GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — After a year of lining up across from him during drills, McAllen Rowe offensive lineman Alan Hernandez wasn’t too surprised to see defensive end Nate Hernandez try his hand at running back.
Alan had already been exposed to the quick feet and good hands that would make Nate a dangerous weapon in the backfield, especially around the goal line given his 6-foot, 200-pound frame.
As Rowe looks to establish a running game in a fresh spread, one-back offense under new head coach Bobby Flores, Nate has emerged as a potential second option in the backfield behind probable starter Raudel Garcia.
“It’s been pretty fun,” Nate said. “I like running the ball, and I want to score.”
Opportunities to move the ball on the ground were rare for the Warriors last season. Under then-coach Paul Reyes, Rowe picked up a District 30-6A-best 2,483 passing yards but managed only a district-worst 892 rushing yards.
Leading running back Jose Chavez had just 31 carries for 110 yards, and Garcia, then a backup, had 25 carries for 97 yards.
Rowe’s numbers on the ground project to increase under new offensive coordinator Shaun Tarantola, who is instituting a spread, one-back set with lots of pre-snap motion.
“It’s good. This way, we can spread the ball a little bit more,” Garcia said. “There were times last year where we could’ve run the ball, and it would have been good. But overall, it’s good.”
Garcia said learning all of the new plays and motions has been the hardest part of the transition, with Rowe working out of a significantly larger playbook. From a running backs’ perspective, Garcia said the biggest difference is zone running and trying to read his blockers as the play develops.
A one-cut back with about a 4.7-second 40-yard dash time, the 170-pound Garcia said he isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder when he needs to.
“Raudel is definitely very explosive,” Flores said. “He’s a guy we’d like to get the ball to more.”
The Warriors will also be looking to establish the ground game on sweep action, typically with Hector Ramirez or Jose Barrera.
Like Nate Hernandez, Barrera is an all-district defensive player being cross-trained on offense. Flores has been working through a similar process up front, where defensive linemen Daniel Martinez and Ivan Avila have proven potential fits on the offensive line.
Also on the offensive line will be guard/tackle Alan Hernandez — a three-year starter, leader and anchor — and center Norbert Salinas. Although the group seemed to be lagging a little behind their defensive counterparts during the spring, Flores praised them for their strong offseason working out together to build chemistry.
“We were kind of adjusting to it, but right now, we’re looking pretty good,” Alan Hernandez said. “We’re more comfortable with what we’re doing.”
THROUGH THE AIR
While Rowe is set to try to establish the run more this season, the Warriors also have an experienced quarterback to lean on in junior Jesus Sanchez.
After racking up 948 yards and 9 touchdowns against 4 interceptions last season, Sanchez has been holding off varsity newcomer William Savage in the quarterback competition.
“Sanchez obviously has the edge because of experience,” Flores said.
FAMILIAR FACES
Most of Rowe’s returning starters are on the defensive side of the ball, where last year the team ranked next-to-last in District 30-6A allowing 411.1 yards per game.
Frank Delgado will anchor the defense at linebacker, while Barrera is the standout in the secondary and Nate Hernandez leads the line.
“Experience wise, we’re there,” Flores said. “They shouldn’t have any jitters. I’m expecting big things from our defense this year.”
PROGNOSIS
New coach Bobby Flores will lean on a few experienced defensive pieces while a new-look offense finds its footing. Combined with a soft non-district schedule, the fresh approach should help Rowe to its first winning season since 2012.
Projected 2016 Record: 6-4
TENURE
Coach: Bobby Flores
Year at school: First
Career record: 0-0