year at school: Third
Record at McAllen High: 17-6
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